kubota l2550

[Anonymous Poster]

I recenty bought an L2550dt-7 that was made in 1985. The tractor has 790 hours on it and the guy who owned it sure took good care of it. So far I love the tractor, it seems to be built like a tank. I was just wondering what the reputation of these machines are. I can't find much info on them on the internet, and would appreciate any reviews, good or bad. Thanks!!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I just bought an L285 about a month ago. I have posted a few questions but noone has ever responded. I feel like the only person in the world with one. I even had one knot head accuse it of being grey.

Its a few years older than yours. I love it so far -- simple and powerful. 30 hp 4 cylinder rear pto -- how bout yours?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

It is a 3-cylinder 29.5 hp tractor. Basic gear driven model with 24 pto hp. I previously owned a 2000 Case IH DX33, which is the same as the New Holland Boomer. I bought the Case new, but we moved out of state so I resold it after one summer of using it. When we got to our new place I intended to buy another, but when looking at new tractors I came across the used L2550. I can't believe that for half the money I can get essentially the same tractor. It doesn't have the little luxuries but in terms of work it definitely performs on the same level as the DX33. All of its lift capacities, speeds, weights, etc. are similar if not better. And there is something comforting about a machine that has a steel body rather than a plastic one.

 

[Bird]

Kansasboy7 and skbruse, I think the problem with your not getting responses is simply the fact that the Internet is a relatively new thing to a lot of us, and tractors are also a fairly new thing for many, so most of the folks on here have newer models. You know Kubotas have only been around in this country since '69 and I don't know just when they caught on enough to be one of the big three, so there aren't as many of those older models and aren't as many people with experience with them. However, from what little I've heard, you both have good tractors with good reputations among the owners. I have a friend in another state who bought a used Kubota in the early 70s, still has it, and has talked about what a great tractor it is ever since he got it.

Bird

 

[Jag]

SB, I had rented the older L225 for cutting brush in an over grown field. That was what made me want to go Kubota when I bought one. I have a L2650, an 1995 model now. It is a hard working tractor and does great.... Have never heard anything bad about the L2250...... The Lxx50 series seems to have a problem with the front axle seals. The seals start to leak at 400-600 hours. I believe that your L2250 is an older model that is NOT included..

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for your replies. It makes me feel better knowing I don't have a lemon.

 

[geneP]

skbruse, I bought a '85 model L2250 (which is a 21 pto hp version of your tractor) about 15 months ago. I, too, got limited response about this model tractor. Mine is the shuttle shift gear transmission with power steering and 2 stage clutch. I've had no problems with it. It handles a 5' brush hog well with enough power to cut in 5th gear. It starts instantly, uses little fuel, has excellent brakes, and has strong hydraulics.

Maybe you can tell I like my L2250. I hope you enjoy yours, too. They seem to be tough little machines.

 

[paul c]

I can tell you any thing you want to know about L2250 or L2550, starting with L2550 DT7 indicates this is a 1987 thats what the 7 means, DT means 4wd They both have direct injected engines,shift on the fly 4wd,easy checker panel (idiot lights) mechanical shuttle,two stage clutch,multi speed pto. I bought one of each brand new and owned them for 21 years.They are good tractors. If you want to know any thing else I will answer if I can

 

[peterc38]

I can tell you any thing you want to know about L2250 or L2550, starting with L2550 DT7 indicates this is a 1987 thats what the 7 means, DT means 4wd They both have direct injected engines,shift on the fly 4wd,easy checker panel (idiot lights) mechanical shuttle,two stage clutch,multi speed pto. I bought one of each brand new and owned them for 21 years.They are good tractors. If you want to know any thing else I will answer if I can

Maybe the OP is not around any more as the post dates back to 2001

 

[repete]

My 2550 has been WELL used. Hour meter says 4700 hard hours.

I have no front grill left, Body panels have been bent all over. I have a 3/4 inch hole through the radiator from a stick that never leaked. I have replaced both front axle outer pieces. One clutch. Two seats. No front edge left on the bucket. Replaced both lift linkages for the three point due to lifting tillers designed for 70 HP tractors (heavy). Two fuel sending units. Replaced more bearings and seals in the front end than I can count. One fender rotted out from the fertilizer falling into cracks. And on and on...

I love this tractor. it is ugly but it is a machine. It has been used sooo hard and still comes back for more.

It gets an oil change every 100 hours, transmission filter every 300 hours and fluid every 600 hours. Greased every 20 hours or so. Oil is cheap.

 

[chuck4389]

Yep, I acquired an L2250 this year. It had seen many hard hours, about 4,000, and was a bit rougher than it first appeared.
Had to replace the head gasket, fan bearing, rewelded and machined the extremely worn seat suspension, replaced all the Zerk fittings, welded the loader pin mount holes, (they were worn oblong), Joy stick parts had to be replaced, thermostat, tie rod ends, made a new battery hold down bracket, voltage regulator, even had to drill out the loader mounting holes and install helicoils. Then I spent an entire day picking hay out of the radiator fins. And this is the short list! There were other things too numerous to mention.
In all, spent a month working on it a few hours each day, then spent more hours trying to figure how to cure the next set of problems!
Runs pretty good now, I've put the chipper on the PTO and have run it for hours without a break, seems to be a solid tractor considering the abuse it has seen from the previous owner.
And in the process of fixing all the problems, a side benefit was that I learned a lot about repairing a tractor.

 

[iwanta]

Maybe the OP is not around any more as the post dates back to 2001

Well that's okay as there are always new people wanting to know stuff, like me for instance. There's a L2550 is for sale here 900 hours, looks clean in photos but photos can be deceiving, to take a look in person will be a problem, but my Question is it has a LA 450 loader which I cant find any specks on, can anybody tell me lift capacity and bucket size.

 

[machmeter62]

Kubota's LA 450 number on the loader is a metric unit for lifting capacity; and to convert it to pounds multiply it times 2.2, which will give you 990# of lift.

 

[Montana Rick]

Hi Mr. Paul C,
I realize that this is a very old posting, but I too own an L2550-DT7 and did not konw what the "7" meant until now! I just love my "Orange Pop" and have only had the pleasure for two year now. I work it on 20 acres with lots of woods and meadows; sure has saved my back will doing fire mitigation around the property (tree thinning & chipping).

Still, I am new to tractoring but really enjoy learning and operating the rig.

Hope you are well and thanks for the information.

Rick

 

[repete]

I just happened to look at the hour meter on my little L2550DT yesterday and it is at 5,942.

 

[Montana Rick]

Wow, I show about 1,100 hours on my 1987 model and do not want to question the validity of the log - so far all seems well. ...

Your reading gives me much hope that my rig will out run me at 74yrs old. Lol

 

[repete]

Wow, I show about 1,100 hours on my 1987 model and do not want to question the validity of the log - so far all seems well. ...

Your reading gives me much hope that my rig will out run me at 74yrs old. Lol

It is a tough little tractor and looks more like a machine that was used for strafing run practice than a tractor but its job is not to look pretty but to be used. Developing 75 acres was no small task for it. I have learned a lot over this time about it though.

I used to keep the front wheels in the widest most position for stability on hillsides. Having replaced numerous front axle bearings I finally looked at it and realized the stress I was putting on the outside bearing. I turned them back in so the wheel is centered over the bearings and have had no issues since.

I have replaced the ring and pinion gears in the front differential. Replaced the drive shaft to the front end as the spline wore out. Gone through two clutches. Replaced the water pump twice. On my second seat. Replaced the loader bucket due to being bent. Welded gusset plates on the loader arms where cracks formed.

Get a factory shop manual for sure.

All in all, it is a good little tractor that was asked to do the work of a unit twice to three times its size. You will most likely not use it like I have used this one.

I do change the oil and filter every 100 hours. Change the hydraulic fluid and filter on a regular basis and grease regularly. Yes it is a site to behold but it comes back for more every single day.

You made a good purchase IMHO.

 

[Montana Rick]

Wow, I show about 1,100 hours on my 1987 model and do not want to question the validity of the log - so far all seems well. ...

Your reading gives me much hope that my rig will out run me at 74yrs old. Lol

...
Mr. Repete: You have done an inordinate amount of work and I duly am impressed. The repairs mentioned - did you do them yourself or shop them out? Yes, I have a WSM and parts manual that I highly value, cuz I know I will really need one of these days...

Well, happy 4th of July and pray that we endure another 250 years . Rick

 

[repete]

...
Mr. Repete: You have done an inordinate amount of work and I duly am impressed. The repairs mentioned - did you do them yourself or shop them out? Yes, I have a WSM and parts manual that I highly value, cuz I know I will really need one of these days...

Well, happy 4th of July and pray that we endure another 250 years . Rick

I do all my repairs Rick. If I didn't, I would go broke.

 

[PapaTJ]

I can tell you any thing you want to know about L2250 or L2550, starting with L2550 DT7 indicates this is a 1987 thats what the 7 means, DT means 4wd They both have direct injected engines,shift on the fly 4wd,easy checker panel (idiot lights) mechanical shuttle,two stage clutch,multi speed pto. I bought one of each brand new and owned them for 21 years.They are good tractors. If you want to know any thing else I will answer if I can

Is this model possibly made by yanmar?