Comparison Mahindra 2538 or Kubota 3901 anyone have experience with both.

[Fallon]

I hear the L2501 is kind of under rated to get below the 25hp limit for emissions. I hear it's about equal in power to my previous generation L3200 with 32hp. I wouldn't want any less HP than my 32 in this fame size, but I hear lots of satisfied L2501 owners, I assume because is a bit under rated compared to how it performs.

A HST will eat up 15% of your HP compared to the same one with a gear tranny. Personally I think it's worth it though.

My L3200 pulls a 5' rotary cutter just fine & only has to slow down with lots of heavy brush or really tall thick grass.

I've never pulled a disk, but generally this size machine is NOTHING a good match for a disk. What are you planning on disking? You need to keep up speed to get proper mixing of material & have room to get up to speed & maneuver. You'll probably be better off getting a tiller. A tiller is much more maneuverable & easy to use. It will do a fenced in garden where a disk will not. With a HST you can just ease off the go pedal to a large degree if you are short on HP.

Assuming the L2501 is actually equivalent to my L3200 in practical power output, it's a good machine. I hear it probably is close, but haven't ever ran one. It might get a bit bogged down on tilling & roading up hills, but easy enough to slow down a bit.

I'd avoid the L3301. Go with a L2501 for the cheap no emissions option or L3901 for the extra power. The L3301 would be fine on power, but I don't think the value is there with the emissions stuff & the emissions free L2501 licking at its heels.

 

[mike35549]

Disking would be food plots and such. Something that really don't need filleted and is kinda large to be practicle to use. Tiller on. But the tractor has to be able to be able to pull a heavy enough disk to do the job. I would use a tiller for my garden at home. I was just afraid the a 5' cutter and tiller would be to much for one.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I have an L2501 and have really enjoyed it. It has far exceeded my expectations. The only gripe I have with this tractor is the pto on the gear model, not a big issue since I don't use this tractor for hardly any pto work but still a pain. The hst doesn't have the same pto setup so it's good to go. Other than that I can't think of anything else I don't like about the tractor. The controls are all nicely and ergonomically laid out, they feel more solid than some of my John Deere utility tractors (4wd lever, pto engagement lever, dash switches). The quality is there and for the price it leaves you scratching your head wondering how they did it. I was first scared of "only" 25 hp but think of this little engine as an Ecoboost. People laugh at the 2.7ecoboost until it leaves them in the dust or beats them in a towing challenge on Davis Dam. Same with the 2501, it gets laughed at until people drive it and use it and then they're like "man the tq on this thing! You sure it's only 25hp??"

 

[DavesTractor]

Some interesting points regarding the 25 HP models. The 1526 Mahindra has the same engine as the older 3016 it replaced, but the HP is rated now at 100 rpm less to drop it from 28HP to under 19kw (25.48hp). That way if falls just under the EPA norm like the L2501. When using it or on a dyno, it seems to match the 3016 at any given rpm. I'd say anyone that can get by with that much HP ought to be looking at that tractor or the equivalent in their favorite brand. Cheaper, simpler, and probably under-rated in the real world.

I wonder if we have quite a few really stout 25.4 HP tractor across the brands? It sounds like the L2501 over performs also.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Some interesting points regarding the 25 HP models. The 1526 Mahindra has the same engine as the older 3016 it replaced, but the HP is rated now at 100 rpm less to drop it from 28HP to under 19kw (25.48hp). That way if falls just under the EPA norm like the L2501. When using it or on a dyno, it seems to match the 3016 at any given rpm. I'd say anyone that can get by with that much HP ought to be looking at that tractor or the equivalent in their favorite brand. Cheaper, simpler, and probably under-rated in the real world. I wonder if we have quite a few really stout 25.4 HP tractor across the brands? It sounds like the L2501 over performs also.

I'm glad manufacturers figured this out and I think that's why these sized tractors are in high demand right now. My Kubota dealer said he sells 2501's at a 3-1 rate over any of the other L models. Can't keep them in stock hardly. I think the tractor manufacturers might have just created a new class of tractor that people didn't know they'd want but have come to realize they do want it.

 

[ProjectKing]

I have an L2501 and have really enjoyed it. It has far exceeded my expectations. The only gripe I have with this tractor is the pto on the gear model, not a big issue since I don't use this tractor for hardly any pto work but still a pain. The hst doesn't have the same pto setup so it's good to go. Other than that I can't think of anything else I don't like about the tractor. The controls are all nicely and ergonomically laid out, they feel more solid than some of my John Deere utility tractors (4wd lever, pto engagement lever, dash switches). The quality is there and for the price it leaves you scratching your head wondering how they did it. I was first scared of "only" 25 hp but think of this little engine as an Ecoboost. People laugh at the 2.7ecoboost until it leaves them in the dust or beats them in a towing challenge on Davis Dam. Same with the 2501, it gets laughed at until people drive it and use it and then they're like "man the tq on this thing! You sure it's only 25hp??"

You have a great insight since you also own larger farm tractors. I always enjoy reading your opinions on the L2501. I'm still planning to order one soon!

 

[DavesTractor]

I'm glad manufacturers figured this out and I think that's why these sized tractors are in high demand right now. My Kubota dealer said he sells 2501's at a 3-1 rate over any of the other L models. Can't keep them in stock hardly. I think the tractor manufacturers might have just created a new class of tractor that people didn't know they'd want but have come to realize they do want it.

I agree. We sell a lot of the Mahindra Max 26XL and the 1526. Both were previous 28HP units, now under 26 for EPA reasons. It sure doesn't hurt that they are also made in Japan by Mitsubishi.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I agree. We sell a lot of the Mahindra Max 26XL and the 1526. Both were previous 28HP units, now under 26 for EPA reasons. It sure doesn't hurt that they are also made in Japan by Mitsubishi.

Mahindra needs to put dealers here in SC because those sized tractors are in huge demand right now. Horse farms and hobby farms popping up all around me and the first thing they do is run out and buy a 25-35 hp tractor. The problem is they don't have much to choose from, it's Deere or Kubota and Deere isn't really interested in that market, at least around here. Mahindra could do very well in my area but the one and only dealer is 3 hours away and I don't think we have a Kioti dealer, maybe we do by now though.

 

[Snowback]

I don't want to stir up a hornets nest but it seems Mahindra has the highest complaint rate on this site.

Nah - I don't think so. :stirthepot:

I did just look at recent posts and found a number of Kubota complaints, JD, and LS, etc... After a while I noticed an oil change question regarding the Mahindra magnetic plugs. None of these indicate that any of those machines are bad, rather that the owners are looking for help from a community of helpful owners. EGR valves seem to be an issue for some 3500 series Mahindras, but they have addressed that one I think. I did see a picture of a torn down tractor at a dealer and that certainly was no fun... Unless we have an accurate analytic tool to compare all of the specific brand complaint posts, and the severity of the complaints, I think I would personally avoid any brand bashing. Plus - Mahindra stands behinds their products with what was an industry leading 5 year warranty that they have now stretched to 7 years. The other brands have scrambled and caught up. All y'all owners of Kubota's and JDs should send a letter of thanks to Mahindra for that one!

And guess what? Not a single DPF regen issue or complaint from Mahindra owners. Why? Because we don't have them - no worries on that end and I can putt around all day at a comfortable pace without racing my engine to 3,000 RPM or dealing with a blast furnace cooking out my DPF every 5-15 hours under the hood. Does that make DPFs in some of the other brands bad? No, not necessarily. It is up to each person to research all around to find their best fit. I simply would argue that your best input could come from extolling the benefits of your personal experience with Kubota and how much you enjoy it and why you decided to purchase it. That would be most helpful to the OP in my humble opinion.

I have owned Mahindra's since 2012 (Max 25 and now a 2538), and my only shop time was to replace a radiator on the Max that I destroyed by ramming a log through it. The tractors have been bullet proof and worked well for my needs. Admittedly low hours, but very heavy duty use.

I just did a quick google search for "XXXX Tractor Complaints" From best (lowest hit count), to worst (highest hit count) = Kioti, Mahindra, Kubota, John Deere. But you know what? It does not matter. I still think JD is great and would encourage the OP to consider the 3038E in this evaluation as well. The JD 3038E costs about the same as the Mahindra and specs out similarly to the Kubota. That Mahindra 2538 has more heft and capacity than both the JD and Kubota comparables, but if you like green or orange better than red, then you may be happier. Another machine to look at might be the New Holland Workmaster 40. Again similar capacities to the Kubota and Deere. (I think there is a video on you tube showing the 2538 and the 3038 compared.) As to resale, earlier this year I sold my Mahindra Max 25 in just a few days for what I needed. (Should have asked for more...)

I've given the OP my thoughts on another thread as well. As a 2538 owner I will vouch for that machine, but I acknowledge that the other brands are all great tractors as well. When I looked at the L3901 I found it to be a very nice machine and the HST and loader were very smooth, but for the hefty loader work I was wanting to do the 2538 just fit the bill better. It has more built in weight and a stronger loader. I also really liked the fact that I do not have to deal with a DPF and those regens now, or 10 years from now...

No offense intended towards prichard or other brand owners. I just feel that it is important to keep the record straight and I would have said the same thing had I ended up with the 3901, or one of the nice Kiotis and Bransons I looked at.

At the end of the day, the best tractor in the world is the one that is in your shed, no matter what color it is. I guarantee it!

 

[prichard]

No offense taken, Snowback. Mahindra was never a consideration for me simply because there are no dealers nearby. Again just sharing a perception. I went back and looked and it seems Dave was correct that most were dealer issues more than manufacturer issues.

I'd be willing to bet that 99+% of new tractor owners are very happy with their machine.