Help-Purchase replacement tractor

[artp]

I am looking at needing to replace Dad痴 Ford 1210. Dad bought it new over 20 years ago and served him well for very light duty. I have been using it with a Model 926 48 inch mower to cut about 3-4 acres of open pasture. It does OK, but is somewhat under powered when going thru tall & thick weeds. I also use it to prepare a fair sized garden as he has a tiller and sub-soiler attachments. I am looking to upgrade & wanted to get input from Mahindra owners for advice about what model might be right for my needs. They only other thing I would really like is the ability to put a front end blade on the tractor. The rear blade with the Ford is OK, but I really prefer a blade up front. Dad痴 old Farmall Cub used to work great, but unfortunately it is not running and would take a lot to get it back & going.

Thanks for your advice.

ArtP

 

[ChuckinNH]

I haven't seen any front attachment options for Mahindra's. It could be you will have to look at Massey, Kubota, or Deere. I'm not sure about the new Cub Yanmar's, or the Bobcat version of the Kioti's.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Depending on how big a tractor you want the Mahindra 1815/1816 or the 2415/2516, both have 0% financing for 60 months going on right now. A front blade can easily be fabricated to fit. Check them out.

 

[artp]

I have been rethinking my need for a front blade and instead am considering a box blade to maintain my rock driveway and parking area in front of my storage sheds. Would this be a better option for what I am wanting to do?

Since most of the time I will be using the tractor for cutting would purchasing a quick attach adapter make sense & save time when I occassionaly need the FEL? Would this also be desirable if I should latter want to add a front blade?

My local Mahindra dealer gave me a package price of just under $ 16,700 (straight cash deal) for a new 2615 HST with a ML106 loader, 5ft Rhino Cutter and 5 ft box blade. I did not get a figure for trade in on my Ford 1210 with a 4ft finish mowerand 5ft rear blade, but he offered to try to sell it for me. He thought I could get about $ 2000 for the package.

I also looked at a New Holland TC26DA similarly equipped, but it priced out at just under $20,000. Dealer would give me $ 2000-2500 for my 1210 with the 4ft finish mower and 5ft rear blade.

Either tractor would seem to meet my needs. I am planning on more extensive "test drive" to sort this out.

The Mahindra deal is appealing, but I don't know about the best way to get some money out of my old equipment. Don't have any experience in selling used equipment.

Both dealers are very reputable. The Mahindra dealer is only about 5 miles away. The NH dealer is about 30 minutes away so getting service is not a real problem.

Does this seem like a good deal? Good match for want I am wanting to do?

I would really appreciate input from the guys on this board.

 

[AchingBack]

I have been rethinking my need for a front blade and instead am considering a box blade to maintain my rock driveway and parking area in front of my storage sheds. Would this be a better option for what I am wanting to do?

Since most of the time I will be using the tractor for cutting would purchasing a quick attach adapter make sense & save time when I occassionaly need the FEL? Would this also be desirable if I should latter want to add a front blade?

My local Mahindra dealer gave me a package price of just under $ 16,700 (straight cash deal) for a new 2615 HST with a ML106 loader, 5ft Rhino Cutter and 5 ft box blade. I did not get a figure for trade in on my Ford 1210 with a 4ft finish mowerand 5ft rear blade, but he offered to try to sell it for me. He thought I could get about $ 2000 for the package.

I also looked at a New Holland TC26DA similarly equipped, but it priced out at just under $20,000. Dealer would give me $ 2000-2500 for my 1210 with the 4ft finish mower and 5ft rear blade.

Either tractor would seem to meet my needs. I am planning on more extensive "test drive" to sort this out.

The Mahindra deal is appealing, but I don't know about the best way to get some money out of my old equipment. Don't have any experience in selling used equipment.

Both dealers are very reputable. The Mahindra dealer is only about 5 miles away. The NH dealer is about 30 minutes away so getting service is not a real problem.

Does this seem like a good deal? Good match for want I am wanting to do?

I would really appreciate input from the guys on this board.

The TC26DA is being discontinued. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...holland-discontinue-tc26da.html?highlight=TC+
That alone would disqualify it from my short list.

 

[artp]

Curious. I checked with 2 NH dealers near me and both said that the TC26DA is still being produced. Sales talk? The TC26DA set up is over $ 3000 more than the Mahindra 2615 with similar setup. Will be checking this out more closely. Still need to see what Kubota may offer. Thanks for your input.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Art,
Make sure you are comparing weight, and physical dimensions of the tractors, you are comparing, as it is almost more important than HP.

 

[artp]

Had a chance to drive the 2615HST. Handled well & would probaby be plently of tractor for my needs. Only prloblem is leg room/pedal placement. I am over 6ft tall & with my long legs it felt a little tight. Don't really need a tractor with more hp, but may need to look at other tractors in the Mahindra line. The NH and Kubota may fit me (physically better). Any one else have the same observation?

 

[jct-mo]

artp, I'm 6'2" and have had my 2816 for about a month and a half, and I feel like I have room and stuff/pedals seem fine. I didn't look at Kubota when I was buying but did drive an NH (can't remember the model) and it seemed about the same in terms of room. I did find the NH a bit more "plasticky" and kinda cheap feeling, though the price was more than the 2816 I ended up going with. Anyway, my $.02

 

[Charlie175]

The loader on my 2015 comes off very easy, my son timed me at 6 minutes once....

I'm 6' even and find the 2015 a good fit, all the controls are right there for me. Did you adjust the seat back?

 

[artp]

Yes. The salesman thought we might be able to change the mounting brackets and gain another inch or so but there is not much more to go since the back of the seat is very close to the tool box. I am just long legged & my old knees get a little stiff if I can't stretch them out a bit. The right leg is only real problem since the foot throttle position doesn't give you (at least to me) a lot of room. Since I have never had a HST before some of this might just be ketting use to the foot control. I guess pushing 60 doesn't help. I was able to get into a 3215 that a customer had bought earlier this year & it seemed a little better. The 3215 would kick up the price another $ 1500 & put it close to the Kubota B7800 HSD-F and L2800 HST-F. I had a chance to sit on the Kubotas and both seemed more accomodating expecially the L2800. I will need to test these out more though. I did have a chance to drive a NH TC34. Very smooth, fit me well, but really more tractor than I need and much more expensive. I will need to look further at the NH line, but my impression is that it will cost a lot more in the NH line then something similar in Kubota or Mahindra. I still liked the feel & handling of the Mahindra. Felt very soild yet nimble with smooth controls. Just my first impression. PS the dealer is only 5 minutes away & very knowledgeable. Just makes the decision harder.

 

[MajMac392]

artp, I have an older Cub Cadet, 23HP, model but it is essentially the same frame, fit, etc as 2615 Mahindra. The tractor like the Mahindra's is a solid, tough one made by Mitsubishi, rebadged and spiffed up some by Mahindra. That said, I've always thought the 'cockpit' of that series could use a little more room to make it much more comfortable. I'm right at 6', not your size but close. Both the 2815/6 and the 3215/6 are slightly larger frame tractors and have a bigger cockpit area. Either one of them would be my choice, hopefully when I upgrade to 1) get a little more HP, and 2) go to an HST.

Another free opinion!

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Art,
Have the dealer raise the seat an inch or 2 and back as far as it can go and I think you will find it a whole lot better. I have done this on the 4110 & 3510 and it is a big improvement.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Hey art:
We have about the same needs and wants for a tractor. I bought essentially the same setup you were quoted for about $2500 less about a year ago, but that was an exceptional deal even at that time. I imagine prices in general have gone up a bit since then, so it sounds like you're in the ballpark.

Regarding the box blade v. front blade, the box is definitely better, in my opinion, for maintaining gravel/stone driveways. I've actually been surprised with the versatility of the thing, especially with its adjustable/removable scarifiers that I use like small rippers for soil preparation. I've also tamed quite a few acres of very rough pasture with it, and can now mow it in mid-range rather than crawl along in low, bouncing like crazy, like I did at first.

When it comes to bang for the buck, the 2615 in general has been one of the best machines I've ever owned, of any kind. I've been constantly amazed by its performance, and it fits me just fine. But if it doesn't fit you, you won't be happy, especially if you plan to spend more than a couple of hours at a time on it. I'd advise you keep looking until you find the perfect fit.

 

[AchingBack]

I'd have my legs shortened before I'd pass up the chance to own a 2615. Maybe you could work barefooted, and have enough cockpit room.

 

[artp]

Hey guys the choices are getting hard. Here is where I am at & I need to make a decision very soon. Please give me your input. Here is what I am down to:

Mahindra 2815HST with ML111 loader 5 Ft Buhler finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #1 $ 16,975 less trade in net cash $ 14,175
Dealer #2 $ 15,850 less trade in net cash $ 14,400

Kubota L2800HST with LA 463 loader Land Pride 5ft finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #3 $ 16,908 less trade in net cash $ 14,200
Dealer #4 $ 18,322 less trade in net cash $ 15,522

Kioti CK30HST with KL130 Loader, Kioti 5 Ft finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #5 $ 16,439 less trade in net cash ??

I have driven all of the tractors & any can handle the work I need now and (I believe) down the road as best I can see. All felt solid, handled well, ran smooth, loader controls felt good. I felt comfortable in the seat, good leg room, ect.

Dealer # 1 is about 50 miles away. Large dealership, very knowledgeable and I have a “good comfort level” with him

Dealer # 2 is local-only 5 miles away and is very eager for my business. He did not have a 2815 in stock and would incur substantial freight charges to get one from another dealer. He is willing to split the freight cost to make the deal. If we can not agree on the price, he is still very comfortable in servicing it-no hard feelings if I don’t buy there.

Dealer # 3 is also local (about 15 miles away). He has been in business for many years with a good reputation.

Dealer #4 (about 40 miles away) also has a good reputation, but higher on his price.

The Kioti dealer is a young man who has only been in business as a dealer for a few years, but seems very knowledgeable and is steadily building his business. He stated that his mechanics have attended national training classes for Kioti and have had years of experience at other local dealerships before joining him. I checked the man out with a good neighbor of mine who has known him for many years & speaks highly of him. He is coming out tonight to look at my trade in and give me a firm net cash price. If his price is in the ball park, it will be a tough decision.

PS I made a mistake on my earlier thread on the Kioti forum for the CK25 & the CK30. Those prices were for the tractor & loader only, not the attachments. Dealer said he understated the pricing in the above quote, but he would stick to it since that is what he gave me.

 

[AchingBack]

Dealer #2. Willing to compromise, willing to service. I can't believe you'd consider buying from #1, 50 miles away, just to save $225.00

 

[artp]

AchingBack,

I was only laying out the "options". If I were to go with the 2815, I agree that the closer dealer would get the nod. Waiting a few weeks to get delivery would not be a problem. I should have clarified that earlier. Thanks for your reply.

 

[AchingBack]

artp, does dealer #2 have a 2615? If so, what implements have you that would be too big for it? I ask because you are considering the 2800 which has 24 pto, hp, and the 2615 pto puts out 24 hp on a dynomometer, and the engine puts out 28 hp on the dyno test.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Well, you're in the Mahindra forum, so you're probably not going to get a lot of guys telling you not to get one. But I think you'll likely be happy with either Mahindra or Kibota. I've spent time on both, and it generally comes down to what fits best. I've never been on a Kioti.

I had the same choice for dealers as you: local guy in Vacaville (only 35 miles away) eager for business, or Dave up in Red Bluff ('bout 75 miles). I went local and have been very happy with the experience. They delivered to my front door, and we did the deal in the kitchen. Happy as a pig in s___ ever since, and Dave was happy too, since he assembles all the Mahindras sold in the Western US.

Happy tractoring!