Solis S26 SHUTTLE XL/ HST vs Kubota B2231 Vs Kubota B2261

Hi Eddie, here from the Greater London area. I am a blogger and a passionate gardener. It gives me joy to help the fellow farmers if they are looking for a compact tractor as I deal with them regularly. Please read what I have to share with the trust. These are purely based on my personal experiences. I love experiencing these iconic machines from time to time and go the extra mile to understand the important intricacies. 

Solis Tractor is built with 3 Cylinder Mitsubishi Stage V engine whereas Kubota in both of its models is using its in-house 3 cylinder E TVCS engine. Mitsubishi is known for its engine robust performance. In terms of Rated RPM Solis tractor gives 24 HP power at 2700 RPM whereas Kubota B2231 and B2261 gives 23 HP and 26 HP power respectively at 2500 RPM. However, Solis is having high torque compare to Kubota. This gives Solis tractor added advantage as you can work longer with Solis tractors. Below is the engine rating

Solis S26 Shuttle XL

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

In linkage section Solis tractor offers more option e.g. CAT 1 & CAT 1N implements can be attached to Solis whereas in case of Kubota B2231 and B2261 only CAT 1 implements can be attached. Lifting capacity ranges from 600 – 970 Kg.

Solis S26 Shuttle XL 

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

If we talk about style then Solis is most beautifully & ergonomically designed tractor. It has projector head lamps & sloppy hood which gives it very beautiful look & operator area is also designed keeping the customer convenience in mind. While Kubota in both of its models is following the traditional route in terms of look & ergonomics

Solis S26 Shuttle XL 

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

On transmission front all three tractors are similar as all three tractors are providing 9F+9R Transmission, max speed of all the three tractors is around 21 kmph, which is optimum for garden / hobby farming usage.

Solis S26 Shuttle XL 

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

Dimensionally all the tractors are at par to each other, some has high ground clearance, some has high wheelbase. Track width of Solis is much higher than the other two brands.

Ground Clearance (mm) Standard 275 265 290
Overall Length (mm) Standard 2945/ 2895 2730 2730
Overall Width (mm) Standard 1215 1234 1249
Wheelbase (mm) Standard 1570 1500 1500
Front Track Width (mm) Standard 990/885 832 830
Rear Track Width (mm) Standard 970/960 986 1006
Minimum Height Standard 2442 2327 2353
Weight (Kgs) Standard 960 755 755

Tyres plays a very important role as different tyre are required for different activity, Solis tractors has wide range of tyre availability like Agri, Wider Agri, Turf, Industrial & Galaxy pro tyre while Kubota comes with standard tyre options. It gives versatility to the consumer

Solis S26 Shuttle XL 

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

Let’s talk about the complete tractor package, Solis S 26 is pretty renowned model among its category, spare parts are easy to find & dealers are also good in solving the problem for Kubota also you will get the same experience but there is huge difference in tractor pricing i.e. Solis is 20-25% cheaper to Kubota Models. While Solis & Kubota are similar in performance but due to huge price difference we are giving 1 star extra to Solis compare to Kubota B2231 and B2261.

Solis S26 Shuttle XL 

Kubota B2231          

Kubota B2261          

INTRODUCTION:
This is Eddie, your tractor reviewer from Greater London. Today we are going to learn about the pros and cons of SOLIS S26 SHUTTLE XL/ HST VS KUBOTA B2231 VS KUBOTA B2261 with a comprehensive comparative study of their features and specifications.

Specification comparison for Solis Compact Series v/s Competition Compact Tractors
MAKER SOLIS KUBOTA KUBOTA
MODEL S26 SHUTTLE XL/ HST B2231 B2261
PRICE (Euros) 11075
Parameters
Type Standard MHI DI E-TVCS E-TVCS
No. of Cylinders Standard 3 3 3
Swept Volume (cc) Standard 1318 1123 1261
Max Engine HP @ RPM Standard 24 23 26
Rated RPM Standard 2700 2500 2500
Max Torque (Nm) Standard 75 72
After Treatment Standard
Emissions Qualify Standard STAGE V STAGE V STAGE V
Fuel Tank Capacity Standard 27 27
Transmission
Type Standard CONSTANT MESH WITH SYNCHRO SHUTTLE CONSTANT MESH WITH SYNCHRO SHUTTLE/ HST CONSTANT MESH WITH SYNCHRO SHUTTLE/ HST
Forward/ Reverse
Standard 9F+9R/ HST 9F+9R/ HST 9F+9R/ HST
Option 1
Option 2
Speeds (Max-Kmph)
Standard 21 20.1/21.68 21.3/23
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4
Clutch
Standard SINGLE CLUTCH/ NA SINGLE CLUTCH/ NA SINGLE CLUTCH/ NA
Option 1
Clutch Actuation
Standard MECHANICAL/ NA MECHANICAL/ NA MECHANICAL/ NA
Option 1
Front Axle
Type
Standard 4WD 4WD 4WD
Option 1 2WD 2WD
4WD Engagement Standard MECHANICAL MECHANICAL MECHANICAL
Diff Lock
Standard FOOT OPERATED FOOT OPERATED FOOT OPERATED
Option 1
Turning Radius (mm) Standard 2.1 2.1
PTO
PTO Type Standard MECHANICAL MECHANICAL MECHANICAL
PTO RPM @ Engine RPM
Standard 540/540E 540 540
Option 1 540/1000 2500 2500
Option 2
PTO Actuation
Standard MECHANICAL/ EHPTO (HST) MECHANICAL/ EHPTO (HST) MECHANICAL/ EHPTO (HST)
Option 1
Option 2
Brakes
Type of Brakes Standard OIL IMMERSED BRAKES OIL IMMERSED BRAKES OIL IMMERSED BRAKES
Brakes Actuation
Standard MECHANICAL MECHANICAL MECHANICAL
Option 1
Trailer Brakes
Standard
Option 1
Option 2
Hydraulics and Linkages
Max Lifting Capacity (Kgs)
Standard 600 970 970
Option 1
Liftomatic Standard
Three Point Linkage Category Standard CAT 1 & CAT 1N CAT 1 CAT 1
Hydraulic Pump flow (LPM) Standard 18 33.1 33.1
Steering Pump flow (LPM) Standard NA
Position/ Draft Sensing Control
Standard POSITION CONTROL POSITION CONTROL POSITION CONTROL
Option 1
Rear Remotes
Standard 2 4 4
Option 1
Option 2
Mid Remotes Standard
Front Remotes Standard
Steering Type Standard POWER STEERING POWER STEERING POWER STEERING
Dimensions
Ground Clearance (mm) Standard 275 265 290
Overall Length (mm) Standard 2945/ 2895 2730 2730
Overall Width (mm) Standard 1215 1234 1249
Wheelbase (mm) Standard 1570 1500 1500
Front Track Width (mm) Standard 990/885 832 830
Rear Track Width (mm) Standard 970/960 986 1006
Minimum Height Standard 2442 2327 2353
Weight (Kgs) Standard 755 755
Front & Rear Tyres (Std) Standard 6.0-12/ 8.30-20 6×12/ 9.5×16 6×12/ 9.5×18
Option 1 Standard
Option 2 Standard
Option 3 Standard
Option 4 Standard

VERDICT
When it comes to maximum speed, Solis clocks 21 Km/hr whereas Kubota variants clock 21.68 and 23 Km/hr respectively. Also the lifting capacity reaches up to 600 Kg compared to 900 Kg for Kubota variants. Overall, S 26 Shuttle emerges as a near winner in the comparisons because of its reputation that precedes any competition in the category. The added advantage with this brand is the easy availability of spare parts along with a price difference of about 20-25%. My understanding suggests that powered with the Mitsubishi 3 Cylinder Stage V engine, Solis 26 Shuttle delivers a power-packed punch performance. Nearly difficult to choose one between these tractors, but Solis does win this with a narrow margin.