Whether a commercial producer or a rural enthusiast, sometimes a compact tractor is just what’s needed. Powerful enough to plow through snow, mow large swaths of grass, or even till commercial gardens, the best compact tractors are still small enough to bring efficiency to the barnyard. And as two of the best-selling compact tractors on the market today, we wanted to see how the John Deere 3025E compares to the Kubota L2501.
Priced around $19,000 and $14,000 respective, the John Deere 3025E and Kubota L2501 each bring nearly 25 gross engine horse power (HP), solid diesel technology, and a wide array of attachments.
Dimensions
Built for rugged work in any environment, the Kubota L2501 four-wheel drive unit measures 106.3 inches in overall length without counting the Category 1 3-Point Hitch. With an overall width of 55.1 inches, the tractor stands in height 91.7 inches with the foldable Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS). With a wheelbase of 63.3 inches, the unit weighs 2,601 pounds. Significantly heavier than the sub-compact models, the machine still fits easily into most conventional storage facilities. That weight is sufficient to work well in snow or mud, and yet shouldn’t cause too much tracking on turf if used for commercial landscaping.
Meanwhile, the John Deere 3025E, spans 115.9 inches in green and gold length, 61.8 inches in width, has a height of 95.4 inches, and a wheelbase of 62.8 inches. The unit, in an open-station cab configuration, weighs 2,222 pounds. Large framed yet lighter than its counterpart, the compact tractor also fits into most sheds or barns.
If machine size matters, it’s a toss-up between dimensions and weight here, and whether the unit will be used for work in heavy mud or snow might make a difference there. Read below for attachments and do note that both units can be augmented with weights.
Engine and Horsepower
The Kubota L2501 features a gross engine HP of 24.8, with a direct injection, vertical, water-cooled, four-cycle diesel. The three-cylinder engine produces a Power Take-Off (PTO) HP of 20.5 in gear, and 19 HSP, and brings a 10.0 gallon fuel tank. The standard transmission offers eight gears in forward and four in reverse (8F/4R), with a hydrostatic 3-range.
Meanwhile, the John Deere 3025E features a Yanmar EYDXL 1.64NDA diesel engine with 24.7 HP, and PTO of 19.4 HP at 2,400 RPM. Fuel tank capacity is 7.5 gallons, and the machine also sports a hydrostatic transmission. The three-cylinder engine features Final Tier 4 emissions compliance.
With near equal ratings in term of engine power and HP, the biggest difference to note is the size of the fuel tank. When purchasing a compact tractor, proximity to fuel sources might be an issue, whether one has tanks at the farm, or if they have to haul fuel to the location. Time spent refueling is time not working.
Attachments and Implements
Both models are built to customize with attachments and implements, and the Kubota and John Deere family of machines certainly bring options in that department. The Kubota L2501 is built ready to attach to the LA525 front loader, as well as the BH77 and BH92 backhoe. Other Kubota attachments for this category of machines include quick hitches, rotary tillers, cutters, and mowers.
The John Deere 3025E also comes equipped for a foldable ASABE S478 Rollover Protective Structure (ROPs), tractor weights, and front loaders. The John Deere compact tractor family comes with more than 200 attachments as well as Quik-Hitch and Quik-Knect technology. For fence post drills, hay equipment, or mowers, the Big Green Machine has quite a selection.
Whether buying a tractor through a traditional brick-and-mortar dealer or online, the value to buying either a Kubota or John Deere is access to parts and accessories. Both brands are well-supported at stores and dealers throughout the country. In terms of implements and attachments, this really is a match-up of equals. The biggest question is orange or green.
Warranty
The Kubota L2051, along with all BX, B, LX, and L tractors, features a warranty plan for non-commercial home and residential use: Basic Standard Limited of 24 months or 1,500 hours, and Limited Powertrain of 72 months or 2,000 hours, whichever occurs first. For commercial use, the Basic Standard Limited plan is 24 months or 1,500 hours, whichever occurs first, and a limited powertrain plan of 36 months or 2,000 hours.
The John Deere 3025E offers a 6-year, 2,000-hour limited powertrain warranty and other elements of the usage can be negotiated at purchase.
Price
Pricing tractors is a genuine art, with all of the various options available. The same obviously holds true concerning attachments, implements, and various package plans. The Kubota L2501 is available online with MSRP as low as $13,652. The Kubota purchases are also open for select financing packages of $0 down and 0% APR for up to 84 months, as well as Farmer Veteran Coalition Memberships, and 2021 Equine Membership Purchasing Programs.
The John Deere 3025E starts out with an MSRP of $18,879 and comes with opportunity for a $139 monthly payment option and other programs up to $2,000 savings with cash purchases. Granted, most folks in the market for a compact tractor will be using their own financing plans or farm lines of credit. Both Kubota and John Deere models are sold all over the world with deals always available. That said, in terms of pricing options, the Kubota is considerably lower.
Compact Tractors Make Sense
These days, compact tractors are amongst the most versatile products on the market. With HP ranges up to 40, and 540-RPM PTO’s, these machines all have Category 1 3-point hitches for implements. A do-it-all tool carrier, these models work as well for landscapers as they do farmers and large commercial property owners. With a weight under 4,000 pounds, they’re light enough to not wreck a property with tracks, but powerful for backhoes and front-end loaders, as well as rotary mowers.
Like most in their class, the Kubota L2501 and John Deere 3025E can be customized to high level, with most implements designed just for this grouping of tractors and clients. Whether to be used for a public school corporation, or a U-Pick berry operation, the compact tractor is still king of the range when it comes to getting the job done efficiently.
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