Why are Kubota FEL's so weak?

[Milo]

After reading this thread I was concerned my new L2501 loader was inadequate. In actual use the tractor and its loader, and 66" bucket, seem just fine...... here it is today completely full of stone along with rear ballast...... and if the FEL was lifting much more than this I'd want to somehow add more rear ballast. The grapple lifts 18-20" diameter tree trunks in lengths longer than my driveway or our road is wide. If lifting more material than this is important move up a size in tractor and bucket.

 

[k0ua]

After reading this thread I was concerned my new L2501 loader was inadequate. In actual use the tractor and its loader, and 66" bucket, seem just fine...... here it is today completely full of stone along with rear ballast...... and if the FEL was lifting much more than this I'd want to somehow add more rear ballast. The grapple lifts 18-20" diameter tree trunks in lengths longer than my driveway or our road is wide. If lifting more material than this is important move up a size in tractor and bucket.

Agreed. Your loader is fine for the size of the tractor. They make bigger tractors if you need one. Right now I have a "yard job", I need a smaller tractor and smaller loader to do it properly, and my 35 horse tractor and its powerful loader are just a bit big to fit. I am going to have to break out the "handle tools" and the gloves.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The fact is Kubota builds a great tractor but dropped the ball on the FEL on the L3901 series.

You get what you pay for, the economy L tractors have a smaller front axle with matching loader capacity, Step up to the Grand L series with the heavy front axle and you can get either the 500 series loader or the larger 700 series loaders. If you need to move round bales get a GL series MX or M.

David

 

[oosik]

I had an enlightening experience with my first tractor over 35 years ago. It involved lifting a half full bucket of wet sand. I went "3-wheel". This experience has remained in memory. This happened at the ONLY spot on my entire driveway where there is a 15 foot drop, off the edge.

So with my new M6040 I did several things. 1550# of Rim Guard in the rear tires & an 1100# rear blade on the 3-point.

Most importantly - I researched the web and found "rock weight charts" & "log weight charts". I now have a good idea of the weight of any rock or log I'm going to lift. There has to be a VERY compelling reason if go anywhere near max capacity.

If the rock is near or beyond normal lift - I chain it and drag it. As for logs - they can always be cut in half.

 

[LD1]

No one said that it was unacceptable. I do think we can all agree that the loader is one of the most used attachments on the tractor. Kioti, TYM , LS and Branson all have their loaders rated in to lift 1800 lbs. or more at the pivot point to full height in the L3901 tractor category and their loaders can lift as high or higher than the Kubota. The L3901 (and the John Deere 3E series) is less than 1200 lbs. The Kubota loader (LA 525 has a breakout force of 2462 lb as compared to the Kioti KL4010 of 3464). Most of the time I don't need the max or even near the max but sometimes I do. I almost bought an L3901. I didn't know much about Kioti but two friends that had Kubotas told me to look at Kioti because they had a good reputation among the farmers and the tractor community. I started to do a little more research and personally thought the Kubota had a much weaker loader. I'll agree that the term "weak" is subjective. I can guarantee that Kubota has in fact lost sales due to that and on the next tractor to replace the L3901 they will ensure that they put a stronger loader on it. The BX and MX series keep up with their competition. Don't just drink the Kool Aid! Specifications are a factor, at least to me. If I can get more work and capacity out of a tractor it does matter.

BTW, you must not think it is too pointless to post here, otherwise you wouldn't have and I will bet that you will reply,

No one wants to compare apples to apples anymore.

The L3901 is designed to be LIGHT and ECONOMICAL. IT is NOT the strongest offering that Kubota offers in the ~40hp class.

So taking the SMALLEST and kubota offering and comparing it to the ONLY option or the STRONGEST offering by the competition is pointless.

And the notion that you can "guarantee that Kubota has in fact lost sales due to that".....

Followed by "and on the next tractor to replace the L3901 they will ensure that they put a stronger loader on it. "

Just laughable. Do you realize that the 3901 is the 3rd major re-design of the same tractor that has been out since 2004. And the 525 is the FIFTH revision of said loader. So over 15 years.....and TONS of sales....they havent changed the loader specs. But you are so certain that this is a major problem that they are gonna change it.....Get a freaking clue

 

[BRMyers]

I have the Grand L3560 with LA805 loader and it has done just fine for me. I was moving dirt for about an hour on Saturday.

 

[k0ua]

No one wants to compare apples to apples anymore.

The L3901 is designed to be LIGHT and ECONOMICAL. IT is NOT the strongest offering that Kubota offers in the ~40hp class.

So taking the SMALLEST and kubota offering and comparing it to the ONLY option or the STRONGEST offering by the competition is pointless.

And the notion that you can "guarantee that Kubota has in fact lost sales due to that".....

Followed by "and on the next tractor to replace the L3901 they will ensure that they put a stronger loader on it. "

Just laughable. Do you realize that the 3901 is the 3rd major re-design of the same tractor that has been out since 2004. And the 525 is the FIFTH revision of said loader. So over 15 years.....and TONS of sales....they havent changed the loader specs. But you are so certain that this is a major problem that they are gonna change it.....Get a freaking clue

Well said....

 

[4570Man]

No one wants to compare apples to apples anymore.

The L3901 is designed to be LIGHT and ECONOMICAL. IT is NOT the strongest offering that Kubota offers in the ~40hp class.

So taking the SMALLEST and kubota offering and comparing it to the ONLY option or the STRONGEST offering by the competition is pointless.

And the notion that you can "guarantee that Kubota has in fact lost sales due to that".....

Followed by "and on the next tractor to replace the L3901 they will ensure that they put a stronger loader on it. "

Just laughable. Do you realize that the 3901 is the 3rd major re-design of the same tractor that has been out since 2004. And the 525 is the FIFTH revision of said loader. So over 15 years.....and TONS of sales....they havent changed the loader specs. But you are so certain that this is a major problem that they are gonna change it.....Get a freaking clue

Those tractors have more than enough loader that that weight tractor can handle. My L3800 with loaded tires and a 500 pound box blade still can’t keep the back end down. You could put 4” cylinders on that class machine if it would make you feel good but you still aren’t going to lift anymore. Posting a big number like the other manufacturers have done doesn’t mean you can actually move that much.

 

[crashz]

Nice looking rig Milo!

This is less of a sarcastic remark and more of a real question: If Kubota were to offer a stronger loader on the L series, how would they prevent roll-overs?

My L2501, with stock relief pressure, 525 Loader, loaded rears and 6ft Landpride finish mower will lift the rears if I'm trying to lift something too heavy. The 525 is well matched to the tractor frame and weight. A change to that would mean a clean slate on both the loader and tractor I think. Which would be a shame. These tractors are a very nice size.

 

[4570Man]

Nice looking rig Milo!

This is less of a sarcastic remark and more of a real question: If Kubota were to offer a stronger loader on the L series, how would they prevent roll-overs?

My L2501, with stock relief pressure, 525 Loader, loaded rears and 6ft Landpride finish mower will lift the rears if I'm trying to lift something too heavy. The 525 is well matched to the tractor frame and weight. A change to that would mean a clean slate on both the loader and tractor I think. Which would be a shame. These tractors are a very nice size.

If you want to lift more than 1200 pounds you buy a tractor that weighs more than like 2500 pounds. You could put bigger cylinders or boost the pressure but it still isn’t going to handle anymore.