Hello all, new here, 2nd post.
I've been researching for about a month and have pretty much decided on Mahindra. I will still probably spend another month contemplating before I make my first ever own tractor purchase. I've seen many threads comparing the eMax to the Max lines and the 1538 to the 2538, but nothing comparing the Max line to the 1500 series. Particularly I'm looking between the largest of the Max line the Max 26XL and the smallest of the 1500 line being the 1526. Interested in nothing but HST. I test drove and looked at financing plans for a Max 26XL. Nice little tractor with a decent price too.
I live on 2.5 acres and have been getting by for three years now with wheel barrows, a 4 wheeler and my truck bed for all of our large gardening work. Seems like we are always having to add mulch to a few thousand square feet of gardens around the house and pool. We've resorted to having dump trucks deliver it in 6 to 10 yard loads at a time. We usually use wheel barrows to spread the mulch or I've also borrowed the neighbors 75 hp tractor which is extremely useful but cumbersome around the house. Our place also has 10 palm trees that need trimming two times a year and palm leaves aren't small. Needless to say that a burn pile is almost always present. As soon as we burn one down, I gather it all back up by hand and start building it up again. A little tractor will suit my needs exponentially well. I'd store it and even use it in my 30x40 shop for lifting things up to my loft or the occasional thing into my truck bed, etc.
But just how compact or sub compact will suit me best?
It seems to me on paper that the Max 26XL can do everything the 1526 can but it can do it in tighter spaces. The specs show they both have the same engine, a Mitsubishi 3 cylinder, indirect injection, 25.6 hp diesel. The 1526 can lift a mere 158 more lbs to full height with the FEL and it has only 105 more lbs of break out force (curling) capability. It can also raise these loads only 2" higher than the max 26. So my main question is why on earth would anyone choose a Mahindra 1526 over the Max 26XL? The max is smaller and will get more places bringing the same amount of power with it along with less chance of getting stuck being lighter. In addition for being lighter it will fit on a trailer and tow easier as well. I think all the 1526 has going for it are the larger tires, higher ground clearance, a little more FEL volume and lifting capacity, and more of a "real" tractor look.
My main concern is that the Max line is sort of considered a sub-compact tractor, also referred to as a riding mower on steroids. I do not want to sell myself short and find that the first time I go to push up my half burnt brush pile back together that the max couldn't do it. But if it couldn't do it then the 1526 would have probably fallen short as well being they have the same engine power plant. So this then leads me into feeling like if I'm going to get a tractor then I should be getting a real tractor and step up to the 1533. This is a decent upgrade being a direct injected 4 cyl engine with 34.5 hp. The 1533 loader can lift loads over a foot higher then the 26 hp tractors and it is all on the same frame as the 1526. A little more cumbersome than the Max series, but I think I could still get around the house, fences, gates and gardens with the 1500 series being that I made a JD 75 hp tractor on ags work back there.
FWIW I do not plan to mow with any newly purchased tractor. Currently I have a yard guy who cuts, edges and cleans for an incredible price. My wife and I have both agreed that if he ever leaves our area that we'll buy our own zero turn. The only attachments I think I'd ever get for this tractor is a box blade and maybe a little tiller, so PTO power is not a huge issue to me. The loader capability and the nimbleness of the tractor are my main concerns. My property is south of Houston Texas and nothing but flat San Augustine grass, except where the burn pile is which is outside of the back fence; still on my property but almost down in a ditch. When it's wet the 4wd will be required. Just wanting to make the sure the Max 26xl is the real deal as lots of reviews says it is.Or, if I'm missing something about the 1526 that makes it exceed the max 26 then please tell me. But tell me too if skipping the 1526 and going to the 1533 is smarter as many forum guys say to always get something bigger than what you think you need for the just in case scenario.
Thanks for all your help.
