Took the plunge 5035 HST

[Mini farm]

Got her on Friday and have been putting her to work. A couple of guys gave me a quote of 6k and 8k to clear about 2 1/2 acres of red pine, price does not include stumping. Just for giggles, I cut a 12" pine about 4 feet from the ground, choked a chain around the top part, and the 5035 popped it out of the ground like it wasn't even there. So, I figure I'll save some money for implements and cut it myself.
So far, I am pleased with the performance. A few things I don't like are the engine assist, no clutch, and no floor throttle. If your scooping up something that requires more power, the engine throttles up on it's own. I usually like to feather the power myself. Most times this is a good feature, but if your testing out a load, say an old stump that you think might be easy to push over, and it turns out to be solid, the engine ramps up on it's own and could get you into trouble if your not quick. The clutch, that's just my preference. In order to change ranges, you sometimes have to tweak the tractor with the forward and reverse pedal (thanks Flatpik6) until you can hit the sweet spot to shift. This is also needed to switch back and forth into 4 wheel drive. A clutch would eliminate this.
All in all, this tractor kicks @&$ and my complaints are minor. I wanted to give an objective opinion to let you know what I think, instead of just giving an outstanding review just because this is the tractor I bought. Let's see how she holds up.

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If you still have this Mahindra I would like to hear your current review? I'm looking at this model currently. Thanks....

 

[Hermio]

You asked for pix, so here are some. I just got it yesterday. One note: at over 10,000 lb as equipped, it doesn't climb even gentle slopes in high range!

 

[RKJeepXJ]

How's it do with that 8' cutter?

 

[Hermio]

I am still breaking the engine in, so I have not run the cutter yet. I am sure it will do fine, though, as I have run a 4' Woods Brushbull on a 16 Hp Kubota for many years.

 

[mike69440]

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You asked for pix, so here are some. I just got it yesterday. One note: at over 10,000 lb as equipped, it doesn't climb even gentle slopes in high range!

I feel for you.

My 8,300 pound L39 (37.2 HP net, 39 HP gross) GST can get up to about 5-6 MPH in 10th on a moderate grade. 12th it will not climb a gentle grade either, but on flat ground will go over 15 MPH.

But my little 3200 LB Max 28 Shuttle is a hot rod for a tractor.

 

[Hermio]

I have started to do some bush hogging. It has no trouble powering the 8' cutter through normal grass and brush. It slows down a bit in the 3" stuff it is rated to cut, but that is why I have an HST drive. So far I am happy with the tractor. However, as some others have noted, it does not seem to lug as well as I expected. By that I do not mean to imply it does not develop rated power. I mean, the torque rise as it is forced to slow down under load seems less than in my old Kubota B7100, which had a 50% torque rise from rated rpm to peak torque rpm. I have not been able to find any actual published data on this for the Mahindra engine.

 

[Got2BTru]

I bought the 6' bush hog...wish I had gone larger now. Don't want to push it with the Mrs. I was using a 44", so it's already an improvement! I have no problems at all with the 6' bush hog on the 2555 HST. The biggest problem I have is going through shear pins because of the rocks on the land!

Already have about 38 hours in the first month. It'll be time for service before I know it!

 

[Hermio]

My cutter has a slip clutch, so no shear pins to worry about. But I am supposed to torque the loader mounting bolts now. Some require more than 400 ft-lb. I don't have a tool for that. Unforeseen expense.

 

[Hermio]

Can anyone suggest a good way to carry a chain saw with this tractor? I don't like putting my stuff in the FEL, as it can fall out, and I often need to use the FEL to move fallen trees off the trail. Is there a commercial product that will clamp on to the ROPS? I won't be using a ballast box, as I will be dragging logs from the rear.

 

[Hermio]

Now I have some more questions. While working in the woods, mowing down some saplings, I managed to break off the hood latch knob, which is not well protected. I will need a new knob and cable, and have had my son weld a bracket below where the knob will go for additional protection. But the cable will still be vulnerable, as will the hydraulic hoses running from the rear remote to the 4-way bucket. Is there a better way to route these? Also, the wiring for the rear lights goes up inside (under) the fender wells, which makes the wiring vulnerable to anything the tires kick up. Any way to protect the wires?