Looking for new tractor for 80th

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
Congrats. What are you operating now? (you mention a tractor crossing, sounds like you currently have a tractor?)
I've a JD 2025R that is a good tractor but has suffered electrical issues, and all smaller JDs have the potential blowup driveshaft Ujoint. The one off the engine flew apart on the 4010 at 9 years and 660 hours.
 
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Mossy dell

Active member

Equipment
B2601 (2021) JD970 (1998) B2100 (1991) B6100E (1988)
Jul 20, 2020
274
125
43
sw VA
I removed the horizontal spring under the left side after reading about it on this forum. Much better.
I will search for that discussion, thanks! I am not uber mechanical but have been able to do basic things by taking my time and accessing lots of info. Everything I have seen about replacing the spring was not detailed as to source and part number of the new spring. Maybe that was on here however.
 

Mossy dell

Active member

Equipment
B2601 (2021) JD970 (1998) B2100 (1991) B6100E (1988)
Jul 20, 2020
274
125
43
sw VA
I removed the horizontal spring under the left side after reading about it on this forum. Much better.
Lynn, are these springs under the LEFT side of the tractor? The treadle is on the RIGHT so I am confused.
 

lynnmor

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,288
990
113
Red Lion
Lynn, are these springs under the LEFT side of the tractor? The treadle is on the RIGHT so I am confused.
The shaft for the treadle goes thru a tube to the left side. Look under the left side and you will see two nearly vertical springs that are partially hidden and a horizontal spring for the switch, that is the one I removed. You will find the springs near the mid PTO.

Since that treadle shaft may have considerable friction inside the tube, I drilled a tiny hole thru the tube so I can grease it with a needle point grease gun. To keep water and debris out of that hole I covered it with a hose clamp. I simply loosen the hose clamp and slide it aside while greasing.
 
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Daferris

Well-known member

Equipment
LX2610
Nov 23, 2021
461
380
63
Mid-Michigan
I ordered a LX2610 with the big R4's, FEL, 3rd function and 2 rear remotes on 9/10/21. The tractor and loader just showed up last Friday at the dealer. Still waiting on the rest of the bits for the rear remotes. Hoping that they get it together and delivered before the weekend. That would make it exactly 90 day from the date I signed the purchase order for it.
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
Saw a youtube video where the guy had partly disassembled either a B2601 or LX2601. Showed STEEL over where the driveshaft goes back to the HST. JD, at least the 2025R, has plastic. One owner had his driveshaft just break and busted all that plastic out. Almost broke his leg. My JD 4010 blew apart the Ujoint right there between my feet. No damage to the plastic.

Reinforces my decision to make my next tractor a Kubota.
 
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RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
Posted on Tractorbynet:


Attached is a spreadsheet comparison of the 2025R vs. B2301 and LX2601SU but also have the L2501 included. The L is a much heavier tractor and has the brakes on the wrong side with the treadle peddle. Not in the running at all.

Have online operators manuals for both the B2301 and LX2601 series. The manual shows clearly the differences between the SU and other 2601. What is different on the SU:

1. No mid PTO (don't need)
2. A lesser seat (but probably better than the B's)
3. No cruise control (almost never use)
4. No extendable lower lift arms (plan to use my HF QH on new Kubota; no issue)

I'd likely get the 3 inch axle extenders on the B2301 to make it a tad wider than the 2025R but less wide than the LXSU.

So far, have checked with 3 Kubota dealers now within 35 miles of here and no tractors with loaders. Targeting for my 80th birthday in April. Got to see access with loaders on and want to operate the loaders. Loader on the 2025R is excellent. Access is reasonable but not great. Have never ever removed a loader in 17 years.

The LX manual shows greasing every 50 hours, MUCH more reasonable than 10 I've read about on the B (but haven't checked its manual for this).
 

Attachments

Mossy dell

Active member

Equipment
B2601 (2021) JD970 (1998) B2100 (1991) B6100E (1988)
Jul 20, 2020
274
125
43
sw VA
Great work, Ralph. To me, the winner is the B2301. I am surprised it does so well against the much bigger Deere as well.

I got the 3" rear wheel extensions on my B2601 and that's been a success. I carry a Heavy Hitch on the rear most of the time and am not sure I needed the fluid filled rears. Only one way to find out. But my land is so steep and variable I hate to make a mistake.
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
Great work, Ralph. To me, the winner is the B2301. I am surprised it does so well against the much bigger Deere as well.

I got the 3" rear wheel extensions on my B2601 and that's been a success. I carry a Heavy Hitch on the rear most of the time and am not sure I needed the fluid filled rears. Only one way to find out. But my land is so steep and variable I hate to make a mistake.
I've always had filled rear tires (windshield wiper fluid). Would request the dealer to do this and to install the 3 inch spacers.

Without the spacers, the B2301/2601 isn't as wide as a 4 ft bush hog. Could end up hanging the corner of the hog on a tree. The spacers will also make it more stable on my slopes. It'd still be the least wide of the Kubotas and 3 inches wider than the 2025R.

I could easily make the B more comfortable by buying another seat for it. It's $2,000 less than the LX.

Even 6 years ago, I did this comparison and had the B2301 winning by 19 to 11 on comparison points, but the dealer situation back then was more bleak. Have since had dealerships open in both Charlottesville and Stuarts Draft. Got 3 within 35 miles now.
 
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RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
What attachments do you plan on using on your tractor? Just a loader? Or other implements?
I've a 4 ft bush hog, WM WC46 chipper, carryall and 5 ft back blade. Use the bush hog and wood chippers mostly, but the tractor is used a lot as a diesel wheelbarrow.
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
Just ran the "build" on the B2301 and added the wheel spacers. They add near a $1,000 and brings it within about $1,000 to the LXSU. After seeing a video on the amount of work needed to put those wheel spacers on, I'm not surprised. It's probably near a day's worth of work to do both sides. So, a B2601 and LX2601SU are pretty near the same price with wheels spacers on the B.
 

Daferris

Well-known member

Equipment
LX2610
Nov 23, 2021
461
380
63
Mid-Michigan
I just traded up from a B7510 (21hp) to a LX2610 with the big R4's and a 60" bucket. It's that much longer or wider than my old 7510 maybe 8-10" wider and about 15 or so inches longer. But what is really noticeable is it's much taller and a lot more ground clearance. Just weighed it with my scales for the race car and with a 60" bucket a quick hitch and a cheap Tarter 6' back blade. it's 3,553 pounds my back tire are loaded with beet juice (rim guard) however.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
6,258
3,970
113
Eastham, Ma
Posted on Tractorbynet:


Attached is a spreadsheet comparison of the 2025R vs. B2301 and LX2601SU but also have the L2501 included. The L is a much heavier tractor and has the brakes on the wrong side with the treadle peddle. Not in the running at all.

Have online operators manuals for both the B2301 and LX2601 series. The manual shows clearly the differences between the SU and other 2601. What is different on the SU:

1. No mid PTO (don't need)
2. A lesser seat (but probably better than the B's)
3. No cruise control (almost never use)
4. No extendable lower lift arms (plan to use my HF QH on new Kubota; no issue)

I'd likely get the 3 inch axle extenders on the B2301 to make it a tad wider than the 2025R but less wide than the LXSU.

So far, have checked with 3 Kubota dealers now within 35 miles of here and no tractors with loaders. Targeting for my 80th birthday in April. Got to see access with loaders on and want to operate the loaders. Loader on the 2025R is excellent. Access is reasonable but not great. Have never ever removed a loader in 17 years.

The LX manual shows greasing every 50 hours, MUCH more reasonable than 10 I've read about on the B (but haven't checked its manual for this).
Greasing is absolutely a non issue, if you buy a battery powered grease gun, and Lock-N-Lube.
In the phrase of old from AMEX:..... I "don't leave home without it.
 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
5,096
2,326
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
My son is telling his mom that his daddie is getting a new tractor for his 80th birthday (April).
RalphVA...I was wondering if you are the natural gardener from over at TBN?

If so, nice to see you here. If not, such is life...LOL
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
RalphVA...I was wondering if you are the natural gardener from over at TBN?

If so, nice to see you here. If not, such is life...LOL
That's me. Had bad legs today due to eating Cheerios (the tri sodium phosphate additive; I guess); so no tractor work: just our hike. Good legs yesterday before the Cheerios and ridding myself of peanuts. Did some bottomless chipping.
 

Orange man

Active member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 LA525 loader , woods prd6000 mower, Land pride RB 1672
Jul 23, 2014
160
81
28
WNY
Just ran the "build" on the B2301 and added the wheel spacers. They add near a $1,000 and brings it within about $1,000 to the LXSU. After seeing a video on the amount of work needed to put those wheel spacers on, I'm not surprised. It's probably near a day's worth of work to do both sides. So, a B2601 and LX2601SU are pretty near the same price with wheels spacers on the B.
Wheel spacers should not add 1,000, they are like 350
 

Oliver

Active member

Equipment
L2501, JD 3520
Feb 2, 2011
526
120
43
Preston County, WV
Just ran the "build" on the B2301 and added the wheel spacers. They add near a $1,000 and brings it within about $1,000 to the LXSU. After seeing a video on the amount of work needed to put those wheel spacers on, I'm not surprised. It's probably near a day's worth of work to do both sides......
I installed Brotec spacers on my tractor (which had filled tires) and it took me about 3 hours, I believe the spacers were $350.