Cheap metal...fact or fantasy?

[dieselsmoke1]

Some folks are of the opinion that if a tractor weighs more than most others, it MUST be made of "cheap metal".

Others might feel that if a tractor costs less that some others, it's GOT to be inferior.

I own an "inferior tractor" made of "cheap metal" by some folk's standards, and I'm doggone happy with it.

My 2810HST weighs more than most similarly powered tractors. I don't have any ballast in my tires. I have no plans to add any because I don't NEED any. I can fill my 12 cf loader with dirt and drive down a 15 degree incline in 2wd with no counterweight (fact, not fantasy) and feel absolutely stable (I tried it just so I'd know what would happen if I screwed up and did it). I don't advise other owners to do this, but I am confident in my equipment in this situation.

Back in the 70's, one of IH's claims to fame were that they were the heaviest made HP to HP. I don't remember anyone insinuating they were made of "cheap metal" back then. I prefer to think of it as " add metal till you cannot break it" engineering.

I've posted several pics which show fit and finish, and will post several more if anyone requests.

Is a Mahindra a John Deere? No. Does it have the resale of a John Deere? No. Does it cost as much as a John Deere? No. Is it inferior to a John Deere? In my opinion it's not, but that's just my opinion and we're all entitled to them.

 

[DavesTractor]

I'll throw in my $0.02 worth.

I think people with the "cheap metal" theories are basing that opinion on some of the poorer examples of tractors, especially ones built a few years ago (no names here on purpose), and some poor ones still built today. These tractors were and are big, heavy, ungainly models built in countries other than the US and Japan. Castings were huge and rough, mostly because they couldn't make them smaller and strong. Leaks were abundant, electrical problems were rampant, etc. These tractors had little to offer except being heavier and simple in design. So the dealers advertised that they had a heavy tractor and made a big deal of it, when really they had little to offer but sheer mass.

I think the current line-up of non-big 3 tractors is quite nice. Check out the DK Kioti, or the Branson, TYM, Mahindra or Century. They aren’t made heavy due to lack of engineering or production ability. They are made heavy to do the sort of work for which they are designed. This is in contrast to the models indicated but without names in the first paragraph. They were built heavy by default.

John Deere and Kubota have built high quality lightweight units that have sold well. It is a credit to their engineers that they will hold together so well when built light. It is smart marketing to offer higher horsepower engines in these little guys, despite the fact that most of that is wasted (except when mowing) because of inadequate traction due to insufficient weight. Even so, I give them credit for these little machines; they will get a lot of work done, even with limited lift capacity and traction.

I was surprised recently though, when I looked under a JD2210 and it looked like the rear axle assembly is aluminum, has fins for cooling and a vulnerable little plastic fan underneath to also help keep the rear end cool. We hesitate to criticize JD, but that sounds like good lawnmower technology, but a little light duty for a tractor. And the floorboards and many other parts are plastic. I like most JD models, and their parts and service network is fabulous, but they have their shortcomings as well. I know, the little 2210 isn't designed to do the same things as the larger units, so don't beat me up on that...I am just trying to make a point that a company can lean a little too far to the lightweight side of things as well.

Now my disclaimer, like all of us, I am biased. I am a dealer and sell Branson and the smaller Mahindra line, plus used tractors of all makes. I try to keep an open mind, but I can’t help but to see and extol the virtues of the tractors I sell.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Well said, Dave.

 

[lamarbur]

I have a Mahindra 4110 model and for the most part am quite happy with it. Fit and finish is as good as any big 3 colors (even though 5030 saw different) Machine does all that I've asked from it and more. Even had a couple of other TBN'rs namely Junkman and AndyMA try out my 11 ft backhoe. I think they can attest to the machines strengths and abilities. To change anything, it would be the loader. Unfortunately, American made by KMW. THe loader is weak, of old design, and can come light years ahead if they really wanted to. A flip over seat to operate tractor/backhoe would be second and the availability to put on a cab. I wonder a lot when these companies say it can't be done or they're not interested as the 4110 is a TYM with Kioti engine. TYM has an awesome full cab, evidently not available on Mahindra or other rebadged TYM models. Anyone is welcome to my house to try this over weighted piece of blob and see for yourself how it can compete with the big 3.

 

[Woodbeef]

Ahhhh........I take it the Deeroids are running scared once again!! Sounds like typical coffeeshop bs....plain and simple. I bet most of those guys never even seen a Mahindra let alone drove one. Their info comes from their next door neighbor's,brother's second cousin on his wife's side,who heard it at the Piggly Wiggly waiting in line on a Saturday morning with a hangover!!

In the real world Deere makes some good tractors,as do the other brands. Be glad we have so many choices!! No brand fits everyone,like it or not. Remember to thaqt anything designed and made by man can also be broken by him too........no matter who's name is on the side or what color it is!!

 

[shvl73]

As a recent purchaser of a 2810HST and after only 16+ hours, so far all I can say is WOW! I love it!
I looked at Massy 1428V, NH TC-30, JD 790, Kubota B7800, all fairly local dealers & Mahindra got my $.
I purchased a Woods 60" rotary cutter, 64" Blizzard snowblower, 60" First Choice rototillier, & was given an old posthole digger. I have used all but the snowblower but will be mounting that this weekend. The 3pth was stronger than all others, the FEL was stronger than all others & ergonomically I liked the layout better than most. They all had their strong points, but I am very satisfied & would (and have) reccomend Jim Bailey at Northeastern Forklift in Epsom, NH to others.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I looked at Massy 1428V, NH TC-30, JD 790, Kubota B7800, all fairly local dealers & Mahindra got my $.
)</font>

I did the same thing and reached the same conclusion. They are all good choices but unfortunatly I can have only one!

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to TBN!

 

[CMunger]

All iron ore comes from the ground, like a mud pie that a child would make, different people take the same metal and shape it differently, but it is all the same. The difference is the technology that is used to mold or cast it, old style sand casting, later style forge casting etc. John Deere would like you to believe the paint does make it stonger, their proagada machine is good and consistant, and has been for years. Some feel this is warm and comfy why to buy, and without taking chances pay more for so so called piece of mind. This is true but not in all cases. The problem that manufactures have is that an old model tractor would cost as to produce as a current model that would weigh the same . The addtional cost is R&D to come up with new models to excite the buyer (BIGGER BETTER Stonger FASTER) The simple truth is the cost of material is small between models
Chuck M.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Anyone is welcome to my house to try this over weighted piece of blob and see for yourself how it can compete with the big 3. )</font>

That's a good idea, lamarbur. I know of no better time and place to challenge these "myths" than here and now. I'll also extend an open invitatation to any TBN'er that would like a little seat time on some "cheap metal".

 

[lamarbur]

I'd like to see AndyMa possibly say something. He ran my hoe last week for near an hour. Now, he has the same size hoe on his new TN75 whcih we worked on then hauled to another location today. I believe he'd tell anyone, the Mahindra 41 HP with this particular hoe setup is one awesome powerful machine. I think he would also agree that the KMW loader can use some major updating. All in all, this mahindra operates great.