Buying Advice 2501 or 3301--Questions, Questions, Questions

[s219]

I might be misreading tractordata info but it looks like my B2650 should lift slightly more than the 2501/3301--can that be right?
Difficult for me to find direct weight numbers but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.

Need to factor in lift height -- the L lifts 8-10" higher than the B and ratings are given at each loader's max height. At 8-10" lower, the L will have more capacity than the B. You need to study the lift curves to make a fair comparison. Here's a comparison of the two loaders based on the curves in the owner's manual. The L lifts marginally more throughout the range, but only about 90kg more (200 lb).

 

[skipperbrown]

One issue with bucket mounted forks is the inability to see what you are doing. I have enough trouble figuring out where the ends of my forks are, how high and what angle with a quick attach. Having a bucket in between would be a bear without a second person guiding you. If you have room and don't need to worry about messing up a lawn or finding the septic tank the bad way, I'd be looking at the mx series or the L deluxe versions. Weight is your friend.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

If you are going to be using the FEL, filled tires and ballast are a must in my humble opinion. I have mine filled and am always having some ballast on and will soon build a good ballast box.

QA for sure as RickB said.

I have a 3301 and love it. If I were to do it again, I might consider even going bigger, though mainly for better FEL power. Being my first tractor I had too high of expectations for the FEL. I know better now and know what it can and can't do and just work around it.

YOU HAVE TO LOAD TIRES ON THESE L SERIES... These are great little tractors, but light in the rear. I loaded my tires AND added wheel weights, made all the difference in the world. And remember, BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER...

 

[Will_C]

That's a ok deal. I paid 27,700 for a new L3560 last month-LA 805 FEL, one rear remote, 3rd function and Grammar seat.

Will

 

[Will_C]

Also, I mow around 3 acres with my tractor. I don't think it too heavy for a "farm yard." I have a ZTR for the nicer areas, use the tractor out behind my barn, way too rough for the ZTR.


Will

 

[Tractorable]

Grand L for $23K with the 805 loader is a great deal. Much more tractor than a standard L.

 

[Trailfarmer]

Went and looked at it \ drove it around Saturday.
It's BIG--obviously much bigger than my B and my old DT L but will fit in most all the places I go regularly.
Sure does come with a lot of bells and whistles--dash screen says "Welcome" when you fire it up. (How have I lived without that?!)

Size and power will help me do some projects the B can't do or would take a long time (dirt fill in of a swampy area, piling up 10' long \ 3' diameter logs, moving more firewood in less time, moving big rocks)

In excellent shape and the seller is a personable young guy (at my age anyone under 35 is still a "young guy") with a nice piece of property that reminds me of ours. Basically, he bought too small and is looking at a MX model

For $600 more he is including a QA for the rear and forks for the front (he paid about $1000 for those) and is willing to transport it the 2+ hours to my house for gas money (I have access to other transportation but this would be a lot easier).

Got home Saturday and cut grass for an hour or so and did a few other chores. Although it was nice to be back on "my little B" I was wishing for more power and lift capacity.

Good chance I'll have that soon.

 

[jeff9366]

Previously owned Grand L's usually find new owners REALLY fast.

 

[RickB]

Previously owned Grand L's usually sell REALLY fast.

I was thinking that if he didn’t buy it Saturday he might not buy it at all.

 

[prof fate]

I moved up with the need for ANY loader, more HP for bigger brush hog. SO I sorta looked at those things more as buying 'points'.

I went from kubota to kioti - more features for less money. And their deal was free loaded tires. EVERYONE here loads their tires, last tractor did not have them this one does. This one is double the weight (3300lbs est compared to 1500) and it's MUCH more stable on unlevel ground.

The QA is std - wouldn't have gotten a tractor without it, as one task is moving roundbales and clamp on forks move your pivot point even farther out. I got the cheap ones from titan (palletforks.com) and they're great. For 90% of what I've done it's been a non-issue, light rear wise. I did move a large bundle of rough cut lumber and found the loader can out lift what the rear can handle...had to use 4x4 to even move the tractor as the rear was too light. But I've moved very large rocks and logs and not had a light rear end. Convenient to NOT have to go get a ballast box or other implement for weight.

HP..I went with 35 over 26 - only $1800 more. 40 is their biggest model in that 'frame' size but was $2500 more yet..not worth it. One can always use more HP! If not..it's not like it's in the way or anything. I have managed to stall it a couple of times (HST) going into brush piles to push them about. No matter your HP you can still 'overload' it I suppose.

I opted for rear remotes, rubber floor mat, cruise control (hst and brush hogging it's a godsend), link pedal, mirror (love it), arm rests, the filled tires of course. Plan to add a hyd top link soon I think as i do a lot of box blade work and just got a disc harrow and adjusting the angle of attack changes what these tools can do and doing it from the seat would be handy.

More weight does have a side effect or two - you'll need a trailer that can handle it should you need to move it about, and you'll likely see ground impressions. The kubota left no real marks on the ground..this one is leaving noticeable impressions outside the barn door on the grass from the in/out all in one place nearly daily.

BTW, I paid 22450 out the door. The options listed above - totaled $640. Yes, two rear remotes were added and only cost $295.

The CK3510 over the 26 also gets a heavier loader as part of the upgrade. 1800lb lift capacity.