Decisions (4530 vs. 3215)

POC · Apr 18, 2008

I went to several dealerships today (MF, Kubota/NH(1 tractor on the lot), Mahindra).
My specific question (or quandry, what would you do, whatever) is this:

While I was having the guy work up a quote on a 4530 w/ FEL and 511BH w/ 36" bucket. The price for that was $29,255.
Another guy popped his head in the room and said that they had a 3215HST w/ FEL and BH. The owner (of the dealership) had used it to put in a septic system. It has about 10 hours on it. I believe he said it could still be sold as "new" even though it had the hours. He off-the-cuff priced it to me at $20K.

I am planning on digging a foundation and partial basement for a house addition. Then clearing some land of small-medium trees and stumps to put in pasture. Build a barn. Some plowing, disking, planting. Yarding some small-medium logs (I've used my dads 30hp 2wd tractor to do this thus far).

What would you guys do?

I see the HP difference is only about 10, but the 3215 weighs more than half the 4530. I know that would help with jobs like plowing, but it would also compact the soil when I'm working around the house.

Patrick

rcrcomputing · Apr 18, 2008

3215 - ml-111 loader = 9 cubic feet-- lift = 1410lbs
4530 - ml-245 = 19.7 cubic feet -- lift = 2950lbs

The 3215 would take twice as many buckets full and can pick up 1/2 the weight.

Course, now that you made me go look. I'll take a closer look at the 4530 myself (if it comes in hst). For me, hst is a MUST have.

rcrcomputing · Apr 18, 2008

Heck, I don't see where Mahindra has anything bigger that 32HP wish HST. Maybe I'm overlooking them?

POC · Apr 18, 2008

No, I don't think they do.

The shuttle shift works pretty slick though. I got to drive the 4530 around and move some dirt. It was fun.
I guess I just need to buy them both....

rcrcomputing · Apr 19, 2008

POC said:
No, I don't think they do.

The shuttle shift works pretty slick though. I got to drive the 4530 around and move some dirt. It was fun.
I guess I just need to buy them both....

Two tractors are better than one.

I've never driven a shuttle shift. Guess I should.

POC · Apr 19, 2008

Do you think the price on the 3215 is good? Is the 4530 worth another $9K?

What would you do?

Farmerboy · Apr 19, 2008

I just bought a 3215 with Quick Attach Loader, and 3710 Back Hoe for $22,500. Similar to your situation, mine was slightly used (9 hours).

$20K is a great deal. But, for what you want to do, I'd get the 4530.

My only complaint about the 3215 is that I wish it had a larger bucket. However, I didn't want to pay more than $23K.

rcrcomputing · Apr 19, 2008

With what you have in mind. Go with the 45. I wish I had!

POC · Apr 19, 2008

My two concerns with the 45 is compacting/rutting the ground around the house and being so big in the woods. Although the timberjacks made roads in the woods last fall, so there shouldn't be any problem getting a tractor around in there.

Thanks for the discussion guys.

jcpehl · Apr 19, 2008

I have a 4530. Surprising it is pretty nimble in the woods. I’ve used mine for taking down trees along my fence line and making roads through my woods. I’ve been able to maneuver around and through some pretty dense growth. I think if you are going to do a lot of dirt work (as it sounds like your planning to do) you will appreciate the extra horsepower, weight and size of the bucket. I recently dug my pond out with my 4530 and it really surprised me with the power and the relative ease of operating it in thick muck and mud. It never once got stuck, come close a few times but I was always able to work it out with the FEL. It will compact the dirt more than a smaller tractor, but that is a plus when your doing dirt work. All in all I can honestly say I’m happy with my purchase of the 4530. It has never let me down and I have expected it to do some pretty tough jobs. I would highly recommend this tractor to my family and friends and have already done so.