Considering a new 6500

[xxxsandman]

Hello Mahindra owners, dealers, and everyone else. I'm a Montana owner, currently have a Montana 4540. It's a great little tractor, but it's too small for me (operators station) and too small for a couple jobs I find myself wanting to do with it (pulling big mower 10' or so, running a round bailer, easily hauling 2 round bails at the same time, etc). I use my tractor to finish mow with also. It does very well at this.

IF I sell my Montana tractor, I will probably buy a ZTR type mower to take care of my lawn and buy a larger tractor more suited for my farming. The Mahindra 6500 4wd caught my eye. It seems to have pretty good specs and enough power to get the job done. It looks too big for finish mowing, so I would probably have to get a different mowing rig, like a ZTR. I only finish mow 3 acres.

I've read some on here and other places about the 5500, 6000, and 6500 tractors. Seems some people love them and others have nothing but trouble with them. It's important whatever I get, be reliable and trouble free as possible. I will be in it for the long haul and plan to keep it for many years.

If anyone can shed any light on the 6500 4wd, it's weaknesses and strengths, and your general opinion on it, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
James

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I'll try and give your request a stab....All the "00" series tractors are built in India in what I understand is an amazing factory facility. All the 00 engines were developed by AVL in Europe, who have been building diesels for quite a long time. I understand that a guy named Carrara designed the trans and differentials (some Italian guy, you may have heard of him). 5500/6000/6500 are all normally asipirated engines (no turbo untill you get to the 7520 which uses the 6000 engine as a base). Hydraulics pumps (2 in tandem) are external and the resevoirs are separate from the trans fluid (trans uses regular GL-5 80/90 gear oil). Hydraulics are strong, however only hold about 3 gallons of fluid as a result of separate resevoirs. Steering is very good and effortless. Front axle has planetary gears at the hub which will last many times longer than without it...FELS seem to be OK. Mine is made by KMW and is very good, but mine is over 3 years old and is not QD. If you look at any of the 00 series tractors from the A$$ end you will understand why folks talk about "tanks". These things seem to be overbuilt (I was raised on a farm and was astonished at the massiveness of the rear diff/axle carriers, etc. All the 4 WD shuttle shift 00 series tractors are completely syncho'd. (This is GOOD as I was raised on non-synchro'd tractors). Very little "plastic" on these tractors. PTO is opereated manually thru a second clutch (no electro/hydrualic shifter to go bad). The 00s did have a couple of problems that may have been fixed. One in particular is the ground from the battery (location of which I don't care for,,). I had a number of occasions where the starter would click a few times before it caught and fired up. Come to find the ground cable connector is not the best. Me and a couple of friends (one with smaller hands than I) redid the ground and so far so good--no more "clicks" before starting. Tires are adequate. If you get an FEL YOU HAVE TO FILL THE REARS!. I had this done before initial delivery and it makes a huge difference in traction when using the FEL. I run a 7 ft HD cutter in the summer but it could take an 8 to 10ft if you wanted to. One of the things about the 00 series that I really like VS other tractors is that they are low compression diesels (19:1), low reving (PTO speed at 2000rpm) and high torque for those rpms (NOTE: I only run the cutter at about 1700 rpm in 3 ft (or more) field grass and it never seems to bog down. Fuel consumption is OK. Don't have much to say here as I was raised on gas tractors. Oh, maintenance is easy, except I have to pull the front drive shaft cover off to change the oil, only 4 bolts and not hard, just takes an extra 15 minutes. Warranty is 3 years or 1000 hrs. OK , I'm done. My 6000 has been pretty trouble free inthe 229 hrs that I have on it (one O-ring went bad in the top of the Power Steering resevoir and Mahindra replaced the whole resevoir). Oh, I also have the 511 Bradco BH that I had a devil of a time getting right, but Mahindra made good on it (seemed that the drawbar hook up got changed when they designed the BH for it and no one told my dealer--Mahindra sent the correct one an the deal came out and installed it. BH is strong and I really like it (PTO pump unit). Done....BobG in VA

 

[Clyde]

Good synopsis on the "00" series Bob - Clyde

 

[swiftboot]

Sandman, you will not get many replies to your post now that Bob has given such a complete description/evaluatation. I say this because dont want you to think no one is interested in the 6500. If you do a search, there is much discussion on this machine. I havent used mine for anything more than some grapple work of downed trees and moving hay, but am very pleased. Its important to have a good dealer support no matter what you get. Good day, chuck

 

[Tim_in_IA]

xxxsandman,

I have about the same configuration as Bob but I have the 6500. I really love the tractor. My local dealer is great also. Only concern I have is the small resivoir for the hydraulic fluid and the 11gpm pump. Make sure you think about your accessories and what you will need. When I am doing a lot of loader work sometimes I think it could be a little faster. I was loading manure last weekend and it seemed like I was waiting on the loader most of the time. Not a huge issue though. It has plenty of power. You will be pretty much unstoppable.

I have had issues with my backhoe pto hydraulic pump but I think that is more of a bradco problem rather than mahindra.

Good luck making your choice!