Kubota L2501 vs L3301 ?

[ALB]

I'm buying new Kubota but I'm not sure which one to buy. Is the extra 5 hp worth the emissions stuff in the long run? I'll be plowing a small garden (1/2 acre) and mowing with bush hog and putting in deer food plots. What do you think?

 

[Peter 315]

The l3301 has about 7 hp more on the pto , Whats the price difference ?

 

[jeff9366]

ALB

Tough questions to answer well without LOCATION being part of your T-B-N PROFILE. Soil, moisture and topography vary.



I'm considering a new Kubota but I'm not sure which one to buy. Is the extra 5 hp worth the emissions stuff in the long run?

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR. Consider the L3901 too. You will likely recoup the additional investment at resale. There is no practical way to increase engine power after purchase.

VIDEO: Kubota Standard L-Series. L251 L331 L391 L471 features and operation. - YouTube

I'll be plowing a 1/2 acre garden.

Consider a PTO powered roto-tiller. 25-hp is enough to power a roto-tiller satisfactorily in reasonably loamy soil. The forward rotating tiller tines push the tractor forward.

I'll be mowing with bush hog.

Twenty-five horsepower is barely adequate to power a light duty (450 pound) 60" Bush Hog cutting dry grass 24" tall.

If you will be cutting brush clearing food plots you will need at least a 650 pound medium duty 60" Bush Hog which will spin optimally with L3901 power.


I'll be puting in deer food plots.

VIDEO: FEL Ratchet Rake - YouTube

Round Up / Glycophosphate herbicide first, then three weeks later Bush Hog followed by PTO powered roto-tiller, seed, then a Cultipacker or a drag, such as a Chain Harrow. Only the Bush Hog requires more than 25-horsepower.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​

VIDEO: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube

 

[ALB]

Price difference looks like $ 3, 500
But My real questions is that the 25 HP has no emissions but the 30 Hp does have emissions equipment. It must regen after so many hours.

 

[ALB]

North Georgia red clay! So teh dirt is very hard. I have an 1210 Ford that I use a 4' rototiller on. It works well if the soil is already turned. But this little tractor has to work very hard to turn my soil so i need a larger tractor.

 

[Peter 315]

My newer one has to regen but I have not had any problems with it. The fuel usage is more but its a bigger engine more hp more fuel. The regen is not a big deal I do it parked

 

[Roadworthy]

In my world simpler is better - less to go wrong. My L2501 is very much like my forty or so year old Mitsubishi D2350. I looked at the larger Kubota but backed off when I discovered the extra emission controls. I had a Dodge pickup (diesel) with expensive emission controls. Perhaps the technology has improved since 2008. Perhaps not. Why take the chance? My Mitsubishi has been big enough to run a five foot mower and a five foot roto tiller. The new Kubota is heavier and has a couple more horsepower. It was a winning solution for me. Why replace the Mitsubishi? It's a grey market tractor and parts are becoming scarce.

 

[crashz]

Keep in mind the HST robs some power from the PTO (~19.5). My JD 770 which is 24 hp at the flywheel, had 21 at the PTO and never felt under powered cutting thick field grass with a 5 ft Bush-hog. My L2501 with the same exact mower, bogs sometimes and I really have to back off if there is any moisture. I haven't run a tiller on either machine yet, so no idea how that would fair.
90% of the time I don't need any more power. For ground engaging, and loader work, its actually over powered for its weight.

I bought the L2501 in 2017 for the same reason you are considering: no emissions. And just as you would expect, I haven't had any emissions related issues! Nor do I ever expect any. Purely speculation and opinion, but I feel that the L2501 is quite possibly the most reliable tractor on market, with no bells and whistles and limited emissions equipment, it was the perfect replacement for my old 770.

But even with all of my boasting above, if I were to do it over, I'd be more apt to spring for the L3901. Those times when I need more power are rare, but I need it to finish a side job. And while I'm paid by the hour, it would be nice just to rip right through those jobs without slowing down. From what I read here, its rare that anyone has any problem with the emissions system on their Kubota.

So long story short, don't be afraid of the emission systems. If you need the power for cutting and tilling, get it.

 

[nybirdman]

Between those two;The L2501 for sure;under rated to meet emissions and in the real world probably makes more H.P.than rated.
We have a very similar L3000(gear) that is a true work horse and will surprise what it can do.Also 4 WD is like adding ten H.P. as far as pulling.
On our L3000,we run a five foot tiller,five foot bush-hog and it has hauled many tons of logs.

 

[jeff9366]

North Georgia red clay! Dirt is very hard. I have an 1210 Ford that I use a 4' rototiller on. It works well if the soil is already turned. But this little tractor has to work very hard to turn my soil so i need a HEAVIER tractor.

I suggest adding North Georgia location to your T-B-N PROFILE. You can change your tractor description at the same time.

An L3901 can power a 72" medium or heavy duty roto-tiller, forward or reverse tine rotation.

A medium duty 72" roto-tiller weighs 500 pounds.

A heavy duty roto-tiller weighs 750 pounds. I suggest heavy duty for hard clay even though you will till when moist and somewhat soft.

Extra weight comes from thicker steel providing strength. Tiller weight provides pressure on the ground.

Weight is your friend in implements for ground contact work.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.​