From a Kubota B2601 to Kioti CX2510. Am I nuts?

[JurassicJet]

Hello Everyone:

I have been a Kubota owner for quite a few years, starting with a BX2380 and now a B2601. I loved my BX2380 and ended up with about 350 hours on it before selling and upgrading to the B2601. I had 1.5 acres when I owned the BX2380, but now own 22 acres of all woods. I have cut some trails through it with a four-foot bush hog and I also have a gravel driveway that is 450+ ft long that I maintain and keep clear of snow (last year was brutal with the amount of snow we received up here). I also use the tractor for moving cut logs for firewood and all-around chores for a property of that size.

BUT... There are a couple of things that drive me nuts about the B2601.
1.) It has an engine vibration between 1700 and 2200 rpm that drives me nuts. It has been to the dealer twice for it, and the last time they did a thorough check and determined that is normal. I do believe them due to my history with the dealer. So, nothing can be done about it and I need to live with it, or do I?!
2.) The second issue, albeit extremely small, is the rubber on the operator's platform. It is very thin (way thinner than the BX2380) and it scoots around when getting on and off of the tractor.
3.) The SSQA attach points on the loader are easy to "tweak." I actually bent one of mine by trying to get my forks on that were not sitting on level ground. The tube that runs between them is not very robust, IMHO. The Kioti seems to be better built in that regard.
4.) I do not care for the loader control lever placement at all. The BX2380 was significantly better in this regard. The B2601 has this abomination of a lever system that does not feel natural. Along with that, I have a medical condition that limits my ability to turn my head to the left. Therefore, whenever I back up, I turn to the right and therefore swing my legs a little to the right. This results in my right leg hitting the loader control lever as it snakes up from under the seat and along the right fender. This results in the bucket emptying (usually) or going all the way down until I am back dragging the loader bucket, LOL. I need to lock the loader control system if I want to guarantee that will not happen.

So, this prompted me to stop by the local Kioti dealer to check out the CX2501. The first thing is that cab! Did I mention that I am allergic to the cold (no, seriously. I have a condition called cold-induced urticaria. My brother has it too.). It was windy and cold the day that I took the Kioti for a drive, and having that cab was incredible.

But, I do have some concerns. First is the two-speed HST. I use the medium setting on my Kubota a lot. The low on the Kioti might be decent for most of my work, but I found the Kioti gutless in high. That is a concern of mine.
Second, the dealer (salesman) kept referring to a hydraulic leak on these CX2510 that allows the bucket to roll (dump) while the tractor is running. He acted like this was the case for all the new CX2510's. Not sure if it is an issue or not.
The salesman is somewhat of a BS'er, so that really turns me off, but the store manager is very nice and I also personally know the director of sales for all of their stores. He has been a friend of the family for 30+ years and ironically is my SIL's uncle.

They want just a little over $27k for this machine and are allowing $18.5k on my Kubota for trade, which is exactly what I paid for it.

Am I nuts to switch to Kioti? I am a little afraid of going from a very established and well-known brand to a brand that is not so much.

 

[Templecruiser]

I was in a similar boat. I had a JD2025R open station and have the same allergy. But a couple things I didnt like about my 2025r. Lifting compacity was pitiful, even with loaded tires. Would not even lift rear end up or the bucket with a full load. Plus there cab for new was only heat only and was $41K with snowblower. Finally checked out the cx2510 cab, and it was sweet. Has AC, much better lift compacity and a company thats been around. Reviews many seem very happy with them, so I bought one with snowblower for $35,900. The b2601 doesnt offer a cab, and the lx2610 with snowblower I was quoted $46K

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

TYM 3515 has a three range hydro. One reason I bought my 4820 was the 4 range hydro on the larger units

 

[JurassicJet]

TYM 3515 has a three range hydro. One reason I bought my 4820 was the 4 range hydro on the larger units

The two-speed HST transmission is the only concern I really have. That being said, I test-drove one, and the lower range was just fine. I would like to find a real tech sheet spec on both tractors for comparison that would for example compare the top-end speed of the low range on Kioti vs the low and medium on the Kubota.
I am assuming that the top end of the low on the Kioti ends up in the lower mid-range of the Kubota if that makes sense.

 

[Templecruiser]

The two-speed HST transmission is the only concern I really have. That being said, I test-drove one, and the lower range was just fine. I would like to find a real tech sheet spec on both tractors for comparison that would for example compare the top-end speed of the low range on Kioti vs the low and medium on the Kubota.
I am assuming that the top end of the low on the Kioti ends up in the lower mid-range of the Kubota if that makes sense.

If your up to 22ac now, for a little over $3500 more, I would snag a ck2620. It's got your 3 speed hst, huge lifting compacity, and still cheaper then the much smaller lx2610.

 

[tacticalturnip]

If it'll work for you, for sure, check out the CK2610SE/2620SE.

 

[js5020]

The two-speed HST transmission is the only concern I really have. That being said, I test-drove one, and the lower range was just fine. I would like to find a real tech sheet spec on both tractors for comparison that would for example compare the top-end speed of the low range on Kioti vs the low and medium on the Kubota.
I am assuming that the top end of the low on the Kioti ends up in the lower mid-range of the Kubota if that makes sense.

According to the owners manual hydro low range 0-4.455 mph forward, 0-3.120 reverse @2600 rpm. High range 0-12.545 mph forward, 0-8.780 mph reverse @ 2600 rpm. I test drove a CK model with the 3 range hydro and came to the conclusion that low range was kinda like my old gear drive machine, a creeper range that I rarely use so not necessary. Weight of the machine cab model 2804lbs, bare tractor from the manual. Add a loader, rear ballast and an attachment and the machine can easily approach 4000 lbs working weight. The hydraulic issue the salesman spoke of is called drift, and from experience both the loader and 3 pth will drift down over time, its not objectionable to me. The only complaint I have with the CX is the steering wheel height, is to low for my preferences.

 

[JurassicJet]

According to the owners manual hydro low range 0-4.455 mph forward, 0-3.120 reverse @2600 rpm. High range 0-12.545 mph forward, 0-8.780 mph reverse @ 2600 rpm. I test drove a CK model with the 3 range hydro and came to the conclusion that low range was kinda like my old gear drive machine, a creeper range that I rarely use so not necessary. Weight of the machine cab model 2804lbs, bare tractor from the manual. Add a loader, rear ballast and an attachment and the machine can easily approach 4000 lbs working weight. The hydraulic issue the salesman spoke of is called drift, and from experience both the loader and 3 pth will drift down over time, its not objectionable to me. The only complaint I have with the CX is the steering wheel height, is to low for my preferences.

Thank you for that data point.
My Kubota is one mph slower in the Low range but one mph faster in mid-range. Basically, it splits the difference. I believe that I would be fine with the low on the Kioti.
This has actually become somewhat of a moot point because I committed to buy the CX2510 with a cab this morning.

Cripes, I hope I am not nuts.

 

[JurassicJet]

One other thing that I should mention...
The store manager came out to my house today and spent two hours BS about equipment and etc. He answered all of my questions and concerns with straightforward candor that appealed to me. Parts availability was addressed and by the sounds of it, that is a non-issue.

 

[MaxLee]

Hello Everyone:

I have been a Kubota owner for quite a few years, starting with a BX2380 and now a B2601. I loved my BX2380 and ended up with about 350 hours on it before selling and upgrading to the B2601. I had 1.5 acres when I owned the BX2380, but now own 22 acres of all woods. I have cut some trails through it with a four-foot bush hog and I also have a gravel driveway that is 450+ ft long that I maintain and keep clear of snow (last year was brutal with the amount of snow we received up here). I also use the tractor for moving cut logs for firewood and all-around chores for a property of that size.

BUT... There are a couple of things that drive me nuts about the B2601.
1.) It has an engine vibration between 1700 and 2200 rpm that drives me nuts. It has been to the dealer twice for it, and the last time they did a thorough check and determined that is normal. I do believe them due to my history with the dealer. So, nothing can be done about it and I need to live with it, or do I?!
2.) The second issue, albeit extremely small, is the rubber on the operator's platform. It is very thin (way thinner than the BX2380) and it scoots around when getting on and off of the tractor.
3.) The SSQA attach points on the loader are easy to "tweak." I actually bent one of mine by trying to get my forks on that were not sitting on level ground. The tube that runs between them is not very robust, IMHO. The Kioti seems to be better built in that regard.
4.) I do not care for the loader control lever placement at all. The BX2380 was significantly better in this regard. The B2601 has this abomination of a lever system that does not feel natural. Along with that, I have a medical condition that limits my ability to turn my head to the left. Therefore, whenever I back up, I turn to the right and therefore swing my legs a little to the right. This results in my right leg hitting the loader control lever as it snakes up from under the seat and along the right fender. This results in the bucket emptying (usually) or going all the way down until I am back dragging the loader bucket, LOL. I need to lock the loader control system if I want to guarantee that will not happen.

So, this prompted me to stop by the local Kioti dealer to check out the CX2501. The first thing is that cab! Did I mention that I am allergic to the cold (no, seriously. I have a condition called cold-induced urticaria. My brother has it too.). It was windy and cold the day that I took the Kioti for a drive, and having that cab was incredible.

But, I do have some concerns. First is the two-speed HST. I use the medium setting on my Kubota a lot. The low on the Kioti might be decent for most of my work, but I found the Kioti gutless in high. That is a concern of mine.
Second, the dealer (salesman) kept referring to a hydraulic leak on these CX2510 that allows the bucket to roll (dump) while the tractor is running. He acted like this was the case for all the new CX2510's. Not sure if it is an issue or not.
The salesman is somewhat of a BS'er, so that really turns me off, but the store manager is very nice and I also personally know the director of sales for all of their stores. He has been a friend of the family for 30+ years and ironically is my SIL's uncle.

They want just a little over $27k for this machine and are allowing $18.5k on my Kubota for trade, which is exactly what I paid for it.

Am I nuts to switch to Kioti? I am a little afraid of going from a very established and well-known brand to a brand that is not so much.

Not nuts switch to Kioti... but I would look into the CK2620 , 3 ramge hyd, better lifting and much bigger framed tractor. Comes in cab also and still much cheaper then the others you been looking at