Comparison Kubota BX25D. Vs Mahindra 22max

[94BULLITT]

You would be well pleased with either unit I think. The Max25 is built like a regular compact tractor, the BX is built as a SCUT. What is a SCUT? That is open to debate, but my current thought is that a SCUT will have a ladder frame with the components bolted onto it, like a serious riding lawn mower on steroids. Generally they have a transaxle in the back with a plastic cooling fan. Generally they have closer spacing on the 3-point, they will use Category 0 spacing with Category 1 pin sizes. A CUT (B-series in Kubota) will be built like a conventional tractor, just like a 50HP farm tractor, but smaller and will have standard Cat 1 pins and spacing. If they have a hydro, they have an oil cooler out by the radiator instead of a fan underneath.

A SCUT is lighter and probably a better mowing tractor. I think a CUT, like a B-series Kubota or a Max22/25 would in theory be a little more robust in the long term, heavier, a little stronger, designed for a higher duty cycle. That being said, folks that own the BX's seem universally happy with them, so obviously that sort of design is more than adequate for most uses. The eMax Mahindra is more along the lines of the BX Kubota, the Max Mahindra is more like a B series.

My favorite little tractor is the Max25. It has the same engine as the Max28 and the 3016, just rated at a lower RPM. Big engine, running slowly. Conventional structure for the drivetrain, and it is backhoe ready and comes with the three-point arms standard, heavy drawbar (for a little tractor anyway) and a 5 year warranty standard. We market the Max25 as a SCUT since it is physically nearly the same size and has a very similar turning radius, etc. You might argue that Mahindra has tried riding both sides of the fence on whether a Max is a SCUT or a CUT and I suppose that may be true.

I think the Kubota fans will say that the BX is the way to go since they own one and like what they own. The BX is the segment leader in sales, and that does not happen without happy customers. I'll agree they are good machines, so let me make it clear that I am not saying otherwise. I am though, making a distinction between the basic tractor structures. That may or may not matter to many folks. For me, if I can have a conventional tractor in a small size with a big engine turning low rpms, I would favor that.

Nice description.

 

[jel1988]

I've rented the BX25 and purchased the Max 22TLB. The comparison is like two brothers, one more refined the other brawny, rough and tough. The max is an animal, strong solid and far more stable then the BX. If you want to cut grass and play around on the estate orange will do fine. If you want to do serious work with a small package go red.

 

[Airportbum365]

I see Home Depot rents the BX25D that will give me a pretty good idea for what I'm in for

Anybody know if I can rent the Mahindra 22 Max anywhere ??

I am kinda leaning towards the kubota since the dealership is so close. And from what I hear there is more aftermarket attachments for the BX

 

[varmint]

I'm going to stick my neck out here, and say that when I first looked at Mahindra tractors (no local dealers, so this was while I was travelling and didn't have a lot of time) I didn't think the quality of materials and workmanship was as good as Kubotas. This might have been 6-7 years ago. I also have my doubts about stuff built in India, and that could be a stupid bias on my part. Maybe they are much better now?

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

The Mahindra 5010 was a tractor I drove and considered when I was buying. I didn't see anything that indicated a lack of quality. Mahindras are typically heavier than many of their competitors.

My only beefs with it, and the reason I eliminated it from consideration, were (1) the cab and controls were not as comfortable for me as the Kioti and LS were, (2) for some reason Mahindra doesn't put extendable lower lift arms on it, and (3) while Mahindra used to be a lower cost alternative, their prices seem to have creeped up (at least on the 5010) to within spitting distance of Kubota. For close to the same money, the Grand L Kubota offered more useful features IMO.

 

[DavesTractor]

I'm going to stick my neck out here, and say that when I first looked at Mahindra tractors (no local dealers, so this was while I was travelling and didn't have a lot of time) I didn't think the quality of materials and workmanship was as good as Kubotas. This might have been 6-7 years ago. I also have my doubts about stuff built in India, and that could be a stupid bias on my part. Maybe they are much better now?

Varmint, the Mahindra Max tractors are built in Japan by Mitsubishi. Quality is on par with Kubota in my opinion. I'm biased and could tell you why I like Mahindra better, but a Kubota guy could then show me a few things about why he feels Kubota is better. Let's just say they are close to keep it friendly.

You probably looked at some of the Indian built Mahindra tractors, and some of those models are pretty basic machines. Like we sell a simple 2wd model built in India, no frills, not much sheet metal covering things, very basic. Sort of a late model higher HP Ford 9N/8N but with power-steering, etc. I can see how setting one of those next to a Grand L Kubota (for example) would show a significant difference. But Mahindra feels there is room for a simple tractor in the market still. They sell well in many areas and hold up well, but they are not for everyone.

Check out the Max and 16 series next time you see a Mahindra dealer. You will be impressed.

 

[varmint]

Thanks for the courteous explanation about the origins of these Mahindras. I would say that the ones I looked at some years ago were made in India, and the paint of some was chalking, some rust on the metal, etc. They were sitting outdoors on a dealer's lot, new machines based on the stickers, etc., and they just looked "crude"- maybe functional, but I wondered how reliable and long lasting they would be. No dealers around here, but I will be more respectful in the future.

 

[DavesTractor]

Thanks for the courteous explanation about the origins of these Mahindras. I would say that the ones I looked at some years ago were made in India, and the paint of some was chalking, some rust on the metal, etc. They were sitting outdoors on a dealer's lot, new machines based on the stickers, etc., and they just looked "crude"- maybe functional, but I wondered how reliable and long lasting they would be. No dealers around here, but I will be more respectful in the future.

I don't think you were ever disrespectful, and your points are valid. Mahindra deserves some criticism for the quality of paint they used prior to 2007-2008. Around that time they started focusing more on the finish. Paint formulas/types were changed for not just the tractors, but the loaders and backhoes as well. Some of the old models faded fast, and that was not good for the customer or the brand. Your points are valid in that regard.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I can't imagine any other company doing a better job of finishing and fitting parts than my Mitsu built 3016. The paint is flawless and is good as any automobile. Everything looks great. The loader and BH welds and finish are perfect. The cast parts are finished well, not polished smooth but a lot better castings than I've seen elsewhere.

I'm impressed with the finish quality and the mechanical quality. Mitsubishi is known for it's quality diesel equipment.

 

[Cherokee140]

A couple thing to toss out there.

Mitsubishi as a company has been bleeding red ink for years. They are not the strongest of companies, I have not checked up on their status in a few years but they are not a company I was comfortable investing in a little while ago. Kubota engines are used in a great many different types of equipment as well....I liked how so much of the Kubota was done in house....A Kubota tractor with a great many Kubota home grown parts....that added greatly to the purchase decision for me. The thing that really swayed me is the guy behind me has a large Mahindra machine and he has had nothing but issues with it, loader, transmission, just this year the radiator blew its side out. Like the above poster has said perhaps their quality has gone up I really don't know.

At the end of the day both are good machines, both will do the same amount of work, both have good deals going on right now. They are different enough that you really need to get out and play with one of each, pick stuff up with the loader, dig with the back hoe....actually use the machine. If your dealer will not allow you to do this find another dealer. There are little things that are different that may be nothing to you or may swing you to one or the other. Saying one is for serious work and the other to cut grass and play around the estate is a stupid and uninformed opinion. All I can say is in my test drives (yes more then one, the dealers knew me by name) I came away feeling the Mahindra was cheaper....a little like a Kia vs a Ford.....you really could not put your finger on it but it was just feeling like a machine that was about 15 years behind everyone else....I also looked at the JD 1 series.

Kubota is also in bed with land pride, and at the time I bought you got the financing deal on their equipment as well....not sure if Mahindra has the same deal going, I know JD had it with their frontier line as well.

Bottom line is all the machines, GC, 1 series, BX, max, are all so close, you really need to drive them all then buy the one that you like best, I think they will all do the work for you, but also in your decision look at dealer location, and the company history. That will also tell you a great deal....and read/watch the reviews of people using the machines....the more photos and videos by each brand tells me that the people owning those brands like them so much they will spend the time making videos (like 4shorts) and doing reviews and such.

Good luck.