About this pedal thang

[Recoveryhill]

Perhaps a sickle bar mower? Or some of mower that swings out to the side?

I looked at a couple of options but couldn't budget the $$ to execute. The routine probably sounds worse than it is. Going back at a slight angle I can look down at the rear and given the extension of the rotary cutter I never have to get closer than two feet to eternity. This would not be possible with a geared tractor. Do I inspect treadle linkage on a regular basis to insure nothing sticks? Yes!

 

[Recoveryhill]

True. The flip side is:

IF you did drive parallel to the edge and had a front tire start to drop over the bank, you might want a tractor where you could use your steering brakes to get away. Just saying....

I hear you but if I drop anything off I'd need something to allow me to hover!

 

[TBone]

The peddle took me a little while to get used to, now I like it. Big mistake placing your foot on the top and "rocking" back and forth. Its just way too uncomfortable for anyone over 5ft tall. Use your toe on the forward end and rest your heal on the floor board. For reverse, lift your foot and place your toes where your heal was, and heal on the rear part of the peddle. Yes, its more movement of your leg, but way easier to control.

While I agree that the split brakes are useless on these models unless you have cruise control, they actually don't need them. I used the split brakes on my 770 a lot, but the 2501 seems to turn better. With a 5ft mower on the back, I think you'll be able to get to everything you need to.

I do like to use the split brakes as a "locker" though, and apply power to the rear wheel of my choice. Hard to do on this machine.

Would I chose gear over hydro next time? No way! This machine so nimble and controllable, I could never give it up. For close quarters, its amazingly handy. The 2501 will do any ground engaging and loader work you can throw at it, but If you need a lot of PTO power, the higher power model (3901) may be a better choice. I've had mine bog in heavy growth with both the 6ft finish mower and 5ft bush hog on and had to slow down to clear it out.

I echo what crashz said. I have had straight geared tractors and loved em. I had a geared tractor with shuttle shift and loved it. Now I have a L2501hst and REALLY love it. I could never go back to a geared tractor unless I had a lot of acreage with long places to cut or plow. I only have two little 6-7 acre plots. Both are full of trees and both have water to work around. This little tractor is so nimble I never even consider using a brake to turn and I did that constantly on my bigger gear tractor. Good luck with your search.

 

[TBone]

jeff9366 wrote:

"The kubota L2501, 3301 and 3901 have the split brakes on the left side of the tractor, HST treadle on the right side of the tractor."

I've got a 2018 L2501 HST and that simply ain't true. The split brake pedals are on the RIGHT side of the tractor, beside the treddle. The only thing on the left side is the clutch pedal.

 

[Inspector507]

I had a 17 HP gear tractor starting out. It was okay. Plowing snow or mowing around all of the obstacles around here was no fun. Back and forth. Took a lot of shifting and clutch work. My 18 HP New Holland is HST with the treadle pedal on the right side. But the brakes are on the same side. I love the treadle pedal. Don't think I'd ever go back to a geared tractor.

 

[wagne223]

jeff9366 wrote:

"The kubota L2501, 3301 and 3901 have the split brakes on the left side of the tractor, HST treadle on the right side of the tractor."

I've got a 2018 L2501 HST and that simply ain't true. The split brake pedals are on the RIGHT side of the tractor, beside the treddle. The only thing on the left side is the clutch pedal.

You are correct sir. The L2501 has a live PTO so a manual clutch pedal is on the left. The brakes are on the right with the HST pedal.
My guess is on machines that have an independent PTO, it is engaged electronically so no manual clutch pedal is required. Therefore they can put the brakes on the left.

 

[Geotech]

HST is no brainer for 99.9999 percent first time owners that plan to do more than long row crops or mowing.

Split breaks? Only sound like they come in useful every great once in a while, if ever for the vast majority. My manual says not to use them with 4wd engaged. Dont let the people who are overly emphatic about their alternative choice bias your decisions on what might be (or probably are, statistically) trivial considerations s for yourself.

I have the awkward brake placement on my L2501. Can't remember where the brakes are on my parents' Mahindra HST...never used them.

I prefer the twin pedals over the rocker on my Kubota. Not enough to get a completely different tractor, though. I expect I'll grow accustomed to it after a while.

 

[Tractorable]

Kubota should start using the pedal on the Grand L’s on the economy L’s, much more ergonomic and would save a lot of complaints about the awkward treadle pedal.

Why any modern HST tractor still has a clutch, non-live PTO, and unusable split brakes on the same side as the HST pedal is beyond me. It ain’t the 1950’s anymore.

 

[Corkpuller]

Well, I finally got a chance to operate an L2501 today. The pedal wasn't quite as bad as I expected, but certainly would take some seat time to get it comfortable, to me anyway.

Now I'm pondering whether the 2501 will be enough tractor for me.
Salesman was very knowledgeable, very nice, and did not try to sell me more than I needed. In fact he went the other way. But, I exposed my concern and my dislike of the emissions crap, and that led us straight to the 2501.
He said all three -- 25,33,& 3901 have the same loader capability.
But all that I'll save for a different thread.

Appreciate y'alls input.

 

[airbiscuit]

If you buy it, You'll have to decide which Disney Character you will name that @#$% Kubota Hydro treadle!

Goofy
Daffy
Mickey Mouse