Help me decide, Kubota B2601 VS Mahindra VS Kioti

[Geotech]

Kubota has a slight premium price, but they have subtle advantages. For example, the Kubota L series loader will lift and curl at the same time. Not so with the Deere E series. There are others but you can find out doing your own research on things posted ad nauseam. Sometimes it seems like Kubota is trying to lose tractor sales the way they under-represent their product compared to the others. If you plan to buy implements with the tractor, it is very tough to beat the value of an L2501 with LP implements package. That is, if you are buying new. Sightly used tractors are priced too close to new (in my area) to sway me and I'm not interested in any thing that is more than slightly used. Good luck whatever you choose. I think you'd be happier with the L series frame size over the B series frame size. (or equivalent frame size form competitor models).

 

[otlski]

Kubota has a slight premium price, but they have subtle advantages. For example, the Kubota L series loader will lift and curl at the same time. Not so with the Deere E series. There are others but you can find out doing your own research on things posted ad nauseam. Sometimes it seems like Kubota is trying to lose tractor sales the way they under-represent their product compared to the others. If you plan to buy implements with the tractor, it is very tough to beat the value of an L2501 with LP implements package. That is, if you are buying new. Sightly used tractors are priced too close to new (in my area) to sway me and I'm not interested in any thing that is more than slightly used. Good luck whatever you choose. I think you'd be happier with the L series frame size over the B series frame size. (or equivalent frame size form competitor models).

The bold emphasis above is mine. This is interesting. I tested the L series against a Mahindra and I did not like the Mahindra being one-at-a-time lift versus curl. I thought Mahindra was weird/different, but you seem to suggest that the L series ability to do both simultaneously is actually what is rare. Do I have that right?

 

[Geotech]

The bold emphasis above is mine. This is interesting. I tested the L series against a Mahindra and I did not like the Mahindra being one-at-a-time lift versus curl. I thought Mahindra was weird/different, but you seem to suggest that the L series ability to do both simultaneously is actually what is rare. Do I have that right?

I don't think it's rare to have simultaneous lift/curl, but it is an advantage Kubota has over Deer between the L and E series.

 

[YLee Kioti]

The lift curl/down and dump is a 45 deg. angle on the Kioti.
Takes practice hitting that sweet.
I gave up...lol.. I just take my time...but at times it does come in handy.

 

[Geotech]

The lift curl/down and dump is a 45 deg. angle on the Kioti.
Takes practice hitting that sweet.
I gave up...lol.. I just take my time...but at times it does come in handy.

Interesting. The L2501 is super easy. I may be in full lift and just rotate the stick around mid motion and it will start curling. Very smooth and intuitive. I don't think that feature alone is a make or break proposition. I was very close to getting a CK2610.

One of the subtle "advantages" that put Kubota over the Kioti for me, in the 25 HP class class without the regen, was that the L2501 is rated at 2200 RPM whereas the CK2610 is rated at 2600 RPM. I put advantage in quotes because don't know if it makes it better, but I prefer the lower RPM, all other things being equal.

 

[ErnieR]

Choosing HP needs is difficult unless one has used different hp ratings before on similar ground. We have several older tractors with more HP but when buying another in compact size I went with the 2501 and could not be happier. We mow 3 -25 acres of tall grass using a five ft brush hog and flail mower both and never have an issue. PTO HP is often misunderstood by many, it all depends on each persons ground, what is being mowed, how fast you want to mow, and height of the grasses being mowed. Ours is a mixture of different pasture grasses having lots of rye grass that gets up there pretty quickly; the 2501 mows just fine in mid range speeds for most everything but a few thick areas on a slope, then I use low range for maybe 15 minutes. Any tractor the OP asked about is capable of the tasks given proper size. Everyone has their favorite but dependability and dealer support are king IMO, not price. Yeah, Kubota does not dicker much on price and maybe they shouldn't with such well built tractors in several size ranges plus being made by Kubota and not from parts all over the world, but we all have choices to make so I understand price is often most important to some and I do respect that. We looked at several brands before the 2501 and decided the dealer support and the fact I liked the seating and comfort of the 2501 best made our decision. Adding three rear ports and a fast hitch makes it very easy and quick to use regardless of my task at hand, so much so the Wife gets on it and mows too! We live out west where used Kubota's are hard to come by; I looked and looked for a nice 3 to 5 year old machine but finally bought new as the zero down zero interest trumps cash outlay every time when buying around here. Used Kubota's being very high priced here. Ricn

Good to know about the L2501 amd glad you like it. How痴 the paint stood up on it. How many times I致e seen Kubota痴 and the paints all faded which sure detracts from them. You壇 think a company that痴 been in business as long as they have and demand the price they do for their equipment as they do, they壇 have a better UV paint. Just sayin.

The farmers that work our land was spraying beets last weekend and stopped to chat and I mentioned I was looking at different tractors and right away he raised his eyebrow and said, and what Deere are you looking oking at??? Umm well I haven稚 dven considered them from what I致e been reading. He said you might want to consider, if say in 10yrs there might not be a mahindra or Kioti dealer left in the area and if you buy one now, imagine trying to get it serviced or get parts for it. At least JD will still be dominant in the area. Valid points indeed. So I called our big Deere dealer. Salesman suggested their 3038E to the tune of 30.5K with no rear remotes which will be an additional $1800.. I could very well be way off base here but in my humble opinion, not having rear remotes as a standard equipment rather than an option is like saying oh you want a passenger seat in that truck, ya that痴 an option. Pretty much 5K more for the Deere. Then he mentioned this used 2032R with 240hrs they had sitting there with a front bucket and No Rear remotes for 25K. I stopped to look at it behind the locked compound after dealer was closed and nice looking tractor but the loader cylinders sure look fine and is it true the bucket can稚 be removed ??? Plus it looked like the tie rod sat below the front axle which absolutely is a turnoff in my eyes especially doing bush work.

The Deere salesman on the phone when I mentioned mahindra and Kioti he didn稚 take long to throw in, ya and their technology is from the 80痴 where Deere has the latest and greatest. I didn稚 care for the bashing. Still undecided what direction to go.

 

[ErnieR]

Kubota has a slight premium price, but they have subtle advantages. For example, the Kubota L series loader will lift and curl at the same time. Not so with the Deere E series. There are others but you can find out doing your own research on things posted ad nauseam. Sometimes it seems like Kubota is trying to lose tractor sales the way they under-represent their product compared to the others. If you plan to buy implements with the tractor, it is very tough to beat the value of an L2501 with LP implements package. That is, if you are buying new. Sightly used tractors are priced too close to new (in my area) to sway me and I'm not interested in any thing that is more than slightly used. Good luck whatever you choose. I think you'd be happier with the L series frame size over the B series frame size. (or equivalent frame size form competitor models).

I wouldn’t own a tractor if it wouldn’t both curl and raise or lower at same time. Also if it’s true for example the Deere’s bucket isn’t removable that is definitely another strike against them because I wouldn’t buy it.

Serviceability/dealer support is everything in my opinion and price is secondary. I feel Deere and Kubota will always have dealers in our area. A good used low hour tractor is tough to find up here and the few I’ve seen their prices are too close to new to even consider buying used.

The more research I do the more I’d get a full size frame like the L series.

 

[DK35vince]

The farmers that work our land was spraying beets last weekend and stopped to chat and I mentioned I was looking at different tractors and right away he raised his eyebrow and said, and what Deere are you looking oking at??? Umm well I haven稚 dven considered them from what I致e been reading. He said you might want to consider, if say in 10yrs there might not be a mahindra or Kioti dealer left in the area and if you buy one now, imagine trying to get it serviced or get parts for it. At least JD will still be dominant in the area. Valid points indeed.

Service may be an issue if a dealer left the area.
But parts I simply make a call or order online, In the 18 years I have owned my tractor I have never gone to the dealer for parts.

 

[Ricn]

EarnieR said it best and I agree wholeheartedly.
Ricn