Confused by the manual of the L2501 HST

nerwin

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L2501
Nov 13, 2024
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I been reading through the manual for my L2501 and there are a few things that I am slightly confused about and was hoping some folks here could clear it up for me.

So the first one was operating the tractor it self. I know the L2501 has a clutch and you must push it in order to start the tractor. However, I wasn't aware that you also need to push the clutch in the change the range of the hydrostatic. The manual clearly states you must depress the clutch to "shift" into Low, Medium or High. However when I watched videos on this tractor, I never saw them doing that? They stop and put it in different range. Am I missing something here? Haha.

The second one has to do with engaging 4WD. The manual also states that you must depress the clutch to engage 4WD but again the videos don't show them using the clutch, they just pull the lever and to take it out of 4WD, you also need to depress the clutch?

Thirdly has to do with the PTO. I know that in order to engage PTO, you need to fully depress the clutch, move the PTO lever to on position and slowly release the clutch. This I do know. However, it doesn't mention that you need to push the clutch in to turn off the PTO, you can just shut it off and this ok? Do I need to be stopped to do this?

The manual is a bit confusing on some of the things. Just trying to clear these things up first. Because I don't want to damage the tractor the first time I go use it haha.

Thanks!
 

mcmxi

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I been reading through the manual for my L2501 and there are a few things that I am slightly confused about and was hoping some folks here could clear it up for me.

So the first one was operating the tractor it self. I know the L2501 has a clutch and you must push it in order to start the tractor. However, I wasn't aware that you also need to push the clutch in the change the range of the hydrostatic. The manual clearly states you must depress the clutch to "shift" into Low, Medium or High. However when I watched videos on this tractor, I never saw them doing that? They stop and put it in different range. Am I missing something here? Haha.

The second one has to do with engaging 4WD. The manual also states that you must depress the clutch to engage 4WD but again the videos don't show them using the clutch, they just pull the lever and to take it out of 4WD, you also need to depress the clutch?

Thirdly has to do with the PTO. I know that in order to engage PTO, you need to fully depress the clutch, move the PTO lever to on position and slowly release the clutch. This I do know. However, it doesn't mention that you need to push the clutch in to turn off the PTO, you can just shut it off and this ok? Do I need to be stopped to do this?

The manual is a bit confusing on some of the things. Just trying to clear these things up first. Because I don't want to damage the tractor the first time I go use it haha.

Thanks!
It's an HST according to your first post in the other thread and confirmed by your photos, so there shouldn't be a clutch. A gear drive variant is available which is probably covered in the same manual so perhaps that's what's confusing you.
 

nerwin

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L2501
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It's an HST according to your first post in the other thread and confirmed by your photos, so there shouldn't be a clutch. A gear drive variant is available which is probably covered in the same manual so perhaps that's what's confusing you.
The L2501 HST, despite being hydrostatic does have a clutch still to engage the PTO. The new L2502 removed the clutch and opt for an electronic PTO.
 
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mcmxi

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The L2501 HST, despite being hydrostatic does have a clutch still to engage the PTO. The new L2502 removed the clutch and opt for an electronic PTO.
I thought you were referring to a clutch for the transmission. OK ... a PTO clutch ... makes sense. Your comment "I know the L2501 has a clutch and you must push it in order to start the tractor" had me thinking transmission.
 
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nerwin

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I thought you were referring to a clutch for the transmission. OK ... a PTO clutch ... makes sense.
That's the part where I'm confused as the manual states I need to use the clutch to change the range of the hydrostatic transmission or to out it in four-wheel. The manual is so vague haha.
 
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Rdrcr

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Just wait until you run and operate the tractor for hours with the parking brake engaged…I know I’ve done it, lol

You’ll be back on the forum asking what kind of potential damage you did to your L2501. :D
Don’t worry too much…you bought a really really good, reliable and simple tractor. It loves abuse!

Mike
 
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whatsupdoc

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The clutch is for the PTO to shift the transmission from say M to L you stop the tractor and change the shifter position.
 

ken erickson

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So the first one was operating the tractor it self. I know the L2501 has a clutch and you must push it in order to start the tractor. However, I wasn't aware that you also need to push the clutch in the change the range of the hydrostatic. The manual clearly states you must depress the clutch to "shift" into Low, Medium or High. However when I watched videos on this tractor, I never saw them doing that? They stop and put it in different range. Am I missing something here? Haha.
The manual is confusing but if you go to page 32 you will get some clarity.

You can shift the range lever between L-M-H without pushing in the clutch but MUST be completely stopped and with the speed control pedal in the neutral position, Ie, not moving forward or reverse with the hydrostatic pedal.

IF you have a hard time shifting then you slightly depress speed control pedal, release the pedal, and then depress clutch pedal, wait a moment and then shift the range lever.

Keep in mind this applies ONLY to the HST version and not the gear drive version.


As far as disengaging the PTO I will depress the clutch and let the implement, in my case a brush cutter, come to a complete stop before disengaging the PTO with the PTO lever.

I fully stop and depress the clutch before engaging or disengaging the front axle drive. It maybe possible to disengage the front axle while not moving and not disengaging the clutch but I figure why take that chance?
 
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Dchemphill1

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You do not have to push clutch in to start the tractor nor to go into 4 wheel drive. Clutch is only used for PTO. I recommend when starting pto throttle down, clutch in and engage pto lever. Then release pto slowly...then you can throttle back up. To shift from L-M-H you simply stop slide to neutral and then to new gear selection. Gets easier the more you use it
 

ken erickson

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You do not have to push clutch in to start the tractor nor to go into 4 wheel drive. Clutch is only used for PTO. I recommend when starting pto throttle down, clutch in and engage pto lever. Then release pto slowly...then you can throttle back up. To shift from L-M-H you simply stop slide to neutral and then to new gear selection. Gets easier the more you use it
My L2501 HST must have the clutch pedal depressed to start the engine. Page 39 of my owners manual.

IMG_0990.jpeg
IMG_0991.jpeg
 
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85Hokie

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I looked up the manual on the L2501 .........

and it says :

1731972345899.png


1731973921788.png
 

KKBL

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I use the clutch on our L2501 HST when I start it, shift range, 4WD engage & dis-engage, PTO in & out. Maybe I don't need to for all? - but I don't think it hurts to use it - and my left leg could use a little exercise once in a while anyway. Probably a bad habit that carried over from using manual transmission vehicles and tractors for over 60 years. :)
 
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nerwin

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I use the clutch on our L2501 HST when I start it, shift range, 4WD engage & dis-engage, PTO in & out. Maybe I don't need to for all? - but I don't think it hurts to use it - and my left leg could use a little exercise once in a while anyway. Probably a bad habit that carried over from using manual transmission vehicles and tractors for over 60 years. :)
See that's what I'm saying! The manual is kinda vague in some ways. I understand there are safety switches and such to try to prevent you from messing it up. In manual there's a checklist to test functions of the tractor and one of them is to turn the PTO on and stand up, even tells you to not use the clutch. The tractor should shut off/stall out.

I watched a messicks video on the standard L with hst, he just puts it into one of the ranges never touching the clutch but the manual says otherwise.

My head hurts. I agree though, using the clutch doing so probably doesn't hurt anything.
 

ken erickson

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I watched a messicks video on the standard L with hst, he just puts it into one of the ranges never touching the clutch but the manual says otherwise.
The manual does not state the clutch must be depressed for range changes, only that the tractor must not be moving and hst pedal in neutral. It does state if hard to shift the clutch can be depressed to help ease the shift.
See post 8 and 11.
 
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nerwin

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The manual does not state the clutch must be depressed for range changes, only that the tractor must not be moving and hst pedal in neutral. It does state if hard to shift the clutch can be depressed to help ease the shift.
See post 8 and 11.
That is what I originally thought. The clutch pedal is only used to engage the PTO. As far as I know, you don't even need to use the clutch to disengage it.
 

ken erickson

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That is what I originally thought. The clutch pedal is only used to engage the PTO. As far as I know, you don't even need to use the clutch to disengage it.
Well, The clutch pedal must be depressed for engine start and ENGAGING the front wheel drive. I also , as mentioned in my first post I depress the clutch to let the implement , brush cutter in my case, stop rotating before disengaging the pto.
 

nerwin

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L2501
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Well, The clutch pedal must be depressed for engine start and ENGAGING the front wheel drive. I also , as mentioned in my first post I depress the clutch to let the implement , brush cutter in my case, stop rotating before disengaging the pto.
There is so much confusion. I'm not the only one. I was just reading on another forum, you don't need to use the clutch to engage 4wd or disengage it.

I can see that pressing the clutch would stop the PTO and once whatever equipment you have comes to a stop. You can move the pto lever to off.
 

ken erickson

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Nov 21, 2010
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There is so much confusion. I'm not the only one. I was just reading on another forum, you don't need to use the clutch to engage 4wd or disengage it.
Really no need for confusion. My post 10 has a screen shot of the owners manual stating, “important, depress clutch before engaging front wheel drive lever.”

Here is my understanding after reading my manual and operating my L2501 HST

Engine start- must depress clutch

Pto engagement- must depress clutch

Pto dis-engagement- not spelled out in manual but I do depress clutch

Front wheel drive lever engagement- manual states depress clutch.

Front wheel drive lever dis-engagement- not spelled out but I do depress clutch