Mahindra tractor

[Tim L]

I have looked at past threads but found nothing recent. I have finally convinced the bank of Anita that it's time for a new tractor. I am considering the Mahindra 5010 cab model. Anyone have experience/input on this ? I want it to plow snow,load my mill, do firewood and maintain my long dirt driveway and hopefully build that new barn I've been dreaming about for 10 years. When the bank of Anita spends, you only get one shot to do it right, I can't get a do-over so I'm doing research. Thanks all !

[shinnlinger]

Where are you in NH?  I have several neighbors with Mahindras.  One might even have that exact model.  They all like them and consider them to be well built machines and a good value.  My only concern would be parts.  They used to sell them just in VT but that dealer has now switched brands.

[Tim L]

I live in Boscawen and Knoxland equipment is near by (Warner). I sat in your VW bus with you a few years ago, hope all is well.

[T Welsh]

Tim, When I get ready to purchase a new piece of equipment I dream first and then come to reality of what I can afford and what is the best for me and my uses ;D. All machines break down, I always look at where I can get parts and service support within a reasonable amount of time and distance. Is there a dealer close to you! Tim

[Tim L]

Yes ,the dealer is 10 minutes away . Mahindra is offering 0% financing also.I want to get it right because my wife (The bank of Anita) will not understand if I go to her in a year and tell her I want something different. This is the tractor that will be at my funeral.

[shinnlinger]

I didn't recognize you with the beard!   I didn't know Knoxland sells Mahindra.   I have never heard anything  bad about them and 0% 10 minutes way sounds good if the dealer is a good one(and I think they are).  Do you still have your backhoe?

Dave

[Tim L]

Yes , I still have the backhoe. It needs a couple cylinders rebuilt in the dipper and it sat so long the batteries are bad. It runs great but I don't need a 2wd backhoe anymore and want a modern tractor to maintain the property.

[Corley5]

  My neighbor has a Mahindra and he likes it.  He's had it about five years, snow blows his fairly long drive, cleans out his horse barns etc.  He likes it.  I'm not sure what model it is.  It appears to be a well built machine.
  The only thing I ever heard bad about them and it may have only applied to the older ones was that unlike other makes of small tractors they had a dry clutch rather than a wet one and the service life especially doing loader work was short compared to others.

[Tim L]

I've gone to a lot of tractor forums and there is more positive than not. Of course with any brand you can find someone who is not happy so you have to go by the majority opinion. I have more faith in the Forestry Forum folks because I know the type of work they do with equipment and their proven track record of integrity.

[Left Coast Chris]

We are in the same boat regarding needing to replace our tractor.  We have a Mahindra dealer, a Ford/kioti dealer, and a Kabota dealer close by.  I put a fair number of hours on the tractor and so does my wife so I have to think of her also.  Her knee hurts from too much clutching.  We have a 40hp Massey Ferguson that is bomb proof now with about 5000 hours on it.   It is getting up in hours so we have to think about replacing.  It is starting to smoke under load a bit more then when we got it. 

We have a friend with 50 acres and he bought a larger Mahindra.  Not sure the model.   He has on going problems with the wiring.  Other than that he is getting by with it.   Another friend has 5 acres but discs and puts a fair amount of hours on a approx. 30 HP Mahindra tractor.  His is only three years old and it was constantly overheating.  Finally blew the head gasket.  The fix cost him $1200.

My concern is on the tractor forums many of the newer tractors don't seem to last multiple thousands of hours without major issues.  They don't seem to be industrial grade tractors.  Maybe made for homeowner use.  Just observations from friends and forums.

The exception seems to be the Kabota, John Deer, and maybe Ford on specific models.   The Kabota and John Deer appear to have better resale value.

I have always thought I would go for a used Kabota or John Deer before a new lesser make but there are so many factors to consider.  Of the lesser and lower cost makes, the approx. 45 HP hydrostatic drive Branson is interesting.  Let us know how you do!  Best of luck.  :P

[Tim L]

I hear what you're saying. My wife is firm about buying new, she wants tractor work not working on the tractor. I will do a little more research but this Mahindra deal is tempting. Time will tell. In the meantime I welcome all the guidance I can get.

[Peter Drouin]

Hello neighbor, I looked at the Mahindra and they looked ok ,
but I went green for resale down the road maybe and parts in concord there are 2 dealers for JD, but you have to go to 60 horse or biger to get one made in the usa, mine is 80 horse made in georgia, got from rosencrantz in kensington 772- 4414
But now theres a JD for farm in concord, I like mine,
and stay away from the hydrostatic ones, with them you can't use the brake to help steer them becouse you can't push on the forword pedal and brake at the same time there on the same side unless you have 2 right feet :D


 
Just my 2 cents best of luck with your hunt

[T Welsh]

Tim, I am not familiar with the brand,so talk to other owners of the same and ask them if they would purchase it again after owning and working them. That will tell you a lot. I think all dealers red,green,orange are running good financing deals right now, we are looking at a Bobcat 770 all wheel steer skid steer right now and they have the same deal 0% for 3 years! But its a $65,000.00 machine!!!! OUCH. Tim

[Tom the Sawyer]

Tim L.

I think OlJarhead has a Mahindra 5010.  You might PM him if he doesn't chime in on this thread.

[Tim L]

Thanks all. Oljarhead are you out there ?

[beenthere]

Tim
Wish you the best with your decision.
;D

[drobertson]

Tim, an ole co worker had shopped and studied, and decided on the manhindra, far as I know he had one issue with the drive train, it was under warranty, fixed without issues, and never looked back,  He liked the weight of the machine as well as other options they have,  I think now days most have their pluses and minuses,    wish the best for you,  I think the biggest issue with any brand is to keep up the maintenance, and keep within the limits of the machine.    david

[RALFF]

I have a 2006 Mahindra 4530 4WD with a Mahindra ML 245 FEL. It has given me good service with no breakdowns at all. I have used it rather hard at times. About 3 years ago, while helping a neighbor clean up after a wind storm I used the FEL to pick up an oak log that according to the to the Forum calculator weighed 3450 pounds and the FEL is rated to lift a maximum of 2950 pounds.

[thecfarm]

How many hp,is that tractor. If buying new get the AG tires,narrow,deep cleats, Not the R1 ?? wide cleats,not much depth to them. I had the AG on another tractor and did good in my wet places,on a hill. Than I got another tractor,a used one,with the r's and I hate them. A BIG difference in traction. I asked another guy about the tires,without saying anything and he don't like them either.About the only thing I like about them is for packing down a place that I have dug up.    :  My other tires would not pack it down good. If buying new insist on the AG,8 ply too. The tractor I brought was an '03 with 800 hours on it. It looked brand new when I brought it.
I like what Peter said too. My tractor is a manual shift. I just like a manual better. My wife has a hydo. For what she uses that for,it works good.

[Tim L]

It's 49 hp with Ag tires and manual shift. Thanks for the heads up everyone. I've learned much and am loving the input. Feel free to keep it coming.

[thecfarm]

Nice size tractor,nice tires,nice tranny. Load up those rear tires with something,calium,beet juice and you will be good to go.
Do you have a plow for it? I would suggeat a 3pt winch too. yes,kinda pricey,but will last for years and it makes working in the woods so easy. We use to use just chains.

[Tim L]

I want several implements but need to start with a box scraper. The others will have to wait. Fortunately Pustizzi fruit farm is across the road and he has been very generous with equipment and tools.

[Sprucegum]

I have a Mahindra 3525 = 35 horsepower 2 wheel drive. My only complaint has been cold weather starting, yes it gets cold up here once in a while. This fall I will be installing a circulating heater which should take care of that problem.

[OlJarhead]

Never noticed the thread sorry!  Got the PM's though

I have a set of old disks (really half a set I think) and the 5010 drags them through the virgin soil we have like nobodies business   My daughter says "what's not to enjoy?  I'm driving a big monster that destroys everything in it's path!" lol 

I have a 72" box blade (bent 2 or 3 times on the rocks because the 3 point is MUCH stronger then the box blade), a boom (bent hauling too many trees out of the woods at once -- the Mahindra will drag your house out of the woods but the boom better be stronger! lol), a 60" brush hog (mows small trees in a single bound, er pass) and hope to get a plow blade and auger this year.

I've plowed my driveway and the road to my neighbors and his driveway with the FEL and the box blade and it works ok but I'd prefer the plow blade.

When it was below zero and 15+ inches of snow at the cabin we had to hike in to get the tractor so we could plow our way back to the truck.  I was warned that the tractor might not start because of the cold and sitting for over a month...they were wrong!  The Mahindra fired right up without issue.

No problems with it to date.
Erik

[gspren]

  The few Mahindras that I have seen reminded me of Massey Fergusons which is not a bad thing, are they related?

[OlJarhead]

  The few Mahindras that I have seen reminded me of Massey Fergusons which is not a bad thing, are they related?

I used to think so but then did a bunch of reading etc and found they aren't as far as I can tell. 

Mahindra has been around for about 30 years (I'd have to go back and look) doing business mostly overseas (India is their big market).

[raptorman01]

hey man, as a part time farmer first and a ff member second i would encourage you to make sure and check your prices against the NEW HOLLAND and John Deere. i own 4 New Holland/Ford and would not consider something i wasnt sure was going to be around for the long haul. the name brands do not really cost that much more, especially when you really see the differences in them. good luck with whatever u get, hard to beat the big blue!!!

[OlJarhead]

I looked at the New Hollands but found that while the price was lower ($17k) for their 35hp tractor then my Mahindra 50hp tractor ($20k) I got a lot more tractor for the money and Mahindra has been around for at least 30 years (I think it might be 40)....

New Holland/Case/IH has been around longer though but I'm not sure they are any better from those I've talked to that have been in the business.

My father-in-law (no longer with us :( ) was a Case guy (retired from a Case dealership) and had a non-flattering name for those 'green' tractors (snicker) so I know that tractor people are a lot like truck people (Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge anyone?) but in the end for me it came down to price/dealer location/dealer personality/brand and reputation.

[beenthere]

One can get the most valid information by looking at the resale prices of the different brands. Says it all. 

[Peter Drouin]

One can get the most valid information by looking at the resale prices of the different brands. Says it all. 

:D :D :D ;)

[mesquite buckeye]

The guy who worked on the Mahindra deal volunteers where I used to work. He says Mahindras are well built machines, the originals were designed and initial production monitored by people from the old International Harvester Co. in India.

[Tim L]

Hopefully, I'll buy the right tractor and have it haul my casket to the bone yard.

[chevytaHOE5674]

One can get the most valid information by looking at the resale prices of the different brands. Says it all. 

That just means that some people are blind to colors other than green. ha

[beenthere]

 ;D

[thecfarm]

My FIL and some on here have the best of the best, they never have problems with whatever they buy and they brought it cheaper too.  :

[Tim L]

Well, my wife bought me the Mahindra. It should be here mid week.

[Peter Drouin]

Best of luck with your new tractor 8) 8)

[thecfarm]

Got a building to keep it in? We park the car outside and her tractor inside. ;D

[dukndog]

I own a 3510 Mahindra. A bit small but has lasted me 7 years! When I shopped around, it was the lowest priced tractor by far. I wanted something with industrial tires, rear hydraulics, 7' FEL, and heavy.
Cons on owning it; smaller than what I need now (5010 a good choice), linkage and hydraulics are exposed allowing heavy brush to snag, cheap plastic parts like fender flares and console.
Dealers come and go on off-shore tractors, but they are simple to work on and most parts are available online. Mine came with maintenance manuals including parts and wiring diagrams. Unsure if they all do, but the dealer included them.
Good luck!!

[thecfarm]

Most have alot of plastic now.

[Tim L]

When we built our house 8 years ago, I made stump piles etc which have been aging in the same location and need to be cleaned up. Lifting capacity was a big concern.

[Tim L]

 

   I think I got it right. This is the tractor still in the dealers yard.

[Peter Drouin]

Nice and red :D :D  Is that a brush guard on it , and is it a  hidro trans, or standard, it must have AC too with a cab, you will like that ;)

[Tim L]

It's a standard. I know people withe hydrostatic trans that like them but I don't want to give up any HP. Yes it does have heat and A/C. I wish it was here today because the black flies are tearing me up.

[thecfarm]

Don't worry what others say,I don't.  ;) You are the one using it,not the ones that THINK they know what you want.  :  I myself like a std trans too. But it depends on how you are using it too. That's why I have 2,one std,one hydro. The hydro is the wife's. The flies don't seem to bother on the tractor,just when I'm off it they chew just about steady. That cab will come in handy in the winter.

[OlJarhead]

Nice!  I wish i could have gotten a cab too but am very happy with mine.  Love the gears too! 

[Peter Drouin]

the black flys are fun,will keep you moven  :D the cab is nice

[Tim L]

I can't wait for it to arrive on Wed. It's one thing to putter at the dealership but I want to see improvement here.

[Peter Drouin]

we would like to see pic of the improvements when you can :D

[maple flats]

I've been thinking of getting a new tractor in a couple of years. Right now Mahindra is at the top of my short list. They are said to be the biggest selling tractor in the world. I have driven one a friend has, real nice. They have real good mass in each HP size. Many tractors give far more HP than the tractor can use or get to the ground. I need a tractor in the 30-35HP size but it must fit down my blueberry rows. Thus a 66" wide tractor is max. I like the Mahindras and AC would be real nice for sure.

[Tim L]

--Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.com/albums/ss232/Turner_02/th_rosieandtractor.jpg?t=1369011180

[Tim L]

Of course ! I've been looking forward to some serious tractor work on this long weekend and it rains for days ! I'm fighting the urge to mess with it but I keep gazing at my new tractor out the window.

[Tim L]

 

  To Quote my friend John when he saw this pic "Dog is my co- pilot".

[Tim L]

 

   As you can see I'm finding the new tractor adequate

[Mooseherder]

Congratulations on your new purchase.
Your lil buddy likes the tractor as much as you do.

[Tim L]

You know it's funny, Rosie was supposed to be my wife's dog. She sticks to me like glue and my wife calls us "the lovers ".

[beenthere]

Congrats on the new tractor. You will enjoy it many times, and many ways.

What is the rod ahead of your right toe?

[Tim L]

Throttle, It looks strange in the photo but normal looking down on it. I always enter from the other side but my wife stopped me and took a picture with her phone.

[Peter Drouin]

Nice tractor and the smile on your face says it all  8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) that new tractor will save your back too, best of luck   

[Tim L]

Thanks Peter and everyone for your kind words and input !

[thecfarm]

More input,close that door,you're letting all the heat out.  :D  Probaly don't need a lot of heat next winter. That cab should keep the heat in from the tranny some and the rear end too.. But that AC will be some handy.

[wesdor]

I didn't give advice, but this looks like a NICE tractor.  Sounds like you have no intention for resale so getting what you want is the most important factor.

Around here one radio station is carrying commercials from Rush Limbaugh urging landowners to buy Mahindra.  So you are at least in lots of company including him.

Wish I had a cab like that on mine.  Great purchase

[Tim L]

Thanks, I was out grading/scraping today with temps in the 90's and humid. Some of the members here may be used to that but up our way, not so much. The AC was well worth it today !

[Peter Drouin]

Thanks, I was out grading/scraping today with temps in the 90's and humid. Some of the members here may be used to that but up our way, not so much. The AC was well worth it today !

YES the AC is nice, I have it too :D :D  can be 90 out side and 40 in side  8) 8) 8)

[Tim L]

Well , a whopping 24 hours on her now and still happy. Ran the neighbors 6 foot brush hog with no problem and picks up logs,stumps and rocks like it's supposed to.

[OlJarhead]

After over 130 hours I finally got mine warmed up! lol

These run cool unless you start to work them and I was grading for about 6 or 8 hours this weekend in low low...around 3k RPM...it got to the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge

Ya, I'm loving my 5010!

No AC for me but it was only in the 60's anyway

[mesquite buckeye]

Big boy toys are fun. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[Tim L]

I need a scraper box like you have. It's on the list but forks first.

After over 130 hours I finally got mine warmed up! lol

These run cool unless you start to work them and I was grading for about 6 or 8 hours this weekend in low low...around 3k RPM...it got to the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge

Ya, I'm loving my 5010!

No AC for me but it was only in the 60's anyway

[OlJarhead]

I have found it to be pretty awesome when it comes to grading

[Tim L]

What brand/ model is it and would you buy it again ?

[Bibbyman]

Three nice new house were built between us and the blacktop a few years back.  Two young couples and a middle aged couple.  All three have jobs at the nuclear plant.  The older couple put up a nice metal building with two garage doors and a large closed woodworking shop.  He bought a new Kabota tractor with loader, blade and mower.  Ok. He has a couple of open acres and a driveway about 100 feet back to his new building to maintain.

I drove past the middle guy's house about two weeks ago and there in his garage sets what I'd guess is a New Holland compact tractor.  What's funny is, this guy has a small lot.  I could about spit from the outside wall to the edge of his property on two sides and to the edge of the yard on the other two. They put in a garden that's more on the road right of way than on their property.  It's only about 10x20 anyway.  It won't take a deer 5 minutes to wipe it out.

The older guy I figure he can make some justification for the small tractor but I'm real confused as to why the second guy had to have one.

[thecfarm]

I use to wonder too. But a small compact is WAYYYYYY better than those garden tractors. Mow the lawn and clear snow,if they get any too. One of those tractors that when it comes up for sale in 20 years it only has 1500 hours on it.  ;D And they only change the oil and filters once a year.
When my Father and me brought the new Ford the dealer told us about some just changing oil once a year. I thought that was odd at first. Than I really started to take notice of how some tractors are used and can see why.

[Tim L]

I had my eye on a used Kubota 5030 with low hours (no cab) before I went with the Mahindra. My wife wanted me to buy new so I could go to work on the property and not the tractor. She also insisted on the cab in case she has to plow snow while I'm out plowing the highways. I'm not getting any younger but I'm cheap so I wouldn't have spent for it. I now admit that it's pretty nice to be climate controlled.

[Peter Drouin]

I had my eye on a used Kubota 5030 with low hours (no cab) before I went with the Mahindra. My wife wanted me to buy new so I could go to work on the property and not the tractor. She also insisted on the cab in case she has to plow snow while I'm out plowing the highways. I'm not getting any younger but I'm cheap so I wouldn't have spent for it. I now admit that it's pretty nice to be climate controlled.

Thats the way I use to think [ save money save save]. but now I don't spend like crazy. but im getting older too and now I make easer on my self. and climate controll is nice. Im glad the new tracter is working out well.
You can;t take the money with you :D :D :D

[OlJarhead]

http://youtu.be/VQdz-GF1r4Q
That's a Mahindra 5010 50hp 4wd with FEL.  And Yes I'd buy another one!  Frankly, there is almost no way I'd go with a compact or sub compact now although my wife would like one for getting into tighter spaces so perhaps I might get one some day (the Mahindra 3516 I think) but if I have to have one tractor only then I'll stick with my 50 horse Mahindra!

[OlJarhead]

Spent an hour with the dealer today and will likely come home with a back blade, rake and auger soon ;)

Then I plan to add skid steer forks and a skid steer front blade (I think).

Plowing snow is a big concern for me so I'll try the back blade this year and see how it goes and he just happens to have two sun bleached units that are unused but look a little faded etc so he's putting me down for one about $400 off the price of the same one new

[Tim L]

Nice video. What brand scraper box do you have ?

[OlJarhead]

Nice video. What brand scraper box do you have ?

It's a HawkLine -- I've abused it pretty badly with the rock we have but it hasn't been bent out of shape yet! lol.  Bent the mounts a little a couple times (big rocks will stop the tractor and I was impatient!  Low Low is the way to go).

[Tim L]

So you would buy another Hawkline ?

[OlJarhead]

So you would buy another Hawkline ?

Honestly I can't say yay or nay without first seeing others.  I suspect their are heavier ones out there that would be a lot more money but might be sturdier..I'd have to see those first and then I'd let the price be the final decider probably.

This one has taken abuse so if nothing is comparable price wise and also stronger then yes, I'd buy another.