Buying Advice Tractor Advice Needed

[LA Confederate]

I'm pretty sure I have my better have on board with getting a new tractor and I thought I'd get some advice.

These are our needs and wants. We have 2 acres and we garden heavily. Right now our plots are relatively small but we want to expand to put the majority of our land in production. To reach that goal some large trees will need to be cut down. We also want to look forward to expanding our production capacity to include several acres of additional property. In addition we intend to use the tractor to do some side jobs clearing and and cutting properties. We want something that will be reliable and want to buy something that will be adequate for current and our likely future needs. Most importantly we want something that my wife can learn to operate with some coaching.

We've decided that we are going to get a tiller, disk, 1 or 2 bottom plow, 2 - row maker, box blade, and a loader no matter what we get. MFWD isn't a necessity but would be nice.

In researching I've hit a snag with which tractor to go with. I've narrowed it down to the Max 28XL, the 3016, or the 4025. They are all in my general price range according to the MSRP on the mahindra site.

I'm interested in hearing opinions, likes, and dislikes for these models and advice on which route to go. I'm planning on making a trip to my local dealer soon to test drive some of this equipment.

 

[jeff9366]

Most importantly we want something that my wife can learn to operate with some coaching.

MFWD isn't a necessity but would be nice.

I would make four-wheel-drive a priority.

Otherwise you will need a tractor 50% heavier, including loaded tires, to accomplish your tasks with all that implies in fuel consumption, soil compaction and awkwardness.

4-WD is important to fill your FEL bucket.

Also, if you are new to tractors, 4-WD will often keep you from getting stuck in the gumbo as you learn. You cannot tolerate preventable down time in a business.

Two-wheel drive tractors can be a tough sell, used.

I would delay on the plow and Disc Harrow, which is another form of tiller, at first.

PTO powered roto-tillers are more useful in gardens, until gardens grow to over three acres or so.

You will need a one-row or two-row Cultivator for row crops.

Hydraustatic (HST) tractor transmissions are easier to learn and much easier to use at creep speed in gardens. HST is best for roto-tilling.

You may want a tractor with adjustable wheel spacing.

Best wishes.


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[LA Confederate]

Thanks for the reply. While I'm well versed in tractors and farm machinery, my wife is not. The HST is an expense that I don't think I can justify at this point as the shuttle shift will do everything I need to do.

4wd is pretty high on my priority list. And I think I have the missus on board with that choice too.

 

[architect]

Max 28 XL has been discontinued, replaced by Max 26, my experience in Baton Rouge at my Son's house is that you have the hardest compacted soil, so look for higher pto horsepower, tillers work great, Mahindra tillers look heaver duty that most.

 

[streamin]

I can't imagine why anyone would not buy a 4WD unless you know "for sure" you won't need it. I take mine out of 4wd just to see the difference, no comparison.

 

[Mahindra man23]

I'm pretty sure I have my better have on board with getting a new tractor and I thought I'd get some advice.

These are our needs and wants. We have 2 acres and we garden heavily. Right now our plots are relatively small but we want to expand to put the majority of our land in production. To reach that goal some large trees will need to be cut down. We also want to look forward to expanding our production capacity to include several acres of additional property. In addition we intend to use the tractor to do some side jobs clearing and and cutting properties. We want something that will be reliable and want to buy something that will be adequate for current and our likely future needs. Most importantly we want something that my wife can learn to operate with some coaching.

We've decided that we are going to get a tiller, disk, 1 or 2 bottom plow, 2 - row maker, box blade, and a loader no matter what we get. MFWD isn't a necessity but would be nice.

In researching I've hit a snag with which tractor to go with. I've narrowed it down to the Max 28XL, the 3016, or the 4025. They are all in my general price range according to the MSRP on the mahindra site.

I'm interested in hearing opinions, likes, and dislikes for these models and advice on which route to go. I'm planning on making a trip to my local dealer soon to test drive some of this equipment.

I would go with 3016 that's what I am selling the most of lately and everyone loves them

 

[TOSA Ranch]

I recently picked up a 3016 HST with FEL and box scraper for our 1.5 acre lot. For our needs (similar in garden but with a lot of bucket work still to be done to level the property) it's been very nice. In low range with the rippers all the way out, it'll drag that box scraper until the soil is too soft for the tires to continue. A slight lift of the 3PH to get out of the hole I'm in, and I can drop it back down and keep going. No engine bogging or anything. FEL has more power than I've needed yet and the float works great. I currently do not own any PTO employments however so I can't speak to that aspect yet. Tiller is on the list once the property is leveled. We've added 100 yards of fill so far and need at least 100 more. My only concern is catching the hydraulic lines that route from the FEL under the deck to the controls on the fender. So far I've not drug them through anything but I'm very careful when I'm driving over a pile or moving brush.

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[flusher]

Thanks for the reply. While I'm well versed in tractors and farm machinery, my wife is not. The HST is an expense that I don't think I can justify at this point as the shuttle shift will do everything I need to do.

4wd is pretty high on my priority list. And I think I have the missus on board with that choice too.

Check the shuttle shift ground speed chart. You need very slow ground speed to rototill effectively (0.5 mph or less). That's why a hydrostatic tranny is ideal for this type of work.

Good luck.

 

[flusher]

Thanks for the reply. While I'm well versed in tractors and farm machinery, my wife is not. The HST is an expense that I don't think I can justify at this point as the shuttle shift will do everything I need to do.

4wd is pretty high on my priority list. And I think I have the missus on board with that choice too.

Check the shuttle shift ground speed chart. You need very slow ground speed to rototill effectively (0.5 mph or less). That's why a hydrostatic tranny is ideal for this type of work.

Good luck.

 

[DK35vince]

Check the shuttle shift ground speed chart. You need very slow ground speed to rototill effectively (0.5 mph or less). That's why a hydrostatic tranny is ideal for this type of work.

I think the 3016 would work fine for tilling.
It has the 2 range 8/8 shuttle.
I have the 2 range 8/8 shuttle on my machine. Ground speed at PTO speed in low gear is 1 MPH.
It tills great with a King Kutter II tiller. No problem at all.
My previous tractor ( John Deere 850) was 2 range with 8 forward speeds. Tiller worked fine on it also