Which Tractor?

[minzi]

Well i have been tearing my hair out the past couple of weeks, whats left of it,trying to decide whether to buy a Kubota l3400-FEL, or a Mahindra 3525-FEL also.I know the 3525 is a more heavier/solid machine,and prob more powerfull. Kubota costs more,Getting parts when needed for the 3525 worries me,and i think the resale value of the kubota will smoke the Mehindra's.Your thoughts most welcome.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well i have been tearing my hair out the past couple of weeks, whats left of it,trying to decide whether to buy a Kubota l3400-FEL, or a Mahindra 3525-FEL also.I know the 3525 is a more heavier/solid machine,and prob more powerfull. Kubota costs more,Getting parts when needed for the 3525 worries me,and i think the resale value of the kubota will smoke the Mehindra's.Your thoughts most welcome.

Don't worry about the resale value. If you're buying a tractor to sell a year or two down the road, buy a Deere. Just buy the tractor to keep for 10 years or more.

As far as the parts situation...that's a valid concern. One way to determine that is check out the dealer's time in business selling the brand you want..how well stocked is the parts department and how does the service area look. Those are the indicators I look at. But, I'm a Deere guy, so I know I'll be getting parts 10 years hence.

 

[Rara Avis]

Don't worry about the resale value. If you're buying a tractor to sell a year or two down the road, buy a Deere. Just buy the tractor to keep for 10 years or more.

As far as the parts situation...that's a valid concern. One way to determine that is check out the dealer's time in business selling the brand you want..how well stocked is the parts department and how does the service area look. Those are the indicators I look at. But, I'm a Deere guy, so I know I'll be getting parts 10 years hence.

For the JD Ag versions, parts seem to be available forever...

 

[jbrumberg]

minzi:

Welcome to TBN ! What do you want to do with this tractor? Jay

 

[kozak]

minzi,

Welcome to TBN.

WOW, the 3525 Mahindra from a sheer brute standpoint blows the L3400 Kubota away.

Mahindra Vs Kubota

3 Pt Lift 3,525 Lbs Vs 2,000 Lbs

FEL Lift 2,500 Lbs Vs 1,142 Lbs

Hydraulic Pump 8.3 GPM Vs 6.3 GPM

Overall Weight 4,387 LBS Vs 2,500 Lbs

Warranty 3 Yrs. Vs 2 Yrs.

PTO 27 HP Vs 29 HP


The Mahindra is truly a POWERHOUSE tractor built like a Tank. It's no wonder some people buy these tractors. There is some additional loss in PTO horsepower though. My NH TC35D (although slightly better) is closer to the Kubota specs.

Would be a tough call. Mahindra entered the US Market in 1994 so have not really been around long. However, they just opened their 3rd major Assemby & Distribution center in the US in 2005. You would think they will be in the US for the long haul.

The one thing I don't like about the Mahindra is the external muffler. Not a big deal but somewhat in your face & probably louder as well. Not sure about the ergonomics, you would need to try both tractors out & see which fits you better. Also, get a feel of the Dealerships. Do they look like they will work with you & keep you happy.

Not sure how much you will use this tractor on a yearly basis & what for, but definitely the fuel comsumption on the Mahindra will be much more compared to the Kubota.


Good Luck,

Vic

 

[minzi]

minzi:

Welcome to TBN ! What do you want to do with this tractor? Jay

Thank you!! glad to be here, great site.We here in Australia name our implemants a little different to you guy's in the us.for e.g bush-hog, whats that, a cultivator? Anyway i have 35 acres in high rainfall country, generally flat land,fairly gum studed, about a foot of top soil then clay,had our dam cleaned out last year,soil was put on paddock, and would like to move the soil around to level it all out,also have a 5'' slasher to keep the grass tidy,post hole digger,and super spreader is all i would use this tractor for.

 

[kozak]

Thank you!! glad to be here, great site.We here in Australia name our implemants a little different to you guy's in the us.for e.g bush-hog, whats that, a cultivator? Anyway i have 35 acres in high rainfall country, generally flat land,fairly gum studed, about a foot of top soil then clay,had our dam cleaned out last year,soil was put on paddock, and would like to move the soil around to level it all out,also have a 5'' slasher to keep the grass tidy,post hole digger,and super spreader is all i would use this tractor for.

oops.....did'nt realize your in Australia.

Hope you stick around on TBN !!

What does "fairly gum studed" mean ??

35 HP machine sounds like a good pick for what you want to do.


Vic

 

[dgl24087]

Thank you!! glad to be here, great site.We here in Australia name our implemants a little different to you guy's in the us.for e.g bush-hog, whats that, a cultivator? Anyway i have 35 acres in high rainfall country, generally flat land,fairly gum studed, about a foot of top soil then clay,had our dam cleaned out last year,soil was put on paddock, and would like to move the soil around to level it all out,also have a 5'' slasher to keep the grass tidy,post hole digger,and super spreader is all i would use this tractor for.

I believe our bush hog is your slasher.

 

[TheDingy]

We just went through this exact same process, we went with a 6025 Mahindra. I don't think parts will be a problem, our service has been good. We did have one warranty issue out of the box, and it was something that I can see getting by any Q&A department.

Also in the 25 frame get as much horsepower as you can afford, there is the rumor that there is a 6525 on the way. We thought about waiting for it, but needed the tractor asap so it was the 6025, it is a very strong tractor.

Don't worry about resale, worry about the application that you are going to use the tractor for. It doesn't matter which brand you get if you have to sell soon for a wrong decision you are going to take a bath when you trade it in soon. Look at the purchase for the long term.

 

[tower59]

This is great! Pardon me, but does someone speak Australian tractor?

It's really funny how people can speak the same language but have such different ways of doing it. Those of us in Texas certainly don't speak like those up north do, and I don't think many here in the 'States could be accused of speaking the Queen's English. Anyway, good luck with your tractor pick and let us know what you get and how you like it! (I'm in the market for a similar size tractor for about the same acreage.)

 

[minzi]

oops.....did'nt realize your in Australia.

Hope you stick around on TBN !!

What does "fairly gum studed" mean ??

35 HP machine sounds like a good pick for what you want to do.


Vic

-Gum studed means there are gum trees scatered around the property,its a term used loosely here in Aus......do u want some pics?

 

[Riddler]

Minzi, excuse the ignorance, but "gum" refers to Eucalyptus, doesn't it? We have a bunch of different types here in California. If you don't mind my asking, what sorts of gum do you have at your place?

 

[chh]

I've never owned a Mahindra, but saw in the paper that they are the #3 tractor manufacuter in the world and have been winning awards on production quality.

 

[kozak]

-Gum studed means there are gum trees scatered around the property,its a term used loosely here in Aus......do u want some pics?

S U R E. ....that would be great. Lets see what an Australian Ranch looks like. Make sure you get a kangaroo or 5 in the pic. A few platapus would also be nice. Not sure if I got the spelling right on that last one.


Vic

 

[minzi]

Minzi, excuse the ignorance, but "gum" refers to Eucalyptus, doesn't it? We have a bunch of different types here in California. If you don't mind my asking, what sorts of gum do you have at your place?

:sure, your right they are (Eucalyptus) trees.we mainly have red gums on our place, and some ghost gums also,i have heard you have them in California, they would have been introduced? i think that there are hundreds of variates also .

 

[Riddler]

Minzi, here in Northern California, we probably have a least a dozen different varieties of Eucalyptus, all introduced. When you say you have "red" gum on your place, is that the same as "red-flowering" gum (i.e., Eucalyptus ficifolia)? If so, that is one of the most showy gums we have here. The flowers are spectacular. Anyway, I will check to see which are the gums that are most common here.

In fact, back in the early 1900s, California embarked on an ill-conceived project to widely plant Eucalyptus for lumber production. It didn't take them long to figure out that the wood tends to be too brittle for most lumber uses and that each Eucalyptus grove they planted was an inferno waiting to happen.

These days, folks plant groves of gum as wind breaks, and individual specimens in decorative landscapes. Fast growth, drought resistance, beautiful silvery foliage and, sometimes, showy flowers, make them a great choice as an individual ornamental tree.

 

[Gittyup]

As I understand it, forestry companies are now planting a hybrid Euc. that is used for flooring, furniture, etc. It's suppose to reach harvestable size in less than 10 years. Proported to become a big eco friendly product for the forestry industry.