Buying Advice Used Tractor Purchase: Mahindra Max 28 XL

[fried1765]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for help and opinion on the following.
I was able to some/what convince our Finance Committee on purchasing a Sub-Compact or Small Compact tractor.

We own a 1/2 acre and another 1 acre which is family owned.
Here are the task involved:

• Mowing
• Removing bushes and small trees
• Digging
• Trenching
• Load transportation (in pallets)
• Tilling
• Maintaining two drive ways, 60 meters combined
• Other fun stuff..Tasks

I already went through the analysis and exercise of owning vs hiring vs renting, decided to own.
Equipment specs, attachments an implements:

• 25-29 hp
• Small Compact or Sub-Compact (1500 to 2000 pounds)
• FEL
• Backhoe with thumb
• Mid Mount Mower (preferable)
• Pallet Forks
• Small Tiller
• Ballast Box
• Quick Hitch Adapter
• Grapple

I already tried and check the following brands and dealers within 1 hr drive

• Kubota
• John Deere
• TYM
• Mahindra
• Kioti
• New Holland
• LS

I have a really close Kubota dealer and father and son Kioti which is not too far that I really like.
My initial budget was to put $10 - $15k down and finance the rest.
I was undecided between the Kubota B2601 and Kioti CK2510 until we had the need to purchase a new truck.

At this point we don't want to take another loan.

Then decided to hold off until next spring or until latter next year and do all the work by hand.
My back was not in agreement with that statement and after an intense weekend of heavy work decided to firmly complaint every time I'm digging with my shovel or moving dirt with my wheel-barrel...To tell you the truth I'm also tire of using the push mower and cutting branches and bushes with a machete and moving them by hand. I want my new toy now.

Here are my options:

1- Try to take it easy and continue to do all the manual work as body and time permits.
2- Buy used
3- Hire some crew to take care of the immediate needs. We already tried this and is not working, they already have done some damage and we are not happy with the delivered results so far.

Yesterday, while searching for used equipment, found a listing for a Mahindra Max 28 XL TBL + MMM with 300+ hrs, called them and the minimum out the door price is $16k, which is outside of my budget and what I'm willing to pay for used equipment without any warranty, but we could try to negotiate.
On top of that this equipment is located in Martinsburg Pennsylvania and I'm in Florida.

My questions to this community are:

• Should I hold off on buying the used equipment
• Is there anyone close to where the used equipment is located and give us a hand by doing a preliminary inspection.
• I also have been looking for used deere and kubota equivalent but the ones with in our budget are pretty old or lack some features. Should I consider those brands instead?
• Any help/assistance is more than welcome

Lots of good reports here on TBN about the Rural King line (mfg. by TYM) of tractors.
You have a Rural King store North of you in Leesburg, and one South of you in Zephyrhills.
Seems as though the RK (TYM) tractors are priced VERY well, and are preferred by many over the Mahindra.
RK takes their own tractors in trade also, so they may even have a used one.

 

[nrosario]

I really appreciate everyone input.
Immediately after discovering this forum noticed how nice this community is.

At this point, taking into account all the different opinions and my current situation I think it will be best to post pone any purchases and re-analyse then try to make a better "informed decision"

Once again, thank you for everyone's help on this.

 

[mike69440]

Please tell me why a grapple holding a tree is any different than a loader full of dirt or modified in putting stress on the front axle. The manufacturer specs a weight limit that the tractor/loader can handle and that weight will not break the front axle as you are specifying. Also, the only stability issues would mostly be side to side if the OP or a tractor user goes all crazy with a long tree section that is extremely heavy and they are driving the tractor on sloped ground causing the tractor to tip sideways. Otherwise, no big deal as long as proper ballast is put in the rear to assist with counterbalancing the loader weight (like a backhoe - hey, what a great idea). EA makes a grapple for subcompacts that only weighs 209 lbs and would work fine with a Max 26XL or 28XL.
Best Rated 55 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple from Everything Attachments <-- EA grapple
Mahindra #tractor max26 with grapple. - YouTube <-- Max 26XL with grapple video

OP, the bigger issue with a grapple is you will need to get a 3rd function setup installed to operate the grapple and that will add to your total cost. You said in your 1st post that you had run all the angles and decided you wanted to buy and not rent or hire. You only have 1.5 acres to take care of so most of the posters on this board will caution you that some of your attachments desired are overkill. It is your money that you are spending so you will have to keep a close eye on whether it makes economical sense to get some of the attachments you want and if you will get enough work out of them to justify the expense.

Also, I think there are a lot of opportunities for used machines in your area or within 1-4 hours of you (depending on how far south you are in Florida) - trying to get a used machine such as the one you mentioned that is 13-17 hours away is counter-productive and if there is an issue with the tractor you discover upon seeing it and running it you will either get there and realize you wasted a lot of time and gas and hotel money, etc and made a trip for nothing or feel obligated to buy a machine that you know is going to give you problems right away or in the future. Not a good situation to put yourself in. The only reason to travel any distance is to get a new or almost new (40ish hours or less) machine where you are getting a great deal on price and don't need to worry about the condition of the tractor of if it was maintenanced properly or at all since it is less than 50 hours on the machine. hth.

TractorHouse.com | Can We Help You Find Something?
Excellent opportunity here. Doubt it will last long, so Just do it. Do a search on me and my Max28XL. I made it into a beast of a little tractor. Will do the work of an L-Seines Kubota, although a bit more stressed.

 

[ning]

Here are some tractor listings on eBay, near Zip Code 32746:
Tractors for sale | eBay


For the small combined area you desire to finish mow, do you need an expensive, proprietary-to-a-single-tractor-brand MMM, which will have to be removed when 3" to 4" net ground clearance is insufficient for other tasks? Removing/replacing a MMM is NOT an easy job for anyone with a back problem.
VIDEOS: How to REMOVE AND INSTALL KUBOTA BX SERIES mower deck - YouTube
Comparing Finish Mowers (midmount VS 3-point) - Kubota B261 - YouTube

If you are planning on a roto-tiller, why do you need a ballast box? Roto-tillers are one of the most common implements carried on the Three Point Hitch as FEL counterbalance.

For preparing a kitchen garden a $300 Middlebuster should serve. You will need a Middlebuster sized specifically for subcompact tractors. Two brands: Dirt Dog and King Cutter. Middlebuster and minor spade work may accomplish your trenching need.
VIDEOS: middlebuster in garden - YouTube
MIDDLEBUSTER TRENCHING - YouTube

Another option is a three (3) tine, spring-protected Field Cultivator for garden prep and for dragging debris. Dirt Dog builds compact tractor implements in Georgia.
3-Point All Purpose Chisel Plows

A third garden option is a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment. Photo #5 - #7. Ratchet Rake will grade your two drives easily.
Ratchet Rake will pile and pull/transport Bouganvilliea trimmings moderate distances.
VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube

I recommend against a grapple on a subcompact tractor. The thin front axle is a weak point and a grapple puts more weight there. Also, grapple loads reduce tractor stability.

Fantastic post, Jeff!

 

[prof fate]

Ck25 is more than you want/need for 1/2 acre. I have a ck35 and 2 acres (plus a horse farm..bought for the farm) and on the 2 acres the CK is huge.

Had an old L185 kubota, more like teh CS2510 size, much better fit on a smaller lot.

Got a price for a friend, the CS is 13,600, plus the hoe if you need it. the cost of the hoe on the 3510 was $7k I can rent a similarly capable excavator for 300 a weekend...won't use it enough to justify the cost/storage.
Or it can be added later if you really need it.

And tehy're offering 0% for 5 years no money down...makes it pretty affordable. Or longer terms for 1 and 2% interest, no down, out to 84 months.

 

[nrosario]

Here is an update

Closed the eyes and Bought a 2016 Mahindra Max 26XL TBL with 50hrs.
$14,500.00

Today I finished the 50 hrs maintenance.
Had a hard time taking the engine oil filter out, will replace later, but I was able to do the rest.
Also greased the entire thing.
Pulled couple of stumps.
I'm happy with my purchase so far.

Thank you guys for the advise and support.

 

[mike69440]

For that price, you stole it!