Advice on Tractor (second)

[knute_m]

One more opinion . . .

A while back I decided it was time to replace a tractor that needs to do a little bit of everything around our 25 acres. Over a half-mile of driveway, snow removal, light loader work, post holes, bushogging about 5 acres, light logging, etc.

For six months I kept going back and looking at the Kubota L-Series and the B-Series. Nothing else really said "buy me!"

I kept putting off looking at the Mahindras, mainly because they were a name I wasn't familiar with. However, they were being sold by a good local dealer, from whom I'd made other major purchases. Within ten minutes of walking on the lot, I knew I wanted one, and I knew exactly which one. I decided on the very smallest of the 15-Series. -- the 20 hp 2015 4WD.

I really really like my little Mahindra 2015. The 15-Series are built by Mitsubishi, and it is very obvious that they are designed by a company that has been building these size tractors for a long time. As soon as I sat down on it, I felt comfortable, and everything seemed to be right where its should be. After about an hour on it, my old tractor seemed really strange and awkward.

It doesn't know it is a small tractor. With the loader, filled rear tires, and the industrial tires -- it is heavy, it is stable, and its got serious traction, yet it is relatively small. Its a little bigger than the SCUTs, so it takes all standard Cat 1 implements without any problem. I can pull a 5-foot box blade pretty full of gravel, up my rather steep driveway without spinning. Its also got lots of leg room which makes it seem like a much bigger tractor.

Delivered to my driveway at $12,000 even, with the loader, loaded tires, and a grill guard -- plus 0% financing for three years, it was a hard deal to beat.

Good luck in your search,

Knute

 

[Soundguy]

Not a bad deal on a 4wd w/ loader tractor.. especially being in a good proven 2nd brand.

My local CNH dealer also sells mahindra. This dealer is very picky about what he sells. When i see them on his lot.. it tells me they are really decent. The old case dealer in our town also sells them. Lots of areas for service.

Soundguy

 

[KentT]

Fellow Posters:

Some of these areas are quite tight and the ground is soft and at times, not even close to flat. I also would like for any machine I get to be easy to transport on a utility trailer. I have looked at smaller JD's, Steiners, and the PowerTrac ad's. I am partial to green, but do not have to have a JD. Since it would be a second machine for more specialized use, I would like to keep the cost down, and used would not be out of the question. Cost is variable so a number may not be applicable. I am interested to hear thoughts about which direction I should look for the most versatile small machine I can consider and why. Thanks in advance for all the help.

John M

I second the recommendation to look at a Power Trac, due to its versatility, maneuverability, and slope-working capacity. Don't let the lack of a dealership network scare you away, if you're willing to do your own routine maintenace -- oil changes, etc. They're very simple machines, and the engine is supported by their manufacturer's network, so that only leaves the chassis to concern yourself with -- which, is all-hydraulic, with no transmission, no differentials or axles, no mechanical PTO, etc.

I tried a small Kubota 4WD with FEL on the slopes of my property in the foothills of the Smokies in East Tennessee and quickly turned around and sold it to buy a Power Trac PT-425. There is simply no comparison in the stability, slope-hugging capacity, and maneuverability for working in the woods and on the slopes.

I, too, would suggest you spend some time looking at the PT forum, and perhaps take a visit to Tazewell... Until you've spent some time in the seat of a PT, you can't really appreciate one. They compare to a traditional CUT/SCUT much like a ZTR compares to a traditional lawn tractor -- much more nimble and much quicker to do the same job -- while also just as hard to describe... you have to try it out for yourself to understand.

PS -- you can also use the link in my profile to see how/where I've been using mine.

 

[proudestmonkey]

I appreciate the comments to this point. Finally, I think a SCUT would be the trick and I am familiar with the JD 2305, but what are some going prices on a Kubota BX or NH tractor, for comparison?
John M

I was going to suggest you look at the JD 2305 for your stated needs, since you are partial to green. Kubota's comparable machine is the BX 2350 if you don't need a backhoe, or a BX 24 if you do. I was able to get my BX 2230 (last year's version of the 2350) for about $2,000 less than what I was looking to pay for a JD 2350. I paid a little over $12,000 for the BX 2230 w/ 60" MMM, FEL, Engine heater, ballast box, R4 tires, and liquid filled rear tires. All of that would have cost me between $14K and $15K for the JD. I also like the fact that the BX 2230 sits lower to the ground--without the MMM, I get plenty of ground clearance on my hills and in my woods (5 acres), with low center-of-gravity for avoiding tipping on the hills. So far, I am very satisfied with my BX (I had a JD last year and am happy I made the switch).