Recommendations, Advice, Opinions

[selfc23fe]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

 

[ChuckinNH]

I was looking at a Mahindra 2815 today, and thought it was a pretty nice tractor too. I didn't drive it, but probably should have. I think it has 28hp, and does seem pretty evenly matched against the Kubota offering. Tough choice! BTW, I wish we could get those kind of prices around here. The best quote I have on a 2815 is $16480 with loader.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

Maybe look at the 3215, it's always nice to have just a bit more hp.

 

[jbrumberg]

selfc23fe:

Welcome to TBN ! I think you are heading in the right direction as to size and weight/footprint and stated needs . Be prepared for a lot of opinions, brand loyalties, and HP "junkieness" here on TBN . In my opinion dirt work = heavier/mowing = lighter tractors. Of course 4WMFWD and a FEL are a given for this size tractor. I will add that I wish there was a TBN around 20 years ago when I first got involved with tractors. My "learning curve" was pretty steep . Keep us posted about your process and all of us will be more than willing to help you spend your money . Jay

 

[selfc23fe]

Thanks for the welcome Jay, I've read enough to know that there is a lot of experience on this forum.
Chuck/Brian, buy or build bigger is what I've always heard, It's just a question of money, but I plan to go and drive the Mahindra tomorrow, I'll give the 3215 a spin too if I can....

 

[Jimmyp5]

Let us know what you decide!! I was lucky when I lived in Rush Springs., no clay all sand and loam! Ditto here in Texas...

 

[flusher]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

With less than 10% difference in these quotes, I'd go with horsepower and buy the L3400.

I have 10 acres of flat pasture land and in May 2005 bought a new 21 hp (engine) Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket) for $12600. Did a lot of the type of work you described with that little beastie.

However, I soon decided to put 7 acres into hay and, consequently, needed more tractor hp. So in July06 I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp engine) for $3600. My experience is pretty typical of many TBNers who rapidly outgrow their original tractor.

My neighbor went to school on my experience and just bought a new Kubota L4630 (45 hp engine) with the 6-ft wide FEL. He's pretty well set for hp-wise to handle chores around his 10 acres.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN!

Only you know how handy you are and how much you can do yourself and how much you want to hire out as you get to building your house and improving your property, putting in drives, etc.... A little more spent now on a larger tractor/more implements may save you money/time in the future.

My bias would be toward hydrostatic transmission,4wd, greater horsepower (I'd think about 50 hp ... I've had to live with smaller tractors and find 50 to be a sweet spot), 2 rear remotes.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I think the L3400 would be my choice for your uses and acreage. I think you will also want a canopy in that hot Oklahoma sun - many options to choose from, don't automatically get the tractor-brand model.

 

[PA hayseed]

I'd definetly go with about 30hp or more. I got 8 acres (looking for more) and I used to have a 26 hp tractor. The only problem, other than it continually breaking down, was that the PTO power was weak, and it couldn't handle the implements I wanted. In sum, too small a tractor for my needs.

Cutting grass, unless your retired and have countless hours devoted to seat time, takes awhile. a 7' mower makes it go alot faster than a 5' mower. A 26 hp tractor can't handle a 7' mower, with certain exceptions.

Moving gravel, shale, and dirt, the 26 hp tractor didn't have enough power to do some things. When you say your going to be building, I am assuming that you want this tractor to accomplish some heavy work, and if that is true, you will want a bigger tractor (Its weight) with more hp. FEL size and lift capacity are big items for you to consider, as well as the HP and PTO. Also look at what implements that you are planning on purchasing (or may want to purchase in the future) the tractor can handle. As with everything else, bigger attachments get big jobs done faster, and makes hard jobs easier.

Good luck in your search, hope you find the right tractor for your needs.