Mahindra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

[Goodwrench3]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Shopping for the right tractor can be down right frustrating at times. It is a lot to look at and decide on. You can look at specifications all day long and still not get the answer you are looking for. Real world use is the only way to really know what each machine is really capable of.

It seems like a lot of first time buyers on here beat the He!! out of loader specs. A piece of paper with numbers should not dictate the tractor you buy. Seat time is the best thing you can do. I have a bush hog loader on my TC40. I believe the max lift weight at full height is 1300 lbs. I can tell you from personal experience that I have lifted more than that with no problems what so ever. The loader is strong and never once let me down with most of the tasks I have put it through and believe me I have tested it.

You have stated that you really like the fit and finish of the Kubota and that it is a comfortable machine. Don't second guess yourself about the loader specs. This will be a long term investment and you need to make sure you are comfortable on whatever you decide to buy.

I cannot tell you which tractor will be best for you. That is something you will ultimately have to decide for yourself. These forums are nice for finding current owners and getting opinions about their tractors. However, the opinions and comments are not always correct and some folks just plainly don't know what they are talking about.

My biggest source for information on tractors does not come from a website it comes from friends and neighbors that farm for a living and work around tractors all the time. That for me is where I put my trust when I have questions concerning things tractor related. The majority of the answers I get from them are ones I don't like hearing but they tell me straight what is up and that is what this hard head needs to hear at times.

If you like the Kubota dealer and the feel of the Kubota tractor then go for it. If you like the Mahindra dealer and the feel of that machine better and are really that concerned over loader specs (which on these small tractors is not a whole lot) then go for the Mahindra. Because if you don't you will always be second guessing yourself. I really wish you the best and hope you end up with the machine that will make YOU the happiest.

Thanks for all the insight. I do find myself focusing on specs and loader capacity, 3 pt capacity which are both higher on the Mahindra. I actually drove the 1526 1st and really liked it. But I didn't lift anything with it besides a bucket full of gravel (yawn)... Then I drove the Kubota and noticed the smoother loader valve, better paint, fit, finish. Shifter on trans range L,M,H was much smoother on Kubota. Engine was smoother on Kubota and I recognize it's C.I. and torque advantage. Problem is my local Mahindra dealer hasn't had a 1526 in stock for me to revisit after my time on the Kubota. Haven't been able to do the real world lift tests I did with the Kubota. I had to drive 3 hrs round trip just to try that1526 the 1st time. So the dealer is really letting the Mahindra down at this point. I end up reading posts and watching YouTube videos of the 1526 trying to see it at work. Certainly not ideal...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Put a bail on a trailer and take it to the dealer. :2cents:.
Take a tape measure.

 

[Goodwrench3]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Ok I'm trying to step back from loader specs and look at the other main use I'd be doing, running a 5' RC. From all I've read it seems even though both the 1526 and L2501 are 25 hp with very similar pto HP, it sounds like the L2501 Has more torque and larger displacement. Any of you guys have real world experience running a 5' brush hog behind the 1526 and/or L2501 and does that Kubota engine give it the edge? Or do both operate them effectively? One better than the other?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Ok I'm trying to step back from loader specs and look at the other main use I'd be doing, running a 5' RC. From all I've read it seems even though both the 1526 and L2501 are 25 hp with very similar pto HP, it sounds like the L2501 Has more torque and larger displacement. Any of you guys have real world experience running a 5' brush hog behind the 1526 and/or L2501 and does that Kubota engine give it the edge? Or do both operate them effectively? One better than the other?

The Kubota is a superior tractor.

 

[Peter 315]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

The Kubota is a superior tractor.

Says the guy who only owns Kubota

 

[TheMadOne]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Ok I'm trying to step back from loader specs and look at the other main use I'd be doing, running a 5' RC. From all I've read it seems even though both the 1526 and L2501 are 25 hp with very similar pto HP, it sounds like the L2501 Has more torque and larger displacement. Any of you guys have real world experience running a 5' brush hog behind the 1526 and/or L2501 and does that Kubota engine give it the edge? Or do both operate them effectively? One better than the other?

Both tractors are underpowered for a 5' cutter. A good rule of thumb is that you want 5 PTO HP per foot. So at just under 20 PTO hp, both of them would run a 4' cutter well, and would be anemic on a 5'. Unless all you're doing is sparse grass or small woody material I'd really look at bumping up to something with at least 25 PTO HP. Frankly, even a L3901, which has 10 more PTO HP, can get bogged down in heavy grass using a 5' cutter.

That said, if this is the size machine you have your heart set on, then the small bump of HP on the Kubota's PTO(0.5-1.5, depending on gear or hydro), would give it the edge IMO.

 

[LMychajluk]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

I've been looking at the Mahindras recently as well. I don't really want to go bigger (size-wise) than the 1526, but would also like a little more PTO HP as a 'just in case'. If you're set on a Mahindra, the soon-to-be available (sometime in '18) 1635 will a 35hp on the smaller frame of the 1526, so it should have around 28 HP at the PTO. You won't have the weight of the larger frame, but the power should be there for the 5 HP / ft recommendation of your implement.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

Says the guy who only owns Kubota

Well, there is a reason for that...:thumbsup:

 

[goeduck]

Re: Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L25

Ok I'm trying to step back from loader specs and look at the other main use I'd be doing, running a 5' RC. From all I've read it seems even though both the 1526 and L2501 are 25 hp with very similar pto HP, it sounds like the L2501 Has more torque and larger displacement. Any of you guys have real world experience running a 5' brush hog behind the 1526 and/or L2501 and does that Kubota engine give it the edge? Or do both operate them effectively? One better than the other?

Smart to not get hung up on loader specs. My Kubotas both lift more than their rated amounts but the pucker factor in lifting anywhere near rated load is enough to keep me at 50 to 75% rating (regardless of brand). Up high a heavy load is very dangerous, particularly if you have slopes on your property.

I can not speak to the Mahindra, nor could I say anything bad about them, but I have looked at the L2501 and it is a sweet machine.

 

[Tractorable]

Mahendra 1526 Vs Kubota L2501

My neighbor just bought a L2501 HST. When the growing season kicks in I'm planning on borrowing it to test it out with my 5ft bush hog to see how it handles mowing thick grass.

Considering that I've been mowing my fields with a 1952 Ford 8N with a 5ft bush hog for years now, and it does OK, I'm thinking the L2501 will handle it just fine.

It's not simply a factor of PTO horsepower, it's how effectively you can manage the horsepower with the transmission. The L2501HST allows you infinitely variable speed. With the 8N, you can't slow down enough due to the geared transmission, so occasionally in very thick grass it can stall out if you don't step on the clutch. With HST, you just slow down and let the bush hog chew up the grass then keep on mowing.

I'm sure lots of folks out there are using 5ft bush hogs on their L2501's without any issues at all.