Buying Advice B2920 vs B3200HSD vs Max28XL - I'm stuck

[tc18ny]

The good news - been tractor shopping and have the green light from the other half. The problem if you want to call it one - a big price difference. The Bota's are from a local dealer who has been around for years and known for their good customer support. The Max from a dealer about 35 minutes away who has been around for 60 years and gets mixed reviews for customer support. All machines with Hydrostatic and industrial tires.
-The B2920 with loader, 50'' bucket, 48'' rotary cutter (landpride), 60'' RFM (landpride) and loaded rear tires is $19690 plus tax including rebate.
-The B3200HSD with loader, 60'' bucket, 60'' rotary cutter (landpride), 72'' RFM (landpride) and loaded rear tires is $21215 plus tax including rebate.
-The Max28XL with loader, 54'' bucket, 60'' rotary cutter (mahindra), 60'' RFM (mahindra) without loaded tires (dealer says I don't need it) is $16800 plus tax including rebate.

I still have to go look at the Max and drive it but wow what a difference in price! Anyone have any advice on the capability differences in these machines with the attachments that I will be getting? Can the Max handle a 72'' RFM if I decide to go up a size? Would I want to have the rears loaded on the Max?
Thanks in advance

 

[ericher69]

I just read this review


http://www.tractor.com/manufacturers/mahindra/2012-mahindra-max-28-xl-hst-review-1518.html

Seems like a lot of tractor for the price!

Only thing I saw that was (a big omission) on the MAX is the 3 speed hydro yet most bx or JD owners don't really mind the 2 range hydro.

I have no personal experience with the Max line or the B3200 but can speak to the b2920.

Great little tractor with zero issues after 4 hard winters of residential snow removal.

Maybe other members with the other two machines will chime in

What is your intended use/purpose?

Good luck

 

[tc18ny]

Uses will be about 45% cutting grass, 25% loader work/snow removal, 20% rotary cutter in old pastures, 10% moving and splitting firewood. I have 12 acres with about 1 being grass, 3 being old pastures, 1-1/2 being hardwoods and the rest is brush. I also have 2 ponds to maintain and mow around. After looking at the Kubotas, the B3200 is the biggest size as far as chassis that I want. I don't know how the Max compares to it but I'm going in the morning to look at it.

 

[hodge]

Wow- the Max looks like a lot of tractor for the money. I myself would give it a hard look, and I am very loyal to Kubota.
I wouldn't in my area, though- the only Mahindra dealer stopped carrying the line, and the local Kubota dealer is wonderful (Beverage Tractor of Stuarts Draft, VA).

 

[tc18ny]

I just looked through the specs again on the Max. On their website Mahindra compares the specs against an L3200 which is impressive for this size of machine. If the specs are correct, it outperforms the B3200 in many areas. What I'm unsure of - how is the reliability and parts availability compared to Kubota. It looks like there are 3 dealers within 70 miles or so of me which isn't too shabby.

 

[tractchores]

I've got the b2920 and its been great.minuse it for loader work, firewood, backhoe work and chipping. I would look at the resale as well ad it'll factor into total cost. I personally would really miss not having a 3 speed hydro. You'll probably have a good idea of what you want after driving them all. I know i did.

 

[rider0]

I just looked through the specs again on the Max. On their website Mahindra compares the specs against an L3200 which is impressive for this size of machine. If the specs are correct, it outperforms the B3200 in many areas. What I'm unsure of - how is the reliability and parts availability compared to Kubota. It looks like there are 3 dealers within 70 miles or so of me which isn't too shabby.

Mahindra really seems to compare their tractors to whatever is convenient at the time. The Max28 is actually larger than the B3200, but it somehow seems to get compared to everything from a BX through the B* series on up. You really feel the weight of the Mahindra, as it's very planted even without adding tire or implement ballast. It is a very impressive machine for the price, although my dealer tells me MSRP went up by $2400 on Jan 1. The main thing I don't like about it are the very softly tuned HST drive, making precision control of the tractor a little tricky on slopes and near obstacles. This is evidently not tunable. I also have to transport between parts of a large property and find the 2 range HST rather limiting. The machine runs and drives very nicely- fit, finish and operation are better than JD in my opinion, and clearly better than Kioti or LS. I don't find it to be as "refined" as Kubota's offerings, but that's not a functional or operational deficit.

Another thing I missed about the Mahindra was the apparent lack of a quick attach option for the bucket and pallet forks. Why this would be, I have no idea, but my dealer said although he "might" be able to get pin-on forks, there was definitely no QA available. Seems like a shame, especially with Mahindra's claimed loader capacity. You may notice that Kubota sets the loader hydraulic relief pressure so that you can just barely lift unballasted rear tires off the ground, which as light as the machines are kind of artificially limits what they can lift. The Mahindra has enough cast iron in the rear end that they can easily allow the loader to lift more while staying within "safety" parameters.

At any rate, the Kubota B2920 and B3200 are stellar machines, but the Mahindra is definitely worth a good look. I don't think you would be disappointed in it as long as you have good dealer support - Mahindra dealers around here are practically fly by night, and the current dealerships aren't very reliable.

 

[94BULLITT]

I recommend you drive each one of the tractors and see what you like the best. Also look at the way the tractor is built to see what tractor you think is built the best. You should check prices at at lest 3 dealers once you narrow down a specific model. One reason the Mahindra is cheaper because of the implements. They are not bad but I don't think it is quite as good as the landpride. I think the Mahindra implements are made by Kodiak. Mahindra compare the smaller Max's to the BX but they are closer to a B2320, B2620, and B2920. I don't know why they are comparing the Max 28 to a L3200 when it is comparable to a L3200. The max is a Mitsubishi built tractor.

 

[Teikas Dad]

I looked at all of the same tractors plus the Yanmar SX3100.

For me it came down to this:

Max 28 - Specs are impressive when compared to the other tractors, but I don't know if they are true or accurate....kind of lost my faith in a lot of advertisements nowadays. Up close and personal with the Max, I didn't like the way the joystick was mounted for the front loader, it looks like an afterthought that was cobbled together out of spare parts. Sizewise, the Max looked like a lawn tractor on steroids.

I liked the Yanmar, but I'm not sure of long term dealership support. I'm sure Yanmar will be around for a long time, it's been around for a long time. Just not sure if there are a lot of dealers for Yanmar out there. Specs were good, tractor was a nice unit. The only down side was that the driver's area was a bit of a tight fit.

The B2920 was a little too small for me.

I ended up buying a B3200 with FEL and BH. The B3200 is physically larger than the Max28, it may not matter to you but it did to me. One of the biggest deciding factors for me is long term support. I'm retiring in two years and plan on moving to a different state. Kubota has a lot more dealers than Yanmar and Mahindra so wherever I end up I'm sure there will be a Kubota dealer somewhere nearby if I need service and parts. All three are Japanese tractors, (the Mahindra is actually a Mistubishi) so I'm sure the quality and longevity on any of them will be the same. I spent about $1,500 more for the Kubota over the Yanmar but I'm happy with my purchase. I could have got an L3200 for a little more than I paid for the B3200, but for what I want I didn't need (or want) the extra weight. The L series is a heavier duty tractor than the B series.

 

[madmax12]

No wrong choices there.

I have the max28xl. It's a beast. I don't use it a lot, but when I do, it gets the job done. My experience is the specs are true. I do all short drives, so no need for 3 speeds.

I have the kodiak/mahindra 5 foot RFM and pallet forks. The forks go on the loader and the 3 point hitch. They are heavy, but strong.

The max28xl will out lift your other choices.

That's a main reason I picked it.

 

[tc18ny]

I'm not trying to start an argument by any means but Rider states the Max28 is bigger physically than the B3200 and Teikas dad states the B3200 is bigger than the Max28. I can't tell by the specs and it's hard to tell in person because they are at different dealers. Which way is it?

 

[madmax12]

I'm not trying to start an argument by any means but Rider states the Max28 is bigger physically than the B3200 and Teikas dad states the B3200 is bigger than the Max28. I can't tell by the specs and it's hard to tell in person because they are at different dealers. Which way is it?

I researched a while ago, so, I'm not certain which is bigger. The max28 is 54.5 inches wide at rear tires and bucket. I think it is 13 feet long from bucket edge to tip of 3 point hitch arms, but I'm not positive. Dimension specs should be available on all models on their respective websites.

Max28 XL. XL stands for eXtra Long, I was told... In that it is longer than the max 22/25.

 

[ericher69]

Look at this video


http://youtu.be/WOMK_4Eqty

Besides Corey b being brutal on the hoe it gives you a good size perspective.

I'm thinking smack dab in the middle of a b2920 and b3200 but that is only my opinion.

Definitely not as refined as a Kubota or Deere but still seems like a solid tractor

 

[tc18ny]

The link takes me to a Youtube page that says the video does not exist.

 

[rider0]

Look at this video


http://youtu.be/WOMK_4Eqty

Besides Corey b being brutal on the hoe it gives you a good size perspective.

I'm thinking smack dab in the middle of a b2920 and b3200 but that is only my opinion.

Definitely not as refined as a Kubota or Deere but still seems like a solid tractor

Now the OP didn't mention a backhoe in his post, but while the Mahindra loader has got great lift specs, the backhoe is woefully underpowered compared to the Kubota. There are a lot of ways to work around a little less lift power when using the loader (not so much when lifting heavy pallets), but a weak hoe is a gigantic pain. I'd lean heavily towards the Kubota if a backhoe is in the cards.

 

[rider0]

The link takes me to a Youtube page that says the video does not exist.

I think he meant this video:
Mahindra Max 28XL Backhoe in Action - YouTube

 

[Teikas Dad]

When I compared the B3200 to the Max28 it was two different dealers so it was not a side by side comparison. However, from seat of the pants and climbing on the tractor, the B3200 is higher (larger rear tires) and seemed bigger to me. Going to the tape measure it's not... Mahindra lists the Max28 at 109.3 inches long (tractor only) and 54.3 inches wide. Kubota lists the B3200 at 99.2 inches long, so it's overall tractor length is shorter, with a width of 53.7 inches so it's a hair skinnier. I think the visual difference is due to the tire size. Mahindra doesn't list a wheelbase dimension, but I would say from eyeballing it that the Mahindra has a longer wheelbase so it's stretched out a bit more.

No matter which one you get they are all good tractors. I wasn't too concerned about the lift capacities as the B3200 will do anything I will ever use it for. I guess it's kind of like a Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge decision. They've all got 4 wheels, they'll all do what you want, it's just a matter of what color you like and what final specs you prefer.

I'm sure you'll be happy with your final choice. I know I agonized for 6 months before I made my final decision. One factor I did forget to mention though is resale value. Not that I plan on selling the tractor in my lifetime, but if I ever did it seems that Kubota holds their value. I looked at used tractors and they were almost as much as a new unit. Also as pointed out above, the Kubota does have a stronger backhoe and I wanted one on the tractor when I bought it.

 

[Illini22]

I would compare the tractors without the attachments (besides fel). You can buy great quality attachments for pennies on the dollar thanks to Craigslist. Which leads to a tractor that has a ssqa loader and telescoping rear links. Those 2 options would have to be available on a new tractor I was thinking about purchasing.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Price wise looks like the B3200 is the best buy. I dont really like the Mahindras although owners have praises for them. Like a lot of folks I dont have a close by dealer (over 120 miles) for them either. Not familiar with the 3200 but assume it also has 3 range hydro like the 2920. My daughter has one and I have driven it and like the feel of it.

 

[94BULLITT]

Compare the weight between the Max 28 and the B3200 and L3200, you will see that the B3200 and Max 28 are within 100lbs of each other.