Opinions on a couple compact models

[poolecw]

On my local Craigslist, the tractors below are available.

Model 2525, 324 hrs, $9,300, new rear tires
Model 28XL, 174 hrs, $12,500, box blade included
Model Max 26XL, 114 hrs, $13,000, box blade included, 4 years warranty left
Model 3616, 424 hrs, $12,000, some wear but still nice, 250 miles away

As you can see, these seem to be some nice choices. I haven't seen any of these in person yet but hope to this weekend. From pictures, all seem in really good shape. My main use will be for FEL bucket work, various implement work, and light gardening. My first job is going to be to clean up 2 acres of cleared woods and get it ready to seed for a lawn.

The 2525 weighs nearly 2x that of the Max XL tractors. I really like the thoughts of that . The weight should help transfer power to the ground. PTO hp is about the same on all models. The FEL lift capacity is a couple hundred pounds more on the Max tractors.

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[mike69440]

Read my experiences with the MAX28XL in the forums. Just search on mike69440
The Mitsubishi tractors like most Japanese tractors are fairly light in weight and could use a bit more frame. Max ML205 Loader I question if it can lift 1400 Lbs, but it is strong. Stock curl cylinders are small, so I don't think the loader on the 2525 is really any weaker. 2525 is much larger tractor.
But the 2525 is Chinese /Lenar. Maybe get the one with a warrantee? Also compare the loader differences on the Max28 to the Max 26. I think at some point they thinned the metal on the Max26
Tractor.com - 2011 Mahindra 25 Series 2525 Tractor Reviews, Prices and Specs
TractorData.com Mahindra 2525 tractor dimensions information
Mahindra 2525 reviews • ratings • pros and cons ••• AGRIster
3616 is a good tractor, largest of the bunch.

 

[RNeumann]

If it was me I'd be looking at the 3616. I rarely hear anything negative about the Mitsubishi based machines. I'm thinking the Max will frustrate you if the main use use is ground work. I don't know much about the 2525 but it doesn't seem like a deal at all. They were that much new and that one is 8+ years old.

 

[oldpilgrim]

3616, no question about it.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My buddy paid 14k last year for 2013 28XL with a MMM, FEL and backhoe and 330h on it, he wishes he had a bigger tractor but had done a lot of work with it. He is actually wanting to sell his MMM for it lol.

The 3616 seems to be much more tractor than the others, 29hp at the PTO and lifts more.

The 28XL is no longer available, you can't buy a 28hp tractor without tier 4 regulations so resale value on that one may be a bit stronger.

For loader work your better off with HST is any of those are, for loader work I would want the biggest frame size and the heavier tractor, less ballast later.

For ground engagement you want HP and weight with bigger meatier tires.

For gardening you want a smaller tractor with skinny tires or implements that cover past the tires.

I have a 4 family JD and I feel it's too big to garden with so I use my buddies RT-65 cub tiller lol, my garden is only 18x20. I couldn't even justify a attachment for that much garden lol.

If one has pallet forks, buy them up, pallet forks are the handiest attachment ever I feel.

Another thing to look for is SSQA, my buddies 28XL bucket is bolted, no quick connect anything, the newer Mahindras have SSQA.

I almost signed on a new 1533 before I bought my tractor used. Mahindra does a lot of work for not much money.

 

[Redsox19]

Farmer John,
You seem to be the right person to ask. I've owned a 1965 JD1020, but am looking to get a new CUT. I'm not impressed with the JD 3032E, so I've narrowed it down to a New Holland Workmaster 33 and a Mahindra 1526. I like many features about both. I have 5 acres and will mostly use a 5ft tiller or a 5ft bush hog. Other than that, just moving dirt and most likely snow. Is the difference in HP, (26HP on the Mahindra and 33HP on the NH) a major issue?
And is it worth paying $3K more for the NH?
Thanks

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Farmer John,
You seem to be the right person to ask. I've owned a 1965 JD1020, but am looking to get a new CUT. I'm not impressed with the JD 3032E, so I've narrowed it down to a New Holland Workmaster 33 and a Mahindra 1526. I like many features about both. I have 5 acres and will mostly use a 5ft tiller or a 5ft bush hog. Other than that, just moving dirt and most likely snow. Is the difference in HP, (26HP on the Mahindra and 33HP on the NH) a major issue?
And is it worth paying $3K more for the NH?
Thanks

I didn't like the JD E series at all and I personally wouldn't own one.

I really liked the workmaster 37 I looked at, solid built tractor, nice big bucket, metal deck, I was a fan of the NH. What I wasn't a fan of was the 2 year warranty on the tractor and 12 months on attachments, that was almost a joke plus the sales guy took almost two weeks just getting me a quoit! NH came in at almost 6k higher than the rest I was looking at.

A 1533 HST was what I was gonna sign on until I found my JD, it seemed out of the L3901 (weak loader), Workmaster 37 (too expensive), Case (too expensive), 3038E (cheaply built and didn't like it) and the Mahindra 1533 HST, the Mahindra was the best bang for my buck.

It had the most stout loader, was the heaviest and had the best warranty of 7 years.

But I weighed my decisions based off FEL capabilities you may have a diff outcome based on your needs.

Bush hogs you want around 5HP per foot.

 

[Redsox19]

Great advice! Thanks. It seems I'm comparing apples to oranges here. I'm going to look at the 1533 to see how the price compares to the Workmaster 33.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

5 PTO HP per Ft on a bush hog, HST transmissions rob a bit more HP, so PTO Hp is what you need to focus on for 3pt attachments.

 

[DavesTractor]

On my local Craigslist, the tractors below are available.

Model 2525, 324 hrs, $9,300, new rear tires
Model 28XL, 174 hrs, $12,500, box blade included
Model Max 26XL, 114 hrs, $13,000, box blade included, 4 years warranty left
Model 3616, 424 hrs, $12,000, some wear but still nice, 250 miles away

As you can see, these seem to be some nice choices. I haven't seen any of these in person yet but hope to this weekend. From pictures, all seem in really good shape. My main use will be for FEL bucket work, various implement work, and light gardening. My first job is going to be to clean up 2 acres of cleared woods and get it ready to seed for a lawn.

The 2525 weighs nearly 2x that of the Max XL tractors. I really like the thoughts of that . The weight should help transfer power to the ground. PTO hp is about the same on all models. The FEL lift capacity is a couple hundred pounds more on the Max tractors.

Any insight would be appreciated!

Don't buy the 2525. Just don't. That tractor never should have been sold in the USA under the Mahindra name.

All the other choices are great tractors. The Max28XL and 26XL are the same tractor, same engine, etc. The 26 is just newer. The 3616 is a great tractor and would be my choice if you didn't need to stay compact. Or spend a little more and buy a new 1526 with a 7 year warranty.