Difference L2501 and L3901

Mudball · Sep 22, 2017

Was looking at the specs on these two tractors both in the hydro trans version.
As far as the hydraulic systems go the L3901 has a larger pump capacity than the L2501 hence an equal amount larger lifting capacity in comparison to the L2501.
I believe the L3901 comes with a cruise control as to where its optional on the L2501 and this is just a couple examples as they are the same frame tractor for the most part if Im not mistaken.
Soooo, other than the L3901 having more weight, more HP, higher capacity flow pump, cruise control, what other advantages are there ?
Also I believe the L2501 does not have the DPF system. (Good - Bad ?)
Any thoughts ? Im trying to decide if it would be worth the cost difference between the L2501 and the L3901 by knowing any features that I might wish I had later.
Thanks

Note: I was wrong about the cruise being standard on the L3901, its optional $

Forvols · Sep 22, 2017

I went with the L2501/HST, I didn't want the DPF and felt the HP difference was not great enough for me to deal with the DPF(although lots have no issues etc so don't discount the L3901 just for that). I got 20acres of mostly wooded and probably 6acres of fields. So far L2501 does all I need

Not sure if cruise control is a feature of the L3901, But it is definitely a add on for the L2501/HST. I think the L3901 also has a higher back better seat. Controls are all the same. Operator station space same.

Brazos · Sep 22, 2017

I have a 2501 I really enjoy and would not give much thought to buying it over the 3301. The 3901 does start pulling away in the hp department and may not be as good of a comparison. I haven't tried them side by side though. I just know my 2501 will spin tires before it runs out of power.

chim · Sep 23, 2017

Brazos said:
.....................I just know my 2501 will spin tires before it runs out of power.

This comment is fairly common and whether it matters depends on what you're doing with the tractor. I had a 21HP tractor that would easily spin the tires while pulling something that didn't want to move. BUT it had to be in low range if going uphill pulling a 5' finish mower. My 32HP tractor will pull a 6' RFM up the same hills in hi range with relative ease. We added over an acre of grass to our original 2-1/4 acre lot at the same time the bigger tractor and mower came along, and mowing time stayed the same.

Mudball · Sep 23, 2017

Thanks for all the great help and replies.
Im was not going to consider the L3301 because its too close to the L2501 in HP imo.
My last question would be, is the hyd trans the same in both the 2501 and the 3901 ?
I didnt know if the trans was beefed up someway on the 3309...I mean thats roughly 12+ more HP on the same trans ?

Ryansweatt2004 · Sep 24, 2017

The only difference between the L2501 and the L3901 besides the engine size, HP rating and DPF is the L2501 has a very slightly smaller hood and a slightly smaller capacity fuel tank and hydraulic pump. Other than that both tractors are absolutely identical in everything.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/008/0/8/8087-kubota-l3901.html

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/008/0/8/8085-kubota-l2501.html

Ryansweatt2004 · Sep 24, 2017

Also, as far as the DPF is concerned on the L3901, my 2015 L3901DT had over 400 hours and had around 20 regens with no issue whatsoever. Now my new 2017 L3901 HST has 80 hours and 2 regens. The system is pretty solid and works. Just rev the engine up and keep working.

bliebold · Sep 24, 2017

teg said:
Something has to be different when they both have the rated 540 PTO as 2700 RPM's vs. 2200 RPM's.

I do see the speeds are different, so that could just be the slow RPM. Would make cents to used the same transmission.

The engine has to run harder to generate the same output due to the restrictions in the exhaust system thanks to the emissions laws

sheepfarmer · Sep 24, 2017

Does anyone know for sure if the L2501 does or doesn't have the high pressure common rail type fuel injection system? The Kubota website doesn't mention it, but it is present in the 3301, 3901, 4701s. If so that is a big difference right there,

Cathy Liebchen · Sep 24, 2017

we had a series of 2wd Ford tractors for decades, then an L2501 for about 6 months then sold it and got an L3901. The L2501 was underpowered or our use, particularly at the PTO, and it struggled on hills with the mower. The L3901 is dramatically more powerful. The emissions is not an issue and the price difference only a couple thousand dollars. You recoup the price difference on a resale and the 3901 will be much easier to sell than a 25HP tractor. And as to your second question, HST hands down.

Blondie70 · Sep 24, 2017

They just put whatever nametag is needed on it...all the same. Got a big box of nametags at the end of the assembly line over in Japan. Need 20 3901? No problem...give me that box....ha ha ha haha

Mudball · Sep 25, 2017

Thanks for all the great replies.
Im trying to justify the cost increase of the L3901 and compare it to my needs.
I understand the trans appears to be the same but on the L3901 its restricted some due to the DPF system and needs to be ran at higher rpm's.
Something I will have to decide in time.
Thanks again.

Mudball · Sep 25, 2017

Ryansweatt2004 said:
The only difference between the L2501 and the L3901 besides the engine size, HP rating and DPF is the L2501 has a very slightly smaller hood and a slightly smaller capacity fuel tank and hydraulic pump. Other than that both tractors are absolutely identical in everything.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/008/0/8/8087-kubota-l3901.html

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/008/0/8/8085-kubota-l2501.html

I believe that is exactly what Ive read and what the salesman told me.
Thanks

sheepfarmer · Sep 25, 2017

Look at engine details on the Tractor data website, common rail is missing from the L2501 description. To see if it was an accidental omission, I checked the parts diagrams on Messick's website for both, and the fuel supply and control is quite different for the two engines. Eg the 2501 has no common rail, no fuel cooler, no ECU listed, but does have a stop lever etc. So the 2501 has the "old fashioned" way of doing things.

The common rail/ECU system is used to run the regen cycle, but it has the advantage of giving greater fuel economy and easier starting, or so I've been told. They are nice engines, my 2003 duramax has basically the same system except no dpf.

bliebold · Sep 25, 2017

Mudball said:
Thanks for all the great replies.
Im trying to justify the cost increase of the L3901 and compare it to my needs.
I understand the trans appears to be the same but on the L3901 its restricted some due to the DPF system and needs to be ran at higher rpm's.
Something I will have to decide in time.
Thanks again.

If you need the HP to run implements on the back then it is what it is. One thing i will tell you is the DPF system has to regenerate and if the machine isn't used heavily this may occur more often. Buddy has a JD and it had to regen before shutdown and it took 45 min which will also eat up fuel.

My 2501 runs the 5ft shredder just fine for what i need but each application is different.

Mudball · Sep 26, 2017

sheepfarmer said:
Look at engine details on the Tractor data website, common rail is missing from the L2501 description. To see if it was an accidental omission, I checked the parts diagrams on Messick's website for both, and the fuel supply and control is quite different for the two engines. Eg the 2501 has no common rail, no fuel cooler, no ECU listed, but does have a stop lever etc. So the 2501 has the "old fashioned" way of doing things.

The common rail/ECU system is used to run the regen cycle, but it has the advantage of giving greater fuel economy and easier starting, or so I've been told. They are nice engines, my 2003 duramax has basically the same system except no dpf.

I looked up the different specs you mentioned, like common rail, ECU, and fuel cooler and Im glad you mentioned them. I must justify the updated DPF systems and money (HP) for my application. I will probably end up with the L2501.
Thanks for noticing that and posting.

bliebold said:
If you need the HP to run implements on the back then it is what it is. One thing i will tell you is the DPF system has to regenerate and if the machine isn't used heavily this may occur more often. Buddy has a JD and it had to regen before shutdown and it took 45 min which will also eat up fuel.

My 2501 runs the 5ft shredder just fine for what i need but each application is different.

Yes I watched a video on DPF buttons, resetting, and functions. I believe they are not a problem the majority of the time. However Im leaning more toward the L2501 as time goes on.
Thanks

AKUBOTA · Sep 30, 2017

i have the L 3901 really like it so far. been using it to rip out stumps of birch and white spruce here in AK. has the bh 77 backhoe really works well, you have to dig around a lot on stumps to weaken them up but the small one just a couple bites.

OrangeColoredTractor · Sep 30, 2017

sheepfarmer said:
Does anyone know for sure if the L2501 does or doesn't have the high pressure common rail type fuel injection system? The Kubota website doesn't mention it, but it is present in the 3301, 3901, 4701s. If so that is a big difference right there,

L2501 is not a common rail. You will have individual metal injector lines form the pump to each injector. Common rail, one line to rail, small supply lines from rail to each electrically fired injector, just like a gasoline multi port EFI, all run by the computer which also controls the regen process. 3301 and 3901 is common rail.

savoy9020 · Oct 7, 2017

I've had my L2501 a year and a half, now with 80 hours on it..

Have worked it like a dog. No DPF to deal with, no computer, sensors, etc.

Have 30 acres, and much of it was over 8 foot high with 15 years of growth..

It's worked hard. I am glad my rep talked me out of the L3301, that I was looking at. Only thing I had to do, was replace the left tie-rod this week, as apparently I bent it a while back.

Mudball · Oct 8, 2017

savoy9020 said:
I've had my L2501 a year and a half, now with 80 hours on it..

Have worked it like a dog. No DPF to deal with, no computer, sensors, etc.

Have 30 acres, and much of it was over 8 foot high with 15 years of growth..

It's worked hard. I am glad my rep talked me out of the L3301, that I was looking at. Only thing I had to do, was replace the left tie-rod this week, as apparently I bent it a while back.

Always glad to hear positive feedback.
Ive decided on the 2501 rather than the 3901 for my applications.
Did you get the Gear or Hydro ?

Difference L2501 and L3901

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