FarmTrac vs. Mahindra

[flusher]

I thought I had my mind made up on a FarmTrac 360DTC. The cost for the tractor, FEL, two sets of remote outlets, foldable ROPS, Shuttle Shift is a little under 16K. They also have a 0% for 48 months financing deal. I was going to go to the dealer, which is approximately 75 miles away from me, but when I called to check on the hours they had a message saying they were on vacation and would be back on June 9th. Of course I had in my mind that I would be purchasing a tractor this week. With that going through my mind I started looking at a local dealer who sells Mahindras. I have looked at the 2615, and several other models. They are a little more in price, but the dealer is only 10 miles away, compared to 75. They appear to be nice tractors, but do not have as many add ons that the FarmTrac has. The FarmTrac is rated at 39 HP where a comparable Mahindra will cost me at least 3k more. I am totally confused now. They all feel good when I get on them and test them out. Do I go with the FarmTrac which has more options, cheaper in price, but the dealer is further away or do I go with a Mahindra? Do I even need a tractor rated at 39 HP, 4WD or could I get by with a 2WD? 10 acres of flat land with a house going up on it. Tractor would be used to brush hog approximately seven acres, maintain a drive, garden work, take care of small livestock in the future, basic hauling of items (nothing real big). I need some help making this huge decision.........opinions? Thank you.

Like you I have 10 acres of flat pasture land with about 2 acres taken up by house, garage/shop, driveway, a few small sheds and the remants of an old almond orchard. For mowing I have a 21-hp (engine) Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket) that I bought new in May05 for $12,600 plus tax (10% down, 0% for 36 months). I use a 4-ft wide King Kutter brush hog ($600 from Tractor Supply) for mowing. Takes 7-8 hours to mow 2-3 ft tall weeds. For another $3K or so you can get a mid-mount mower to mow your lawn. Just make sure you get turf tires if you want the MMM.

For garden and landscape work I have a middle buster plow/subsoiler ($140 from TSC) and a 4-ft wide Yanmar RS-1200 rototiller ($300 used from my local grey market tractor guy).

My neighbor has an old Ford 8N gas tractor (early 1950s, 28 hp engine) vintage and a 4-ft hog that he uses to mow his weeds. He paid about $2500 for his 8N.

If you don't plan to plow/disc your pasture, 30 hp is plenty for 10 acres. You can get by for a lot less than $20K.

 

[BillyP]

I was going to go to the dealer, which is approximately 75 miles away from me, but when I called to check on the hours they had a message saying they were on vacation and would be back on June 9th.

That's the part that I would be concerned about with this dealer.

 

[jbrumberg]

Nissan197:

You are hanging yourself up on a "HP number". You are probably lucky that you have some breathing room with the dealer's vacation. Tractoritis clouds judgement, listen to what the readership is trying to tell you. I lean more in the direction of flusher's recommendations. IMHO you do not need a 39 HP tractor for what you intend to do. I worked my property for 20 years with a 13/11 HP tractor and always managed to get the task done before I upgraded. Get a smaller 4WD tractor and with the money you save on the tractor you can buy a lot more attachments. Jay

 

[Bob_Young]

Nissan,
If you want the seat time, go smaller. Things will take a little longer, but if you enjoy doing them and nothing else is demanding your attention; why not take your time and maybe save some money?

If other things are pressing and you need to "Git 'er done", then 39HP is about right. Just be aware that larger tractors sometimes feel like a 'bull in a china shop' when working in tight quarters.

Glowplug bought a 70HP Kubota to take care of 16 acres and, last I heard, he's one happy guy. But, being a doctor, he has more money than time. Not everyone has that problem.
Bob

 

[mikeyd]

No matter what size tractor or brand you get, i would definetly get 4wd. You will use it much more than you might think.

 

[teeravis1]

I would also recommend that you get the 4wd, it will come in very handy guaranteed ........even if you don't think you need it right now. I have a B3030 which is 30 HP, and I believe that size tractor would be plenty for the needs yo stated, and more!

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Actually, the smaller you go the more you need 4WD. Big Ag tractors with 2WD have the weight to put its HP to the ground, whereas, your typical 20-30 CUT may only weigh in the neigborhood of 3500 to 4000 lbs. Get the 4WD, you won't be sorry later. BobG in VA

 

[Dargo]

Actually, the smaller you go the more you need 4WD. Big Ag tractors with 2WD have the weight to put its HP to the ground, ...

Well, not to be contrary, but the biggest tractor I operate is one of my best friend's Case IH STX 450's. He has two of them and both are 4WD. I'm not sure what you'd consider "Big Ag", but 450hp is pretty big. Pulling a 20 yard pan will certainly show where the tractor does considerably better with the front wheels engauged along with the rears. It's actually still a huge difference to have 4X4 in the big tractors as well from what I've experienced.

 

[Dougster]

I was unable to get my Farmtrac dealer anywhere near the price you got yours to so I think for $16K it is a steal! My dealer would not go below $17,800!

I am a Mahindra kind of guy... but if I am understanding correctly what you're getting for under $16K, I say wait the week and go for it! I'm not one who would pay $3K+ more just to get a closer dealer. A much better dealer maybe... but not one who just happens to be closer. As others have said... that $3K+ saved will buy some pretty nifty attachments!

Dougster

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well, not to be contrary, but the biggest tractor I operate is one of my best friend's Case IH STX 450's. He has two of them and both are 4WD. I'm not sure what you'd consider "Big Ag", but 450hp is pretty big. Pulling a 20 yard pan will certainly show where the tractor does considerably better with the front wheels engauged along with the rears. It's actually still a huge difference to have 4X4 in the big tractors as well from what I've experienced.

Back in the mid '60's John Deere (among others) started experimenting with the practical limits of 2wd and high horsepower. (project X60) The concensus was 200 hp was just about the limit. And that required ballasted weights in excess of 18,000lbs, dual wheels, dual BIG wheels at that. Even with that combo, implement size (tillage equipment) was limited. Relatively moderate implement size with higher ground speed was the only way 200hp 2wds could show any degree of efficiency. When Deere put their knowledge gained on the production line, the result was the 6030. "Rated" @ 175hp, the 6030 would usually dyno above 225hp. They were known to spin the wheels inside the tires, causing them to deflate suddenly when enough weight was applied to give good traction. The same engine was the heart of the 4wd 8630. Not that great of a tractor over-all, the 8630 still made MUCH better use of all the power the big 531cu. in. 6-cylinder had to offer. What all this seems to prove is, more than "enough" hp is best served with more than 2 driven wheels, regardless of "big" or "small".

450hp would be a total waste for anything other than pto work with anything less than 4wd. You won't see a great deal of pto jobs for a rig of that size either. That's why a lot of those STX450's are QUAD-TRAC's.