Getting Serious About Buying My First Tractor......Which One?

[Jchonline]

If you are looking at the MX I dont think you are going to run into issues with weight. You may want to look at the M6060 or M7060 utility tractors as well with that much mowing to do and the prospect of cows. More loader work = HST better, more pasture work = Gear with shuttle better (IMO). Any similar spec/feature machine in another brand is of course fine and a personal choice. Just be sure you have informed about that specific machine and the dealer’s support network. How long has that dealer been selling Mahindra? Do they sell other brands as well? Do they have service trucks that come to you? What do they charge for service to your house? Are they going to have parts when you need them? Can they keep mechanics around?

What about RK, LS, TYM, Deere, Massey, New Holland, Kioti? Have you looked for dealers in your area or already eliminated some of the as choices?

 

[tradosaurus]

I've been doing a lot of reading and watching videos lately. I am between a Mahindra 4540 or a Kubota MX5200 or L4701DT. My land as you can see from the aerial pic is about 95% pasture land. I have a couple of hills that I bush hog, the one pic gives you a general idea of one of the hills (the other hill is steeper). As of now, I do not have any animals on my land. I just bush hog it when needed, but am planning on eventually getting some animals (probably cows). We have roughly 26 acres, and the chance of us expanding that is slim to none. Just looking for any input from all you experienced folks. This will be my first tractor, and I am a city boy living on some land .

What I like about the Mahindra is how heavy it is (5k). I have also been told it's a benefit that it doesn't have to ReGen. I know the dealer personally and he is stand up guy. I honestly don't think I'd have any issues with warranty work.

With the Kubota, I have heard great things about the reliability, and they have some great rates/package deals right now. The one thing and maybe the only thing I don't like on the Kubota is how light it is compared to the 4540.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

My understanding is that instead of a Regen the Mahindra uses MCRD which uses a detoxification catalyst which just means that instead of burning hot for a little bit (Regen) it burns hot all the time.

I would go with the Kubota MX5200.

 

[nybirdman]

Of those three the MX would be my choice;stronger loader than the L4701;personally wouldn't consider Mahindra.Anyone I know that purchased one is "not" happy.I know one fellow that waited three months for a starter on a fairly new machine.Neighbor purchased a TYM;kept it less than a year.

 

[TheMadOne]

Coby-----I'm not sure on the 3 point hitch, but I believe the FEL the 4540 lifts about 700 more.

Eric----That's a great idea with the spreadsheet...thanks!

MadOne----I will watch the video, but I am assuming there are similar videos out there about Kubota.

Actually, the same guy has a video expressing frustration with his M7060 puking hydraulic oil. The difference to me is that Kubota corporate, when made aware of the issue, kicked the dealer into gear to get it made right, and that tractor has been his mainstay ever since. There are great Mahindra tractors. They're made by TYM. Pretty much anything actually made by Mahindra is crude compared to modern offerings from Kubota, Deere, LS, etc.. The 4540 uses straight cut gears, for instance.

Here's a video of the 4550 by TBN sponser Messicks.

Neil lays out the issues with that model, and the whole 45XX line pretty well.

 

[RollTide1974]

If you are looking at the MX I dont think you are going to run into issues with weight. You may want to look at the M6060 or M7060 utility tractors as well with that much mowing to do and the prospect of cows. More loader work = HST better, more pasture work = Gear with shuttle better (IMO). Any similar spec/feature machine in another brand is of course fine and a personal choice. Just be sure you have informed about that specific machine and the dealer’s support network. How long has that dealer been selling Mahindra? Do they sell other brands as well? Do they have service trucks that come to you? What do they charge for service to your house? Are they going to have parts when you need them? Can they keep mechanics around?

What about RK, LS, TYM, Deere, Massey, New Holland, Kioti? Have you looked for dealers in your area or already eliminated some of the as choices?

I have only looked at Mahindra and Kubota so far. I talked with JD, but they were about 3k higher for around the same package.

 

[TractorNH]

Actually, the same guy has a video expressing frustration with his M7060 puking hydraulic oil. The difference to me is that Kubota corporate, when made aware of the issue, kicked the dealer into gear to get it made right, and that tractor has been his mainstay ever since. There are great Mahindra tractors. They're made by TYM. Pretty much anything actually made by Mahindra is crude compared to modern offerings from Kubota, Deere, LS, etc.. The 4540 uses straight cut gears, for instance.

Here's a video of the 4550 by TBN sponser Messicks.

Neil lays out the issues with that model, and the whole 45XX line pretty well.

Chucky on YouTube is a chuckle head. He breaks everything he gets whether it's a tractor or a welder or just about anything else. Then he makes a video of how it is (insert company name here)'s fault when it's actually his own ignorance.

Here's the video where he bad mouths Kubota....
THREE REASONS NOT TO BUY A KUBOTA - YouTube

I'd also expect nothing less than Neil, a Kubota salesman, to be talking bad about a competing brand.

 

[TractorNH]

Kubotas are the Honda or Toyota of tractors. Mahindra is the Kia of tractors. John Deere is the Chevy or Ford of tractors. LS and TYM are the Chrysler of tractors.

Shots fired!!

LS & TYM are actually the Hyundai of tractors if you're comparing nationalities. Both are made in Korea though like Hyundai, more refined than Kia.

 

[MMalabama]

I've only ever owned the Mahindra 4540 4x4 and loader. It has been a great tractor, had it for three years now and have had zero issues with it, except the battery died when i let it sit for a couple months. It is going to weigh more and lift more than comparable tractors, period. It has similar displacement to a much higher HP tractor. As reliable as it has been, and trust me it covers all my needs, I probably wouldn't buy it again, and that is because of the GEAR shift. When doing loader work I often wish I had gotten something with a shuttle, and that is basically my only complaint, but its a big deal when youre operating it for hours at a time. At the time of purchase it was significantly less expensive than comparable KB and JD so I thought i could get more weight and power for less cash, which is true, but im thinking you may enjoy that KB with shuttle or you could look at 55xx model Mahindras.

 

[TheMadOne]

Chucky on YouTube is a chuckle head. He breaks everything he gets whether it's a tractor or a welder or just about anything else. Then he makes a video of how it is (insert company name here)'s fault when it's actually his own ignorance.

Here's the video where he bad mouths Kubota....
THREE REASONS NOT TO BUY A KUBOTA - YouTube

I'd also expect nothing less than Neil, a Kubota salesman, to be talking bad about a competing brand.

Neil also has good points about the transmission and other fit/finish issues with the 45XX line. And if you watch the comparison series he's pretty fair to Deere.

 

[RollTide1974]

The gears in the middle are the one thing I am afraid I will get tired of. I like the simplicity of the tractor, but know if I had to do a lot of FEL work it would get old. Just something else for me to think about.

I've only ever owned the Mahindra 4540 4x4 and loader. It has been a great tractor, had it for three years now and have had zero issues with it, except the battery died when i let it sit for a couple months. It is going to weigh more and lift more than comparable tractors, period. It has similar displacement to a much higher HP tractor. As reliable as it has been, and trust me it covers all my needs, I probably wouldn't buy it again, and that is because of the GEAR shift. When doing loader work I often wish I had gotten something with a shuttle, and that is basically my only complaint, but its a big deal when youre operating it for hours at a time. At the time of purchase it was significantly less expensive than comparable KB and JD so I thought i could get more weight and power for less cash, which is true, but im thinking you may enjoy that KB with shuttle or you could look at 55xx model Mahindras.