Where to start? 30ish HP Utility Tractor

[Cooter76]

I appreciate the feedback so far. If y'all will humor me a bit more, I think I need some more education. I spent most of my teenage years driving a JD 4430, IH 1086 or MF 1100. All of those tractors were matched with the various implements we had on hand. I'm not familiar with these smaller utility tractors.
- According to tractordata.com, the JD 1020 is rated at 33HP drawbar/38HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2010lbs. A Mahindra 3616 (what first caught my eye) is rated at 36HP "engine" and 31HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2646lbs. Is a tractor like the 3616 significantly lighter-duty than the 1020?
- When someone mentions ballast, are they talking about adding water to the tires? Wheel weights? front weights? Some combination?

 

[flusher]

The Mahindra 3016 with hydrostatic tranny and 4WD is what you want.

http://mahindrausa.com/sites/default/files/tractor/pdf/MAH5416 pgs 012114.pdf

Tractor and engine by Mitsubishi. It's a small tractor that's not too hard for us older folks (I'm 73) to climb onto. My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST, considerably smaller (21 hp) than the 3016. I had no problem getting into and out of that Bota.

My big tractor (55 hp engine) was a 2008 Mahindra 5525 made in India. Reliable. No problems in the 7 years I owned it.

Stay away from dealers who don't have decent service and parts departments. Stick with local dealers and shop for the best financing deals.

Good luck

 

[GManBart]

The Mahindra 3016 with hydrostatic tranny and 4WD is what you want.

http://mahindrausa.com/sites/default/files/tractor/pdf/MAH5416 pgs 012114.pdf

Tractor and engine by Mitsubishi. It's a small tractor that's not too hard for us older folks (I'm 73) to climb onto. My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST, considerably smaller (21 hp) than the 3016. I had no problem getting into and out of that Bota.

My big tractor (55 hp engine) was a 2008 Mahindra 5525 made in India. Reliable. No problems in the 7 years I owned it.

Stay away from dealers who don't have decent service and parts departments. Stick with local dealers and shop for the best financing deals.

Good luck

His first post said the local Mahindra dealer doesn't have a service department...kind of rules out Mahindra following your advice.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Ballast is ANYTHING added to the tractor that isn't needed for the tractor to operate. Fluid, wheel weights, suitcase weights, implements... etc.

 

[Teachu2]

I appreciate the feedback so far. If y'all will humor me a bit more, I think I need some more education. I spent most of my teenage years driving a JD 4430, IH 1086 or MF 1100. All of those tractors were matched with the various implements we had on hand. I'm not familiar with these smaller utility tractors.
- According to tractordata.com, the JD 1020 is rated at 33HP drawbar/38HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2010lbs. A Mahindra 3616 (what first caught my eye) is rated at 36HP "engine" and 31HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2646lbs. Is a tractor like the 3616 significantly lighter-duty than the 1020?
- When someone mentions ballast, are they talking about adding water to the tires? Wheel weights? front weights? Some combination?

33HP drawbar/38HP PTO doesn't look right.....

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I appreciate the feedback so far. If y'all will humor me a bit more, I think I need some more education. I spent most of my teenage years driving a JD 4430, IH 1086 or MF 1100. All of those tractors were matched with the various implements we had on hand. I'm not familiar with these smaller utility tractors.
- According to tractordata.com, the JD 1020 is rated at 33HP drawbar/38HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2010lbs. A Mahindra 3616 (what first caught my eye) is rated at 36HP "engine" and 31HP PTO. 3PH is rated at 2646lbs. Is a tractor like the 3616 significantly lighter-duty than the 1020?
- When someone mentions ballast, are they talking about adding water to the tires? Wheel weights? front weights? Some combination?

The JD 1020 vs. the Mahindra 3616 is a good example of yesterday's tractors versus today's tractors. They are comparable in HP but the 1020 weighs almost double what the Mahindra weighs. I.e., 4,900 pounds versus about 2,600 pounds. In reality, the JD will have much more real-world power than the 3616 just because it has the weight to put all of its power to the ground.

I've heard the 3616 is a good tractor and there are owners here on TBN that love theirs, so I'm not bagging on the 3616. You could make this same comparison with any comparable modern tractor.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

33HP drawbar/38HP PTO doesn't look right.....

A LOT of the older tractors have a higher PTO horsepower rating than their drawbar horsepower.

 

[jenkinsph]

A LOT of the older tractors have a higher PTO horsepower rating than their drawbar horsepower.

Every tractor I can think of fits your description.

 

[Cooter76]

Thanks for the added info guys. I think I'm going to stop by a local LS dealer tomorrow to try to get some sense of scale with these newer machines.

 

[TBJolly]

I recently bought a Mahindra 4025 2WD - very basic, heavy tractor - that also comes in AWD. With a FEL, I think the AWD version could probably back a round bale on front and back. But, at this point in his life, dad may want a bit more comfort and some better ergonomics.

The best price I found on the horsepower stuff you're looking at, was LS. I don't know if a G3038 is big enough frame-wise to do what he wants, but the tractor is pretty low to the ground and very easy to get on and off, with good ergonomics and a fairly roomy platform. I found them at just a bump over $16K. The LS XR series tractors are a good bit bigger at the same horsepower, but deliver a lot more weight and capacity, albeit at a bit higher price.

Lastly, do have him look at a MX series Kubota. I wish Kubota had made them just a bit heavier, but they have good capacity and excellent ergonomics. Parts are no problem, resale is high, dependability is good. Size-wise, they're pretty nimble for the horsepower and frame. And while he's there, he can check out the bigger L series and see if they would do what he wants.

Just my opinion, YMMV.