Thoughts on Upgrade for my B2301

[Bloomj]

Major tree work and lack of pallet forks ( and no SSQA to easily add them) is making me consider an upgrade to my existing machine.

When I bought my B2301 in 2016 it seemed the best balance between machine weight and power for my needs. I was told by dealers there was no practical advantage to the B2601 at the time. I considered the L2501 at the time also but didn’t like the brake pedals being on the same side as the fwd/rev pedal. Also, I liked the idea of being able to add a MMM in the future. Tires are liquid filled.

I passed on the SSQA bucket when I bought due to it decreasing loader capacity for the added weight of the SSQA parts.

Here we are now and I am regretting not having forks, would like to have a little more loader capacity and reach, and stability of the machine when using the loader.

options:

buy ssqa adapter, bucket (or weld a plate to mine), and forks (total cost approximately $2k) and the loader will ultimately lift less than it

Spend the 2k towards another machine.

considering L2502HST - they fixed my complaint of the brake pedal placement. But still no mid pto (who knows if I’ll ever use it)

or

LX2620 - more similar to what I have, smaller footprint, less capacity compared to the L2502.

total configuration of the L and LX appears to be within $1000.

Thoughts?

what would you do? My B2301 has 175 hrs on it now, garage kept, not beat up.
What should I expect to pay to go from this to either of those?

 

[Yotekiller]

I have the 2502 and love it. I have a ZT for mowing and don't get enough snow to use a snow blower, so the mid PTO was not something I needed or wanted. The 2502 is wider, beefier, and heavier than the 2620 which is what I really liked about it. I would go to your dealer and drive them both around and see what you like best. I paid $28K for my 2502 with R14 tires (fluid filled), seat arm rests, HD cutting blade for the loader, LP forks and 1560 box blade.

 

[jimh406]

I didn't need a midpto, so I went with the L2501. If you need/want a midpto, I'd go with the LX2620.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day…Not knowing / understanding really the scope of your operation and uses, I wonder what does ‘major tree work’ mean?

In my mind I think I would be coming to terms with whether or not want to spend money for more capability. If so then get SSQA on the upgrade and maybe a third function (need a grapple for your tree work?) and rear remotes depending how you plan to use the machine.

If not want more capability, then modify/add SSQA plate to existing.

If buying another doesn’t scare you off, then the L is a no brainer IMO and get the added features you want.

Just my two cents.

 

[Bloomj]

Thanks for the input. It seems that adding 100lbs to the la434 for ssqa makes it lose a good bit of its capacity in practical terms.
I’m estimating the swap to an L2502 after selling mine privately would be $8-10k vs $1200 to modify my current machine for ssqa (a bucket and the adaptor). So the added $7-9k gets me a new machine that’s bigger and better. Not sure if it’s really worth it but I know I’d like the added capacity and stability.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Thanks for the input. It seems that adding 100lbs to the la434 for ssqa makes it lose a good bit of its capacity in practical terms.
I’m estimating the swap to an L2502 after selling mine privately would be $8-10k vs $1200 to modify my current machine for ssqa (a bucket and the adaptor). So the added $7-9k gets me a new machine that’s bigger and better. Not sure if it’s really worth it but I know I’d like the added capacity and stability.

Check the loader capacity closely (don’t forget safe working capacity) what ever considering and translate it to work for a comparison (how many concrete blocks for example or bags of feed…it will give a reality check in terms of can I lift 5 more blocks or 20 more blocks, etc). Maybe question is how much upgrade wanted? YMMV.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

2502!

I went from a 2301 to an L series. Huge difference. Not only can it lift more weight, but it can lift it further out and higher up.

Another thing I found is spreading gravel/dirt/woodchips is far easier with a wider/longer/heavier machine.

I immediately felt like a much more competent operator when I upgraded. It was awesome.

Re. mid PTO and mid mount mower: many (including me) prefer a second machine for mowing for various reasons. I have a cheap husqvarna ride on now, when it dies I’m going with a zero turn.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

I k ow it’s easy to spend other people’s money, but it really is a big difference.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: I passed on the SSQA bucket when I bought due to it decreasing loader capacity for the added weight of the SSQA parts.

I see this time and time again...and really it's NOT that much you actually lose vs the EASE of changing attachments. Really it depends on WHAT you're lifting. Gravel ? OK, so 6 trips instead of 5 ? Patio stones, again 6 trips, not 5. Logs, again 6 not 5. I can't lift a 1/2 ton stone..but have other equipment that can.
My point is IF your primary purpose for the loader IS moving 1,000 pumpkins, you NEED a bigger tractor.

Today I moved 8 buckets of woodchips, 4 spare BX23S tires on rims, 4 f150 rims, 1200# of steel,600# of other tractor attachments...all easily done due to SSQA. yes, I made a few extra trips BUT got the jobs done.

 

[JimmyJazz]

This reply is from a homeowners perspective; I don't know what you consider to be major tree work but one could hardly do more tree work than I have done with my mighty B2601. I bought it primarily for mowing my 2 acre suburban lot and it does that wonderfully, in addition I have cut down 10 or more large dead or dying trees with many being over 2 ft. in diameter. I have forks and have used them to sometimes stabilize a piece while cutting and move limbs to my burn pile/fire pit. The bucket thereafter done most of the work. There were rounds that I chose to split in place using steel wedges and a splitting maul and then bucketed them to my stack , in other cases I bucketed rounds into my pickup truck to be used elsewhere. I believe your B2301 has the same lifting capacity as my B2601. I am not sure of what you are trying to do (other than justify a new tractor purchase) of which most of us are guilty. I considered doing much of my own big tree work a kind of dangerous coming of age mid life crisis / affirmation of manliness event (why do men climb mountains?) . Lots of sweat and sore muscles made me feel good. I consider my purchase of a Still MS462 professional grade chainsaw a very meaningful improvement over that which I had used previously (Stihl 250). I worked that little tractor like a rented mule and I rarely needed more capacity. I am not sure the cost/benefit calculus supports your notions. For what a swap amongst new tractors with largely similar capacity will ultimately cost you you might be better off hiring some professionals to do some of the work and keep your B2301. Good luck and be safe.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Get the quick attach plus a ballast box in the rear to compensate what you lost up front. Think it would be cheaper this way. I did this on my little 1880. Have around 300 lbs in my ballast box. Works out great.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I considered the L2501 at the time also but didn’t like the brake pedals being on the same side as the fwd/rev pedal.

I have brakes?

Huh, never used them before, I'll have to check that out.....



Since you have owned a tractor already, and you still have no need for a mid PTO, I think I would get the bigger/more capable 2502 and not worry about this "possible need" sometime in the distant future.

Sounds a little like me when I get "paralysis by analysis".

 

[chim]

You've already not gone big enough. Here's an opportunity to carefully analyze your needs and get it right. That was a lesson I didn't learn because I was trying to be cheap till getting Tractor #5

And why does the brake pedal location matter? I used brakes for turning at the ends of the rows many years ago while helping cultivate corn on the in-law's farm.

 

[Oliver]

I had both tractors you're considering, only the previous model numbers, and like you went back and forth finally deciding on a B2650 (LX2620). It was a nice tractor and big step up over the 21hp B7500 it replaced. It ran well and had plenty of power but the hydro was a little whiny (improved on the LX2620). Had a lot more loader lift capacity but I noticed the loader arms would torque with an off center load. The tractor was also high and narrow which made it a little unstable or tippy on hills and when going over a rutted area that had been logged.
I replaced it with an L2501 which had about the same power, but it was heavier built and much more stable. I think the rear outside tire width was around 6" wider than the B2650. While the loader lift was close between the two, the L2501's was much stronger, never twisting with offset loads. It was a better tractor for my needs.

If you really want a mid pto and you're not on very steep or rutted ground the LX2620 should do all you need. An L2502 gets you the same power only in a heavier duty, stronger, more stable tractor.

 

[PaulL]

I have a B2601 without SSQA and I have pallet forks.

So...one option is to do that.

I have 3ph pallet forks, that I had a local engineer modify to also have holes to take the pins from my loader (he basically just matched the pin spacing in the bucket). You can actually knock out the pins on your bucket and put pallet forks on, it's just slow and painful. I did this for about a year, and it took me about 15 mins each time. If you don't swap often that's an option for you.

I got sick of that, so then I bought the old pin-on adaptor that Kubota used to use prior to the SSQA. That is part number B1658, which is supposed to fit any B series tractor from a B3200 through to a B2601 or B2650. They all take the B1625 bucket, and the pin spacing on the adaptor is the same as a B1625 bucket (i.e. any tractor that you can mount a B1625 bucket to you can use this adaptor on). It was $373 plus shipping a few years ago.

They look like this: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/wtb-kubota-b1658-qa-quick-attach-kit.413324/

They are lighter than the SSQA and change the geometry less, so they also have less impact on load capacity (but still some).

These allow you to pull the bucket off by just removing two pins, and put pallet forks on by re-inserting those two pins. Basically as easy as an SSQA. Of course, you can't mount other SSQA attachments, but if you only want a bucket and forks that's not an issue.

I have no comment on whether you actually need a larger tractor. But if you want to stay with your current tractor, you can add the old style quick attach for $373, and that's pretty cheap.

EDIT: Looks like that link is dead. I did find this link, but it's to me. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/...n-on-b1658-and-b2365-what-fits-a-b2601.48536/

Apparently I'm the only person on the internet who cares about this particular part.

 

[Bloomj]

I have a B2601 without SSQA and I have pallet forks.

So...one option is to do that.

I have 3ph pallet forks, that I had a local engineer modify to also have holes to take the pins from my loader (he basically just matched the pin spacing in the bucket). You can actually knock out the pins on your bucket and put pallet forks on, it's just slow and painful. I did this for about a year, and it took me about 15 mins each time. If you don't swap often that's an option for you.

I got sick of that, so then I bought the old pin-on adaptor that Kubota used to use prior to the SSQA. That is part number B1658, which is supposed to fit any B series tractor from a B3200 through to a B2601 or B2650. They all take the B1625 bucket, and the pin spacing on the adaptor is the same as a B1625 bucket (i.e. any tractor that you can mount a B1625 bucket to you can use this adaptor on). It was $373 plus shipping a few years ago.

They look like this: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/wtb-kubota-b1658-qa-quick-attach-kit.413324/

They are lighter than the SSQA and change the geometry less, so they also have less impact on load capacity (but still some).

These allow you to pull the bucket off by just removing two pins, and put pallet forks on by re-inserting those two pins. Basically as easy as an SSQA. Of course, you can't mount other SSQA attachments, but if you only want a bucket and forks that's not an issue.

I have no comment on whether you actually need a larger tractor. But if you want to stay with your current tractor, you can add the old style quick attach for $373, and that's pretty cheap.

EDIT: Looks like that link is dead. I did find this link, but it's to me. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/...n-on-b1658-and-b2365-what-fits-a-b2601.48536/

Apparently I'm the only person on the internet who cares about this particular part.

thank you for the info…I saw that post for the old style qa but couldn’t figure out where to get forks to work with it. Do you have a link for that? Are you saying that my existing bucket would work with that old style adapter too or would I need to modify or get a new bucket?

 

[Bloomj]

Again thanks to everyone for input on my post. I think most of you have it pegged right - I want forks and while my current tractor is probably “enough tractor” the interest in adding ssqa forks and being more stable has me rationalizing a new machine. It sounds like the L2502 is the best way to go if I’m going to upgrade the tractor.

I’m not sure what my B is worth on the used market but I’m guessing this is a $10k upgrade. Maybe it’s worth it in the long run to get all the benefits of the new bigger machine and the added benefit of it being new / warranty starts over etc. I believe if I had purchased an L to begin with I wouldn’t be buying a second tractor, ever.

If anyone is looking for a nice B2301 let me know. Maybe if I get a good price for what I have that will sway me to move forward with a new one. Or maybe if I come across an L2502 someone needs to unload I could buy slightly used.

 

[PaulL]

thank you for the info…I saw that post for the old style qa but couldn’t figure out where to get forks to work with it. Do you have a link for that? Are you saying that my existing bucket would work with that old style adapter too or would I need to modify or get a new bucket?

The bucket will just work - the adaptor pins on to the loader arms where the bucket used to go (the pin spacing matches exactly). It then provides a new quick attach set of pins that are the same, but because they're now not a pivot point, they can have pins that are easy to insert/remove. Basically you get two "hooks" at the top that pick up the top pins, and then two pins that you drive through at the bottom. They're supposed to be reasonably loose and go in by hand, on my bucket one goes in by hand, and one needs a hammer to encourage it. But still reasonably easy.

For the pallet forks, I already had some pallet forks sized for my 3ph. I had an engineer modify them to add the pin holes so they would also go onto the loader. I'll take a photo when I get a chance.

 

[DanDavis]

I go with 2502 it has addressed your earlier concerns about the brake pedal location. 2502 configuration seems to cost about the same as the upgrade you’re considering, and it may offer more loading capacity and reach.

 

[Bloomj]

it appears the upgrade will cost about $10-12k to go from my current machine to an L2502.