What has happened to tractors? Help us choose another workhorse for our tree farm.

[DavesTractor]

30 series Mahindra is going to be called the 55xx series for Tier IV. So a 55 HP 30 series will now be a 5555, instead of a 5530. Confusing for a while I think.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Our local dealer has pointed us toward the Mahindra 5555, which seems to check the boxes as far as weight and low center of gravity. For reference, the 3930 is close to 6000 pounds I believe, we keep weights at both ends. We had never even considered a Mahindra, what is their status on the tractor totem poll? Reliability? Cost of ownership?

You don't get to be the largest tractor company in the world and #3 in the USA by making bad stuff.

They make good stuff and are getting more popular all the time.

 

[cutamerc]

This is a lot of great help gentlemen, thank you all for understanding the nuance of what we are looking for.

In the big scheme of things, we are looking for a very small-potatoes tractor, and yet you all have respectfully understood where we are coming from and offered targeted advice accordingly.

Great to know the Mahindra paint is improved and that they are well respected, Dave thank you for taking the time to relay your experience.

Thanks to all who provided specific model ranges to explore, these have really helped narrow things down from an initial infinite number. The JD 5075E, for example, looks to be exactly what we would want in the color green. GManBart, the last Ford 3930 looks like a great used candidate.

Downslope, you bring up a great point, that seating position is not directly related to the CG of the machine. Thanks for teaching.

One more question for tonight: I have never even sat in a tractor with anything other than a traditional transmission. Are there any specific types of these new transmissions to avoid for the way it will be used? Would some of these new systems actually last longer than a clutch in the hands of an experienced (or sloppy) driver?

Thanks to everyone again, I will continue reading tonight.

 

[motownbrowne]

Hydrostatic transmissions have been around for a long time. They are used in many many applications. They are super simple to use, and yes, they protect themselves from abusive users.

The downside is that they are a little more expensive, and they are a little less fuel efficient. Mostly that's not an issue unless you're plowing soil or doing something similar as your primary use.

Try one. You'll like it.

Or don't try one. Ignorance is bliss.

 

[terryknight]

hydro are also harder to find in the tractor series you are looking at

 

[milkman636]

One more plus for the 5000 series Deere models is that their basic collar shift/sync shift transmissions have a positive park position that doesn't rely on the engine compression or brake adjustment to hold the tractor in place. You might want to give the basic green ones a closer look.

 

[downslope]

...Downslope, you bring up a great point, that seating position is not directly related to the CG of the machine. Thanks for teaching.

One more question for tonight: I have never even sat in a tractor with anything other than a traditional transmission. Are there any specific types of these new transmissions to avoid for the way it will be used? Would some of these new systems actually last longer than a clutch in the hands of an experienced (or sloppy) driver?

Thanks to everyone again, I will continue reading tonight.

About the seating position, it will only raise the COG a small amount since only a few components like the ROPs, foot and hand controls, instrumentation and exhaust (and the operator of course) will be a little higher. You would know if this extra height might cause any problems in your work, ducking under branches, etc. Also, the platform deck will block some of your visibility downward especially toward the rear tires, if that matters in your applications.

As far as transmissions, a hydrostatic can be nice but they are not really offered/available in a full size utility of the type you require. DO NOT try to replace or duplicate the 3930 with a compact utility (CUT) machine. Everything will be lighter, smaller displacement engine, narrower wheel spacing that can't be adjusted very much, etc.

If it's offered and fits your budget I would seriously consider a power reverser type transmission (power shuttle). The clutch in those are a wet clutch which should give longer life than a dry clutch. Also it's nice to have a transmission with synchronized gears to make shifting easier when starting out with a heavy trailer load and wanting to upshift. A lot of the economy machines have constant mesh trannies that are difficult to shift when moving. How many hours have you gotten out of clutches in the 3930? And then of course on a really deluxe machine like the JD M line you can get a partial power shift which doubles the number of speeds and allows shifting between hi-lo range while under load. I've owned and driven all types except a hydro in the 40-75 HP range and in general, more speeds, synchros and the hi-lo power shifts are nicer to operate, but of course you can make do without.

 

[whis]

nothing made today will be as good as 3930, find a used one

 

[dntfxr]

I'll echo the others and recomend considering another low hour 3930, or 4630. You know what you have with it as far as weight, reliability and such. If you ever have to repair or adjust anything you don't have to relearn on the new model and you can have one service manual to cover them both. They are simple, strong, reliable machines, one of the best ever imo. And there are deals if you look around. I just bought my 3930 a few weeks back, and came very close to looking at the one in the link listed on tractorhouse in Alabama. I needed a loader though and came across the one in my sig before I got down that way.

The new tractors I had been considering were the Deere 5000e and the M Kubotas. Nice but they lack the weight and cost 3 times as much. I'm not familiar with the Mahindras but if they have the weight it would be a plus if you decide to go new. I'd consider all options before you decide.

 

[downslope]

nothing made today will be as good as 3930, find a used one

Really sad :sigh:. Like the OP asked, "What has happened to tractors?", especially in the basic utility tractor category.