Priced a new Kubota L2501 with implements

[alanferg]

So, what are you gonna use the backhoe for? $8000 is a bunch of money for what amounts to a very small hoe. You could rent a mini-ex a lot of times for half that money. Just my .02, but if I was using a snowblower in Maine, I'd sure like a cab. I'd skip the hoe and get a cab myself, but perhaps you have some big hoe projects lined up.

Good point. I do have a few trenching projects in mind, but would probably save $$$ to rent vs buy. I'll get far more use out of other implements.

 

[alanferg]

Found a 2005 Kubota B2910 with 320 hours. Includes LA402 FEL, Meteor 60" rear snowblower, Woods 7500 backhoe, and trailer for $18,000. Is this a fair price? Waiting for a call back from seller. Also located a used Land Pride RCR1860 rotary cutter for $900.

 

[ericm979]

Can I adjust the height and tilt of box blade manually without paying for hydraulic Top and Tilt?

You can, you need to get off and manually turn the adjusters. (a dealer doesn't know this? really?)
/pine covered why TnT is so useful for box blade work. Sure you can do it without hydraulics but you have to get off and mess with it. It takes time so you don't do it often, and the results suffer.

I use TnT for the other implements too. Mostly the top cylinder- I retract the top cylinder when the chipper is on to get the tractor in and out of the barn without scraping. The chipper is long and the barn has a ramp at the door. I use the top cylinder to get the chipper's angle right when I'm operating it on a slope. TnT also make hooking implements up quicker.

 

[s219]

Can I adjust the height and tilt of box blade manually without paying for hydraulic Top and Tilt? I asked this question to the dealer and he has no clue... he then asked why I want the Top and Tilt kit, that he has NEVER sold one.

You can but you need to get off the tractor to do it, so it's not very helpful. With top and tilt, or even just hydraulic top link, you can make the important adjustments from your seat and it makes using a box blade way way more efficient. It truly makes the box blade into a much more versatile grading tool and increases your efficiency manyfold.

The top link is the most critical, as varying the angle of attack of the box is what gives it a range of capabilities. Side link is helpful if you need to cut stuff on an angle, with variable angle, or adjust to a crown or slope, but I use that much less often.

 

[ProjectKing]

Can I adjust the height and tilt of box blade manually without paying for hydraulic Top and Tilt? I asked this question to the dealer and he has no clue... he then asked why I want the Top and Tilt kit, that he has NEVER sold one.

Wow the dealer doesn't know how to adjust a box blade?! You need another dealer. Thats fundamental 3 point use info.

To answer your question yes it can be adjusted manually. Not as effortless as cylinders but not bad. Gotta get off tractor of course.

Hydraulic top link and right hand 3 point link cylinders are fairly unusual on tractors.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Can I adjust the height and tilt of box blade manually without paying for hydraulic Top and Tilt? I asked this question to the dealer and he has no clue... he then asked why I want the Top and Tilt kit, that he has NEVER sold one.

Of course you can.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Wow the dealer doesn't know how to adjust a box blade?! You need another dealer. Thats fundamental 3 point use info.

To answer your question yes it can be adjusted manually. Not as effortless as cylinders but not bad. Gotta get off tractor of course.

Hydraulic top link and right hand 3 point link cylinders are fairly unusual on tractors.

Excellent reply... A dealer who doesn't understand the fundamentals of using a tractor??? Run and find another dealer...

 

[alanferg]

Excellent reply... A dealer who doesn't understand the fundamentals of using a tractor??? Run and find another dealer...

Unfortunately, next nearest Kubota dealer is 165 miles. My next best option is the local John Deere dealer, though prices are a little higher.

Thanks all for answering questions on top and tilt, as this is all new stuff to me. The dealer later told me I can manually adjust only the top--not the tilt--using the 3 point hitch that comes with the tractor. From what I'm learning here though, top AND tilt is manually adjustable.

I will probably spring for the TnT kit and rear remotes.

 

[TomSeller]

Can I adjust the height and tilt of box blade manually without paying for hydraulic Top and Tilt? I asked this question to the dealer and he has no clue... .

Dealer must be City Folk

 

[ericm979]

Many people never adjust the manual tilt. Some tractors have lift rods that have a hand crank to change their length but the normal setup is a turnbuckle type arrangement similar to the one on the top link.

You can add the rear remotes and TnT cylinders after buying the tractor. The Kubota remotes kit integrates to the tractor better than most aftermarket setups but some people on this forum have made really nice remote valve setups with nothing but a generic set of valves and some fab work. Top cylinders are easy to find. Tilt cylinders are a little tougher but still not too bad. Assembling it yourself can save quite a bit of $$. Or you can go to Fit Rite who posts here and by all accounts makes really good TnT cylinders and valve setups.