need help deciding: MF vs Mahindra

[bludev]

Ok, I can't decide. The choices are between a MF 573 and Mahindra 6500 (both 2wd with loaders). The Mahindra is ~$5500 less expensive, but I will admit the MF seems a bit heavier in the rear end (at least a 471 does, I haven't actually seen the 573, but the dealer says its about the same as far as frame goes). We already have a MF 240 and buying the Mahindra at the big discount would let me keep the 240. Another factor, the MF dealer is 8 miles from the farm, the Mahindra dealer is about 38 miles away.

All opinions and valid reasons one way or the other are appreciated.

 

[jeepcj7]

Your not really comparing apples to apples, even if the engine hp's are comparable. The MF is a heavier utility tractor and capable of doing much more work, the Mahindra is still a compact tractor and may be more comfortable to operate or have more features, but as you stated has a much lighter drivetrain and chassis and will not be capable of doing as much work.

 

[bludev]

Actually the Mahindra is only about 600 lbs lighter than the MF ... the Mahindra is heavy, all steel (or "no plastic anywhere"). The Mahindra is actually heavier than most other tractors in its class ... although, you are correct, the MF may be one size above the Mahindra ... so it may be apples and oranges.

 

[Fredex]

I think the MF 563 is the equivalent of the 6500:
563 has 55 pto hp
6500 has 57 pto hp
563 4WD weighs 6305
6500 4WD weighs 6280

Didn't compare transmissions or other features, but 6500 has one size larger rear tires.

MF 573 seems nearly equivalent of Mahindra 7520.

 

[GaryCrowell]

I have a MF 471. I looked over a 573 the other day at the dealer's and it's essentially identical to the 471. A couple of sheetmetal changes and the dash layout is a little different, but mechanically there's no difference.

I went through the same decision process a year ago when I got my 471. The reason I decided upon Massey was that I felt I got the most bang for the buck while still staying with a well established company that's going to be around for a long time. I feel like I'll always be able to get parts for my massey, something that I was afraid of if I went with an off brand like mahindra. I'll agree that 5500 is a sizeable amount of money, but as others have mentioned the models you mentioned aren't really comparable, the massey is quite a bit bigger.

I bought an off brand tractor about 15 years ago that hasn't aged well. Now I've got a real heavy boat anchor that I can't get parts for without scrounging through junkyards or hoping to luck out on the internet. That's why I told myself that I'd never again buy an off brand tractor. From here on out I'm going to stick to deere, new holland, massey, or kubota, the reason being I'm confident there'll be parts support for these brands for a long time in the future.

 

[LoneCowboy]

What those guys said.
MF

plus the utility is a totally different class of tractor than the compact.

 

[bludev]

Okay guys, tell me what defines a "compact utility tractor". I've seen several posts where someone has called the Mahindra a "compact" tractor and the 471 a utility tractor. Yet the Mahindra is only a fraction smaller deminsion and weight wise. Its actually larger,heavier and has bigger tires than CaseIH, New Holland and John Deere in the ~65 HP range. (I just did a some comparing using the CaseIH web-based comparing tool.)
Maybe ignorance on the subject is really showing through now, but I really don't understand why a tractor as large and heavy as the 6500 would be called "compact"

 

[JerryG]

Like above, I thought that the 6500 was a utility tractor, but I'm not really sharp on Mahindra model numbers.

 

[LoneCowboy]

no such thing as a compact utility tractor
There are compacts and there are utilities.

Anyway, look at the rear gearbox of them both, back to back, and that will tell you the difference.

I'm not up on Mahindra's, so it could be a utility.

 

[Hard]

I bought an off brand tractor about 15 years ago that hasn't aged well. Now I've got a real heavy boat anchor that I can't get parts for without scrounging through junkyards or hoping to luck out on the internet. That's why I told myself that I'd never again buy an off brand tractor. From here on out I'm going to stick to deere, new holland, massey, or kubota, the reason being I'm confident there'll be parts support for these brands for a long time in the future.

Hey Bludev, you might want to reread the above paragraph by GaryC. That might be the most important point that has been made. Good luck with whatever you decide on doing.