Comparison kubota L2501HST vs. Mahindra 1526 HST

[s219]

The Mahindra loader doesn't go as high as the Kubota loader, and that is where the discrepancy lies. If you look at the Kubota's loader performance curve at the lower height of the Mahindra, the capacity is about the same there. Don't fixate only on the capacity, also look at height.

Both tractors can lift 900# to 72", but the specs are based on the front pins. Pallet forks put the load farther out front and reduce the capacity quite a bit. You will need to do the math based on the size of the bales and the distance from the pins, but it sounds marginal to me.

 

[Goodwrench3]

I actually took a 900 lb square bale to my Kubota dealer yesterday. We put pallet forks on the L2501 and a 5' hog off the back. It lifted the bale up to approximately 84" when the hydraulics stopped. It can do it but maxes out. That concern me some. I've seen YouTube videos of the 1526 lifting large squares with what appears to be no issue. I unfortunately couldn't do my own same test on the 1526 cause my local dealer doesn't have one in stock. Which is another issue.. my Kubota dealer has been awesome. The Mahindra dealer... I've talked to him 2 or 3 times in the last month and he still has no idea when he'll get in a 1526/1626... Very frustrating.

 

[s219]

Well, the Mahindra can't lift above 84-86" no matter what, because it has shorter arms and lower lift height, so it may be a moot point. I think both the 2501 and 1526 are marginal for this. Doable, but marginal. If your required lift height was lower I would not worry at all, because the 2501 has a lot of loader capacity down low. But going high puts you at the max capabilities of loaders.

I think I'd be looking at something like an L4701, and it's competitive equivalents.

 

[arrow]

s.

I think I'd be looking at something like an L4701, and it's competitive equivalents.

I agree. I have a 3016 and it lifts quite a bit. In no way would I consider it as a tractor to lift 900#s over it's head and not because it could or couldn't. Stability is the issue here and this tractor is too small and its wheel tread width insufficient to do such a job and it's not just about counter weighting.
If you're not looking at a tractor that weighs 5000#s for such a task, you are looking at a tractor too small. Its like asking a 5'6" 160 lb human being who can dead lift 500lbs,to clean and jerk 200#s over his head and walk around. How far do you think this strong guy will get putting less than half the weight of his "capacity", in a high lift situation? Give me that 6' 280 lb strong guy and you have a better chance of that 200lbs getting from here to there.

 

[WVH1977]

Well, the Mahindra can't lift above 84-86" no matter what, because it has shorter arms and lower lift height, so it may be a moot point. I think both the 2501 and 1526 are marginal for this. Doable, but marginal. If your required lift height was lower I would not worry at all, because the 2501 has a lot of loader capacity down low. But going high puts you at the max capabilities of loaders.

I think I'd be looking at something like an L4701, and it's competitive equivalents.

(+ 1) You need a larger tractor if you plan on moving that much weight around all the time. I would seriously consider looking at the L4701 or equivalent tractors of other colors for comparisons.

 

[Goodwrench3]

Thanks for all the input. I'm in a tough window of operation because the tractor can't physically be too big because I have to maneuver in and out of smaller goat enclosure to clean out shelters. It is also a budget thing. However I wouldn't be moving the large squares all the time. I would estimate needing to stack 3 high only once or twice every couple months. Fairly infrequent. I also will be driving on lawn a lot so can't go too heavy on the tractor weight. I know... I am asking for cake and to eat it too...��

 

[Peter 315]

I have a L3800 and use large bales 3x3x7 about 700 pounds it lifts 2 almost off the ground I never adjusted the hyd pressure It will do 1 no problem

 

[arrow]

Thanks for all the input. I'm in a tough window of operation because the tractor can't physically be too big because I have to maneuver in and out of smaller goat enclosure to clean out shelters. It is also a budget thing. However I wouldn't be moving the large squares all the time. I would estimate needing to stack 3 high only once or twice every couple months. Fairly infrequent. I also will be driving on lawn a lot so can't go too heavy on the tractor weight. I know... I am asking for cake and to eat it too...��

I hear ya on your reasoning for a smaller machine. The frequency of use isn't the issue. You need to be safe first. Something happening "only once" can get you mighty hurt. Stacking two high is a non -issue. If you are only around 6' high to stack the third and with no need to "travel" any distance with that height with 900 lbs, then just develop techniques that do not get you topsy-turvy.
You need to be able to "slide" this row off as well. Worst comes to worse, you can always make a small ramp that you can rope drag by hand or push with the tractor from stack to stack for the front tires to get additional height.
Short of having "turfs", any R4 tire can also do a job on a lawn just not as bad as R1's which act like eagle talons on a lawn.

 

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Kubota L2501 has a 100 cubic inch engine.

Mahindra 1526 has a 80 cubic inch engine.

A significant difference.





Tractor weights are close. Kubota just a tad heavier.


Regardless of your choice you will probably want a toothbar bucket attachment for digging. Piranha gets top reviews here on T-B-N for digging.

You will probably also want a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment for tearing out brush, piling debris, minor grading and small garden soil preparation.

VIDEO: tractor toothbar - YouTube

ratchet rake - YouTube


You will likely want a shear-bolt protected Three Point Hitch Subsoiler for loosening Maine rocky soil and planting electrical underground.

VIDEO: subsoiler ripper - YouTube

I'll take "weight" any day. A 4000lb tractor with 14 hp will run rings around a 38 hp 3000Lb one. Now if your using 3 pt power take off, that's another story.

 

[Goodwrench3]

I hear ya on your reasoning for a smaller machine. The frequency of use isn't the issue. You need to be safe first. Something happening "only once" can get you mighty hurt. Stacking two high is a non -issue. If you are only around 6' high to stack the third and with no need to "travel" any distance with that height with 900 lbs, then just develop techniques that do not get you topsy-turvy.
You need to be able to "slide" this row off as well. Worst comes to worse, you can always make a small ramp that you can rope drag by hand or push with the tractor from stack to stack for the front tires to get additional height.
Short of having "turfs", any R4 tire can also do a job on a lawn just not as bad as R1's which act like eagle talons on a lawn.

The height I'd be reaching to with the 3rd row would be that 72" + 4-6" for a pallet under the 1st bale. It doesn't look like I'd have the option of using a bale spear for that 3rd row which may be a problem. I would not have any reason to have to travel with the bale at top height. I know R4's may be hard on the lawn but not willing to give up the traction to go turf tires. Thanks for the ramp idea, I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Fallon]

I'll take "weight" any day. A 4000lb tractor with 14 hp will run rings around a 38 hp 3000Lb one. Now if your using 3 pt power take off, that's another story.

Yup. Weight defines what a tractor can do. HP just defines how fast it will do it.

 

[Goodwrench3]

Well the answer became clear. I finally got to do the same test the new model Mahindra 1626. New for 2018. I did the same bale test with the 1626 as I had done with the L2501. 900# large square and a 5ft hog off the back of the Mahindra. At engine idle...using pallet forks, lifted it to full height without breaking a sweat..! Back end planted! So easy for it that I decided to try it without the 5' hog... 1626 lifted it to full height...again! When the Kubota would have tipped on it's nose... Wow what a difference! You see proof like that in front of you it's easy. I bought the 1626 in the spot! I'm excited for all it can do for me!! The L2501 is a nice tractor. It just plain doesn't lift like the Mahindra

 

[Ricn]

Great! Glad you found what works for you. Mahindra lift capacities are very good, more than most I think. I watched a demo at the fair once, very impressive too! Around here, Kubota and JD are King so if owning anything else it is a long drive to the dealer.
Our 2501 easily lifts an entire bucket of gravel, about the heaviest thing I need to lift with any regularity now; it does this easily at idle but how much the bucket full weighs with gravel I can't say. With forks on, I picked 800# plus of retaining blocks for my Wife's wall project last fall with nary a hiccup, just high enough to move the 4 pallet loads around in back of the house. I kept our 700# flail mower hooked on the 3-point during this task as well. Love our tractor. If we match tractors to the work we have, they should all work for everyone. For those lifting full height, it is a totally different game. Our tractor uses now are mostly mowing, moving gravel, firewood hauling and keeping up 2000ft of gravel driveway using the Land Plane. The 2501 does all this with ease and having the HST makes everything so much easier than our old gear tractors, that mostly sit these days.

Ricn

 

[s219]

it does this easily at idle but how much the bucket full weighs with gravel I can't say.

Could be quite a bit depending on the size of your bucket. My bucket, on the same loader, holds 1/3 yard when heaped (1/5 yard when struck). For most dirt/gravel, 1/3 yard is on the order of 900#. I rarely have to lift a full bucket of dirt very high, but have done it on occasion to dump over the top of a pile.

 

[Goodwrench3]

It really depends on your needs and glad to hear your L2501 works so well for you! I really liked the L2501 but had very specific lift needs that the Mahindra just exceeded at. I totally agree about HST.... I originally was looking at shuttle shift. But then drove an HST... I was sold..! No regrets and so impressed with HST!