New Guy, HELP: Kubota or Mahindra?

[pitt_md]

These are the two im looking at. thanks for all yalls help.

Kubota Tractor Corporation | M Series MX5100

Farm tractors for Ag Farmers, Hobby Farmers - Sub Compact, Compact & Full Size 2WD & 4WD Utility Tractors

I have the MX5000 (2006 vintage) and it's been flawless. I do think you are buy a lot more tractor than you need IF you stick to your brush hogging and a little loader work. Experience has proven that if you have it (HP) you will use it...

Buy what you like best, be safe and have fun!

 

[Altex]

I went with a Kubota (though smaller than what you are looking at). I checked out Mahindra's too. Mahindra's are fine machines also, but I met so many people that have Kubotas and swore by the quality. I'm very happy with my choice.

... I would say that 4WD is more a luxury than a requirement.

Maybe if you're a Flatlander. Here's something to consider. I have small hills and slopes and 4WD IS a necessity. How many times I would have got stuck in the 2WD mode if I didn't have the 4WD option. And I'm talking about dry conditions. Half my property is forest with the thick trees, brush and piles of dead leaves. On those slopes I need all the traction I can get.

 

[CurlyDave]

Naumes Equipment of Medford to close
But family will continue its Oregon Motorsports shop

December 10, 2008
Anita Burke
By Anita Burke
Mail Tribune

Naumes Equipment, a Medford company that has provided agricultural equipment in Southern Oregon since 1946, is closing.

An interesting coincidence, I looked at L39s there when I was looking for my tractor. I had just about convinced myself that I wanted a Kubota L39 from reading TBN, and I went there to look. A bunch of young guys sitting in the office, no stock on the lot. They helped me write up a spec sheet and said they could get it in a day or two, and gave me a price.

Then, just make sure I covered all my bases, I went out to the Deere dealer a few miles away and talked to them. Night and Day difference. The Deere dealer asked me what I wanted to do, what my land was like, and had several 110 TLBs in stock for me to look at. But, he wouldn't sell me one until he came out and looked at the land and made sure it was the right machine for that property. He came out the next day, and looked things over, told me what to hire out, what to do myself, and was really helpful.

I agonized over the 110 being a few thousand higher than the L39, but in the end I decided that having the better dealer was worth it.

One of the best decisions I have ever made.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Can't speak for the Mitsu- built Mahindras, but my Mahindra 3525 has wet replaceable cylinder liners, as I believe all of the Mahindra-built Mahindra's do. A rebuildable engine... not a throw-away.

I have to take a bit of issue with Dargo's comment that "FEL's on 2WD tractors are only half as useful as those on 4WD tractors." That seems to be the prevailing wisdom here in this great think tank known as TBN, but out in the real world, I can tell you that it isn't so. Maybe so if you like doing loader work in axle deep mud... in the conditions where most sensible people would just wait for the ground to dry so that you aren't making as big of a mess as you're fixing. Do some loader work with a properly ballasted 2WD tractor... you will be surprised at what you can do. Is a 4WD tractor more capable than a 2WD? Without a doubt... but Dargo, your statement is just off base... not really representative of reality IMO. I would say that 4WD is more a luxury than a requirement.

This post made me smile. I drove into a back to get some dirt a couple of days ago and to my great surprise, my front tires suck to the axles and my back tires couldn't get traction. I wasn't aware the ground there was still swampy. So, I reached down, hit the 4wd and came right out.

 

[AchingBack]

An interesting coincidence, I looked at L39s there when I was looking for my tractor. I had just about convinced myself that I wanted a Kubota L39 from reading TBN, and I went there to look. A bunch of young guys sitting in the office, no stock on the lot. They helped me write up a spec sheet and said they could get it in a day or two, and gave me a price.

Then, just make sure I covered all my bases, I went out to the Deere dealer a few miles away and talked to them. Night and Day difference. The Deere dealer asked me what I wanted to do, what my land was like, and had several 110 TLBs in stock for me to look at. But, he wouldn't sell me one until he came out and looked at the land and made sure it was the right machine for that property. He came out the next day, and looked things over, told me what to hire out, what to do myself, and was really helpful.

I agonized over the 110 being a few thousand higher than the L39, but in the end I decided that having the better dealer was worth it.

One of the best decisions I have ever made.

Curly Dave, obviously the poorly trained sales staff had a lot to do with the demise of Naumes Equipment. I had done my research, felt I knew what my needs were, and had my financing in place. I was determined, whatever brand I bought; I wanted to be sold a tractor. The young guy they had on their lot knew less about the machines than I did. In light of the closure of the dealership, I am doubly glad I didn't get the Kubota.

 

[Dargo]

I have to take a bit of issue with Dargo's comment that "FEL's on 2WD tractors are only half as useful as those on 4WD tractors." That seems to be the prevailing wisdom here in this great think tank known as TBN, but out in the real world, I can tell you that it isn't so. Maybe so if you like doing loader work in axle deep mud... in the conditions where most sensible people would just wait for the ground to dry so that you aren't making as big of a mess as you're fixing. Do some loader work with a properly ballasted 2WD tractor... you will be surprised at what you can do. Is a 4WD tractor more capable than a 2WD? Without a doubt... but Dargo, your statement is just off base... not really representative of reality IMO. I would say that 4WD is more a luxury than a requirement.

Sorry, but I'll stay with the 90%+ group of people who have had actual experience on both and most definitely stick 100% to my statement. No offense, but your comment "I would say that 4WD is more a luxury than a requirement" honestly made me laugh out loud. It sounds like something that would be said by a salesman at a dealership trying to get rid of that last 2wd tractor. I have thousands of hours in all sorts of conditions on all sorts of tractors and having the front wheels work makes a HUGE difference when doing any sort of loader work. You can use a loader for some things with a 2wd tractor, but you are extremely limited as to what you can do when compared to a FWA or 4wd tractor. The difference is far more than night and day. Again, sorry, but I gotta stick very firm with that statement. If anything, I'd have to say that 'half as useful' is giving too much. I wouldn't say you can do half as much, it would be a lower percentage. And, no, I wouldn't be surprised what you can do on a 2wd with a loader. I'm sure I have well over a thousand hours on such tractors. I'm very well aware of what their limitations are with a loader.

 

[johnk]

Sorry, but I'll stay with the 90%+ group of people who have had actual experience on both and most definitely stick 100% to my statement. No offense, but your comment "I would say that 4WD is more a luxury than a requirement" honestly made me laugh out loud. It sounds like something that would be said by a salesman at a dealership trying to get rid of that last 2wd tractor. I have thousands of hours in all sorts of conditions on all sorts of tractors and having the front wheels work makes a HUGE difference when doing any sort of loader work. You can use a loader for some things with a 2wd tractor, but you are extremely limited as to what you can do when compared to a FWA or 4wd tractor. The difference is far more than night and day. Again, sorry, but I gotta stick very firm with that statement. If anything, I'd have to say that 'half as useful' is giving too much. I wouldn't say you can do half as much, it would be a lower percentage. And, no, I wouldn't be surprised what you can do on a 2wd with a loader. I'm sure I have well over a thousand hours on such tractors. I'm very well aware of what their limitations are with a loader.

I have to agree w/ Dargo,
A lot of tractor brands say don't use 4WD for loader work because you will break the front axle etc etc. Kubota manual states to use it so you work efficentially. 2WD VS 4WD there is no comparison. I would only buy a 2WD tractor with AGS Loaded if I knew it wasn't going to rain or snow and i had no hills. Otherwise it is a no brainer. 4WD for a little extra cost. Also I have had 0 problems with my Kubota and I don't plan on selling or trading it. If I ever do though, I am sure I will get a resonable price for a used machine when I sell it because of the track record. Thats why I bought one and I'm glad i did...Other brands are fine also if you like them. To each their own....

 

[tjkadar]

If you have a FEL, you should have MFWD. The axles on a MFWD compared to a 2WD are far more substantial. We won't even get into traction issues when using a FEL.

We ordered a 6430 with 2WD. We'll use it mostly for round and square baling. We aren't going to put a FEL on it and even are steepest hills aren't too bad. The 5425 has a FEL and MFWD. Match the tractor to the implements and the implements to the work.

MFWD isn't a luxury for most folks. It allows them to get more done with a smaller tractor. It is getting harder and harder to find 2WD tractors and there is a reason for that - and it ain't just marketing.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

A lot of tractor brands say don't use 4WD for loader work because you will break the front axle etc etc.quote]

I'm naive here, would you be able to tell me specifically which makes tell you to not use 4x4 when using a loader? I will be sure to not ever even waist time looking at any of these models for any future purchases.
Thanks

 

[JoelD]

Hate to jump in as this has morphed from Kubota or Mahindra to 2 or 4 wheel drive and I'll voice on both.

In general, as I've posted prior, it is really tough to knock Kubota, they are a strong machine, mine were bulletproof, I mean in a shocking sort of way, put a loader and backhoe on a 12.5 HP 2 cyl. diesel Kubota (2 wheel drive by the way), and dug 2000lb bolders out of the ground.

With enough weight on the back and on solid ground or pavement, I could dig into a pile with the loader fairly well. However, on anything other than super hard surface, there is no comparison to 4x4.

My one concern with Mahindra is, I've not seen a dealer anywhere near me who carries them, that does not mean they are not out there, I just haven't seen them.

Tractors are a very personal decision for most though.

Good luck either way.

Joel