I have heard that Mahindra's overpressure their pumps/lines to help with strength, and eventually (regularly) they fail.
Don't forget to compare spec sheets. You have some heavy work to do. Also, unless I'm mistaken, you're comparing a 26 HP Mahindra with a 35 HP Yanmar? Would explain the price difference!
A couple of thoughts that might help in the search.
Don't put too much emphasis on lift capability either with the FEL or the 3pt. If the brochure numbers are within 10 or 15% of each other chances are that they are so close to really being the same that you will never notice a difference.
For some mysterious reason, some manufacturers exaggerate all the time and others not at all. I won't name them, but in a few years you will figure it out. As for lifting specs, there isn't even complete agreement on how these are to be measured.
And if that weren't enough to mess up a nice spread sheet, there are a couple of really simple ways to fudge hydraulic system pressures and therefore lifting forces as well. We can go into them if you want to, but basically it doesn't matter if the brochure says one brand can lift 2500 lbs and another brand of tractor only 2000 lbs. In the first place they are probably about the same in the real world, and even if they are not it's only one extra trip out of every five - and probably more comfortable trips with the lesser weight anyway.
Something that hasn't been mentioned are the books that can come with the tractor. As you negotiate for the tractor, ask the dealer to throw in the "Factory Workship Manual" and the "Parts Manual" along with the usual "Operator's Manual". The first two are often worth a few hundred dollars, but will pay for themselves the first time that you have a question about what goes where.....or the next door neighbor comes over to help you figure out something on the tractor.
Neighborly Hint: Most experienced mechanics will pay most attention to the exploded illustrations in the Parts Manual, and then tend to refer to the Factory Workshop Manual when they need to look up a specification or a schematic or have some question about a procedure..
The quality of these technical publications vary dramatically between the different manufacturers. Some seem to treat them as an afterthought while others almost seem like they are personally wanting to teach people about their tractors. In the old days, JD and Yanmar were famed for the quality of their technical publications. It would be interesting to see who cares the most today.
rScotty
