This is a great subject and something that I have been spending tons of time researching in the last 2 weeks. I am in the hunt for a larger frame tractor without tier 4 emissions. The XG3025, CK2610, and
L2501 are on the top of my list. I agree with the others about all 3 being great tractors, but I want to share my personal pros and cons as well as the price differences that I've been finding.
XG 3025 shuttle with loader: closest dealer quoted my 16,800. When I told him he needed to be in the low 15's to beat the Kioti and Kubota, he seemed stymied, but was going to refer to the owner to see if he could do it. I told him that it was a cash deal and that the others knock $1200-$1400 off right away. When I got home and did some digging, I could find a brand ne model 4.5hrs away (Detroit area) for $14975. Significant difference especially when he is selling a slightly older model with a 5 year instead of 6 year warranty. I think he is confused and has not given me the cash discount, but I will find out for sure when he calls back.
Now about the pros and cons. This tractor as a shuttle shift pretty much destroyed the others. Why? Fully synchronize shifting - shift on the fly like a car. Reverser on the dash makes it even better. The others require a complete stop. The other huge winner on this tractor was the independent PTO. When the yellow nob was turned to on, the PTO spins regardless of what you do with the clutch pedal (I checked).Going to be very useful for brush hogging in the thick when you need to clutch. So far, the place that it loses is in the local price. I have emails out to others closer, but it's the weekend, so no response yet. Another negative is that dealers seem to come and go with the seasons. Also, no midpoint PTO option that I can find.
Kioti KK2610: This is a fine tractor that runs and looks great. $15200 was the quote for shuttle and loader. Local dealer seems super knowledgeable and appears to have a solid business that isn't going anywhere.really, the only bad thing here is that I feel you need to tack $1100 on and get the hydro to compete with the great tranny and independent PTO on the LS. When you push the clutch in, the PTO stops on the shuttle. The only gears that are synchronized are when you shift from 2nd to reverse. Handy, but not as flexible as the LS. A pro is that you can add a mid mount PTO at any time for $350 installed (unless you have a hoe). However, the only option for the mid PTO is a snow blower. Rumor abounds that there may be a mower, but no solid info. I don't necessarily want the mid mower, but nice to know it's an option. When I go to do some final dealing on this tractor, I'll go for the hydro. Just my opinion as many others love the shuttle on this one.
Kubota
L2501. Price quoted for shuttle with loader was $15,700. This was claimed to be year end only, so I may have missed this price. Also, I am told to be in favor with this dealer since the company I work for bought a couple of Kubotas from them to see how they compete against Bobcats. All the comments for the Kioti apply here except that ther is no mid PTO option available at all. Dead pto, and must stop to shift. This tractor for whatever reason still gave me a big smile to test drive. It is a contender also, but for me, it will be a hydro, so add $1000.
Couple other things. I drove all of these tractors in single digit temps and to there credit, they all started and ran well. The 2nd time I drove the Kioti the fuel gelled, but it was below zero and the tractor hadn't been run in a week or 2 since the last time I had been there. I tried pricing a Mahindra 1526, but they were out in left field at $17090. Mid mount mower was available, so that was a plus, but I just didn't care as much for the look and feel of it as I did for the others.
Good luck if you are looking at either of the 3. In about 5 or 6 weeks I'll have a new pole building. I'll let you know what I buy and for how much!
