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.