BX25D -> L2501?

NetMagi

Active member

Equipment
BX25D (sold), L2501HST w/BH77 Backhoe
Dec 30, 2014
132
95
28
Pennsylvania
I don't have a lot of property (2.5 acres), but it seems I'm always tackling jobs where I'm straining my BX. It's mainly loader lift, but the few stumps I've dug (not that big) have been quite a chore as well. Recently I put in 3 new 8-12' trees , and I couldn't lift them from my dump trailer. I did manage to sort of curl them a little and pull them off, but it was really sketchy. Now I'm felling other trees and moving logs, and I struggle to load them in my dump trailer. I've managed to do it., but the loader just barely reaches over the side with enough curl down to get them in there safely.

When I purchased the BX ~5 yrs ago, it was also replacing a dedicated mower, and I got a 54" deck with it. I have a long very steep hill on the front of my property and felt it would do well mowing straight up and down in 4WD. I did, but it took forever, and this summer I picked up a steering-wheel 60" ZT that mows the hill crossways sooo much better. Cut over an hour off my overall mowing time. Initially needing to mow in some tight spots limited me to not considering larger than a BX, but I don't mow with it anymore, so I had been keeping an eye on Craigslist and local equip places for something bigger.

This week a 2018 L2501 4WD HST with a backhoe, SSQA loader, and forks with only 22 hrs came up on Craigslist 35 mins from me. Guy was asking 23.5k, and we settled on 21.5k after some negotiation. I made some calls around to price new, and the best I could get was ~30k with tax, so this seemed like a good deal. I felt like it was a good enough deal that if I didn't like it I could probably turn it around for what I paid or a little more.

It felt BIG at first, but I think I've gotten mostly comfortable with the size after ~3 hrs of operating. Am I crazy keeping a standard L for only 2.5 acres? I'm 100% certain the BX is too small for the majority of the jobs I end up tackling. I think a B50 or an LX would probably be the "perfect size", but they seem fairly close in size to this standard L anyway. I think I would likely be disappointed if I only moved up to the smaller-frame B.

I already had a 36x52 pole barn going up the end of this month to get the tractor, log splitter, a car, and my motorcyles out of the garage, so storage space isn't really an issue. It's definitely heavier, so I'll need to be careful not to rut up my yard when the ground is wet, but the tradeoff for that weight working for me when using the hoe or loader seems like it would be worth it.

I also had a front-mount blower for the BX that I was very happy with. I know front-mount isn't an option for the L, but I'd likely just pick up an SSQA snow pusher with pullback for the L. Maybe add a blower on the 3-pt in the future if I see a good deal come up to get rid of the piles I make with the pusher. My driveway and parking area is all paved.

Thoughts? Should I keep this beast?
 

Tornado

Well-known member
May 7, 2019
793
254
63
usa
I would 100% keep it. You got a good deal. If the tractor is really in just 22 hours of run time shape (meaning its practically brand new and hasn't been damaged in any way or mishandled) then you got a fantastic deal there at 21k. The backhoe is what really drives the price up. I spent about the same money as you on my L2501 brand new but without a backhoe. The backhoe added like $7,000 to the price. Brand new with all you got you would be looking at $30,000 for sure.

The L2501 in my opinion is one of the best bang for buck tractors Kubota sells. Its only slight larger than the B2601 for example, but has a substantially larger engine, larger tires, and is about 1,000 lbs heavier so it has a lot more pulling capability -- all at just a slightly larger footprint. You give up a lot going down to a B2601, and save nothing in price. At the 20k price point, and at 25 horse power, I don't think there is a more capable tractor really. That's just my opinion. 2.5 acres or 10 acres, who cares. You admit the BX is too weak. The B50 and L2501 are both so close in size and price, but very different in weight and ability. Its a no brainer for me. Enjoy the great deal you got!
 

Kurtee

Active member

Equipment
BX2660, BX2680 cab, JD 2032R, Honda 5518, JD X590, JD X739
Oct 3, 2013
317
103
43
Nicollet, mn
Keep them both. They need buddies. Put the snowblower on the BX and use the loader on the l as needed. They will draw a bigger crowd at the estate auction after you have enjoyed them both thru a long happy life. Kinda like a tractor harem.
 

Nicfin36

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 HST, BH77 Backhoe, SSQA Loader ZD1011 Mower
Jun 19, 2019
1,016
466
83
Decatur, AL
You got a great deal! I looked all over for one like that and everyone wanted more than what the dealer wanted. I think I paid about $28,000. I did have the third function installed.

Check your front axle fluid though. Many dealers aren't putting fluid in them. I just posted on another thread about it.
 

NetMagi

Active member

Equipment
BX25D (sold), L2501HST w/BH77 Backhoe
Dec 30, 2014
132
95
28
Pennsylvania
Keep them both. They need buddies. Put the snowblower on the BX and use the loader on the l as needed. They will draw a bigger crowd at the estate auction after you have enjoyed them both thru a long happy life. Kinda like a tractor harem.
I wish I could. . I mean, I could. . but I shouldn't :)
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,086
1,191
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Keep the BX FEL lift capacity and running a larger RFM are what drove me to the L4240. Not crazy at all. If it works to keep both - go ahead. We kept he Ford 1210 we bought used around '91 as a backup. It hasn't needed to fill that role, but it sure is handy to have different implements on each. Jumping from one tractor to the other is a lot handier than switching implements back and forth on one tractor.
 
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UpNorthMI

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
850
568
93
Up North, MI
You will get used to your new L2501 real quick and will appreciate its capabilities, it is a Good all around machine
 

WyeMtn

New member

Equipment
L2501. Finish mower. Bush hog. Grapple
Oct 6, 2020
1
0
1
Arkansas
Are you selling the BX for the L2501, or keeping both!! Sounds like you answered your question when you no longer need the BX to mow. The L2501 should be able to handle a 72" finishing mower, too....
The 2501 is a great machine but it struggles with a 72” finish mower. I just changed from a Landpride 2572 to a 1660 and it made a world of difference. I had the 2572 with a L3310 but the 3310 had to be retired.
 

degoniaorange82

New member

Equipment
l2501hst, 5ft. tiller, box blade and finnish mower, subsoiler and plow
Nov 9, 2017
28
1
3
southwest indiana
Nice picture! Thats my favorite use for my 2501...firewood assistant. I had an older blue 5ft. finish mower, had no problem mowing with it, so i traded it in on a new 1672 (6ft) mower. the 2501 pulls it fine, unless the grass is 8" tall. You will learn to enjoy the fresh purchase!
 

blackdogfarms

New member
Oct 5, 2020
22
1
3
NC
The 2501 is a great machine but it struggles with a 72” finish mower. I just changed from a Landpride 2572 to a 1660 and it made a world of difference. I had the 2572 with a L3310 but the 3310 had to be retired.
Why did the 3301 need to be retired?
 

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,053
5,026
113
Chenango County, NY
Why did the 3301 need to be retired?
WyeMtn had the older L3310, not the L3301 you are pondering.

I made a similar mistake with an L3650 vs. the newer L3560 when giving advice recently.
 

Tornado

Well-known member
May 7, 2019
793
254
63
usa
I would sell the BX tractor, unless you need mid mount pto for something. 2.5 acres....no need to have a BX and an L2501. The l2501 kinda makes a bx pointless imo, UNLESS, as said, you really need MM PTO for something.
 

NetMagi

Active member

Equipment
BX25D (sold), L2501HST w/BH77 Backhoe
Dec 30, 2014
132
95
28
Pennsylvania
I would sell the BX tractor, unless you need mid mount pto for something. 2.5 acres....no need to have a BX and an L2501. The l2501 kinda makes a bx pointless imo, UNLESS, as said, you really need MM PTO for something.
Nope, I went to a ZT for mowing. I sold the BX and ordered up a snow pusher and rear blower for the L.