3016 or 3616 or something else entirely??

[MtnViewRanch]

A 5' rotary is the standard on a 3016 and we never see complaints about lack of HP running a 5'. But if you are mowing hood high or taller grass or really thick stuff, no doubt slower speeds are needed. Or after the first round if it is really slow going, just scoot over and mow 4' at a time. Out west in California usually the tall grass at the end of spring is fairly dry and you can mow tall stuff easily with a 3016, and fairly quickly. But what I am describing is pretty easy mowing. Ya'll that actually get rain and mow brush and such are certainly doing much harder work and I can see the need for a 3616 in that application.

Hydraulically the tractors are pretty much equal. Loader speed, lift, etc. are the same. You will feel the HP difference in mowing and ground engaging tasks. 8 HP is quite a jump.

Sometimes I think that the HP differences should be mentioned in percentages. Just over 29% is "quite a jump". About 1/3 more capability for heavy HP requirements is significant IMO.

But again, I am only a part timer and need to get things done when things need to be done. I simply don't have time to be able to take my time. The OP sounds like he can get by just fine with a 3016.

 

[DavesTractor]

The best deals are probably to buy the smallest HP in a given series. Honestly it can't cost that much more to put in a bigger engine and upsize the tires a notch, yet it is $2500'ish to go from 3016 to 3616. You could look at it as getting the same tractor, except for HP, and getting a huge discount. However, we have never had someone with a 3616 ask to trade it for a 3016....we have seen it the other way a couple of times.

If you get a 3016H and put a backhoe on it and then load the tires and then live at a higher elevation....you then have a heavy machine and you run short on power for tasks, except the backhoe and loader work. The hydraulics do not require all the much HP of course.

If you spend much time debating between a 3016 and 3616, then you will eventually talk yourself into the 3616. Guys are brilliant at justifying things....Save time, go big.

 

[George2615]

When I sold my 2615HST I looked at several models and brands at a local farm show. I really liked and wanted a 3616HST cab model but cost was a big factor for me. Kubota, Kioti, Case, New Holland, and Massey were all in the same price range (+/- $1500) of each other at the time. Deere was almost 4k higher. Prices have increased since my purchase. I ended up going with an LS XR3037HC for almost 5K less with more standard features. Have owned it since end of Feb. and really like the tractor. Check each tractor for how they fit you. On some I sat in the operating station felt cramped especially with my size 12 shoe.

 

[oldpilgrim]

gotta ask, why did you sell the Mahindra?

 

[George2615]

gotta ask, why did you sell the Mahindra?

Needed a bigger tractor. More weight, loader capacity etc.
The 2615 was a great tractor which I bought new in 2004. Only had 466 hours when I sold it. Always kept inside and serviced regularly. As I said, I wanted to stay with Mahindra and get a 3616 but couldn't justify the price over the LS. Some people are loyal to brands and don't care what it costs. I don't have that luxury.

 

[Caseyh]

Lots of good replies. I appreciate it. I've looked at the kubota L series as well as the JD 3 series. I've done some work for JD and while they make nice tractors I just can't see a reason to spend 4 or 5 grand for paint. I get the resale value argument but I plan to buy a tractor once and keep it. Kioti and Ls are also considerations for me but the mahindra is probably the first one I want to check out. I'm pretty sure the 3016 would accomplish what I need it to but I can also see the benefit of going a little bigger. I would go with the shuttle over hst due to the fact that I want the most pto power out of a given engine and I also feel like it's simpler and more robust. How are these tractors in muddy conditions? What's your advice on tires? I won't be finish mowing(not worried about the yard) and will surely find myself in mud from time to time. I'm thinking ag (r4) tires but is there a major difference between those and r1 tires? Are you guys happy with mahindra as far a reliability is concerned? I've gathered that dealer support is very important and I am also fairly handy but I want reliability. I know lemons can come from anyone but in general how are they compared to the big names (not that mahindra isn't a big name but you know what I mean)
I appreciate all the good advice and look forward to hearing some more!!

 

[Caseyh]

Lots of good replies. I appreciate it. I've looked at the kubota L series as well as the JD 3 series. I've done some work for JD and while they make nice tractors I just can't see a reason to spend 4 or 5 grand for paint. I get the resale value argument but I plan to buy a tractor once and keep it. Kioti and Ls are also considerations for me but the mahindra is probably the first one I want to check out. I'm pretty sure the 3016 would accomplish what I need it to but I can also see the benefit of going a little bigger. I would go with the shuttle over hst due to the fact that I want the most pto power out of a given engine and I also feel like it's simpler and more robust. How are these tractors in muddy conditions? What's your advice on tires? I won't be finish mowing(not worried about the yard) and will surely find myself in mud from time to time. I'm thinking ag (r4) tires but is there a major difference between those and r1 tires? Are you guys happy with mahindra as far a reliability is concerned? I've gathered that dealer support is very important and I am also fairly handy but I want reliability. I know lemons can come from anyone but in general how are they compared to the big names (not that mahindra isn't a big name but you know what I mean)
I appreciate all the good advice and look forward to hearing some more!!

 

[Caseyh]

Sorry about the double post. Sending this from my phone.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Ags are R1, Industrials are R4.

R1's are better in mud, I hear, but the R4's are considerably wider which I like.

Reliable? They're as reliable as any tractor out there. Mahindra didn't get to be #1 in the world by not being reliable.

You will like the 3016. Comfortable, powerful adn dependable for a tractor it's size.

I'd argue that the shuttle is simpler and more robust. The hst actually has many fewer parts, but you will get more pto power with the shuttle version, if that's important.

 

[Caseyh]

Thanks for the info. I get the tire designations mixed up all the time. I guess I just feel like the shuttle is more of a time tested design. I'm also used to traditional gears although my lawn tractor is hst and I do think it can be very useful in the right situations. I may be more tempted to go with hst on a more powerful tractor but with the 3016 i'd want max pto output in the event that I may want to till a garden or plant a food plot someday. Plus saving a little money wouldn't kill me either. After re-reading the responses I like the fact that the hydraulics are equal on the 3016. I really think bush hogging an logging would be the main two uses of the tractor for me.