Mahindra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

[Roger66]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Not knocking Kubota Tractors of their fans. There are likely many legitimate reasons to buy a Kubota, but I just gotta say Kubota's Marketing department messed up by showing the specs side by side with the Mahendra. On Paper they loose! If this were on the Mahindra website I'd be suspicious, but these are Kubota's numbers.
44 - File or directory not found..

Perhaps Kubota is superior in other ways. Fit Finish, Paint, resale value, dealer network, warranty (all arguable and not listed on this comparison page). The Product comparison page on Kubota's own site however shows a Kubota loss. Perhaps from Kubota's perspective their reputation will close the sale. I went into this buy as a first timer with no brand bias for or against any brand.

As I've posted I've committed to buy the Mahindra 1526HST. I'll be checking these specs to see if they are accurate. If this thing does not perform according the the specs, I'll be very vocal in letting you guys know, but I'm confident This machine will do the lifting and lugging I need.

 

[mike69440]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Not knocking Kubota Tractors of their fans. There are likely many legitimate reasons to buy a Kubota, but I just gotta say Kubota's Marketing department messed up by showing the specs side by side with the Mahendra. On Paper they loose! If this were on the Mahindra website I'd be suspicious, but these are Kubota's numbers.
44 - File or directory not found..

Perhaps Kubota is superior in other ways. Fit Finish, Paint, resale value, dealer network, warranty (all arguable and not listed on this comparison page). The Product comparison page on Kubota's own site however shows a Kubota loss. Perhaps from Kubota's perspective their reputation will close the sale. I went into this buy as a first timer with no brand bias for or against any brand.

As I've posted I've committed to buy the Mahindra 1526HST. I'll be checking these specs to see if they are accurate. If this thing does not perform according the the specs, I'll be very vocal in letting you guys know, but I'm confident This machine will do the lifting and lugging I need.

This video is very honest and representative of what you typically would expect of Kubota. The 1526 does out spec the L2501, however Kubota is a very nice tractor.
Kubota B5-Series tractors, B265 & B335. Review and functions | Messick's - YouTube
Kubota LA534 Front Loader Removal & Operation | Messick's - YouTube
The L5XX Kubota loaders are rather weak for an L size tractor, but fine on the B Frame, and they are smooth to operate. Did you operate both?

 

[Roger66]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

This video is very honest and representative of what you typically would expect of Kubota. The 1526 does out spec the L2501, however Kubota is a very nice tractor.
Kubota B5-Series tractors, B265 & B335. Review and functions | Messick's - YouTube
Kubota LA534 Front Loader Removal & Operation | Messick's - YouTube
The L5XX Kubota loaders are rather weak for an L size tractor, but fine on the B Frame, and they are smooth to operate. Did you operate both?

Messick's does a great review! Found one for the L as well
Kubota Standard L-Series. L251 L331 L391 L471 features and operation. - YouTube

No doubt it's a nice tractor! but honestly, I never went to the Kubota dealer. Several of the specs eliminated it. The overall height is 10" taller at 91" which means it won't fit where I want to park it without folding the ROPS Bar. While taller, it's length is shorter and it's narrower than the 1526, The L2501 is also less maneuverable as it has 1 ft wider turn radius. On small property turning radius is important. I felt the 1526 being shorter longer and wider would be more stable. Throw in the extra lift capacity of the 1526 (My Main reason for buying a tractor). Kubota didn't draw me into the dealership, So I never even got a price on that unit. Same with the Green ones at least in this size class.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

You bought yours for many of the same reasons I bought mine. I wanted it to fit in my barn or garage with 7 foot doors, turn, lift, width, oa length, weight all factored into my decision. I made the right choice. You did too.

 

[s219]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Without naming the brands, I will tell you why I think it's a mistake to shop for tractors by specs only. When I was shopping for my first tractor, I compared four different brands and had convinced myself that brand "A" was the winner based on specs and pictures. Well, I went to look at it and did a test drive, and it was OK, but there were a few things I didn't like including the seat, the loader valves, rough feeling drivetrain, and the use of plastic body parts. And it just didn't fit me well. Stopped at the brand "B" dealer on the way home and met with a sales guy who talked me into a slightly different model than I had been focused on. I found their tractor had a much nicer seat, noticeably smoother loader valve, more refined drivetrain, all metal bodywork, and it felt great.

Looked at brands "C" and "D" over the next couple days and learned even more about tractors and how things worked, and eventually came to realize that brand "B" was a real gem with a lot of advantages not obvious on paper, and I'd be an idiot not to race back to that dealer and buy it. And to boot, the actual street price for the better model was considerably less than what the website showed for MSRP of the lesser model I had started comparing. So that was the one, and I was very happy with that tractor until a couple years later when I moved into something bigger.

I've since used/driven some of the other brands again and reconfirmed what I learned through all those test drives and experiences. Little things like seat quality and comfort, fidelity of the loader valves, and smoothness of the drivetrain are really key factors that will stack up when you spend a day on the tractor. Sometimes I hop on my neighbor's tractor (brand "C") and am mortified by how lousy the seat is and by how sloppy the loader control is. Or I'll use a family members brand "A" and can't believe how chintzy it feels despite the famous name and logo. You just don't learn about this stuff unless you test drive all of the tractors.

 

[rkidd]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Without naming the brands, I will tell you why I think it's a mistake to shop for tractors by specs only. When I was shopping for my first tractor, I compared four different brands and had convinced myself that brand "A" was the winner based on specs and pictures. Well, I went to look at it and did a test drive, and it was OK, but there were a few things I didn't like including the seat, the loader valves, rough feeling drivetrain, and the use of plastic body parts. And it just didn't fit me well. Stopped at the brand "B" dealer on the way home and met with a sales guy who talked me into a slightly different model than I had been focused on. I found their tractor had a much nicer seat, noticeably smoother loader valve, more refined drivetrain, all metal bodywork, and it felt great.

Looked at brands "C" and "D" over the next couple days and learned even more about tractors and how things worked, and eventually came to realize that brand "B" was a real gem with a lot of advantages not obvious on paper, and I'd be an idiot not to race back to that dealer and buy it. And to boot, the actual street price for the better model was considerably less than what the website showed for MSRP of the lesser model I had started comparing. So that was the one, and I was very happy with that tractor until a couple years later when I moved into something bigger.

I've since used/driven some of the other brands again and reconfirmed what I learned through all those test drives and experiences. Little things like seat quality and comfort, fidelity of the loader valves, and smoothness of the drivetrain are really key factors that will stack up when you spend a day on the tractor. Sometimes I hop on my neighbor's tractor (brand "C") and am mortified by how lousy the seat is and by how sloppy the loader control is. Or I'll use a family members brand "A" and can't believe how chintzy it feels despite the famous name and logo. You just don't learn about this stuff unless you test drive all of the tractors.

Well said. You are absolutely right!!

 

[oldpilgrim]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

I checked out Kubota, didn't like several things about them compared to Mahindra, and the dealer wouldn't even leave his desk to go out and talk with me. At JD, the sales guy came out and couldn't answer a single question I asked. I knew more about what I looked at than he did. Also the price was rediculous. At kioti, there were features I didn't like and the oa size didn't suit me. The dealer also bashed every other brand I looked at.

I got the machine that met the size and all other specs I wanted and a good dealer. Many times looking around just confirms the choice you originally made.

 

[nosurprise]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

I don't think your right at all. Basically if a tractor has a nice seat and a smoother operating valve, prettier paint job, those all important features Trump specs. I wonder why the manufacturers even bother with spec's? I can see the new marketing commercial. Yes, there are stronger tractors out there, but we have a really nice cup holder. It's true folks we don't have lift capacity of our competitors and while our tractors are lighter. Have you seen our paint job? Specs matter they may not be the be all end all to everyone, to many it is.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

I got two built-in cup holders, too.

 

[Roger66]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Without naming the brands, I will tell you why I think it's a mistake to shop for tractors by specs only. When I was shopping for my first tractor, I compared four different brands and had convinced myself that brand "A" was the winner based on specs and pictures. Well, I went to look at it and did a test drive, and it was OK, but there were a few things I didn't like including the seat, the loader valves, rough feeling drivetrain, and the use of plastic body parts. And it just didn't fit me well. Stopped at the brand "B" dealer on the way home and met with a sales guy who talked me into a slightly different model than I had been focused on. I found their tractor had a much nicer seat, noticeably smoother loader valve, more refined drivetrain, all metal bodywork, and it felt great.

Looked at brands "C" and "D" over the next couple days and learned even more about tractors and how things worked, and eventually came to realize that brand "B" was a real gem with a lot of advantages not obvious on paper, and I'd be an idiot not to race back to that dealer and buy it. And to boot, the actual street price for the better model was considerably less than what the website showed for MSRP of the lesser model I had started comparing. So that was the one, and I was very happy with that tractor until a couple years later when I moved into something bigger.

I've since used/driven some of the other brands again and reconfirmed what I learned through all those test drives and experiences. Little things like seat quality and comfort, fidelity of the loader valves, and smoothness of the drivetrain are really key factors that will stack up when you spend a day on the tractor. Sometimes I hop on my neighbor's tractor (brand "C") and am mortified by how lousy the seat is and by how sloppy the loader control is. Or I'll use a family members brand "A" and can't believe how chintzy it feels despite the famous name and logo. You just don't learn about this stuff unless you test drive all of the tractors.

To some extent I agree, but in this case the spec difference is huge. I have operated Kubota's & Other big brands before some I've borrowed from friends others I've rented. I test drove the Mahindra and loved everything about it, including the seat and loader valve. perhaps another model has a better loader valve and seat. these nice creature comforts would matter more to a commercial user using the machine daily as it's intended to be used in landscaping work cutting grass spreading dirt, etc.

Here's the key. I'm shopping for a machine that can pickup heavy logs, engines, Rocks, etc as it's primary use. I might occasionally spread dirt, but more likely I'll be lifting (or trying to lift) an Oak tree trunk. Let's say I bought the machine because of the comfy seat and silky smooth controls. Every time it failed to pick something up I'd be so pissed! However If I buy the heaviest rated lifter and it won't pick something up I'd be saying imagine how bad it would be if I bought the pretty tractor with the comfy seat. For a pro landscaper using the loader as designed, the added efficiency of a silky smooth loader valve might make all of the difference. Honesty I've used many machines over the years, the only time I was impressed by a loader valve was on a mini excavator, that thing was sweet, I think it was electronic control, but I'd still choose heavy lift.

Imagine shopping for a truck with that logic, you'd end up with an F150 because it's so comfortable, when you are doing F350 work.