Both compact · same Kubota lineup
Kubota B2601 vs Kubota B2301
| Spec | Kubota B2601 | Kubota B2301 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$20,017 | ~$18,874 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 24.3 hp | 20.9 hp |
| PTO hp | 19.5 hp | 17.4 hp |
| Loader lift | 948 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,175 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 1,411 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 1,411 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 8.3 GPM | 8.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Kubota |
| Weight | 1,632 lbs | 1,566 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 6.1 gal | 6.1 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Kubota B2601
What they like
- It hits the sweet spot between the BX and L series - more ground clearance, lift, and stability than a BX without the size and cost of an L2501
- Kubota's in-house D1105 diesel is a famously durable engine, and staying under 25 PTO HP means no DPF regen hassle
- The mid-PTO supports a belly mower deck, so unlike the Standard L it can do real finish mowing plus loader work
- The 1,411 lb 3-point lift at 24 inches doubles what a BX2380 can hoist, opening up full-size Category 1 implements
- Cruise control comes standard on the HST, which even the pricier L2501 doesn't offer
- The LA435 loader with quick-attach and skid-steer-style coupler option makes bucket and fork swaps painless
- It's light enough at 1,632 lbs to tow behind a half-ton truck on a modest trailer, a real plus for owners who move it between properties
What they complain about
- At 19.5 PTO HP it can run out of steam with a 5-foot rotary cutter in thick brush - owners doing heavy cutting wish for an L3901
- The 948 lb loader lift trails value rivals like the Kioti CK2620 that lift nearly twice as much for similar money
- It's priced close to the bigger Standard L2501, so buyers who don't need the mid-PTO often step up for the extra frame
- The light 1,632 lb chassis needs ballast and careful loading before it feels planted doing loader work
- The 6.1-gallon fuel tank is small, meaning refills during a full day of chores
- R4 industrial tires that most buyers choose are hard on lawns despite the machine's mowing ambitions
Kubota B2301
What they like
- Shares the B2601's LA435 loader, 8.3 gpm pump and 1,411 lb hitch, so the cheaper machine gives up horsepower and nothing structural
- 1,175 lb of loader lift at the pivot pin from a 1,566 lb tractor, far beyond anything in the BX80 range below it
- Three-range hydrostatic with a semi-flat operator deck, tilt steering and a high-back suspension seat as standard
- 12 in of ground clearance, roughly double what a BX carries, which is the difference on rutted ground
- The BH70 backhoe and 54 or 60 in mid-mount decks all mount to this chassis
What they complain about
- 20.9 gross hp and 17.4 at the PTO make it the least powerful machine in the B01 range
- 1,411 lb is what the hitch holds 24 in behind the lift points; the 1,808 lb headline figure is only available right at them
- At $18,874 it asks about $3,600 more than a B2401 that makes more power, if a gear box is acceptable
- Kubota lists no factory cab anywhere in the B01 range