looking to purchase a compact tractor

[dwl]

Regarding weight, I was considering weight with regard to the tractor being able to withstand the loader and it use, and stability.

I have call the Case/IH dealer and the DX24 was more than the NH TC24 by almost $2,000. I have also call the MF dealer and am going to look at a 1423 this afternoon. They are less money than the NH, at least in my area.
Thanks for all your imput.

 

[To20Chris]

Actually, I agree with you to some extent - many of us know a landscaper, and start our tractor purchace process with the kinds of tractors they use. If I were transporting a CUT around everyday, you can bet I'd be looking towards a lighter unit.

 

[DavesTractor]

dwl,

Nothing against NH or Kubota, but weight does matter.

Kubota, New Holland and John Deere, in some of there models, have produced a tractor with a lot more HP per lb. Great for mowing and hauling around, and they are still fine machines, but traction is an issue, as is the ability to safely lift adequate amounts on the three-point or in the loader.

Mahindra tends to build a heavier tractor with higher lift capacities. The 15 series Mahindra is built in Japan by Mitsubishi, so it is not as though we are talking about inferior metal or inferior quality. It is just a different design objective. (Kioti tractors seem to be built with similar heft to the Mahindra models.)

You might look at the 2615 model as well. It is a notch up in size and power.

Mahindra is nipping on the heals of the big three worldwide and sales have been increasing dramatically in the USA, especially since the introduction of the smaller tractors to the Mahindra line. Dealer support has not yet achieved the level of the big 3 on a nationwide basis, but that is improving on an almost daily basis.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> Regarding weight, I was considering weight with regard to the tractor being able to withstand the loader and it use, and stability.
</font>

I think the key word is stability.

To gain stability when using a loader, you need proper ballast. Ballast is weight in the correct place. Take a look at the Mahindra discussions, those are heavy tractors. There is currently a thread running about a guy with a large model Mahnindra, another guy, also an owner of a large model (if memory serves me a 5500???) and he says he needs weight on the back end because with a full bucket of rock the tractor gets tippy. If that is true on a large heavy machine it is going to be just as true on small 20 to 24 hp machines when there is a mere few hundred pounds total weight difference spread over the entire length of the tractor.

My point is that no matter how heavy your machine, a loader designed for that machine is going to make it unstable if the machine is not properly ballasted. And ballast is defined as weight in the correct place. And that is easily described by going to a child's playground and looking at the "see saw" or "teeter totter" When there is similar weight on both sides, then toy is safe for both children, but if one child weights more than the other, then the toy is not stable.

 

[DavesTractor]

Bob, good point on the ballast. Generally a heavier tractor is equipped with a loader that lifts more and you are right back to the same instability problem, albeit with a little more load. Proper ballast is a must with any tractor. You can't say that enough.

 

[44trxfun]

dwl, you mention that your tractor will be used for some landscaping work. I don't know the particulars of either tractor you're considering, but be sure to check out 3PH operation if that's going to be important to you. Mine, for example, has no position control, which in hindsight I wish I'd given more thought to before I bought. Also, the layout of the operator's platform is a little cumbersome when doing 3PH work. Neither has been a real problem for me, but hindsight is definately 20/20. Good luck to you.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You might look at the 2615 model as well. It is a notch up in size and power. )</font>
dwl, I think Dave has a great idea there. Check out the larger Mahindra model, and probably get it for around the same or less than the NH/Case. It's a fine tractor that I have ridden on, but I didn't get deep into pricing as I didn't like the dealer very much. The tractor was pretty awesome though. John