Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability?

   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #61  
Original questions: Quality and Reliability

My cut on my CUT: I did a lot of research and pricing. Originally looked at used tractors, but decided I didn't want to buy somebody else's problems. On the used market, the old JD's seemed to have the highest asking prices. Whether they got that or not, I'll never know. Most of what I saw in what I considered to be my price range used were junk (all brands) and that's only a reflection on the seller, not necessarily the brand. I really only had stats and price to go on for new tractors, and Mahindra won out by a long shot at my time of purchase. I had wanted to go american-made if I bought new, but in the less-than-100 HP market, there is no such thing.

Quality on my tractor seems to be OK. It is very simple and has nothing of what I would consider to be the latest and greatest in technology. My car and truck are diesel and both are turbocharged. I am curious about why the tractor wouldn't be. There are too many advantages for turbo on a diesel to omit it. It appears to be very stout in comparison to other major brands in the same HP category. If I recall correctly, the Mahindras have a lot more steel and road hugging weight to them than the competitors, as a rule. It has an archaic fuel injection system and no glow plugs, but does have an intake heater to make up for it. The first few minutes of run time in warm weather can be pretty rough and smoky, to which I believe the heater is the cause. It has, however, always started just fine in cold weather, also owed to the intake heater. The paint job is fairly sloppy, i.e. nuts and bolts that are removed and replaced frequently were just painted over with gray paint in thick layers. Comfort and user friendly controls are OK, no complaints. Ease of removing and replacing the FEL is outstanding. Access for normal maintenance is fine, but aren't all tractors? The screen in front of the radiator is a a good idea, but maybe all tractors have that (I just don't know), and you really have to keep it clean or the coolant temp guage will be talking to you. I'm more than pleased with the tractor.

Reliability remains to be seen. I wish I could answer this better, as this was a major concern of mine as well when buying. My only problem in the first 200 hours was a sheared roll pin that holds the PTO engage lever to the linkage. Everything else has been just fine. I think we need a few more years of hard working tractors to formulate a valid opinion on Mahindra in this respect.

I didn't consider resale value any whatsoever. I intend to farm until I can't and certainly don't want to have to buy any more tractors. I can't wait to get this one paid off and don't want another payment.

Good luck with your buying decision.
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #62  
Actually Deere has some US made tractors under the 100 hp range! Union plants too! Specifically the 25 series and I believe the new compacts also.
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #63  
Here is my simple answer. We have sold over 800 new Mahindras in the last 5-6 years. I can count on one hand how many of them have been lemons.
In our area, I feel Mahindra resale is as strong as any brand. Everyday I hear customers say " My neighbor bought one of these from you and really likes it". /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Steve
Artec Tractor & Equipment
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #64  
Hi Steve,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm one of your happy customers. It's great to see someone from Artec posting here. Jeremy was the salesman I worked with back in August. Tell him I said hello.

BR
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #65  
I have a 4530 that had the same problem. I am a car mechanic that has worked on the old floor shift cars.(Hurst shifters and stock) This tractor has to be adjusted on the shift linkage the same way. When I took my floor board up two hydraulic lines for the FEL was rubbing on the shift arms also. My dealer said it shifted OK. My wife could not shift it. Now it works.

I posted the above about my tractor not shifting. I am glad to see some one from atec here. I bought my tractor from Jamie at Artec. They were very helpful after and before the sale. They fixed several other things for me. I saved money dealing with Artec. There were two problems they could not fix. I fixed the above one and the factory rep is going to bring dye an find a leak. He is going to work with me and come when I can be there. I did not have to ask for the rep to called me. You can not beat that deal. When that leak stops I will be a happy camper.
I think there is going to be nothing wrong with the 4530 after the minor new problems are fixed. I saved $10,000 off the other major brands in my opinion. I checked them all.
There has been talk about the shifter being weak. There is nothing weak about the shifter. It is just not adjusted correctly if there is a problem with it at all . If you think it is weak take the floor board and shifter cover off and look. When it is right it shifts likes cutting hot butter.

John
4530 in Aliceville, Alabama
Retire June 1 Hot Dog
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #66  
Hello to bamarob. Just responding to your earlier email regarding your being able to purch a new M for less than a comparably equiped used JD or K. I actually took your advice and began comparing prices between new M's & used and in the meantime was able to pick up a used JD4400 (900 hrs 36HP HST) with FEL & post hole digger for 13300, which was considerably less than a new M 3510 with FEL (prices ranged from 17500 to 18100). The JD has a few more hours than I wanted but is in fine shape, & included a dealer check out & complete service in the price. I really liked the M's, but I think I got the better deal for my application since I spent a lot less $$ and comparably equip'd JD 4400's go for between 16K & 17K all day long in the resale mkt. Plus I got the HST which is really nice. But thanks for your comments & suggestions - We'll both have fun with our machines I'm sure.
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability?
  • Thread Starter
#67  
Guys, sorry I was busy looking at the stock market as someone posted earlier. Had no idea that the post would have stirred so much response. I did see my first Mahindra over the weekend at the local county fair and it was not a bad looking machine. Not as pretty as a Kubota or a John Deere but appeared to be well made. The fenders and body was constructed of a heavy gage metal. The things that I look for in a tractor or anything else I buy from most important to least important is as follows: 1 Quality, 2 Reliability, 3 Price, 4 Resale. Normally, resale is not a big factor for me since if I am buying and item at a good price I normally can come out all right if I resell later. The only reservation with the Mahindra is that they have not been in the U.S. market that long and have not established the same reputation as John Deere and Kubota enjoy today. I would like to thank you all for your posts. It appears that all the people that have purchased Mahindra tractors that posted here are pleased with their purchases. As a side note in my studies, Mahindra is quite a large automobile manufacturer that sells vehicles in most every county except the U.S. market. They manufacture a diesel style SUV that they claim gets 39 miles per gallon. I would not be surprise if their motor vehicle will be marketed in the U.S. in the near future. Thanks again. Stoner
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #68  
Cool! Sounds like you got a great deal. Good luck with it.

Prices (especially on used equipment) vary widely from region to region. I just stated what I found when I was looking in my local area.

Deals do pop up from time to time. Before I bought my Mahindra, I almost (probably should have) bought a used JD 4600 2WD 43HP with less than 500 hours for $10,000. That was an insanely low price for that tractor, but I just wasn't financially prepared to "pull the trigger" at the time. I recommended it to my cousin's husband and he bought it. AFAIK, he's been very pleased with it.

If I would have had the cash at the time, I would have probably bought it. Not because it was what I wanted, but because the price was so good. I really didn't want a tractor that big because I have access to my dad's 72HP Ford 5900 2WD any time I want it, and I wanted a compact 4WD for getting in the woods.

Later,

BR
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #69  
BobG_in_VA said:
My 6000 is not a CUT. Therefore, I must be in the 1%. BobG in VA
Interesting. Ive always considered my 7520 4WD a CUT based on its overall size versus its wheel base. What IS the deciding factor?
larry
 
   / Mahindra Tractors Quality and Reliability? #70  
Awesome thread! I haven't had that much reading enjoyment in a long time.
I don't want to beat a dead horse, however here is my 2 cents worth. Resale value played no part in my purchase of a Mahindra tractor. My main concerns were price, reliability, and finance options. Simple.
I looked at all the brands available in my area and they just didn't fit my budget.
Let the Kubota and John Deere customers have their bragging rights...they paid for them.

Sabula Farmer
 

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