Newbie learned a couple of things. Now I think I want to buy a machine

[TheMadOne]

I have a quote for a 3301 with R1 tires, hst, quick release bucket and a backhoe for a tad over 26K. John Deere could not even get in the same neighborhood. Another dealer is working me up a quote for both a 3301 in same configuration and a 2501 in same configuration. So my question is, other than motor and smaller hydraulic pump, are they the same? same amount of hydraulic fluid, use the same kind of fluid, the same petals, same controls, same in every way? I like in theory the lower rpm running 2501. I have always been a cubic inches over RPM guy. How are they different? Lets say they are all the same. My big question is...since I don't need PTO horsepower, would I be the perfect candidate for someone who should go for the 2501? The money saved could go into accessories like a thumb on the backhoe or extra hydraulics for a grapple, or Rim guard. How much of a price premium would you pay for the 8 HP? 1K? 2K? 3K? 4K?

That 26K is a steal for an L3301. I bought mine back a few months, before the latest sale and paid 25K without the backhoe!(Admittedly that was with a BB, 3 remotes and beet juice)

 

[momule1572]

That 26K is a steal for an L3301. I bought mine back a few months, before the latest sale and paid 25K without the backhoe!(Admittedly that was with a BB, 3 remotes and beet juice)

Or I can get the 2501 configured exactly the same for $2,225 less. That is $277.00 per horse over the 2501. That seems pretty good to me. With the loader the L3301 is $787.00 / horsepower and the 2501 is $951.00 / horsepower so the add of only $277.00 / horsepower is the cheapest horsepower I can buy. Can someone help me find a flaw in that logic?

 

[momule1572]

That 26K is a steal for an L3301. I bought mine back a few months, before the latest sale and paid 25K without the backhoe!(Admittedly that was with a BB, 3 remotes and beet juice)

Well I pulled the trigger on a HST L2501 today. I am feeling very good about the decision. I can really very close to buying the floor tractor that was a year old that was a standard. That tractor in the standard is well balanced. In the end I would have wanted a little more discount on that floor model to decide to get it. I liked the big brake foot petal on the manual and I liked the foot throttle and I know I could have made that tractor work for me if I decided to go with it. Interestingly the 3301 in the HST would bog down if set in high and mashed on the forward go. The standard on the 2501 in top gear did not bog down at all. The 2501 felt every bit as stout as the 3301 when comparing them at PTO rpm. I like running the engine at lower RPM and the 2501 seems to do that well. I think the standard unit gets PTO power at 1950 rpm! I rolled in loaded tires, factory wheel spacers, and a thumb on the backhoe. Very excited

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Congrats on the L2501. Sounds like it was the one for you, and sounds like you got a good deal.

Just FYI, High range on a 3-range HST tractor is typically only for rolling down the road. You need some throttle in high range. Most HST tractors will bog a little at low throttle in high range.