Intro and new tractor search questions

[robd123]

Hi All,

I've been learning from reading the posts for a while. Now that I can post, I hope to get some things sorted out in my search for a tractor.

Right now my thoughts are toward a 6500 w/ FEL. I have 80 acres, most of which is pasture and cattle. I'm looking for a tractor to maintain my 3/4 mile driveway (grading gravel and clearing snow), brush hog, put in fence (lots of post holes), make and move round hay bales, and I'm sure I'll find lots of other uses as well.

Does the 6500 sound like the best value for the work? The closest Mahindra dealer (26 miles) says it is $24,500 with the FEL.

What are the pros/cons in comparing the 6500 with the 6520? The 6520 is about $3000 more. Why and is it worth it?

Does anyone have an opinion regarding the one spike verses dual spike loader attachment for moving round bales?

I'm looking forward to the input.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Blu 82]

Rob--I bought a 7520 w/FEL for $26,710 from a dealer in AL. Take a look at the posts on "Update on all 7520s" for my initial review and costs from several 7520 owners. I liked the ergonomics on the 7520, the extra hyd flow, extra pwr, and other things. So far have been very pleased w/the tractor, my dealer, and Mahindra. They have been very responsive.
rob

 

[jwcinpk]

I'm using the 6000 for all you describe. I've got 170 acres. Have a few cattle, pigs, chickens, and goats. I put up a lot of hay. Rounds and squares. The 6000 has plenty of power for this. Actually if I had it to do over I would go with the 5500. The only stress on my tractor is when i'm running the 9ft disc mower. I think it's just too big in thick grass. 6000 does fine with myVermeer rebel roller.
As for the 20 series I haven't looked at them close, but I can't see the extra money. 00 series is a good bang for the buck. I sure hope Mahindra keeps them around a while.

 

[robd123]

Thanks Rob, those have been helpful responses.

I'm hoping to get by with less tractor if I can so I'll be able to use the extra money to by the needed implements. I've seen the warnings of people buying too small of a tractor and then needing to upgrade. I definitely want to avoid that but still I don't want to spend more than I have to.

Are there others out there who needed a larger tractor but went with something smaller than the 75's? If so what were your reasons for doing so? I guess input the other way would be helpful too. Those of you who went with the biggest, did you just need the extra HP or did other considerations tip the scale for you?

Rob

 

[robd123]

jwcinpk,

That's helpful. You're the first one I've heard say you would go smaller if you had it to do over. Is that just to have saved some money or are there other considerations?

Everytime I've asked, I've been told that if I wanted to make round bales I needed a tractor with a minimum of 60 HP. The difference between the 5500 and 6500 is only 54 vs 59 HP on the engine and 44 vs 50 HP on the PTO. When you get to a difference of just 5 or 6 HP, is that significant or negligible? If it is signigicant, is 54 engine and 44 PTO enough for baling, mowing, and brush hogging? (I know that last question depends on the size of the implement. What size makes sense with 80 acres and is it enough tractor to do things without too much strain?)

It looks like your answer, jwcinpk, is yes, except maybe for the 9 ft. mower. What size are your other implements?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[BobG_in_VA]

robd123: Not sure if you mistyped but the 6500 is about 65HP engine vs. the 59 hp you quoted. 59hp is the stated hp on the 6000, with 50 at the PTO. Pls note that Mahindra is one company that UNDERSTATES their HP. the 6000 with commonly dyno at 3-5 hp more than stated in specs. Also with fluid in the rears on a 6000 w/FEL you're looking at over 9000lbs. I haven't had ANYTHING stall the engine. Even at over 9000 lbs, I'll lose traction before I need more HP. If you are enthrawled by hp numbers then go for the 75xx (which is actually the 6000 engine with a turbo), otherwise "downsize" as has been stated and get a 6000 with a 78" FEL. You will forgo a couple of ergonomic things but after you ride it a few minutes you probably won't notice any change. BobG in VA

 

[robd123]

Yes, I meant to type 6000 in my comparison with the 5500. These comments are helpful. I'm going to start looking more seriously at the 5500 and 6000. It doesn't sound like I need as much tractor as I originally thought.

Rob

 

[KennethBrown]

I have a 5500 2wd with about 100 hours on it. I have 36 acres partially wooded/rest pasture that I run horses on. I use the tractor as a poor boy dozer when needed, and its been needed alot, probaly 60 of its hours has been pushing trees and scrub brush down. It moves round bales with no problem, front or rear. It has never let me down UNLESS I asked WAY too much from it. Perfect tractor for my needs. That being said if I did it over and had the money I would have a 6500 fwd. You can never have enough power.

 

[weldingisfun]

Have you gone to the Mahindra Website? They offer a "Compare Models" link, Mahindra USA - Product Comparison . It allows you to answer the questions you are asking. I used it three years ago before I bought my 4500 4WD. It sure helped me.

 

[robd123]

Yes, I have used the Compare Models page a lot. Right now I'm down to the 6000 4WD/FEL. The price I'm looking at is $21,900. Then adding a loader mounted dual bale spike, a 3pt bale spike, a 70 series rear mounted straight blade, a 2102 post hole auger with downward pressure cylinder. Those are all Bush Hog brand and add up to $2410, for a grand total of $24,310. Does that sound like I'm getting a decent deal?

Is it wise to get the tires filled? If so, front and back or just back? What is normally used to fill them? The dealer says they use antifreeze.

I'm planning to go this Saturday to look things over and hopefully finalize things.

Thanks for all the helpful comments everyone has contributed.

Rob