Buying Advice L2501, L3301, L3901, L4701 gear shift questions.

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I’m looking at a used 4x4 L3901 gear shift tractor with less than 100 hours on it.

My questions: how do you like the gear shift compact? Regret not getting HST?

I’m not familiar with Kubota gear shift tractors, is it like a normal gear shift or like a shuttle shift?

What would be a good deal on a L3901 gear tractor with turf tires and less than 100 hours be? (I prefer turf tires)

My background: I have extensive experience with older (20s-70s) gear shift tractors. And a HST compact loader tractor (2005).

Plans for tractor: Box blade/ rear blade work, if it’s cheap enough I’ll buy a loader for moving smaller round bales of hay and gravel when needed, my last compact I had pallet forks on it 98% of the time, I rarely do dirt work.

My last tractor was a 48hp 2005 JD 4320 with a cab and R4 tires. Will I be disappointed using a kubota L series? Since selling the compact I have been able to get most of my chores done with a Ford 960 tractor (40hp live PTO) which I like a lot but sold. Wanting to get back to a utility frame tractor with wide front and independent everything lol.

I know over old gear shift tractors the bota will be a big upgrade, over 1500lb lift on the 3pt will do what I need.

Kubota’s 1100lb capacity on the loader is a concern, many times handling hay or lifting I found myself saying I could use a bigger tractor than the 4320 with 400CX loader. A lot of times it was over kill. I sold the 4320 to get out of debt or I would have kept it. Now that I have money saved up I would like to buy a “cheaper to get on” tractor. Something cheaper on the wallet. This bota is in that range. Any Insight is appreciated.

I have also showed myself, although more work, I can live without a loader, my buddy has a 28XL mahindra if I desperately need a loader. I do miss a loader tractor though.

 

[jeff9366]

I have extensive experience with older (20s-70s) gear shift tractors. And a HST compact loader tractor (2005).

Not much has changed in gear vs HST except buyer preference for HST. Approximately 90% of new compact tractors are sold with HST transmissions and Loaders.

Many 'L' series clutch & gear tractors without Loaders are 2-WD "mowers" not 4-WD. Confirm through inspection that the used tractor you are considering has 4-WD.


Adding an aftermarket Loader is usually too expensive to be practical. Kubota USA web site shows $4,441 plus sales tax for factory L3901 SSQA Loader. It is usually cheaper to buy a new tractor with a Loader option than to add a Loader after purchase.

BUILD YOUR KUBOTA: https://apps.kubotausa.com/configurator/BuildMyKubota.aspx?pgId=1&bmId=1010&sId=125

AFTERMARKET LOADER SUPPLIERS: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...act-tractor-aftermarket-loader-suppliers.html


L3901 platform is pretty narrow. You will be happier with TPH mounted rear bale spear or TPH mounted pallet forks for loads over ~ 700 pounds, which position the load over the fixed rear axle.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Not much has changed in gear vs HST except buyer preference for HST. Approximately 90% of new compact tractors are sold with HST transmissions and Loaders.

Many 'L' series clutch & gear tractors without Loaders are 2-WD "mowers" not 4-WD. Confirm through inspection that the used tractor you are considering at has 4-WD.


Adding an aftermarket Loader is usually too expensive to be practical. Kubota USA web site shows $4,441 plus sales tax for factory L3901 SSQA Loader. It is usually cheaper to buy a new tractor with a Loader option than to add a Loader after purchase.

BUILD YOUR KUBOTA: https://apps.kubotausa.com/configurator/BuildMyKubota.aspx?pgId=1&bmId=1010&sId=125

AFTERMARKET LOADER SUPPLIERS: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...act-tractor-aftermarket-loader-suppliers.html


L3901 platform is pretty narrow. You will be happier with TPH mounted rear bale spear or TPH mounted pallet forks for loads over ~ 700 pounds, which position the load over the fixed rear axle.

FYI: I had to crop the pics together in order to post pictures here.

It shows all the signs of being 4wd. I haven’t looked at it yet but there is chance I’ll get it cheap enough that I could buy a loader from a dealer and still be better off vs buying new. I’ll just have to see. Being it has no loader, has turf tires and is a gear tractor, I would think that will slow a lot of buyers. If I do buy it, I’ll use 3pt until it’s paid off and I can buy a loader.

 

[Citydude]

When you look at it see if it has the front suitcase bracket. You’ll need weight on the front for heavy 3pt lifts.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

When you look at it see if it has the front suitcase bracket. You’ll need weight on the front for heavy 3pt lifts.

Looks like a negatory on front brackets or guard, also I see no rear remote and looks like it has the cheaper turnbuckles.

 

[4570Man]

If you can find a shuttle shift that would be alright. Most of those options just had a regular gear shift and it wasn’t even a good one. It just has 4 gears with hi/low. It’s a terrible transmission IMO.

 

[Citydude]

View attachment 669417

Looks like a negatory on front brackets or guard, also I see no rear remote and looks like it has the cheaper turnbuckles.

It’s the economy model Kubota. No bells or whistles. I had an L3400 and an L2501. Both tractors were geared and bulletproof.

Too bad your so far away, I have the bracket and 7) 55# suitcase weights piled up outside my shop.

 

[rScotty]

View attachment 669416

FYI: I had to crop the pics together in order to post pictures here.

It shows all the signs of being 4wd. I haven稚 looked at it yet but there is chance I値l get it cheap enough that I could buy a loader from a dealer and still be better off vs buying new. I値l just have to see. Being it has no loader, has turf tires and is a gear tractor, I would think that will slow a lot of buyers. If I do buy it, I値l use 3pt until it痴 paid off and I can buy a loader.

Seems to be 4wd, but that is definitely a syncro-shuttle shifter in the photo....nice fingertip forward/reverse shuttle. Excellent transmission; bulletproof and convenient. Turf tires are the more expensive tire/wheel option. You probably won't have any problem swapping them as they are premium....but I'd give them a try first. I like the way they work myself, and like the extra side-hill stability.

Several companies still make a three point dump&loader for that size tractor. They used to be more common. Should be able to find a good used one, as nobody uses them now that FELs are so popular. They aren't expensive. Here's a photo.

 

[jwstewar]

Seems to be 4wd, but that is definitely a syncro-shuttle shifter in the photo....nice fingertip forward/reverse shuttle. Excellent transmission; bulletproof and convenient. Turf tires are the more expensive tire/wheel option. You probably won't have any problem swapping them as they are premium....but I'd give them a try first. I like the way they work myself, and like the extra side-hill stability.

Several companies still make a three point dump&loader for that size tractor. They used to be more common. Should be able to find a good used one, as nobody uses them now that FELs are so popular. They aren't expensive. Here's a photo.

I just sold my old dirt scoop for $100.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

If you can find a shuttle shift that would be alright. Most of those options just had a regular gear shift and it wasn’t even a good one. It just has 4 gears with hi/low. It’s a terrible transmission IMO.

I found that the L2501 is a regular gear transmission. The L3301, L3901 & L4701 is synchronized shuttle.

L2501 is 8 forward and 4 reverse gears.
L3301-L4701 is 8 forward and 8 reverse gears.

I saw a video of a geared L2501 and it was totally different lay out which got me looking into it deeper.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Seems to be 4wd, but that is definitely a syncro-shuttle shifter in the photo....nice fingertip forward/reverse shuttle. Excellent transmission; bulletproof and convenient. Turf tires are the more expensive tire/wheel option. You probably won't have any problem swapping them as they are premium....but I'd give them a try first. I like the way they work myself, and like the extra side-hill stability.

Several companies still make a three point dump&loader for that size tractor. They used to be more common. Should be able to find a good used one, as nobody uses them now that FELs are so popular. They aren't expensive. Here's a photo.

I deff prefer the turf tires. After a few months of owning the JD 4320 I found I didn’t care for the R4 tires, I’m not traveling in woods or I would prefer R1’s. For what I do which is rolling over turf & pasture, clearing snow on concrete & gravel. I found myself wishing I had turf tires. I would be happy with these tires and transmission set up on this tractor.

Although I never did get the 4320 stuck, came close a few times in a muddy pasture and sandy creek. That was a 5300lb machine with loader and cab, this bota is around 2500lbs, should help it from sinking.

 

[4570Man]

I found that the L2501 is a regular gear transmission. The L3301, L3901 & L4701 is synchronized shuttle.

L2501 is 8 forward and 4 reverse gears.
L3301-L4701 is 8 forward and 8 reverse gears.

I saw a video of a geared L2501 and it was totally different lay out which got me looking into it deeper.

Can you shift forward and reverse without the clutch and shift through all the forward gears while moving?

 

[RickB]

No and yes if you can shift an unsynchronized transmission on the fly.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Tractor went for too much for me to buy it. Winning bid was around $10,500.

 

[jp2code]

Tractor went for too much for me to buy it. Winning bid was around $10,500. View attachment 670669

Haha! That seller was probably super happy!

I bought my L4400 4x4 with front end loader, cover, and 6-ft Land Pride cutter and 300 hours for $17k about 4 years ago.

It also has the manual shift. I use it a lot for mowing pasture. I might sit on it for 10 hours in a day while mowing. I am so glad that I have the manual shift instead of the HST. My BX2200 sub-compact has the HST, and I have to keep my foot pressed into the floor pedal to keep it going. The L4400 I can twist the throttle crank and let it go.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Haha! That seller was probably super happy!

I bought my L4400 4x4 with front end loader, cover, and 6-ft Land Pride cutter and 300 hours for $17k about 4 years ago.

It also has the manual shift. I use it a lot for mowing pasture. I might sit on it for 10 hours in a day while mowing. I am so glad that I have the manual shift instead of the HST. My BX2200 sub-compact has the HST, and I have to keep my foot pressed into the floor pedal to keep it going. The L4400 I can twist the throttle crank and let it go.

It was a pretty good buy to use it personally, I had planned to flip it which if I put a loader on it I would be in the $14-$15,000 range. Not enough meat left on the bone