The Kubota b2601 is one of the best budget-orientated lawn tractors around. Ideal for the homeowner with small to medium plots of land. Or the small-format commercial applications, thanks to the plethora of available attachments you can use on it.
But as is often the case with lower-end compact tractors, it does suffer from some issues that any user or potential buyer should be aware of.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at all the most common issues the Kubota b2601 encounters and explain how to fix them. And then share our thoughts on whether we think this is a valuable purchase.
The most common problems with the Kubota b2601
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There are many fantastic user-friendly aspects of the b2601, with its swift-tach loader that allows you to remove the loader in less than a minute, backhoe, and mowing functionality. It can truly handle any job you throw at it.
Combine that with a fantastic low price, and you have a very compelling prospect for anyone needing a reliable lawn mower to perform various day-to-day tasks on smaller plots of land.
So whether you are a potential buyer looking to inform yourself on what problems you might need to deal with should you purchase the b2601. Or maybe you’re already an owner looking to troubleshoot a particular problem. Here’s a rundown of the primary issues you’ll face.
1. The engine doesn’t start up
The most common issue you will run into with the b2601 is often caused by reasonably easy-to-diagnose and rectify problems. The challenge comes in identifying what is preventing the Kubota engine from starting, as there are so many potential culprits.
The first and most obvious thing to check is the transmission gear shift level, which may be set incorrectly. It’s easy to overlook, but you must set it to neutral with the Kubota engine throttle lever not being put forward.
The next thing to check is the battery. If it has a loose connection, it will not be able to supply power to the engine. Check all connections and re-tighten them as necessary. You should also check if any corroded connections may need rust removal or cleaning with a wire brush before they will work.
You should also check the fuel, mainly if the tractor has been in storage for some time, as the fuel may have become old. In this case, you should discard the old fuel and use fresh fuel, making sure it’s filled up to the correct level.
The engine oil should be rechecked, especially if the tractor’s been in storage for some time. If the oil’s viscosity is too thick or too thin, it should also be discarded and refilled with fresh oil.
You should also check both the fuel filter and air intake filter. If they become blogged or clogged up, they won’t be able to supply air to the engine, throwing off the fuel-to-air ratio. Clean them if possible, or if they are beyond repair, discard them and replace them with a new one.Â
Finally, checking the fuses and replacing any blown ones is always a good idea.
2. The engine clicks when starting
This is usually due to an insufficient supply of power to the engine. You should check all the connections between the motor and battery to ensure they are working.
The next thing to check is the battery voltage. If the battery has been recently charged but is still not putting out a high-enough voltage, it may be defective and require replacing with a new, working one.
3. The engine cranks but cannot start
If you can clearly hear the engine cranking when you try to start the Kubota b2601 tractor, but it doesn’t fully start up, it may be due to fuel not reaching the cylinder.
The first thing to check is the fuel level and ensure it’s topped up. The next thing to check is the air and fuel filter. It may not supply enough oxygen or fuel to get that correct combustible ratio.
Once these are checked, move the throttle to idle, then half throttle and restart the Kubota b2601 compact tractor.
4. Cold weather prevents the tractor from starting
It’s pretty standard when tractors have been left overnight in a cold environment to have difficulty starting up.
There are special ‘winter blends’ of fuel you can use, with special additives to help them deal with the cold weather. Consider swapping to these during the winter months to assist the Kubota b2601 tractor in starting up in cold weather.
When you get the Kubota b2601 compact tractor to start, idle it for 5-10 minutes which will help the engine warm up and increase efficiency.
You can also use some additional engine starting aids such as glow plugs, intake preheaters, and block heaters to assist with low-temperature starts.
If you are sure the fuel is not the issue, you can also check that the fuel injectors are not dirty and that there are no faulty switches.
5. Engine stalls
This is usually an oil or fuel flow problem. You should check the fuel/oil tank, hoses, and shutoff valve to ensure they can supply fuel and oil to the system.
If you have too much oil in the system, dirty fuel, or a clogged-up air filter, you should check your levels, clean the fuel system, and filter accordingly. This can commonly be identified by black smoke coming from the exhaust.
It may also be a case of fuel making its way into the muffler or a dirty fuel injection nozzle (commonly caused by poor, low-quality fuel). In this case, the fuel should be discarded, the mower cleaned, and new fuel put in.Â
This can commonly be identified by white or pale blue smoke from the exhaust.
6. Quick-tach issues
One of the most significant selling points of the b2601 is its quick-tach system, allowing you to replace the loader system and attachments considerably faster than usual. Ideal for scenarios where you need this one lawn mower to do a lot of different jobs in quick succession.
However, quite a few users have reported that the system is leak-prone. Mainly, they mention that the seals around specific fittings in the hydraulic system are not very secure.
The first thing to check is the hydraulic filter to ensure it’s being distributed correctly. Then you should check all the seals and fittings for leaks and repair them accordingly.
7. The engine is overheating
If the engine seems prone to overheating, a quick and easy short-term solution is to lighten the workload by shifting to a lower gear, or if you are carrying large loads, try to do them in two runs.
But obviously, that’s not ideal for maintaining over a long period. So for a more permanent fix, you should check the coolant level and ensure there is enough in the tank. As well as check the hoses and radiators to ensure the fitting are all tight and nothing is leaking or causing them to operate inefficiently.
You should also check the cooling system for blockages. Often just flushing the whole system and putting in fresh coolant is the best way to do this.
You may also find that the fan belt has become loose, resulting in the Kubota b2601 compact tract receiving lower cooling. Check the belt for any wear or loose tension. If it’s not right, replace it as this is common to wear down over time.
8. Issues with steering
You may find that over time, the steering wheel may either feel loose, making it difficult to navigate, or become overly tight. You may also find that it will drift or pull you to one side.
The first thing to check is the steering fluid and the hydraulic oil level, as these are both critical parts of the steering system. You should also check for any leaks.
The next thing to check is that all the tires have equal pressure. If one corner of the tractor is slightly flat, the chassis will lean down on that side, causing the compact tractor to drift in that direction.
You should also check that the steering linkage has adequate lubrication.
If none of the steps above solve the issue for you, you should take it to a qualified repairer at your nearest Kubota dealer, as it may indicate something that is not user-serviceable.
9. Spark plug is not functioning
Another common issue you are likely to run into is not just the b2601 but almost any model across the range. The spark plug is responsible for generating a small electrical current that ignites the fuel in the engine, thus, starting the combustion process.
If there is a bad connection due to dirt or corrosion, it won’t be able to generate the spark. Sometimes they can fail and need to be replaced.
Fortunately, these are very cheap, so you can replace them with new ones.
Kubota b2601 problems: Are they a deal-breaker?
The B2601 is a well-reviewed and reliable model with the power and adaptability to handle anything you throw at it.
But potential buyers might be turned off by the volume of issues this Kubota tractor can run into.
After taking an in-depth look at all the problems this Kubota tractor runs into, we can confidently say that this is a great compact tractor with no fundamental flaws.Â
These issues are commonplace across most modern tractor models and are easily rectified with a robust maintenance and upkeep routine.
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
