Buying new tractor - Kioti vs Mahindra

[N2DFire]

My father and I did quite a bit of Tractor shopping (and arguing but that's another story) over what to get a little over a year ago.
Our final front running brands were Branson, Kioti, and Mahindra. We also eliminated pretty much the same brands you have and for pretty much the same reasons.

Branson was new to our area so we were a little skeptical about longevity and they were still a bit pricey.

Mahindra has changed the series numbering from what they were when we were looking but we did look at the 4025 (4500 Series) as well as a then 4036 (which is now a 3540 in the 3500 series) and I can tell you the difference in fit & finish between the two was night & day. That's not to say there is anything wrong with Mahindra or the 4500 series, it's simply just a modern manufactured version of a 60 year old tractor.

After much discussion of proposed usage & budget we ended up going with a Kioti (CK35) and are very pleased with it. After a little over a years worth of operating Dad can see where a DK40 might have been a nicer choice (heavier, larger loader capacity, etc) but this does what we need.

You already have the Pros/Cons to each tractor (Size, weight, lift capacity, etc) and you know some jobs the larger heavier tractor will be better and others the smaller more maneuverable one will excel. What you need to do now is prioritize your needs (Size of property, Wife using tractor, any tight working spaces, etc) and see which one covers the most items on your list from the top down.

I don't think you'll be unhappy with either one, I think you'll just be happy for different reasons depending on which you get.

 

[Catch95]

N2DFire - thanks for your thoughts. Interesting to hear someone who reached the same conclusions as me.

My local Mahindra dealer had a new 38hp compact tractor which was made in Japan. Compared to the 4025 which was next to it, it was like something from the future. The 4025 is big, heavy and regarded as very reliable, but it is certainly old technology. But maybe that's not a bad thing. I like the idea of a full size tractor but I wonder if 40hp is enough for that size frame.

The kicker though was the Mahindra 38 was about $4,000 more than an equivalent Kioti.

So still weighing up the options. What is still worrying me is how much of the Mahindra's 40hp is going to be used lugging its weight up the hills on my property.

If I had the $ for a DX Kioti I think that's the way I'd go.

 

[oldpilgrim]

My local Mahindra dealer had a new 38hp compact tractor which was made in Japan.

Yup the Mitsibishi built Mahindras are the cream of their crop and I personally feel they're worth the extra money. I paid more for mine than I could have paid for a Kioti which was my second choice and I don't regret it.

 

[N2DFire]

I like the idea of a full size tractor but I wonder if 40hp is enough for that size frame.

I may be missing something but I don't think it will be an issue. One of the first things the vast majority of tractor owners do is start adding weight (Loaded Tires, Suitcase/Wheel weights, ballast boxes, etc) - the reason being is you can't use the HP if you can't keep traction. In your case I'd just think you were ahead of the game by having the heavier frame to start with.

 

[justinramani]

Here's a look at my Mahindra today....

 

[murphy1244]

Here's a look at my Mahindra today.... View attachment 457563

What happened?

 

[justinramani]

Coolant leak. Fixed two already, but I guess I have another one...... ugh!

 

[tman1020]

When I was looking for a new tractor I went to my kioti dealer that I have bought 2 other tractors previously. He told me that he was upset with kioti regarding warranty payments and was no longer going to sell them. He was switching over to Mahendra because they were promising better warranty payment and he could offer more tractor for less. So I had him price me out a 3016 that I had not seen yet but he would call me when his stock came in. So I waited and in the interim priced out kioti elsewhere and also checked out comparable johndeere and kubota.
He called as he said and I went to check it out and it seemed like a decent machine with impressive specs but not overall better than the others but comparable. but he was more money than all other brands. For me I just didn't like the layout and feel of the machine. In the end I just wasn't comfortable with it. I was all set to by my first choice ( a kioti ck 27) when I found a dealer selling bobcat ct 225 tractors at close out price. Because it's pretty much the same as the kioti I wanted I jumped at it.