Decision: 6500/2wd vs 6520/2wd

[bludev]

Thanks for the input Tim and all,

I may be leaning toward the 6520 2wd at this point, it is heavier in the rear-end and that may help offset the fact that its not 4wd when using the loader. We currently have about 100 acres (maybe adding more in the not too distant future), and its not extremely hilly (at least very few really sharp hills), its mostly established pasture so there's no real mud around, and of course, in North Carolina we don't get that much snow. So 4wd may not be as important to me as some ... especially considering price.

Again thanks everyone for your past and future comments.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks for the input Tim and all,

I may be leaning toward the 6520 2wd at this point, it is heavier in the rear-end and that may help offset the fact that its not 4wd when using the loader. We currently have about 100 acres (maybe adding more in the not too distant future), and its not extremely hilly (at least very few really sharp hills), its mostly established pasture so there's no real mud around, and of course, in North Carolina we don't get that much snow. So 4wd may not be as important to me as some ... especially considering price.

Again thanks everyone for your past and future comments.

bludev, congrats on your eventual purchase. The large discount of the 2wd tractors is indeed attractive. This probably means they arent selling tho, and I would suspect there is a good reason for that. My feeling is that a compact utility tractor wheelbase is too short to allow real utility capability when it is only 2wd. I have a small ag tractor and a couple of CUTs - one being the 7520 4WD. CUT wheelbases are shorter to improve maneuverability. The 50HP AG tractor is a good 18" longer wheelbase than the 7520. The long wheelbase reduces front/back weight transfer when working on inclines and anytime when using implements. The 2wd AG tractor will surefootedly back up a hill that the 7520 only spins on in 2wd - both have loaded rears. So much more % of the short wheelbase weight is shifted to the downhill wheels. 4WD much more than makes up for this handicap.
Also, when balancing one against another take a hard look at all the specs. There are sometimes other upgrades included as you go to another model or to 4wd.

I think you will be restricting yourself more than you think with a 2WD CUT purchase.
Larry

 

[Smithla]

Maybe you can shop around for a used 4WD, as I did. My dealer had two 6000's with 4WD, and the one I bought only had 285 hours on it, and 1/2 of the warranty left. The amount I saved on buying used was the difference between 2WD and 4WD. So shop around and you may find that special unit.

Good Luck,

Les

 

[jwcinpk]

I agree I'd rather have used or even smaller 4wd than larger new 2wd. You just don't understand the gain until you use it.

 

[7520]

when i went looking I started looking at 6500/2wd with loader. salesman talked me in to 4wd with a loader. knowing what i know now that could have been the biggest mistake of my life so far! go 4wd with a loader next time you are looking,get on and off the 6500 15 times. go over get on 6520 15 times. imagine that every time you use it. and you are only getting older. i could see myself doing it for a few years.but not in 15 or 20 years. thats why i went with the platform. i could see my feet getting tangled up when i got older. if you can afford it, don't settle for less than what you need. you wont regret it. did i say i love my tractor? happy tractor hunting.

 

[bludev]

Guys,

Thanks again for all of your input. Much to many of your dismay, I'm probably going to take a chance on the 2wd 6500 ... at the price I was quoted, I just can't turn it down. Plus, it will allow me to keep my Massey Ferguson 240, for me, that offsets the 4wd (as I said before, I'm not sure if I can even justify a real need for 4wd).
Mention of the MF 240 brings me to another question ... if any of you have experience with other makes (CASE-IH, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, John Deere), I'd like your opinions on how the Mahindra compares to those. Just for your info, the Mahindra (with its incentives) is 4000 to 5000 bucks less expensive than any of the comparable makes I just mentioned.

Thanks again,
Roger

 

[NTex6500]

I bought a 6500 2WD last July for the same reason you are. I saved big bucks and I have used it to plow, mow, drag my drive, fill ruts and clear brush and trees with absolutely no problems. If you know how to use a 2WD tractor properly you don't need 4WD to do these tasks on relatively flat dry land. I bought it to use as a small ag tractor and it works great as one. Good luck on your choise.