compact utility tractor with 2500# FEL capacity and mid pto? Shuttle shift 4x4

[Arctic Taco]

Hello all,
Looking for a potential replacement for my L3301. Didn’t go with my gut and get one the right size to begin with- listened to the wife and the dealer and got a ‘not too much tractor’ with HST- hate that feature..
No doubt I will jump into the fire with that statement, but hst seems to be for people that can’t shift. I learned old school and it works for me. The HST was selected as an option for the wife to be able to use.

Beyond that the L3301 is a great little tractor just underpowered for the application. Have to halfway unload pallets of wood pellets by hand just to get the pallet off the trailer kinda defeats the purpose of a labor saving device, not getting any younger and hopefully a bit smarter
Definitely thinking used, a Yanmar, or a Kioti or NH/LS?

Moving to Oregon in a couple years to some acreage so something that can do some work is key.

 

[jeff9366]

You need a tractor of 5,000 pounds bare tractor weight to unload SAFELY. You will need liquid filled rear tires and at least 1,000 pounds mounted on the Three Point Hitch as FEL load counterbalance. No mid-PTO.

L3301 is 2,700 pounds bare tractor weight.


A 5,000 pound bare weight tractor is suitable farming 35 to 60 acres under tillage.

Definitely thinking used, a Yanmar, or a Kioti or NH/LS?

Shop all used tractor/loaders you see with 5,000 pounds or more bare weight your first consideration.

 

[Diggin It]

Looking for a potential replacement for my L3301.

too much tractor

Beyond that the L3301 is a great little tractor just underpowered

So, is it too big or too little?

 

[Arctic Taco]

Too little.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks for the info, it gives me some targets. The L3301 already has beet juice ballast.
Average weights of a pallet of wood pellets is about 2100#, energy logs- compressed sawdust logs- pallet weight is about 2250-2300#.
Lifting off of a car hauler - so beginning lift height is about 24” up to 48”.
Average consumption is a little over a pallet of pellets a month, and e logs 1 pallet every 2 months.
Possible future uses would be forest management, mowing, snow blowing and backhoe work.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You need to be looking at utility tractors and not compacts. Grand L or M series if you want to stay with Kubota.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think you might be a good candidate for a Case-IH DX series. They make a HST tractor with mid PTO and a strong loader. They can be had as a used tractor since they致e been around a while and have been replaced with a newer version.
I was looking for similar tractor, but decided on a toolcat. I felt like the DX was the best option for a used tractor with a lot of loader, grunt and mid PTO. You can have it in HST or gear. A lot would depend on your budget

 

[paulfun9]

I agree that a utility tractor is what you need, and certainly understand completely the distaste for the HST. I would suggest a good shuttle shift with a wide range of gears. My wife wants the hst because it’s easy to use but doesn’t use it enough to justify me having to use it, or compromise when purchasing.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks, orange isn’t the only color in consideration. Still learning about sizes and capabilities.
Mainly looking for a good quality item, I have seen lots of abused kubotas that are still working.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks for the info, I remember operating MF backhoes when I was in the service, and when we got a new Case 680H it was like nirvana, 3 lever, foot swing, a real beast. I’ll have a look at the DX series. Cheers

 

[Farmer495]

Utility tractor for that weight. M5660SU if buying new?

 

[PEJ5]

Thanks, orange isn’t the only color in consideration. Still learning about sizes and capabilities.
Mainly looking for a good quality item, I have seen lots of abused kubotas that are still working.

Here are a couple of suggestions for the other Orange. I have a Kioti DK5010HS (hydraulic shuttle). It is quoted to lift 2700 lbs front and rear and weighs about 5000 lbs including the loader. Tires are loaded(800lbs) and my concrete counter weight is 1400. On level ground I would be comfortable removing 2200lb pallets at 24" to 48". The hydraulic shuttle allows you to change direction without clutching, but you have to be slowed down or stopped. Also, it (only) has 8Forward and 8Reverse.
The Kioti NX series may be a better choice if it is in your price range. It is SynhroShuttle (similar??) But 24F24R so it can go much slower when desired. It is much heavier at 4600lbs not counting the approx 1500lb loader and has greater lift capacities.

 

[Arctic Taco]

Thanks, I was looking at the Kioti models. How do you like their control touch? Good response?
Do you have many hrs on yours? Pretty durable?

 

[PEJ5]

Thanks, I was looking at the Kioti models. How do you like their control touch? Good response?
Do you have many hrs on yours? Pretty durable?

The shuttle works well after the hydraulics have warmed up a bit. I use the clutch pedal for the first 15 min in the cold of winter. I figure that is reasonable. At times I do wish it had another range 12F12R, but I just pick a lower initial rpm on the dash control and use the throttle pedal on the floor.
It is a 2016 and I bought it used with 470 hrs and now the has about 535 (rookie). It is rock solid so far and it is a beast - the only tractor I have owned and operated so I have nothing to compare to. The concrete counterweight really makes a difference for stability and traction on my slopes.

 

[Diggin It]

or NH/LS?

Since you brought it up and no one else has commented, keep something in mind. LS makes the smaller NH models. Look at them closely and you'll find LS MTron tags on them. I'm not sure who makes their larger utility size machines, but I don't think NH makes anything any more.