Kubota or mahindra

[bud70706]

I’m thinking of a tractor upgrade. Want a cab, front loader, 40+ hp, and HST. Considering a Mahindra 40 hp or a Kubota MX5400. Both have plus benefits. No mowing but utility usage.
I currently have a cabless Kioti w loader, backhoe and forks.

I have a JD 3046R No complaints. 1 1/2 years old. 600 hours.

 

[oldpilot]

I bought a Mahindra 1526 a couple years ago. I think it's very poorly designed. Half the time when I dismount, the flashers are activated. It takes me half an hour to check the oil. It was $10K cheaper and the dealer was closer, but I'm not very happy with it. Cost me nearly $1000 for the 50-hour check (on site). I yearn for the 1952 Allis Chalmers or the 1975 International Harvester 284 (actually a Japanese Bison with a Mazda engine, though wearing an American overcoat).

 

[tshiverd]

John Deere 3046R.

 

[Bearcat81]

I’m thinking of a tractor upgrade. Want a cab, front loader, 40+ hp, and HST. Considering a Mahindra 40 hp or a Kubota MX5400. Both have plus benefits. No mowing but utility usage.
I currently have a cabless Kioti w loader, backhoe and forks.

Kubota excellent quality; premium priced. Mahindra old technology? Deal network/service?? Spec out a New Holland. Deere's are good; but, I understand their engines under 50 horse are Not Deere (Yanmar??) Yanmar a good engine; not a Deere engine, IMO.

 

[Torvy]

I am pretty sure the NH and Case small tractors are rebranded LS.

 

[Bearcat81]

Kubota excellent quality; premium priced. Mahindra old technology? Deal network/service?? Spec out a New Holland. Deere's are good; but, I understand their engines under 50 horse are Not Deere (Yanmar??) Yanmar a good engine; not a Deere engine, IMO.

For media fairness-I own a 2007 New Holland.....have spent less than $10 on a repair part (seat cushion rubber bumper pad)...

 

[charles todd]

Great discussion here. Thanks all for responding. These two brands were chosen bc of the dealers. I bought a zturn kubota from a local dealer and was thoroughly pleased with them. After talking w many in the construction business, I believe Kubota is well built. They’ll always be in consideration for me no matter what equipment I buy. As for Mahindra, I was considering them bc of a local dealer and the market success Mahindra has over the years. I sat in one at this dealer. It was a buy back auction unit purchased from Mahindra (it came from one of the dealers). I believe it was a 36xx. 40 hp w loader, cab, and a 3 yr warranty through the dealer. It was nice but I got an uneasy feeling when talking to the salesman. So scratch them but still wanted to consider the brand. The salesman said the lift load on the loader was 2700#. Wow. 2700? I’m not believing that at all. I use my tractor as a utility aid only. No fields or hay to move...just earth and materials. I’m buying this unit for basically two reasons: I want a cab bc we will eventually live in WY (snow clearing) and I’d like a little more lift capacity in front. My Kioti has been a great machine but the dealer network is thin across the country.
Several have asked why these two only. That’s a good question. I will open my mind to others. But in a nutshell, I’m going for quality, utility, and dealer support (and a cab).

Edit: I’ve not sat behind a kubota since the inventory is thin.

LS has a very nice, quiet cab. 2014 P7010C with 740 trouble free hours. Though 72 hp may be more than you need.

CT

 

[Bearcat81]

I am pretty sure the NH and Case small tractors are rebranded LS.

Yes. They were, may still be. Mine is not-Shibaura engine.

 

[Gasifier]

Kubota first. Wheelbarrows, laborers and shovels, before Mahindra.

 

[carmedic310]

I have a 45hp TYM best of both worlds as it has the Kubota engine.I have had it for 12 years now.Best warrantee.last I knew TYM makes Mahindra tractors.Scotts recreation in turner is now the TYM dealer for Maine

 

[Tony H]

Mahindra folks around here are happy. I know the 30hp kubotas have weak front axles. Neighbor has 1300 hours on his and has had the front bearing disintegrate twice. He uses his FEL for horse manure, compost moving. P. S. He is great on maintenance, so neglect was not the issue.

 

[fm01070]

I’m thinking of a tractor upgrade. Want a cab, front loader, 40+ hp, and HST. Considering a Mahindra 40 hp or a Kubota MX5400. Both have plus benefits. No mowing but utility usage.
I currently have a cabless Kioti w loader, backhoe and forks.

No experience with Mahindra. Have two Kubotas: BX23 with every attachment under the sun, bought new, 2004, currently 1004 hours; M9000 with LA1251A1 loader, Ultracab II, bought on e-bay 2010, currently 1630 hours, added skidding winch, forks, grapple rake, grapple, skid steer adapter, hitch ball (removable) on a bale spike to move trailers around, 84" Woods bush hog. Also a 1947 2N, with a Zane position control adapter, but not used in several years -- saving for the grandkids.

The Kubotas generally maintenance free. Only repair: replaced air conditioning compressor on the M9000 a few years ago.

My neighbor back in the 1980s had a Kubota franchise. He was told he would essentially break even on equipment sales and make his profit on parts. He gave up the franchise in the 1990s because he never sold many parts. In my experience, too, these things just don't breakdown.

I have a band mill with a 49hp Kubota diesel. It can sit neglected all winter and start immediately in the spring.

Can't say enough good things about Kubota products. You might pay more initially, which may be an important negative depending upon your needs, but long run likely more economical. With peace of mind in the meantime.

 

[NEPA guy]

Choose for dealer support. Not brand.

 

[ding beep]

My friend Paul has Kubota L3901. He loves it.
I have Mahindra 2638. Mine is perfect for me.
I use front end loader, backhoe (a lot) brush hog, box blade and rear pull snow thrower.
Paul uses front end loader, plow, rake and a few other 3-point attachments on his Kubota.
Both tractors are HST. He likes the "rocker" pedal. I prefer 2 separate pedals.
Both are open cab. I believe he has a canopy for the Arizona heat.
I use a snowmobile suit to handle the frozen Canadian winters.
(Cab and backhoe were about the same price; I couldn't afford both.)
And yeah, the Mahindra has a nicer seat. You spend a lot of seat-time on (in?) a tractor.
The Mahindra knobs and levers are more "out of the way" as well. (ergonomic?)
lt's important--to me--to be able to get on-and-off without bumping a shin, snagging a bootlace, etc.
Spend some time at your favorite dealerships. Something will follow you home eventually.
There's lots of good advice already posted above. You'll make the right choice...for you.

ding beep

 

[5030]

I have 200 hours on a Mahindra 38 horse. Excellent machine. Comparably priced Kubota is a lightweight toy compared to the Mahindra.
Compare weights, wheel tracks, lifting capacity. Mahindra Engine is fantastic-- big displacement compared to an equivalent priced Kubota.

All distills down to what you want. 200 hours, wow. I can put on 200 hours in a week and a half.

 

[airbiscuit]

I have a 45hp TYM best of both worlds as it has the Kubota engine.I have had it for 12 years now.Best warrantee.last I knew TYM makes Mahindra tractors.Scotts recreation in turner is now the TYM dealer for Maine

TYM makes some Mahindra tractors. Mahindra is a major manufacturing corporation in India, and many Mahindra tractors are made in India.

 

[LD1]

Mahindra folks around here are happy. I know the 30hp kubotas have weak front axles. Neighbor has 1300 hours on his and has had the front bearing disintegrate twice. He uses his FEL for horse manure, compost moving. P. S. He is great on maintenance, so neglect was not the issue.

30hp kubotas cover a range from 1700 pound B-series tractors up to 3500+ pound grand L's.

Taking one persons issues with front axle bearings, not knowing the model, uses, etc certainly doesnt quantify a "kubotas have weak front axles" statement.

I had a "30hp kubota" and even tweaked the pressure up 200psi over factory setting. Lots of hard and heavy loader work with forks, grapple, bucket, etc. 1300hrs when I upgraded and never had to touch the front axle. Was still running hydro fluid in it and not the thicker gear lube and it didnt even so much as drip.

So by my "one person" account with one single machine and one single model....is it accurate for me to say the 30hp kubotas have surprisingly strong front axles

 

[5030]

Unless you get into a large frame ag tractor like the Kubota M series for example, all Kubota and I believe everyone else as well uses ball bearings in the outboards (front wheel assist) instead of roller bearings and ball bearings, because of their limited contact area will fail when overloaded regularly as in heavy and frequent loader work.

Don't matter what make and maintenance has nothing to do with it. Overloading abuse does. Real simple.

 

[Hermio]

I’m thinking of a tractor upgrade. Want a cab, front loader, 40+ hp, and HST. Considering a Mahindra 40 hp or a Kubota MX5400. Both have plus benefits. No mowing but utility usage.
I currently have a cabless Kioti w loader, backhoe and forks.

I have owned both. Kubota is a very reliable brand. However, they are not built as heavy as Mahindra for a given Hp rating. The Mahindra models usually weigh about 20% more, and have larger times, bigger axles, more lift capacity, etc. So, in my opinion, Mahindra is better for utility work. For mowing, I would use Kubota. The added weight does not help you mow better, and uses more fuel. I happen to have the Mahindra 5035 HST, which weighs about 5400# empty. With loader, 4-way bucket, ballasted tires and a 2-spindle 6' bush hog, it weighs over 11000 lb. With a logging harness on the back, I can drag 20" diameter, 60 foot logs out of the woods.

 

[LD1]

I have owned both. Kubota is a very reliable brand. However, they are not built as heavy as Mahindra for a given Hp rating. The Mahindra models usually weigh about 20% more, and have larger times, bigger axles, more lift capacity, etc. So, in my opinion, Mahindra is better for utility work. For mowing, I would use Kubota. The added weight does not help you mow better, and uses more fuel. I happen to have the Mahindra 5035 HST, which weighs about 5400# empty. With loader, 4-way bucket, ballasted tires and a 2-spindle 6' bush hog, it weighs over 11000 lb. With a logging harness on the back, I can drag 20" diameter, 60 foot logs out of the woods.

IT all depends on what you want in a tractor...but all to often this mahindra (weight) vs kubota(lightweight) arguments are stupid because people are comparing "similar" horsepower but not comparing similar tractors.

Kubota builds high HP to weight ratio machines. Mahindra does not. So it could be said that in a given tracoto size....lets say a 4000 pound class machine....the mahindra's are underpowered.

If people would start comparing tractors based on size.....like physically (tire size, weight, length, etc) then they would see. Mahindras in the 2500-4000 pound range only covers 25-44 horsepower WHere as kubotas can be had up to 63. Mahindras 4000-6000 pound tractors are all between 40-60 horsepower whereas the kubotas are 57-100 horsepower.

Sure, kubota could put a 40hp engine in a 4000# tractor. Heck they used to 3 decades ago. I have 51HP on a 3800# tractor. Not quite sure ID want almost twice the tractor without twice the HP.....let alone less HP than what I have now.