Hi everyone. I’ve had my B2601 for a couple of years and it’s been a great machine for my current property (only 2 acres, very rocky/wooded. We recently purchased a bigger piece of land (22 acres) that is a lot more open. It also has a 1/4 mile crushed stone driveway. I was considering moving up to an L-series tractor largely because I think it would be better for managing the larger property and that driveway. I have never used the mid-mount PTO, and even though I do have a lot more lawn to cut, I have a Scag Turf Tiger II (which makes a lot more sense at the new house than here). I haven’t done any price shopping yet, but I did have a question about implements. I have a box blade, grapple, and pallet forks for my B2601 (SSQA). Would I be able use these on the larger L series tractor or would I need to replace them? Thanks for any feedback. .
Thinking about going from B2601 to L series
- Thread starter racerboy
- Start date
I think the implements should all work fine. But, if you wanted slight wider implements, you probably could do ok with a trade.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
No doubt the pallet forks and grapple would work ok on a larger L series, but the box blade may not be wide enough to cover the rear wheel width.
Standard L or Grand L? If you want a snow blower, a cab, or the general comfort features of a grand-L, get the bigger machine. Standard L is generally more machine for your money.
You could use your B2601 implements on an L2502, they'd be a bit undersized, but not too much. An L3302 or bigger, or a Grand-L, I think you'd be better selling and re-buying larger implements.
For 22 acres, you probably should have a good look at an MX. Not that much more money. Quite a lot more tractor. 1/4 mile of driveway is a lot....
You could use your B2601 implements on an L2502, they'd be a bit undersized, but not too much. An L3302 or bigger, or a Grand-L, I think you'd be better selling and re-buying larger implements.
For 22 acres, you probably should have a good look at an MX. Not that much more money. Quite a lot more tractor. 1/4 mile of driveway is a lot....
Congratulations on your new property!
I think advice shared from @PaulL and others above is solid.
I think implement re-use will depend on what your current implements are rated for and how much machine you end up with.
I’d recommend do the math on your tasks that you will want to do and how much machine you may need.
I think advice shared from @PaulL and others above is solid.
I think implement re-use will depend on what your current implements are rated for and how much machine you end up with.
I’d recommend do the math on your tasks that you will want to do and how much machine you may need.
ajschnitzelbank
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L4701, BH92, Frost Bite grapple, Logosol M8 mill, Stihl MS661
I traded my B2301 for an L4701 a couple years ago. Boy am I happy.
As other said, I guess keeping it changing the implements kind of depends. I kept my forks, but got a wider snowpusher and back blade.
Good luck with your decision!
As other said, I guess keeping it changing the implements kind of depends. I kept my forks, but got a wider snowpusher and back blade.
Good luck with your decision!
Appreciate all the feedback. While I closed on the property back in July, I’m not officially moving in until May 2025, so I have a little time to do some research on getting a bigger tractor. Just for kicks I drove by my local Kubota dealer. They are a very small dealer and rarely have any new tractors ‘in stock’ but they did have an MX5400 cab tractor in the back. Nice machine. Just a dumb question, if you put a backhoe on that tractor, does the seat just pivot inside the cab? Or can you not get a backhoe with a cab? Sorry if that’s a dumb question.
View attachment 143780
The only other non-B series tractor they had was an M62. That thing was enormous! It didn’t have a cab but it did have a backhoe. A monster tractor, lol.
I really liked the MX. not sure if it’s too much tractor for me, but it definitely looked like a serious machine
View attachment 143780
The only other non-B series tractor they had was an M62. That thing was enormous! It didn’t have a cab but it did have a backhoe. A monster tractor, lol.
I really liked the MX. not sure if it’s too much tractor for me, but it definitely looked like a serious machine
I think a lot depends on the property itself and what you plan to do with the machine and expectations / how quickly you want to do the work vs the amount of acreage.
I am not sure about the cab / BH question, but I can say in a ROPS, the BH92 has its own seat.
Nice shiny MX would look nice with a bow tied on it next to the tree….just sayin’
.I have a L4400 and B2401. Now way I'd be without a larger L series. My driveway is 1/3 mile and the L deals with it fine box blading and a snow blade. I also cut a fair amount of firewood and the L handles the logs and other heavy lifting. I don't know what you will be doing on your new property but in most instances a 35+ HP L series will suit you just fine.
If you want-need a cab, get the MX. Plan on getting all new implements. While the smaller tractors work, time should always be a consideration IMO.
Good luck with your decisions.
Good luck with your decisions.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
The MX is a perfect size for many things, and it’s quite nimble for its size. I doubt that it would be too much tractor for your needs. IDK about the compatibility of the cab model with the 92 backhoe.
I have 54 acres and have a L3302, I bought it mostly for mowing
duty and it does that job just fine. I have used that tractor for moving lots of lumber for our new house. I have used it for
clearing trees that I have cut down, moving rocks, spreading
gravel and a few days ago plowing snow.
There have been times where I wished I had a larger machine (mostly for the higher reach of the bucket) but a larger machine would not fit though my hilly wooded trails with low hanging branches.
Everything is a compromise, I would run the 2601 and see how it goes as you can always buy a bigger machine.
duty and it does that job just fine. I have used that tractor for moving lots of lumber for our new house. I have used it for
clearing trees that I have cut down, moving rocks, spreading
gravel and a few days ago plowing snow.
There have been times where I wished I had a larger machine (mostly for the higher reach of the bucket) but a larger machine would not fit though my hilly wooded trails with low hanging branches.
Everything is a compromise, I would run the 2601 and see how it goes as you can always buy a bigger machine.
TheOldHokie
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
You will benefit significantly from a larger machine. Thats a no brainer. I am not going to speculate on how much bigger will be best/better for you.
The 3pt and SSQA attachments will work just as well on the larger machine but you need to be mindfull you have more power and need to avoid exceeding their HP limits.
Something like a box/scraper blade may not cover the track of a larger machine but thats an annoyance and not disqualifying.
If you can afford to keep the smaller machine in addition to buying a larger one you will benefit from the better of both. Thats another no brainer.
Dan
Yotekiller
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L2502, LP 60" BB, LP pallet forks, 60" KK Tiller, 55" HSI root grapple
As others have said, the attachments should carry over just fine considering the loader on your 2601 is about the same strength as the loader on the 2502, 3302, and 3902. Once you jump up to the Grand L, the loader gets much stouter so you would probably want different attachments.
As far as implements goes, the tradition rule is to at least cover your tire tracks and the L series are going to be wider than the 2601 so you would most likely want different implements.
Have no idea what your needs are for your property other than maintaining a 1/4 mile drive way. I have a L2502 for my 20 acres and maintain probably a mile worth of trails. I also use it heavily for firewood cutting, so I am hauling full logs out regularly with my grapple. I also till a large garden, some bush hogging, used it to excavate for our pool, etc. My 2502 has been a real bull dog on my property and very glad I chose this model.
Here is my take. If you don't need a high HP model, the 2502 is a hard deal to beat. There is basically no differences between the 2502, 3302, and 3902, as far as physical size, lift capacity or weight of tractor. You just get more HP in the same tractor frame with the 33 or 39. In my opinion, if you need more HP than the 2502, it makes sense to me to jump to the grand L where you get much more tractor for small $ difference.
As far as implements goes, the tradition rule is to at least cover your tire tracks and the L series are going to be wider than the 2601 so you would most likely want different implements.
Have no idea what your needs are for your property other than maintaining a 1/4 mile drive way. I have a L2502 for my 20 acres and maintain probably a mile worth of trails. I also use it heavily for firewood cutting, so I am hauling full logs out regularly with my grapple. I also till a large garden, some bush hogging, used it to excavate for our pool, etc. My 2502 has been a real bull dog on my property and very glad I chose this model.
Here is my take. If you don't need a high HP model, the 2502 is a hard deal to beat. There is basically no differences between the 2502, 3302, and 3902, as far as physical size, lift capacity or weight of tractor. You just get more HP in the same tractor frame with the 33 or 39. In my opinion, if you need more HP than the 2502, it makes sense to me to jump to the grand L where you get much more tractor for small $ difference.
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About 6 acres of this property is wooded and I would like to, at a minimum, clear a bridle path through it. It is technically three separate 7+ acre lots. About 10 acres of it is farmed by a local farmer for corn/soybean and the rest is pasture/lawn. I have a Scag ZT for mowing. I love my little B2601, but even on my small lot (in north Jersey) I run into rocks/boulders that it cannot move. And while we get a decent amount of snow up here, down in Tewksbury (where I'm moving) I don't think I will have the boulder problem, and even though it's a much longer, gravel driveway, they don't get a lot of snow there. Because the driveway is crushed stone, I was thinking I would need a heavier machine for maintaining/grading it , not so much a concern for moving a lot of snow. Also, our horses are currently on another farm, but we will be moving them in at the new place, and the ability to move a round bale is something to consider. Is the L4701 another machine to look at? A cab is a "nice to have", but by no means a requirement. I use my BH on my B2601 more than any other implement, but that is on this property. I am going to be building a shop and an equipment building on the new lot(s), so will be doing some trenching. I do agree that the MX would look nice with a red bow on it. lol!
Thank again to all the replies. It definitely gives me more information to work with, which I appreciate. Are there any "local" dealers that have a decent inventory where I can go and actually see the machine (Like a L2502 or 3302)? The one dealer near me (up in Newton) never has much inventory and I'd like to physically see the machines, not just view the specs online. I don't mind traveling up into NY or out into PA id the dealers there have largest inventories. I don't think I can keep both machines, and was considering trading in the B2601 for a bigger machine unless it makes more sense to sell it on my own.
I should have mentioned that I will also be doing a bit of tree cutting as the ash blight decimated a lot of trees on the lower lot.
I should have mentioned that I will also be doing a bit of tree cutting as the ash blight decimated a lot of trees on the lower lot.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
I looked at the L4701 for moving round bales prior to buying my MX. There’s not a large cost difference between the L and MX, but the loader lift capacity difference is substantial. Also the larger front wheels help out. You know that you want the MX, just go get one.
Yotekiller
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L2502, LP 60" BB, LP pallet forks, 60" KK Tiller, 55" HSI root grapple
If you're wanting to move round bales, I would probably look at the grand L or MX line if I were you. Not just for lift capacity but also a wider more stable tractor.
OK thanks. I am not sure of the round bale situation yet. We have always just gone with regular bales because we were handloading them into a trailer. Now we have a hay loft above the barn to store about 500 regular bales (and a hay elevator) so we might stay with those. I think cost wise, round bales are less expensive, but I don't think we will have enough horses (at least not in the beginning) and there will be a lot of waste. Managing the driveway, construction on an equipment building, a shop, clearing the lower acres, firewood cutting. Those are my priorities.