Kubotas at play. Er, I mean work!

I'll be quite interested to see how these hold up. The top edges of the tread on mine act like they've been sliced. Pete's Tire gave me some story about the inflation not being correct. Mmmmmm.

 

Standard logging activities

 

I would choose the 2501 over the 3301 to get away from Tier IV emissions. If you want more tractor hp go with the 3901-the tractors are the same except for hp-or get silly like I did and get the 3560.

 

I would choose the 2501 over the 3301 to get away from Tier IV emissions. If you want more tractor hp go with the 3901-the tractors are the same except for hp-or get silly like I did and get the 3560.

 

Thanks for the advice! Seems like the consensus the more people I talk with.

 

Awesome. I have the same tires sitting in my garage ready to replace my OEM's from 2001. Great minds (or cheapskates) think alike.

 

I was in the same boat nearly 2 years ago. I knew I wanted an L series Kubota but which one - so many choices. I ended up with the L3901. It’s a great unit but I do have gripes which are similar to what others say.

1. Loader capacity is fair. The L3901 replaced a Ford 1920 which is a 32hp tractor with the factory loader installed. It was way stronger than the kubota. The 3901 has juuusssttttt enough to keep me happy otherwise I’d be upsizing. Take away - what are you planning to lift? I personally could use more capacity.

2. Emissions. Don’t believe the horror stories - it works just fine but it’s completely unnecessary on a tractor. In the end it’s just a huge waste of fuel. Your supposed to run these units pretty hard to keep the exhaust hot to keep the soot down - eating fuel. Then when a regen comes, if your working it’s unnoticeable but I swear it eats an 1/8 tank of fuel. Save the air but use all of the fossil fuel - doesn’t add up to me. Take away - if the 2501 fits the bill, by all means jump in it just to avoid these unnecessary emissions on the larger tractors.

3. Cockpit size. The smaller frame L series (2501 - 3901) Kubotas are cramped. I’m 6’ 185lbs and it’s cramped. Always hitting my knees off the dash. The Backhoe is even worse. I swear the sizes the operator station for kids. Also, the rear end where the 3 point is located is also cramped.

That’s really about it. I couldn’t have afforded more but if I did it again Is would probably go with the MX series. The again that’s a lot of tractor and I could have probably been fine with a L2501. Lots of decisions.

Please don’t let my gripes scare you away. All Kubota equipment is excellent for what it was designed to do.

Photos:

-Homemade counterweight - must have for heavy lifting

-Kubota playing nicely with the big toys

-Loaded up heading to a job (this is before I put Timbrens on the truck)

-Putting the wife to work

 

I think a big part of the decision will be going down and sitting in each of the models to get a feel. I just know the danger of doing that now before I’ve saved enoughIm sure the list of uses for a tractor grows the longer you have it ,and it becomes easier to justify having a larger model or wishing you had a bigger model if you buy too small. It seems to be a couple grand for each step up, which isn’t too bad, but does play into the equation. Thanks for your take! Very helpful and appreciatedgreat pics too!

 

Corona time, my version of "social distancing". Does everyone else despise these new terms or is it just me?

Built a "corduroy" road across a piece of standing water, I went through twice with no load and didn't want to push my luck. I have a good bit of Basswood that has little value and some hemlock blowdowns that were past sawing so I threw them in the swamp along with the tops.

Here's the required tractor pic.

 

Not many limitations I imagine with that rig! Great pics! I have an area I could really benefit putting in a corduroy road. Never heard of the term before now, but I like it. Yes to be a show on tv about Bobby Goodson all terrain logging, and they used them all the time in the swamps.

 

It works real well if you have some junk wood to spare. The one in the pic is 4 years old, also Basswoood and I just went across it yesterday and the logs seem to be intact and not turned into mush - yet.

 

Here’s my Carlisle replacements. About 200hrs of use on these.

 

What are we recommending for front tire replacements I have R4. The one I replaced with bobcat tire they had in stock is really side cracking bad

 

Ooof... I just grabbed what they (tire place) offered. Is Goodyear a better bet?

 

My originals were Firestones. They failed at 11 years/1900hrs with cracks in the center of the tires. Still had adequate tread left. The Firestones on the rear are original and doing fine (they do spend all winter wrapped within chains, which must take the brunt of the wear). I’ve never run a Goodyear on a tractor, so no help.

The one really bad pic above is by far the worst. Earlier on there was quite a bit of wear on the edges of the treads, but now they just look rounded over.

 

The Carlisle tires were bad for cracking. I currently have bkt tires on the front of my L3000 so we will see how they turn out.

 

Getting ready to clean out a nice 12"+ wet and heavy Easter weekend snow.

 

thats awesome!!!

 

fuelrod just put some nice new front tires on. Not sure about brand but I like the new tread pattern. Looks like a great pattern for snow

 

I wouldn't loose any sleep over cracking (on a tractor). As long as you stay under 50 mph and the air doesn't show through you might as well wring every dime of use out of it.