Looking hard at a Kubota B01 series......advice please...

[RalphVa]

I'm one of the few who have been completely satisfied with the smallest hp tractor with higher clearance that I could find at the time: an 18.5 hp JD 4010. It was a great machine until its 9th year and 660 hours when the front Ujoint blew apart. Now running the same tractor, a 2025R that has been no problem at all after 5 years about having lemony 1025R for nearly 2 years in between.

Except for possibly the snow blowing, the B2301 would do fine; not sure. Only ever used a snow blower (30" one) on a 12 hp Gravely. It had plenty of power to throw the snow maybe 50 ft or so to the side, awesome machine. If I prorate 50/30 x 12, I get 20 hp needed for your planned 50" snow blower. The B2301 has that. Will use less fuel than the B2601. My 4010's fuel usage was only 0.46 gph for its 18.5 hp. The other 2's usage is pretty much a prorate of that.

All 3 JDs have been fine in moving our snow here, including a couple snowmagedden winters with FEL and back blade. All have had the rear tires loaded with windshield wiper fluid. All have run 4 ft bush hogs and my MacKissic chipper/shredder. The old 4010 ran with FEL and rear 3ph unit filled with mulch to the big garden I used to have down by the creek.

Ralph

 

[Milo]

You are correct, when doing some things weight is an enemy. One advantage of loaded tires is the weight is below the axle, that extra weight is not stressing things like a weight box would. There is some physics at work so you kind of have to visual that. It also adds to stability.

True much of the weight is below the axle, what around 2/3 liquid below the axle and 1/3 above? I don't know how much stress a ballast box could cause but less than a rear implement, and even if you have liquid in the tires you should still have something back on the 3-point hitch when using the loader for anything but the lightest lifting just to cantilever some weight off the front axles.

 

[Revturbo9967]

Not sure of the tire size of a B2601 but I bet it is close to my JD 2025r, and adding rim guard to mine is around 200 lbs per tire.

Just asked my dealer, he said they filled 420lbs total in my rears between the 2 tires on the 2601 . 20 gallons a side.

 

[TMGT]

I'd suggest loading the tires, remember that the weight when using blades or other ground engaging 3pt implements goes away as soon as you lower it.

I use my 2620 with loaded turfs for landscaping work, jusy finished aerating and overseeding (4ft pto powered slit seeder) about 4acres worth of yards today.
No turf damage from the added weight, and it probably helped as I was less likely to spin tearing up the turf more.

What you described for your uses id recommend getting the tires loaded.