Mahindra 4540 vs. Massey Ferguson 1742

[Summer9530]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this forum and looking for tips to make a decision on buying a new tractor. I have 9 acres in South Texas and take care of my property myself so a reliable tractor is a must for me. I'm looking at a Mahindra 4540 and drove a Massey Ferguson 1742 today. Both tractors have 41 HP and PTO of 33 hp. The 4540 is much heavier than the 1742.

I'm going to use the tractor to keep a 7 acre pasture mowed instead of paying someone to do it for me a couple of times during the spring and summer. I also want to use it to move dirt and round bales. I'm sure once I have it though, I'll find other uses for it.

I'm looking for advice to to help me make an informed decision. I was sold on the Mahindra 4540 at first because it's basic and I like that. If it were a car to drive to work, I'd like more options, but this is a machine that I don't want to be afraid to get dirty and put to the test. .....But, after driving the Massey Feguson today, it planted some thoughts in my head. If I'm using the front end loader, a power shuttle would come in handy (Massey Ferguson) instead of the manual shift. It might get old switching gears manually on a Mahindra and the 4540 doesn't have power shuttle. I also didn't like the location of the front end loader levers on the Mahindra. They seemed too far forward where the Massey Ferguson had the lever right beside the driver's seat.

Any thoughts or ideas about other things I should be considering? Is one make more reliable than the other?

I appreciate your input.

JK

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm guessing that there is a pretty big price difference?? Like you noticed, the 1742 is one nice tractor. :drool: Plain and simple has it's place, just not so sure that it is with tractors anymore. :confused3:

 

[Summer9530]

Hi MtnViewRanch,
Very good point. thanks for your input. Yes, there was a considerable price difference. I loved the Mahindra but just got worried about buying "too" basic of a tractor to where it would be tiresome to shift gears if using the front end loader. I was also reading about the MH 2555 (with power shuttle) and may take a peak at that tomorrow.

Thanks again,
Jeannette

 

[paulfun9]

Plain and simple still has its place but is depends on the operator sitting at the controls.

 

[kneedeep]

Get a Mahindra with Shuttle Shift and whatever other features you want. Mahindra has some good incentives and financing including equipment,
Get a bigger tractor than you think you need.

JMHO

 

[Summer9530]

Hi paulfun,
thanks for your input. I looked at the shuttle shift today and think I'm going to stay with the basics (4540).

 

[Summer9530]

Hi kneedeep,
Thanks for your feedback. I drove a shuttle shift today. Think I'm going to stay with the 4540.

 

[paulfun9]

Jeannette

Looking back at your first and second post it seems you looked at a very different tractor to compare the shuttle shift with the 2555, I would think if interested in the 4540 the better one to compare in shuttle would be the 4550.

 

[GManBart]

Not to be too blunt, but buying a tractor with a standard transmission for mowing and FEL work is a mistake for almost anybody unless there simply isn't enough in the budget to allow for alternatives. I say that as someone who's only farm tractor now has a standard transmission (have owned HST machines before, as well as power shuttles). A shuttle or HST transmission will save you a lot of time, and can lead to far less costly mistakes. One slip of the clutch at the wrong time, and you can do quite a bit of damage to the machine, or other things.

I use my Massey for mowing primarily, and it would save me quite a bit of time if it had a power shuttle or HST. If your fields are wide open, and you have absolutely nothing to cause you to make tight turns, back up, change speeds, etc, it won't be a big difference, but that seems to be the exception for many of us.

For FEL work there simply isn't any comparison...the standard transmission is the worst choice of all. Try creeping up to something very carefully and it's obviously much harder to do with a standard transmission. With an HST setup it's child's play. With some power shuttles it's nearly child's play (depends on the exact system).

For a novice operator, there's also a good chance the standard transmission will require maintenance due to clutch wear which is not a cheap fix. Most people get used to a power shuttle or HST setup within a few hours of use, at most, and would never go back....for a reason.

 

[Summer9530]

Hi Paulfun,
Yes, they were two totally different tractors and thought the 2540 wouldn't be able to move round bales so I thought about staying with the 4540. I also got information from GManBart (very good perspective) and will take another look at all of my options during the week.

Thanks again.
Jeannette