Help-Purchase replacement tractor

[artp]

Yes. The salesman thought we might be able to change the mounting brackets and gain another inch or so but there is not much more to go since the back of the seat is very close to the tool box. I am just long legged & my old knees get a little stiff if I can't stretch them out a bit. The right leg is only real problem since the foot throttle position doesn't give you (at least to me) a lot of room. Since I have never had a HST before some of this might just be ketting use to the foot control. I guess pushing 60 doesn't help. I was able to get into a 3215 that a customer had bought earlier this year & it seemed a little better. The 3215 would kick up the price another $ 1500 & put it close to the Kubota B7800 HSD-F and L2800 HST-F. I had a chance to sit on the Kubotas and both seemed more accomodating expecially the L2800. I will need to test these out more though. I did have a chance to drive a NH TC34. Very smooth, fit me well, but really more tractor than I need and much more expensive. I will need to look further at the NH line, but my impression is that it will cost a lot more in the NH line then something similar in Kubota or Mahindra. I still liked the feel & handling of the Mahindra. Felt very soild yet nimble with smooth controls. Just my first impression. PS the dealer is only 5 minutes away & very knowledgeable. Just makes the decision harder.

 

[MajMac392]

artp, I have an older Cub Cadet, 23HP, model but it is essentially the same frame, fit, etc as 2615 Mahindra. The tractor like the Mahindra's is a solid, tough one made by Mitsubishi, rebadged and spiffed up some by Mahindra. That said, I've always thought the 'cockpit' of that series could use a little more room to make it much more comfortable. I'm right at 6', not your size but close. Both the 2815/6 and the 3215/6 are slightly larger frame tractors and have a bigger cockpit area. Either one of them would be my choice, hopefully when I upgrade to 1) get a little more HP, and 2) go to an HST.

Another free opinion!

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Art,
Have the dealer raise the seat an inch or 2 and back as far as it can go and I think you will find it a whole lot better. I have done this on the 4110 & 3510 and it is a big improvement.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Hey art:
We have about the same needs and wants for a tractor. I bought essentially the same setup you were quoted for about $2500 less about a year ago, but that was an exceptional deal even at that time. I imagine prices in general have gone up a bit since then, so it sounds like you're in the ballpark.

Regarding the box blade v. front blade, the box is definitely better, in my opinion, for maintaining gravel/stone driveways. I've actually been surprised with the versatility of the thing, especially with its adjustable/removable scarifiers that I use like small rippers for soil preparation. I've also tamed quite a few acres of very rough pasture with it, and can now mow it in mid-range rather than crawl along in low, bouncing like crazy, like I did at first.

When it comes to bang for the buck, the 2615 in general has been one of the best machines I've ever owned, of any kind. I've been constantly amazed by its performance, and it fits me just fine. But if it doesn't fit you, you won't be happy, especially if you plan to spend more than a couple of hours at a time on it. I'd advise you keep looking until you find the perfect fit.

 

[AchingBack]

I'd have my legs shortened before I'd pass up the chance to own a 2615. Maybe you could work barefooted, and have enough cockpit room.

 

[artp]

Hey guys the choices are getting hard. Here is where I am at & I need to make a decision very soon. Please give me your input. Here is what I am down to:

Mahindra 2815HST with ML111 loader 5 Ft Buhler finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #1 $ 16,975 less trade in net cash $ 14,175
Dealer #2 $ 15,850 less trade in net cash $ 14,400

Kubota L2800HST with LA 463 loader Land Pride 5ft finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #3 $ 16,908 less trade in net cash $ 14,200
Dealer #4 $ 18,322 less trade in net cash $ 15,522

Kioti CK30HST with KL130 Loader, Kioti 5 Ft finish mower and 5ft box blade

Dealer #5 $ 16,439 less trade in net cash ??

I have driven all of the tractors & any can handle the work I need now and (I believe) down the road as best I can see. All felt solid, handled well, ran smooth, loader controls felt good. I felt comfortable in the seat, good leg room, ect.

Dealer # 1 is about 50 miles away. Large dealership, very knowledgeable and I have a “good comfort level” with him

Dealer # 2 is local-only 5 miles away and is very eager for my business. He did not have a 2815 in stock and would incur substantial freight charges to get one from another dealer. He is willing to split the freight cost to make the deal. If we can not agree on the price, he is still very comfortable in servicing it-no hard feelings if I don’t buy there.

Dealer # 3 is also local (about 15 miles away). He has been in business for many years with a good reputation.

Dealer #4 (about 40 miles away) also has a good reputation, but higher on his price.

The Kioti dealer is a young man who has only been in business as a dealer for a few years, but seems very knowledgeable and is steadily building his business. He stated that his mechanics have attended national training classes for Kioti and have had years of experience at other local dealerships before joining him. I checked the man out with a good neighbor of mine who has known him for many years & speaks highly of him. He is coming out tonight to look at my trade in and give me a firm net cash price. If his price is in the ball park, it will be a tough decision.

PS I made a mistake on my earlier thread on the Kioti forum for the CK25 & the CK30. Those prices were for the tractor & loader only, not the attachments. Dealer said he understated the pricing in the above quote, but he would stick to it since that is what he gave me.

 

[AchingBack]

Dealer #2. Willing to compromise, willing to service. I can't believe you'd consider buying from #1, 50 miles away, just to save $225.00

 

[artp]

AchingBack,

I was only laying out the "options". If I were to go with the 2815, I agree that the closer dealer would get the nod. Waiting a few weeks to get delivery would not be a problem. I should have clarified that earlier. Thanks for your reply.

 

[AchingBack]

artp, does dealer #2 have a 2615? If so, what implements have you that would be too big for it? I ask because you are considering the 2800 which has 24 pto, hp, and the 2615 pto puts out 24 hp on a dynomometer, and the engine puts out 28 hp on the dyno test.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Well, you're in the Mahindra forum, so you're probably not going to get a lot of guys telling you not to get one. But I think you'll likely be happy with either Mahindra or Kibota. I've spent time on both, and it generally comes down to what fits best. I've never been on a Kioti.

I had the same choice for dealers as you: local guy in Vacaville (only 35 miles away) eager for business, or Dave up in Red Bluff ('bout 75 miles). I went local and have been very happy with the experience. They delivered to my front door, and we did the deal in the kitchen. Happy as a pig in s___ ever since, and Dave was happy too, since he assembles all the Mahindras sold in the Western US.

Happy tractoring!