Help me decide, Kubota B2601 VS Mahindra VS Kioti

[ErnieR]

Help me decide, Kubota L2501 VS Mahindra VS Kioti

Hello all,

New member and first post here

I come from a hobby farming background ( 100ac in total, 63 ac workable and 27 of carolinean woodlot) and have been around mostly old Farmalls of course without a FEL, well the times come I need something to maintain ditchelines and keeping our woodlot clean (4-5 acres of keeping weeds knocked down) cleaning up dead trees their logs and firewood and tree tops, so a FEL, suitable rotary mower, and down the road a front grapple would be great. Also had thought a heavier frame tractor would allow to it I needed to cut the crown off the lawn to change the grade the smaller tractors wouldn稚 be heavy enough.

I hadn稚 even considered these smaller tractors and had started to go look at the Kubota L2501 right up to the Mahindra 1635 and the Kioti CK3510SE.

Then after stumbling across GP Outdoors channel on YT and watching what his little B2601 can do, well I�･ Very impressed I�･ not so sure now I need a larger framed similar to the L2501.

Sadly the different dealers we致e gone to view different tractor brands and model offerings they have little stock. Only dealer that did have side by side comparison was the Mahindra and Kioti dealer and where we got to at least test drive the 1635 and they Just got the Kioti dealership a few weeks ago and the CJ3510SE was still in its crate. So many mixed reviews on different brands it逞ｴ hard to know what to get.

just not sure how these smaller models compare in price to the larger frame models and after watching the vids on the B2601, Im not so sure the smaller models aren稚 Maybe the way for me to go.

I truly appreciate your knowledgeable opinions

Thank you from SW Ontario Canada

 

[jeff9366]

So many mixed reviews on different brands its hard to know what to get.

I am not sure how these smaller models compare in price to the larger frame models. Not sure if a lightl compact class tractor is the way for me to go.

I trust the compact tractor you are shopping for will join the stable of heavier tractors without loaders used for heavy work.

Ultimately you have to decide, but you can bounce ideas off the readership here as long as you wish.


The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to identify potential tractor applications first, then determine bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

I need something to maintain ditches and keep our 27 acre woodlot clean (4-5 acres of keeping weeds knocked down) cleaning up dead trees their logs and firewood and tree tops, so a FEL, suitable rotary mower, and down the road a front grapple would be great. Also had thought a heavier frame tractor would allow to it I needed to cut the crown off the lawn to change the grade the smaller tractors wouldn’t be heavy enough.

As potential compact tractor is a supplement to your existing heavier tractors I think all of the machines you have listed would be adequate.

We have numerous contributors here who farm with utility class tractors and comment how much they enjoy jumping on their compact tractor for chores near home. Several recommend the B2650 over the B2501 as a slightly more capable better optioned tractor for not much more money.

VIDEO: Kubota B261 VS Kubota B265 - YouTube

PRICING: kubota b261 price - Google Search

kubota b265 price - Google Search

 

[ErnieR]

Re: Help me decide, Kubota L Series, VS similar Mahindra VS Kioti vs ?

First off I should mention we contract our workable land out so I have no need for any larger tractor than what I’m looking to currently purchase.

After regretfully practically giving away most all of my late fathers Immaculately restored Farmall collection, I only now house a full resto Super M that sits and only gets started twice a year, and then I have a working Super C that I use a on old set of 8 discs with to keep the front of our woodlot worked up a bit .

I’d certainly rather have more iron then less for a new tractor but a few hundred pounds won’t sway my decision either way considering I can build a ballast box plus load the rears.

Regarding PTO horses, moving up from one model to the next day roughly PTO 6hp, has s it that big of jump go warrant the extra roughly 5k.

After doing a bit more research since my first post I think Im not sure the B2601 style tractors arent a touch light duty for my requirements.

Using Kubota for example if say the L2501, L3301 and L3901 I think share the same chassis, the weights should be slightly different due to the engines and emission systems... The others I’ve been considering are the KIOTI CK2610, CK3510SE and the only the one Mahindra I seen, the 1635 which I love the look of, not that it matters. even tho many numbers between the 25/26 HP up to the 35ish have many similar numbers, lift/breakforce, pump output... just unsure if these 25ish (im slightly reluctant with the Tier 4 bc I plan on keeping it and know I’ll eventually have to replace the DPF amd maybe a bunch of other emission parts)

Id like to think I could get away with something like the L2501/CK2610/similar but not sure if they’ll have the grunt to do what I need. Or am I better to jump to the 35ish or 40hp offerings.

I won’t actually know until I get on one and put it to work. is the return on investment worth it going from 25/26-33/35HP?? I’d rather have a 35hp than get the 25 then wish it had a bit more power Yet I don’t need to waste money on more than is needed either.

I really like the numbers with both the Mahindra and KIOTI amd am confident the dealer that carries both lines would be great to deal with. The Kubota dealer I would rather deal with is owned by a buddy but he痴 2hrs from me and the local dealer, well I didn稚 fee anything special while we were there so not sure the type of after sales service.

 

[searcyfarms]

while i was shopping last year i didnt have a kioti dealer close to me and wish i could have looked at those but after i did more research i couldnt find one with a MMM that i wanted - i did not have a good experience with our local kubota dealer when renting equipment from them not to mention they do NOT negotiate on their prices they only honor manufacturer specials, i have issue with that, they did not seem interested in earning my business - i have heard a lot of that on here from the kubota shoulder chip - I have heard descent things about mahindra and ls on here - i ended up with a deere

 

[Croomrider]

I started out looking at the Kubota B2601 like you, but am ending up with an LS XR3135H TLB. Lot more tractor for very little more money. If you have an LS dealer close enough, you may want to give them a look!

 

[BRMyers]

I started looking at the Kubota L3301, but after looking and with the wife giving some wise advice, I ended up with the Kubota Grand L3560 HSTC.

 

[jeff9366]

Re: Help me decide, Kubota L Series, VS similar Mahindra VS Kioti vs ?

just unsure if these 25ish (im slightly reluctant with the Tier 4 bc I plan on keeping it and know I値l eventually have to replace the DPF amd maybe a bunch of other emission parts)

Tier IV emission controls and DPFs began to phase in ten years ago. Old news in 2019.

Consensus is DPF problems are 90% caused by operators who do not carefully read regeneration procedures in Operator's Manual or refuse to follow the procedures. Many small property users regenerate just once per year. This creates regeneration procedure uncertainty in itself. (Regeneraton occurs every ~~60 engine hours. Non-commercial users average 80 engine hours per year.) ((Honey, do you know where my tractor manual is???))

Operator Manuals for DPF equipped compact tractors do a poor job of explaining DPFs and a poor job of explaining regeneration cycles. Most manuals do not inform that filter soot accumulates faster during low weather temperatures, none inform time required for DPF to attain 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, the ignition temperature for diesel soot and none address faster soot accumulation at higher altitudes. It seems to me a DPF temperature readout on electronic instrument panels would address many DPF complaints, as would more descriptive technical writing.

Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

The average residential tractor user operates eighty engine hours per year, according to industry surveys. Ten years of industry experience indicates compact tractor DPF is good for at least 3,000 engine hours.
3,000 hours / 80 hours = 37.5 years of residential use prior to DPF replacement.

I speculate that DPFs in warm climate areas like Florida, may last longer than DPFs used in cold climate areas where tractors in winter may warm at idle for thirty minutes prior to use, and tractors are used for snow removal in freezing temperatures. The DPF will be colder between winter regenerations in the northern tier of states.

Tire wear and tire replacement will cause as many headaches and more expense than DPF for most long term compact tractor owners who read and comprehend their Operator's Manual.

 

[ErnieR]

while i was shopping last year i didnt have a kioti dealer close to me and wish i could have looked at those but after i did more research i couldnt find one with a MMM that i wanted - i did not have a good experience with our local kubota dealer when renting equipment from them not to mention they do NOT negotiate on their prices they only honor manufacturer specials, i have issue with that, they did not seem interested in earning my business - i have heard a lot of that on here from the kubota shoulder chip - I have heard descent things about mahindra and ls on here - i ended up with a deere

Hope you’re lovin the Deere, and I feel no matter how great any piece of equipment may be, we need a good relationship with our dealer for service, without it we’re stuck in an uncomfortable situation.

The young fella locally that has been selling Mahindras for some time and just picked up Kioti said that the vast majority of his customers seem to be swayed by price alone haha. I’d rather pay more for something I feel is the best bang for the buck with dependability first and foremost. Still a tough decision with so many tractor companies out there.

 

[ErnieR]

I started out looking at the Kubota B2601 like you, but am ending up with an LS XR3135H TLB. Lot more tractor for very little more money. If you have an LS dealer close enough, you may want to give them a look!

Hope you’re having great luck with the LS and after checking for local LS dealers in Canada, I’d have to travel only 3000 miles to see one, guess that rules that idea out.

 

[rScotty]

Hope you豎*e lovin the Deere, and I feel no matter how great any piece of equipment may be, we need a good relationship with our dealer for service, without it we豎*e stuck in an uncomfortable situation.

The young fella locally that has been selling Mahindras for some time and just picked up Kioti said that the vast majority of his customers seem to be swayed by price alone haha. I螢 rather pay more for something I feel is the best bang for the buck with dependability first and foremost. Still a tough decision with so many tractor companies out there.

That's exactly how we buy. Dependability matters more than anything else, with build quality and dealer history being the best indicators we know.
We've done better by buying top quality USED equipment that has been maintained, over brand new lesser or unknown quality. That goes for cars, tractors, trucks, and tools too.
Sometimes that means being willing to buy something used for more than other brands are selling for new.
If the hours are low & condition good, I now think of something used as being "proven" and tend to put that on equal footing to something else new with a warranty.

We weren't always that way and we bought low end mostly on price because we thought we couldn't afford to buy top of the line equipment. But experience has proven to us over and over that top quality is cheaper in the long run. But a big part of this is that we prefer to keep our same equipment. I'd guess we are sort of bad for the new economy, although in times past that was a value famiiar to a lot of rural people. Things change.

Somewhere in here is an expectation that if something is to last, it doesn't get abused and gets at least minimal routine maintenance.
rScotty
rScotty