20 Series Question

[dcgrosvold]

I have a question for all you 20 Series owners out there. I've been looking at Mahindra and several other brands recently for my new farming operation. I'm especially interested in the 6520 and 7520 tractors, as I think they would be perfect for my needs, with one exception:

The one thing I expect to do a lot of (other than run a mower, rake and round baler,) is loader work.

I tried to visit a Mahindra dealer yesterday, but after being on the lot for 20 minutes, no one seemed interested in talking to me. I won't beg someone to do business wiht me. I'm suspicious of any dealer who won't put customer service first. The first time I need service, they most likely will not be there to help.

After that episode, I went down the street to a dealer of green tractors, who spent 45 minutes with me. Big difference.

Anyway, he showed me a tractor with a "PowerReverser" option, which was sweet. Being able to move forward and then back with the loader by flipping a lever instead of clutching constantly woud be great. Is this capability something that is available on Mahindra tractors? I can't tell from the description on the Mahindra web site.

The next nearest Mahindra dealer is 75 miles away. I'll go there next, but it'll have to wait a couple weeks.

Thanks!

 

[bindian]

I have a question for all you 20 Series owners out there. I've been looking at Mahindra and several other brands recently for my new farming operation. I'm especially interested in the 6520 and 7520 tractors, as I think they would be perfect for my needs, with one exception:

The one thing I expect to do a lot of (other than run a mower, rake and round baler,) is loader work.

I tried to visit a Mahindra dealer yesterday, but after being on the lot for 20 minutes, no one seemed interested in talking to me. I won't beg someone to do business wiht me. I'm suspicious of any dealer who won't put customer service first. The first time I need service, they most likely will not be there to help.

After that episode, I went down the street to a dealer of green tractors, who spent 45 minutes with me. Big difference.

Anyway, he showed me a tractor with a "PowerReverser" option, which was sweet. Being able to move forward and then back with the loader by flipping a lever instead of clutching constantly woud be great. Is this capability something that is available on Mahindra tractors? I can't tell from the description on the Mahindra web site.

The next nearest Mahindra dealer is 75 miles away. I'll go there next, but it'll have to wait a couple weeks.

Thanks!

Dcgrosvold
I would imagine the Mahindra dealer you visited is way busy and your JD dealer is not. I quit trying to reach my Mahindra salesman on the phone. Since it is close, I just drive over to ask questions...........and wait my turn after I make sure he has seen me waiting nearby. My 6520 has shuttle shift which is a forward and reverse lever to the left of the steering wheel. You have to use the clutch with shuttle shift. It sounds like you were shown a JD with hydrostatic drive. I like gears and clutches better.
hugs, Brandi

 

[dcgrosvold]

Actually this is the second time I've had trouble getting anyone at this specific dealership to help. No reflection on Mahindra as far as I'm concerned - these guys have been selling New Holland for years, as well, so they've been in business a LONG time. Problem is, they've also been fat and happy far too long. I like hungry dealers - they understand customer service.

I climbed up on one of those NH tractors yesterday as well. 70HP - couldn't stand the way it felt. I didn't even drive it. So the NH line is out. The largest Mahindra they had was the 6520 - which was the bottom end of what I'm looking for, anyway.

Anyway, there was no one on the lot yesterday morning, so the place couldn't have been too busy. I'd have been far more patient If I'd seen one or two salespeople out on the lot with customers.

Be that as it may, there are other dealers - this one just happened to be the closest - within 68 miles of home, so the other is not that much farther (75 mi - just in the opposite direction.) I had business that way this weekend so that's where I stopped.

Just to explain, the JD I was shown was a 5425 and had a 12x12 with PowerReverser - and it definitely had a clutch. The 5425 is an 81HP tractor, not the little ones with hydro transmissions. The only thing close to it in the Mahindra line would be the 7520. I realize that we're talking apples, oranges -- and limes (or is that Mahindras, Kubotas and JDs? )

Brandi, thanks for answering my question about the 20 Series. That does help me quite a bit. I haven't necessarily ruled out the Mahindra line yet, just comparing features right now.

 

[MLinOleMiss]

Recently, I used a 5425 that belongs to a friend of mine, that is one sweet machine. It had the self-leveling loader, which made it extra sweet. I don't know if Mahindra offers the self-leveling loader option yet, but the $ difference between the two is probably going to be pretty steep. Around here the 7520 with QA FEL goes for about 29000 and the 5425 with the 542 self leveling bucket goes for about 41000.

 

[dcgrosvold]

Around here the 7520 with QA FEL goes for about 29000 and the 5425 with the 542 self leveling bucket goes for about 41000.

Yeah, the Mahindra dealer I haven't been to yet has an ad for brand new a 7520 FWD with the QA FEL for $26,500. I think that's about as good as it gets for a 7520. This dealer also has a used 6500 FWD w/FEL with 431 hours on it for $17,500. -- Now that's a good price! I'm going to be heading up there in a couple weeks.

I don't know if the JD 5425 + 542 SL FEL is worth another $15K, but it sure felt good when I was up on it. Although, for $41K I'd expect a cab and other goodies too!

I'm far more concerned about features, price, and dealer service than I am about one brand over the other. I believe I'll end up buying the dealer before I buy the color. IN the neighbor hod I'm in, everyone who's been here a while has red tractors because there was a local dealer IH about 12 miles away. He's out of business now, so we have to go more like 18 - 20, and there's one dealer that handles Montana tractors there. I haven't seen his line-up yet.

Anyway, beyond that we have to go about 35 - 50 miles to find any good- sized tractor dealers. But they all claim to be willing to make the trip out here for service calls if necessary.

 

[Dougster]

I don't know if the JD 5425 + 542 SL FEL is worth another $15K, but it sure felt good when I was up on it. Although, for $41K I'd expect a cab and other goodies too!

That John Deere certainly looks like a magnificent machine... but not nearly as good as a 7520 and a $15,000 savings!

Dougster

 

[dcgrosvold]

That John Deere certainly looks like a magnificent machine... but not nearly as good as a 7520 and a $15,000 savings!

You might be surprised at what a person might spend to help their handicapped partner have an easier time of it . Not to mention easing my own aches and pains. We're both in our mid fifties now and anything I can do to keep the pain down would be a blessing. Don't get me wrong - I've got a LOT more tractors to look at and drive before I lay down the cash.

I just wish we'd started this horse ranching thing 20 years ago, instead of now! Thing is, we both had other partners back then. I guess it's better late than never.

 

[Dougster]

You might be surprised at what a person might spend to help their handicapped partner have an easier time of it . Not to mention easing my own aches and pains. We're both in our mid fifties now and anything I can do to keep the pain down would be a blessing. Don't get me wrong - I've got a LOT more tractors to look at and drive before I lay down the cash. I just wish we'd started this horse ranching thing 20 years ago, instead of now! Thing is, we both had other partners back then. I guess it's better late than never.

As a major fan of the 20-Series, I know my opinion is badly tainted! And at 57 years old with a bum left arm since birth, I understand full well what a physical handicap can mean. But I am still hard pressed to figure out how one of those two magnificent tractors is more or less handicap-friendly than the other. On the other hand, it is absolutely none of my business!

I do wish you good luck with your eventual selection. The choice would be awfully easy for me because I love the 7520 and don't have the extra $15K in my pocket. And if I did, I'd buy myself a second, smaller Mahindra with the "change"!

Dougster

 

[MLinOleMiss]

Dougster,
The 5425 has a power reverser, which means no clutching to change directions, and as you well know, a day of loader work equals a lot of clutching. I am 6'6 and a day of loader work on my 4110 means a stiff left leg. If your handicap is from the waist down the extra money is well worth it.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, The 5425 has a power reverser, which means no clutching to change directions, and as you well know, a day of loader work equals a lot of clutching. I am 6'6 and a day of loader work on my 4110 means a stiff left leg. If your handicap is from the waist down the extra money is well worth it.

Of course. Forgetful moi! I had just read that above before I posted and didn't make the obvious connection.

Guess it's time for me to go to bed!

Dougster