New Member considering purchasing an L2501

Hello,

A few years ago I purchase some property (5+ acres). I recently decided I now need a tractor to get some things done. It will be my first. Some planned uses for it: stump removal, grading some areas to make mowing easier, digging foundation for a garage and house addition, trenching electric water to garage etc.

I have barrowed my friends BX with loader and backhoe a few times and was impressed with the quality of the Kubota. He took a look at my planned projects and suggest I look at a bigger machine. I've looked at many used tractors but in this area they all seem to be high priced or have been worked hard. Not being familiar with tractors I've think I've convinced myself to go new and not buy someone else's problems. The current financing options available are nice as well.

I started out at a local dealer and said I want something bigger then a BX and he pointed me to a B2601. I came home and after doing some research on this site I found out that an L2501 is a lot more tractor for a modest price increase so back to the dealer I went. He has a new '15 model sitting beside a B2650 and the difference in size is quite substantial. The dealer said he couldn't sell L2501 in this location as it closer to city and residential developments and everyone wants smaller B series tractors. For comparisons I got a quote from the Delaware dealer (no sales tax state) which wasn't competitive even considering the saving of sales tax to my local dealer. Then I called Barlow and their price is quite competitive.

I'm looking at L2501 HST R4 tires, w/ SSQA loader, backhoe 16" bucket, thumb, tooth bar and pallet forks.

I have a few questions that I haven't been able to answer doing research online.

1. If I want to run the tractor without backhoe and use the loader how much weight do I need to add in a weight box? I know I can get the rear tires filled but I thought that when the backhoe was on this would be to much weight for the lawn?

2. If one wants to tow a utility trailer with the tractor what's the best way to attach a ball? Does Kubota offer a plate to mount on the rear etc? I've seen people mount balls onto the 3 point hitch but understand that this could cause problems if the trailer load takes the weight off the tongue?

3. Is there anything else I should look at getting dealer installed?

Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for the replies.

BeaterBoss, Are you talking about dealer installed lights or installing aftermarket lights once I get the tractor? I already plan on adding the bolt on hooks and reversible cutting blade myself to the bucket. I prefer more rural central PA myself. Here in the Lehigh Valley it has rushed city feel to it. Nice thing is that 10 miles north or south and your back in the PA country side.

Repair, yes I've seen the benefits of the thumb. I'm also planning to do the DIY hydraulics conversion that I've seen online as well. Looks to make it even more handy.

Tunaslayer, My concern with using the 3 pt hitch is just that loosing the tongue weight when I go over a rise, etc. There has to be a safe setup that one does not need to take that chance?

Tunaslayer, This is exactly what I've been trying to find. Is this a Kubota part or aftermarket? Do you have a part number I can look up? I wonder what load its rated for?

I spoke to a long time farmer this weekend and he's always used a fixed drawbar on the lower links of the 3 pt. hitch to mount the ball and tow trailers. He understood my concerns but said he's never had a problem. He talked about going slow and knowing how to drive a tractor on hills and uneven land.