New to me tractor options, Kubota, Massey or Mahindra

TractorLoggingNH · Mar 24, 2017

I have been looking at updated my tractor to one that younger than me, looking for the 45hp+ category and so far I've found
2003 Kubota mx5000 2500hrs 12f/4r trans no remotes $15600
2006 Mahindra 4530 650hrs shuttle shift trans $15000
2008 Massey 1552 1200hrs 8x8 trans 2 remotes $18000

Just looking for any input if ones better then the other, all of them are 4x4 with loaders ill be using it to pull a little wood, put a backhoe on it to do some landscaping around the house and a little farming (hobby level) and general property maintenance, plow the driveway, clean up brush
Thanks

TheMadOne · Mar 24, 2017

My first instinct is the Massey or the Mahindra, for shuttle shift alone. Invaluable for loader work. Add in the heavier weight, lower hours, and 3pt capacity and they both stand out over the Kubota. What dealers do you have in your area? If you buy the Massey and the closest dealer is over two hours away that could cause issues if you have a breakdown. The Mahindra is apparently still in production, albeit with some changes, so parts should be plentiful.

airbiscuit · Mar 24, 2017

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I might lean towards the Massey Ferguson, especially if you could shave a few $100 off. The shuttle transmission is a plus, the rear remotes is a plus and the newness and lower hours are a plus.

Kubota has excellent quality but is a bit longer in the tooth than the other two.
Mahindra seems to have uneven quality standards, and lower resale value,
The Massey seems to hit all the check marks best, but they kind of strike me as "Your Father's Oldsmobile"

The price differential isn't a lot more than the two rear remotes cost.

TheMadOne · Mar 24, 2017

airbiscuit said:
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I might lean towards the Massey Ferguson, especially if you could shave a few $100 off. The shuttle transmission is a plus, the rear remotes is a plus and the newness and lower hours are a plus.

Kubota has excellent quality but is a bit longer in the tooth than the other two.
Mahindra seems to have uneven quality standards, and lower resale value,
The Massey seems to hit all the check marks best, but they kind of strike me as "Your Father's Oldsmobile"

The price differential isn't a lot more than the two rear remotes cost.

My father didn't have an Olds, he had a 1976 Ford Granada. in 2004. I was the one with the Olds. I bought it off a little old lady that was selling it because her kids bullied her into buying a Honda. I paid 1200 for that car in 03 and got 10 years out of it.

Derail aside, I didn't pick up on the remotes, so the Massey takes it for me as well.

airbiscuit · Mar 24, 2017

TheMadOne said:
My father didn't have an Olds, he had a 1976 Ford Granada. in 2004. I was the one with the Olds. I bought it off a little old lady that was selling it because her kids bullied her into buying a Honda. I paid 1200 for that car in 03 and got 10 years out of it.

Derail aside, I didn't pick up on the remotes, so the Massey takes it for me as well.

I was just having fun

Besides, as I see it the OP is going from a Fiat to an Oldsmobile. Win-Win. My first tractor was a 1941 John Deere B flywheel start. I had to "bake" the magneto in my wife's oven on low heat to bring it back to life. I paid $75 for that tractor, and to me it was the coolest thing ever. Just having a tractor makes you happy.

TSO · Mar 25, 2017

My vote is on the Massey. Good, solid, reliable machine. The Iseki 3.0L diesel in that machine is bulletproof. Good loader too. Remotes are a must have.

Around here, you could pick it up for closer to $15k, so I'd try to get the price down.

Good luck

TractorLoggingNH · Mar 25, 2017

the closest dealer to me is green and i haven't found any of those that are worth buying other than that I'm an hour to any dealer basically, the massy has the challenger paint on it does that mean anything or is it literally just the paint an the price was an obo deal
I was drawn to the mahindra because of its huge size/weight and the low hours and price but its 3 hours further away than the massey because apparently I live in a tractor desert

TSO · Mar 25, 2017

Can you show us the listing for the Massey / Challenger ?

TractorLoggingNH · Mar 25, 2017

28 Massey Ferguson 1552(52 horsepower) tractor

TSO · Mar 25, 2017

That's a nice machine. I have the next generation newer, the 1652 HST. I also owned the 1648. With that engine, you can easily boost HP with a turn of the set screw at the fuel pump. That same engine with more fuel is also used in the 1660 (more fuel boosts to 60 HP).

That loader is very capable, one of the best in the Compact Utility segment. Once you verify hydraulic relief pressure is set to factory specs (i have a thread on here for how to do that) you'll be able to lift a very respectable amount of weight. I've done 2400lbs on pallet forks with mine. It's nowhere near what my track loader lifts, but it's near the top for a tractor is this segment.

He's got it listed at $18k/obo... I'd offer $16k and see if he bites.