Buying Advice Tractor Newb - Need buying comparison advice

[Klipper]

I have just under 3 acres, in tough shape. Dead trees, needs shredding, etc. Was introduced to the idea of buying a SCUT or CUT to help me get a handle on it. After some research, I think a CUT is the way to go. The added power and clearance of even the smaller CUTs would benefit me.

My budget is tight, and this will be a huge expenditure for me, so I am really trying to do as much research as needed before I buy anything. And even then, I may decide it is in my best interest to just rent the occasional equipment and be okay with that.

The ones I have narrowed it down to are the KIOTI CK2510 and CK2610 - and the MAHINDRA MAX24 and MAX26XL.

Looks like I can get a slightly better deal on a MAHINDRA. But I have not yet decided enough to start hammering salesmen for a better deal yet.

I am leaning towards the KIOTI. And the reason is, there seems to be more postings in the internet about "troubles with Mahindra" than with the Kioti. The local dealer seems to back the product well, and I get a good feeling about them in general. Local Mahindra guy seems okay too, but the dealership has a few bad reviews lately.

I do have a few friends with Mahindras and they are all happy with them.

So what can you tell me about one vs the other?

 

[TheMadOne]

I've never sat on a Kioti, and only test drove a small Mahindra(eMax?) once. I will say a quick look on Tractor Data shows the MAX26XL weighing 1863 at the high end, with the CK2610 at 2701. That's nearly 1000 lbs between them. Weight=work done.

The Kioti is more tractor than the Mahindra, so if they're selling for the same price I'd get the Kioti and sleep easy. None of the big brands make bad equipment.

That said, test drive all the models you have your eye on, as well as the next frame size up.

 

[Klipper]

The next size up from the CK2610/Max26XL would be overkill and outside the budget.

 

[TheMadOne]

The MAX26XL isn't in the same league as the CK2610. They might have the same HP, but the weight is so different. The Mahindra equivalent to the CK2610 is the 1526. Again, if the price is the same between the MAX26XL and CK2610, buy the Kioti, because it's much more tractor.

 

[Tractorable]

Not considering the Kubota L2501? Superb machine, no emissions equipment, 2700lbs, ~$18K

 

[Klipper]

Actually, Kubota is the closest dealer to me, and a good one. But budget matters. I am looking at Tractor w/Shredder and Box blade pkg.

KIOTI CK2510 - just under $17,900
KIOTI CK2610 (gear) - $18,400, (HST) $19,500
MAHINDRA MAX26XL - just under $17,200
KUBOTA LS2501 - over $20,900

And this article: Kioti CK2610 vs Kubota L2501: 6 Reasons the Kioti CK2610 Wins

 

[airbiscuit]

Mahindra seems to be more uneven on quality.

 

[Klipper]

Yeah, this is not all about me saving money. I would like to get the best bang for the buck, not the cheapest one. It seems that Kioti owners have more good things to say, and less bad things, which is even better.

 

[LMychajluk]

I'm in a similar situation. 35 acres, on a hillside, lots of trees / brush to maintain, plus some light landscaping, mowing, etc... I'd like to be able to run a decent PTO-driven chipper, which would probably be the biggest load on the PTO of anything I would need. There are a couple that I think would work OK w/ ~20hp @ the PTO. But, like the OP, the versatility to do anything I need it to would be more valuable to me than doing any one thing great.

I'm eyeing the Mahindra Max26XL or 1526 (same engine). If you're thinking MAX, I'd lean towards the 26XL for a little more PTO HP, and I think it has the SSL attached bucket, which I don't think the 24 does. I haven't come across any reported issues with the late-model Mahindras that I would consider significant (more like failures of the dealer to do a proper pre-delivery inspection), and other brands have thier issues as well. The MAX26XL also seems more capable than the SCUTs from JD and Kobota, though in fairness it's considered by Mahindra to be a 'mid-compact'. The 1526 priced out similarly equiped to the 26XL is ~$10k more than the the Max 26XL. There's a new 1600 series coming out, so there may be good clearance deals on the 1500s, though now I'm wondering what the price on the 1635 will be (same frame size as the 1526 w/ a 35hp engine - can always use more power!!!!).

 

[Grandad4]

And this article: Kioti CK2610 vs Kubota L2501: 6 Reasons the Kioti CK2610 Wins

Note that this is promotional material from a Kioti dealer (Air-Bag Forage Solutions).