Someone help me decide

[gerryjo]

Hi, I spent the month since my last post looking at and testing all brands in the area. I am lucky to have a lot of brands available. I am also lucky in that nearly all the dealers I got to meet treated me well, educated me, and pretty much made my decision even harder 'cause I think they'd be great for a long term working relationship. I rode a looked over Kioti CK30, Mahindra 3215, Kubota B7800 and L3400, NH T1520, Cub Yanmar Ex3200, Deere 790 and MF 15xx. There're a lot of nice CUTs out there.

I am going to use the tractor to clear 6 -10 acres of brush and keep it that way, move wood out of our 50 acre woodlot, tend the pond, plant an acre, keep some farm road, and move (often and much). I am OK with a gear but lean toward hydro. Final package will include QA loader w/hooks, cutter, loaded tires, forks, grill guard (if not included), and possibly a rake. [edit] Oh, and they all will have R4s

I intend to put like 3K down and finance the rest.

The Cub is a great tractor with all I need though the loader capacity is a bit light. Too bad the available financing just doesn't work.

MF a little too much $. B7800 seems too small. 790 asking too much.

I have narrowed down to:
Kubota L3400HST $18,100 ($19750 w/ cutter and forks)
NH 1520HST $18,100 ($20,150 w/ cutter and forks)
Mahindra 3215HST $16,375 ($18,275 w/cutter and forks)
Could still check Kioti.

I know this could just open a whole can of worms with this crowd but I also know there's a lot of good thinking here.

What would you choose?

 

[Willl]

790 asking too much.

Beings that I'm totally biased I'm curious as to what you found to be "too much" giving what you posted on the prices of the other machines ?

 

[gerryjo]

Beings that I'm totally biased I'm curious as to what you found to be "too much" giving what you posted on the prices of the other machines ?

Let's not call it bias -- call it pride of ownership

I was quoted $17,800 for a simple gear. And though it's not a Deere 9with all that brings with it) the Cub Yanmar, both the 32hp and 29hp hydros were less. IMHO, 790s upgraded with all the latest bells and whistles Yanmar could put into them. So, although I like working on my friend's 790 and find it a very capable (and fun) machine the financing and features just weren't doing it for me. Unfortunately there was only one Deere (with three shops) in the area.

 

[Mech]

I'm totally biased also, love the 790 except for loader work, and wonder how much is too much. I didn't look very hard at anything but deere but I don't remember anything that was comparable and cheaper out there before I bought, at least from the big 3.

 

[Dave from GA & KY]

Hi, I spent the month since my last post looking at and testing all brands in the area. I am lucky to have a lot of brands available. I am also lucky in that nearly all the dealers I got to meet treated me well, educated me, and pretty much made my decision even harder 'cause I think they'd be great for a long term working relationship. I rode a looked over Kioti CK30, Mahindra 3215, Kubota B7800 and L3400, NH T1520, Cub Yanmar Ex3200, Deere 790 and MF 15xx. There're a lot of nice CUTs out there.

I am going to use the tractor to clear 6 -10 acres of brush and keep it that way, move wood out of our 50 acre woodlot, tend the pond, plant an acre, keep some farm road, and move (often and much). I am OK with a gear but lean toward hydro. Final package will include QA loader w/hooks, cutter, loaded tires, forks, grill guard (if not included), and possibly a rake. [edit] Oh, and they all will have R4s

I intend to put like 3K down and finance the rest..

The Cub is a great tractor with all I need though the loader capacity is a bit light. Too bad the available financing just doesn't work.

MF a little too much $. B7800 seems too small. 790 asking too much.

I have narrowed down to:
Kubota L3400HST $18,100 ($19750 w/ cutter and forks)
NH 1520HST $18,100 ($20,150 w/ cutter and forks)
Mahindra 3215HST $16,375 ($18,275 w/cutter and forks)
Could still check Kioti.

I know this could just open a whole can of worms with this crowd but I also know there's a lot of good thinking here.

What would you choose?

Just bought a Kioti CK35 (gear) w/loader & tooth bar out-the-door for $2,500 less than your Mahindra price of $16,375. HST would have been more, but not that much more. I think the CK35 free loader deal ends June 30 though.

 

[Mech]

I only paid about $1000 more for mine with MFWD, 300 loader, heavy duty bucket, front blade and a 5' box blade. As for the cub, both are Yanmars, but if I'm going to keep a tractor for 20 years I want to be sure I can get parts during that time. Only time will tell if that will happen with the Cub. Just my opinion of course.

Now what I lust over is a 3720 with cab but that is outside my budget for now.

 

[AchingBack]

I have narrowed down to:
Kubota L3400HST $18,100 ($19750 w/ cutter and forks)
NH 1520HST $18,100 ($20,150 w/ cutter and forks)
Mahindra 3215HST $16,375 ($18,275 w/cutter and forks)
Could still check Kioti.

I know this could just open a whole can of worms with this crowd but I also know there's a lot of good thinking here.

What would you choose?

I would get the Mahindra 2615HST. The 3215HST barely outweighs it, and doesn't have that much more hp when compared to the dyno. results, (reported to actually be 28 hp, and 24 pto hp). I've been to the Mahindra website, done the comparison between the two models, and have decided it isn't worth the extra money for the 3215. I really don't see what you gain for that much more money, other than slightly higher lift capacity.

 

[gerryjo]

Just bought a Kioti CK35 (gear) w/loader & tooth bar out-the-door for $2,500 less than your Mahindra price of $16,375. HST would have been more, but not that much more. I think the CK35 free loader deal ends June 30 though.

I would probably go for that too Dave but need the financing.

 

[flusher]

Hi, I spent the month since my last post looking at and testing all brands in the area. I am lucky to have a lot of brands available. I am also lucky in that nearly all the dealers I got to meet treated me well, educated me, and pretty much made my decision even harder 'cause I think they'd be great for a long term working relationship. I rode a looked over Kioti CK30, Mahindra 3215, Kubota B7800 and L3400, NH T1520, Cub Yanmar Ex3200, Deere 790 and MF 15xx. There're a lot of nice CUTs out there.

I am going to use the tractor to clear 6 -10 acres of brush and keep it that way, move wood out of our 50 acre woodlot, tend the pond, plant an acre, keep some farm road, and move (often and much). I am OK with a gear but lean toward hydro. Final package will include QA loader w/hooks, cutter, loaded tires, forks, grill guard (if not included), and possibly a rake. [edit] Oh, and they all will have R4s

I intend to put like 3K down and finance the rest.

The Cub is a great tractor with all I need though the loader capacity is a bit light. Too bad the available financing just doesn't work.

MF a little too much $. B7800 seems too small. 790 asking too much.

I have narrowed down to:
Kubota L3400HST $18,100 ($19750 w/ cutter and forks)
NH 1520HST $18,100 ($20,150 w/ cutter and forks)
Mahindra 3215HST $16,375 ($18,275 w/cutter and forks)
Could still check Kioti.

I know this could just open a whole can of worms with this crowd but I also know there's a lot of good thinking here.

What would you choose?

My new Mahindra 5525 (55 hp engine, 45 hp pto, gear tranny) with the ML250 FEL (6 ft bucket)

and triple remotes ($750 installed) cost me $17850 plus tax (including the remotes).

I know you're leaning toward HST (I traded a Kubota B7510 HST/LA302 FEL as part of this deal) and a 55 hp tractor is quite a bit larger than the ones on your short list. But it pays to think ahead and consider what you'll need hp-wise a few years down the road. The financing on the 5525 was 0%/48 months. If youi can live with a gear tranny, you'll have a larger selection to consider.

 

[Bird]

OK, some think you ought to reconsider the Deere, someone else thinks Kioti is the way to go, another thinks Mahindra is the right one. Personally, I'd take the Kubota (which is the brand I used to own), but come to think of it, I did kinda like my cousin's New Holland.

Seriously, the "right" one is the one YOU like best.

 

[Charlesaf3]

leaving aside which brand, I'd say HST is essential for the stuff you are describing. Ok, you can get by without it, but you'll be much less happy.

The kubota L3400hst seems to be liked by a lot of the owners here. (I do think the 7800 is too small) Maybe post a question on each of the manufacturer forums asking people what they like and don't like?

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

As long as you are planning on keeping the tractor for a while, none of the tractors you mentioned have anything over the Mahindra 3215, if they even have as much. You can't find a more reliable machine than the Mitsubishi made Mahindra tractors. Seems like a no brainer.

 

[woodlandfarms]

You have a TYM dealer in your hood? Good tractor and strong financing right now...

 

[joe48]

Baseing my suggestion on my own research and how I use my machine, with price as secondary.
All the units you listed are fine machines and I liked them all, but I narrowed it down by how I was going to use it. Much like you I do a lot of brush removal, skid logs, loader work , landscaping, and earth work. When doing this type of work weight and traction are more important than horsepower and HST is almost mandatory for ease of operation and long drivetrain life. (if you aren't used to a gear and clutch when doing loader work you can burn a clutch in no time, several thousand to replace) Along with that major components like axles ,trannys, frames etc made of cast iron and cast steel are heavier and more durable than aluminum and steel parts and weigh alot more.
When the machine is built heavier it can also carry and lift more. That brought my choices to Mahindra or Kioti, both weigh more than any others in their HP classes, and their loaders and 3pt hitches lift more.
Plus their prices were better than green ,orange and blue. Either one you won't be sorry as long as the dealer is good.
Happy tractoring let us know what you buy. Joe

 

[LBrown59]

What would you choose?

I would not buy any of them with out HST & AGs.

50 chevy 60 chevy Bx23
MY FIRST CAR http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyscrapbook/files/kamp50.jpg 1950 Chevy
OUR FIRST CAR http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/storycty/chev6001.JPG 60 Chevy Impala Convertible front http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/storycty/chev6001a.JPG rear view
MY TRACTOR http://www.jenningsequipment.com/storepics/ksBX22.jpg BX23

 

[jbrumberg]

gerryjo:

Welcome to TBN ! You have put some thought into your tractor search and needs. I suggest you look at your use and tire type. There are pro's and con's to any tire type, but IMHO you would be better served by R-1's. I hope my post will not touch off another R-1 vs R-4 war . Jay

 

[IXLR8]

You have listed all good machines, you have said that you felt good about all the dealers. How do the different machines "feel" to you? I chose Kioti over the Kubota strictly due to the ergonomics. This was both the operators station and using the backhoe. I was just more comfortable on the Kioti, I have a friend with a similar sized Kubota, he HATES the ergo's of my Kioti. You need to get what fits YOU best, what you are most comfortable on, you will be spending lots of time with this machine and you need to be comfortable on it.

 

[gerryjo]

I truly like to thank everyone for their input.

I think Bird summed up all of your collective thoughts the best when he said, "Seriously, the "right" one is the one YOU like best."

I guess it is only human to keep second guessing these things. I and the one I love discussed this for hours - she totally supports the purchase whichever way I go -- and decided to visit one dealer tomorrow who stocks both the Kiotis and Mahindras and making a final choice there. Mainly becasue the dealer introduced a new "problem" into the mix so I'll have to now try out the DK35SE gear and hydro because the pricing and financing is so good. What a problem

I just informed the Kubota dealer of my decision who. He went on and on about the depreciation that will wipe out any savings or pleasure of extra features as soon as I sign the contract. I have wondered about the depreciation aspect as well but I am not intending to sell anytime soon and hope that people will truly catch on to the quality of either of these brands making this point moot. But those words keep playing on ...

 

[rickguns]

Just bought a Kubota MX5100 Kubota is a fantastic tractor for the money. The financing thru Kubota can not be beat

 

[WilliamBos]

I truly like to thank everyone for their input.

I think Bird summed up all of your collective thoughts the best when he said, "Seriously, the "right" one is the one YOU like best."

I guess it is only human to keep second guessing these things. I and the one I love discussed this for hours - she totally supports the purchase whichever way I go -- and decided to visit one dealer tomorrow who stocks both the Kiotis and Mahindras and making a final choice there. Mainly becasue the dealer introduced a new "problem" into the mix so I'll have to now try out the DK35SE gear and hydro because the pricing and financing is so good. What a problem

I just informed the Kubota dealer of my decision who. He went on and on about the depreciation that will wipe out any savings or pleasure of extra features as soon as I sign the contract. I have wondered about the depreciation aspect as well but I am not intending to sell anytime soon and hope that people will truly catch on to the quality of either of these brands making this point moot. But those words keep playing on ...

Resale shmesale. It has always annoyed me when people throw that in your face. Your Kubota salesman is sounding like a deeroid. If that is the best thing they have going for them, then they can keep it.

Bird summed it up best.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Will