Both compact · LS Tractor against Kubota
LS MT225S vs Kubota B2601
| Spec | LS MT225S | Kubota B2601 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20,100–$22,851 | ~$20,017 |
| What that price is | dealer list, not MSRP, spread across dealers | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 24.7 hp | 24.3 hp |
| PTO hp | 19.3 hp | 19.5 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,067 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 948 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 1,896 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 1,411 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 9.3 GPM | 8.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Kubota |
| Weight | 2,094 lbs | 1,632 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 8.7 gal | 6.1 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 6 yr 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
LS MT225S
What they like
- It's powered by a proven Yanmar diesel, so the core engine has an excellent reliability reputation despite the value price
- The 1,896 lb 3-point lift is remarkably strong for the price, beating a Kubota L2501 and Deere 3025E
- LS builds the New Holland Workmaster tractors too, so the engineering is proven and mainstream, not fly-by-night
- It's one of the lowest-priced legitimate compact tractors with a loader you can buy new
- Comes loaded with standard features - telescoping stabilizers, quick-attach loader, and 9.3 GPM hydraulics
- The 6-year powertrain warranty gives budget buyers solid peace of mind
What they complain about
- The LS dealer network is the thinnest of the major value brands, so service and parts can be a real challenge in many regions
- Resale value is the weakest in this group - LS depreciates hard because brand recognition is low
- Fit and finish trails Kubota and Deere, with cheaper plastics and switchgear noted by owners
- Only 19.3 PTO HP, so it's modest on wider PTO implements
- The loader lift of 1,067 lbs is lower than the impressive 3-point figure, creating a capability mismatch
- The owner community is small, so online troubleshooting help is limited
- LS has far fewer US dealers than Kubota or Deere, which lengthens the parts pipeline
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