Definitly having doubts about making a Mahindra Commitment

[mike69440]

Tractor Comparison.xls

Don't waste your time with a paper study of the specs -- the B2620/2920 are definitely bigger than the Max all around -- I had my 2920 parked next to my neighbor's Max many times, and you could tell the Max was a sub-compact and the B was a compact. The dimensions don't really tell the story, it's really about sub-compact vs. compact. The Max is heavy and has a strong loader for its size, but it is not completely "usable" without very careful ballasting and operation. It's a small tractor, and that is very obvious when using one next to a larger Kubota B. Nothing against the Max.

I was not trying to steer you into a B or L, just pointing out that they are well under $20K contrary to what you said. My B2920 with front loader and R4 tires was $15400 new. That model, and the other B2x20 series are on the way out, so you may not find many at dealers if you ask for a quote. There are replacement models in the B series, both at the standard (B2601) and deluxe (B2650) levels.

Really the equivalent Kubotas to the Max series are the BX line, though there is some overlap into the B series in the case of the Max 28.

The Max25 is a direct size comparison to the BX stuff. (Too tiny for anything but lawn mowing at around place) The B2320 Kubota is dimensionally close to the max 28, but narrower, The B2620/2920 have longer Wheelbase than the Max. The B2650/3250, etc are almost an L series, size wise I have no covered spot.
I tried to get to a dealer yesterday to look at the Bota vs. the max, but they were closed and did not have any Mahindras out in the yard. I appreciate the feedback. I want small, but with NH rocks, I need strong.

I put this comparison together, Please see .pdf of my Excel Sheet. The Max28 seems to have the Small Strong stuff covered best of all.

Please no hate. Don稚 be like that Camaro5 forum!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/246050-fun-rocks-dirt-photos.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/324502-breezy-ridge-farm-2014-project.html

 

[DixieBoy]

One big factor for me in deciding to go with the Mahindra was the financing. I was able to finance it at 0% for 82 months. It is the first tractor I have ever owned (not the first I have ever driven/used) and may be the last, so having the financing for that long does not bother me.

That said, I live on just under 4 acres and did not want a larger tractor, so pound-for-pound the Max28xl made the most sense for me. It has tremendous carrying capacity for the loader and the 3 point hitch given its size. I had to do some work and rented a backhoe awhile back. It happened to be a Kubota L3200. I did not care for it. The size was too large for me and it did not take much for me to max out the loader. I have yet to max out my loader on my Max28.

I use a 5 foot reverse tine tiller and a 5 foot bush hog without issue, too. The Max28xl is a monster for it's size and the 0% financing is simply icing on the cake.

I DO have one complaint about the Max28xl, though. It has NO cup holder and no where for me to stow a wrench or hammer or anything. I need to get around to mounting a tool box on it.

 

[mike69440]

Max28 sounds better all the time, i just need to actually look one over first.

I too maxed out the loader on my neibors L3400. Then again it is about half the weight of my L39. Kubota is more general purpose Farm and estate type tractor. The Grand L are much better than their lower priced offering.

 

[Navasot]

You wont be disappointed with the Max28 its one of my favorite models. Footprint size means nothing in the sub/compact world and it will keep up with the full size models.

 

[mike69440]

You wont be disappointed with the Max28 its one of my favorite models. Footprint size means nothing in the sub/compact world and it will keep up with the full size models.

Good, I expect a lot out my machines.

 

[Scrambler82]

I have only had my Max 28 for a short while but I notice it is a little lite in the power department.
My last tractor had 24 hp and felt like it had more power.
It could be I need some time to learn its ins and outs but I am a little disappointed.
Will work with it for a while and see if we can get together and find the correct method of driving but to be honest I am not sure.

On the other hand, maybe there is something wrong with this tractor.

 

[oldpilgrim]

as I said in the other thread, check your air filter(s) before you condemn it for being weak.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I have only had my Max 28 for a short while but I notice it is a little lite in the power department.
My last tractor had 24 hp and felt like it had more power.
It could be I need some time to learn its ins and outs but I am a little disappointed.
Will work with it for a while and see if we can get together and find the correct method of driving but to be honest I am not sure.

On the other hand, maybe there is something wrong with this tractor.

Are you using the hydrostat correctly? A while back I had 2 different customers that would use his hydro pedal like a throttle. When they needed more power, they would press the pedal down furthur which raises the gear ratio and would make matters worse, where they should have let up on the pedal to lower the gear ratio. When he learned how to use it correctly, he was fine with it. I am not saying for sure that this is what you are doing, but I thought I would check. As was mentioned in one of the other threads, high gear is meant for level road use, with a hydrostat transmission. I see that guy was a Kubota owner, so it is not just a Mahindra thing. I hope maybe this helps.

 

[BlackOps]

Thanks for the info on the pedal and throttle dynamic.

 

[Scrambler82]

E

Are you using the hydrostat correctly? A while back I had 2 different customers that would use his hydro pedal like a throttle. When they needed more power, they would press the pedal down furthur which raises the gear ratio and would make matters worse, where they should have let up on the pedal to lower the gear ratio. When he learned how to use it correctly, he was fine with it. I am not saying for sure that this is what you are doing, but I thought I would check. As was mentioned in one of the other threads, high gear is meant for level road use, with a hydrostat transmission. I see that guy was a Kubota owner, so it is not just a Mahindra thing. I hope maybe this helps.

Thanks for the info on the pedal and throttle dynamic.

LAWALLSTRACTOR, you are probably correct and as I said I may need to get used to it.
My first tractor, an SC2450, felt tighter, more powerful when hitting a lpile with the FEL.
If had an "On The Fly" hi to LP or back feature that worked really well too.
When I go to move the tractor, I bring up the rpms to around 2000 and start doing things as I get into the pile I may stop to either shift to low range or being up the rpms a little, I am firm believer to apply,only the force that is needed to get the job done.

Please explain a little more on the proper use of the HST, ?
I do want this tractor to work, I enjoy the feel of it and the engine sound healthier.
The main reason I purchased this Mahindra is the FEL lifting capacity, double that of the SC2450 and I have maxed out the SC2450 a few time and had a slight heavy front end feel.

Thanks for any advise, maybe I need to go to a Mahindra school on driving the Max.

 

[oldpilgrim]

keep in mind that the hst pedal controls the 'gearing' in the tranny. Since it's all hydraulic, there are an infinite number of 'gears'. When you push the pedal a little, you are in effect, in a really low gear. As you press the pedal down you are shifting into ever higher 'gears'.

So if you need more power to push into a pile of something, you need to let off on the pedal to go to a lower 'gear'. It's counter intuitive, I know, but you soon get used to it. Just remember thaat it's not a substitute for the throttle control.

The great thing bout it is that you can keep the engine revs up, and still just creep along with max power or keep the engine at a speed that feels comfy and either go slow or fast.

It's infinitely variable, the combinations of engine speed and tranny 'gearing' you can have.

You will love it once you get used to it, and it doesn't take long.

 

[mike69440]

keep in mind that the hst pedal controls the 'gearing' in the tranny. Since it's all hydraulic, there are an infinite number of 'gears'. When you push the pedal a little, you are in effect, in a really low gear. As you press the pedal down you are shifting into ever higher 'gears'.

So if you need more power to push into a pile of something, you need to let off on the pedal to go to a lower 'gear'. It's counter intuitive, I know, but you soon get used to it. Just remember thaat it's not a substitute for the throttle control.

The great thing bout it is that you can keep the engine revs up, and still just creep along with max power or keep the engine at a speed that feels comfy and either go slow or fast.

It's infinitely variable, the combinations of engine speed and tranny 'gearing' you can have.

You will love it once you get used to it, and it doesn't take long.

Well, I finally got to check out and operate a Max 26 HST ( With a nice Cab & Heater, by the way!.)
Makes me want to CAB my L39 with Fisher plow.
I've use HST quite a bit.
They are good for Loader work & tight spot, but I'm a gear man.
Our RTV900 has a nice HST and works fine for that application.
I pushed into a frozen snow pile with the Max 28 in Hi range 2 Wheel drive. rears Spun, In Hi range 4WD the HST was not able to spin tires on grippy snow, even feathering back on the pedal)
I hate 2 range HST's for that reason. 3 ranges give a better feel.
So Loader work is Low range 4 WD. Snow Chains a must with a sub 3,000 Lbs machine. The Max 26 HST I tried had Loaded turf tires.
It had good lift on Loader, the Curl force break out with the bucket stuck in a Semi frozen pile of Snow was good, but not as great as the spec numbers suggest.

Overall, I'm going to see if I can make this Max 28 purchase happen.

The TYM 293 is not available, I really liked the TYM’s QA and 4 Link bucket setup.

The TYM 354 and the Mahindra 3016, sure look temping but $$ and size wise, don't work. I need small CUT .

So Loader work is Low range 4 WD. Snow Chains a must with a sub 3,000 Lbs machine. Heck, I need Chains on my +8000 Lb Tractor) The Max 26 HST I tried had Loaded turf tires.
\
The Mahindra Max 28 is a well executed tractor.

For the money, and specs good tractor.
However,

Paint, Fit and finish, not quite Kubota level, but better than Kioti, etc.

The Seat was definitely low budget and not really well positioned or comfortable, and the bucket and linkage is really basic. I wish there was a QA option with 4 link.

Curl cylinders are long and spindly (Fragile looking) & no protection of the Power steering rod cylinder against animals like me.

All in all a short list of gripes. For those of you who think I bleed orange, search/ read my comments on the L39 (Heck of a tractor, but has some shortcomings too).

 

[murphy1244]

That's the strangest double post I've seen in a while.

 

[JgTex]

I have only had my Max 28 for a short while but I notice it is a little lite in the power department.
My last tractor had 24 hp and felt like it had more power.
It could be I need some time to learn its ins and outs but I am a little disappointed.
Will work with it for a while and see if we can get together and find the correct method of driving but to be honest I am not sure.

On the other hand, maybe there is something wrong with this tractor.

From what I was told you lose some horse power on the Hydrostat, but it should not be that noticeable. My shuttle shift max28 has plenty of power box blading, even on slight inclines. I also knock down small and medium mesquite trees backing over them with my box blade, however all this work is done in low gear.. Have you had yours checked out by the dealer? have you checked the air filter dump valve? I just read in the OM that this has to be done every time before or after use..

 

[s219]

You seem to lose about 10% from what I can tell, at least it feels like that when I have tested gear and HST models side by side. PTO horsepower numbers for gear versus HST may give some insight as well, since the loss of PTO power on an HST is most likely due to the HST gobbling it up. Seems to be in the 5-6% range per Kubota specs, at PTO rpm. Probably higher towards max rated rpm I'd guess.

 

[mike69440]

'Well, I hope my doubts are groundless.

It was a long not so fun and slow ride over Rt. 7 & 9 thru Vermont last night, snow squalls coving the road. Going out to NY during the day, the scenery was beautiful, but what should have bee 9 hours on the road took over 12 hr Travel time, nearly 15 hours total.

Towing with a 2 WD Pickup, 400 Lbs of sand bags in bed, limited Slip, and Blizzaks, I was turning around in a relatively flat parking lot on the way out, (no tractor) and the tires just found a wet . I was stuck.
(Thank you kind Samaritan with the $WD dually!)

The 2006 4.6L V8 had its hand full just towing a bit over 9500 GVW, with the little but heave horse trailer, The Max 28 I found out today that it does not have the loaded tires as promised I would hope that the dealer will reimburse me for the cost of having the tires loaded locally.

We got home safely, and will now unload the little bugger.

I had to wire up the stabilizer links and we removed the grill guard to get it on the trailer. A bit bigger and as least as heavy than my Kubota, even though the Kubota has 300 Lbs Iron bolted to the frame and loaded tires also.

I still have my doubts that the loader is good for 1400 Lbs at the pins. If it can handle near 1000 lbs in the bucket that will be plenty. A quick check is to verify it can lift my Fisher plow.

Can anyone tell me if the Max. comes with an extra set of keys, I only got one Key?

 

[BlackOps]

got 2 keys on my max 25 - but would like another key or 2 just for the **** of it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

got 2 with my 3016 mitsu.

 

[Navasot]

I have only had my Max 28 for a short while but I notice it is a little lite in the power department.
My last tractor had 24 hp and felt like it had more power.
It could be I need some time to learn its ins and outs but I am a little disappointed.
Will work with it for a while and see if we can get together and find the correct method of driving but to be honest I am not sure.

On the other hand, maybe there is something wrong with this tractor.

Was your last tractor an HST also?

 

[Navasot]

Sorry just saw it was addressed