New (to me) Mahindra 7520

[wbb]

Hello all,

New to me as of yesterday - a Mahindra 7520

Details:

2006 Mahindra 7520
164 hours
FWA
275 FEL ( Mahindra Q/A ) would rather have SS but not much choice when you buy used.
Paint isn't even worn off the cutting edge of the bucket.
4 foot clamp on forks. Need to be careful with these, but the bucket appears to be pretty heavily built. Have used them so far cleaning up brush piles.
$21,300.00

In the picture - my oldest son and two grandsons plus his mother, my ex-wife (long story).

I am looking for a used 511 backhoe - no big hurry so I can look around for a while.

Also looking for:
Pallet forks ( FEL )
Bale spear ( FEL )

Primary use will be:
All around chore tractor. My first FEL tractor.
Light / moderate field work - planter / sprayer / grain cart / dump wagon / pasture renovation / etc.
Hay tractor - disc mower / rake / large round baler - also bale cornstalks for bedding in hoop houses ( farrow-to-finish hog operation ).
Grind feed - clean out hoop buildings - build fence.
Lot of gravel roads in desperate need of maintenance.
Minor repair on terraces and other watershed / erosion control areas.

When I get the backhoe:
Water hydrants / water lines to replace.
Stock water tanks to set.
Culverts ( tubes / whistles ) to dig up and replace.
Septic system leech fields to repair.

Currently have to use with the tractor:
9 foot offset semi-mounted Bush Hog rotary mower
8 foot King Kutter box blade
10 foot wheeled scraper

We have only put about 7 more hours on it so far. Moved two large mounds of dirt from a landscaping project.

Cleaned up several brush piles from cutting firewood.

Will write more later....

 

[SPYDERLK]

Great tractor. You got a good deal. Be sure to check all the loader mount bolts. Theres one on each side, low on the column that is hidden and very difficult to tighten. Mine were finger tight.

 

[wbb]

A few more pictures:

First picture is Jon ( oldest son ) doing some clean-up work.

Second picture is a tree that fell into the bean field. Jon moved it out of the field. Yes it is a BIG tree.

Third picture shows some minor damage to the grill the tractor already had when I bought it. I have a grill guard on order.

[ edit ]
*** if you look to the rear of the tractor in the last two pictures - the water you see is the Missouri River. The farm borders the river on one side ***


Some other interesting observations:

With the full fenders on the rear you can't look down at the rear tires to see how much wheel slip you have.

The PTO operation is different from any other tractor I have used.
When the PTO is not in use the PTO 'shift' lever is disengaged and the 'PTO clutch lever' is engaged.
To engage a PTO implement - you move the PTO clutch lever to disengaged - engage the PTO 'shift' lever - then move the PTO clutch lever to 'engaged'
The reverse to disengage a PTO implement
I do like the fact that you can gently engage the PTO - it doesn't *slam* into operation.
The reversible shaft is a big plus - we have both 540 and 1000 PTO implements and I will be able to purchase either in the future. Especially nice when you are purchasing used.

Clutch action is very smooth. Still trying to get used to the shuttle ( my first on a tractor ). Having the four gears within each range fully synchronized is nice.

Smooth engine power - lots of torque -
I set the throttle at a lower RPM and use the foot throttle when I need more power.

Platform is big with lots of room. You can operate the tractor standing up. ( showing my age there )

The tractor came with the optional rear wheel weights. Not sure if I will need to fill the tires or not - probably will at some time.

May want to add two additional SVCs ( if possible and not cost prohibitive ) for top-n-tilt. If not feasible, I'll just use the two that are there and switch back and forth when I use pull equipment that requires hydraulics.

I think I need a mirror so I can see what the front edge of the bucket is doing - or a lot more practice

 

[weldingisfun]

That is a nice looking tractor. It should do everything you are planning to do and then some. Congratulations and enjoy it.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I do like the fact that you can gently engage the PTO - it doesn't *slam* into operation.
The reversible shaft is a big plus - we have both 540 and 1000 PTO implements and I will be able to purchase either in the future. Especially nice when you are purchasing used.

Clutch action is very smooth. Still trying to get used to the shuttle ( my first on a tractor ). Having the four gears within each range fully synchronized is nice.

Smooth engine power - lots of torque -
I set the throttle at a lower RPM and use the foot throttle when I need more power.

Platform is big with lots of room. You can operate the tractor standing up. ( showing my age there )

The tractor came with the optional rear wheel weights. Not sure if I will need to fill the tires or not - probably will at some time.

Yes, the 2pto speeds available on the 7520 is one of the reasons I chose it over the 6520. The reversible shaft is center drilled on one end and not the other. This hole selectively operates the shift to a different gear ratio as your reverse the shaft. I drilled both ends of my shaft to match and made a removable plug for the hole so I can have either speed on either end of the shaft. Handy when driving pumps or other 6 spline input implements that either want speed or dont require much power.

I really like the tractor clutch too. But do you find that it begins to engage about an inch off the floor? I keep mine adjusted with less than the specified top play because of this. The long engagement range is a real plus when standing up to see when changing FEL implements. I have to be careful tho of the low engagement point because sometimes Ill sit still sizing up stuff and not be holding the clutch down against its stop - just dragging the clutch a little.

The platform is nice like you say. I did end up cutting the pedal off the foot throttle. It was too much in the way. Its more comfortable to use by just pushing on the bare accelerator shaft - actually, I slipped a long red plastic cap over the end.
You can probably use water ballast safely all year down there. I usually drain mine in Jan. Otherwise very convenient for changes or oops s.
larry

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Your 7520 will serve you well. Those of us that have them are all very happy with them. Load all four of your tires, you won't be sorry. I saw that you have wheel weights, I have them also, (3 sets) they are not enough. I waited a year before I got around to filling my tires, what a mistake that was, the tractor is like a different machine with the tires filled.

Good luck with your new machine.