Mahindra 2516 OR New Holland TC26da - Advice/Opinions Please.

[arnoldziffel]

I have the tractor bug bad.

This week we are going to add another tractor to our household. 90% of the time the tractor will be used by my wife to brush hog and/or finish mow about 5 acres of flat field that adjoins our home.

A FEL is NOT a key part of our need as we already have a Bobcat CT230 that serves that purpose. This second tractor will be lighter weight due to the soft nature of the field much of the year. We will keep this tractor for years so RESALE value is not highly important.

Note: My wife will NOT consider a ZTR. No need to go there.

Our search has boiled down to two choices:

- New Holland TC26da. Tractor only. HST. No attachments. No FEL. $8200. Under 100 hours. About 20 PTO horsepower. 44" wide. Operator station and seating is higher. (makes the tractor look a little bigger than the Mahindra). Ground clearance measurement unknown.

- Mahindra 2516. HST. Tractor WITH FEL. No other attachments. $9500. About 150 hours. About 21 PTO horsepower. 54" wide. Operator station and seating is lower. (makes the tractor look a little smaller than the New Holland). Ground clearance measurement unknown.


Questions:

- In the real world, do any of you have first hand experience with either of these models and therefore have opinions of their respective strengths and weaknesses? (Is one built with more robust components than the other? Does the New Holland have a beefier driveline and stronger axles?)

- What do you all think about the prices?


Feel free to give other thoughts / opinions.

Thanks for your feedback. I'll report our decision by next Tuesday.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I've never owned or driven either one, but since nobody has responded all day I'll give you my uninformed 2 cents. According to TractorData, the Mahindra is about 200 - 250 pounds heavier than the NH, and the rear lift capacity at the 3 point is approx 1,000 pounds more on the Mahindra. The extra weight would typically be a positive, but it depends on whether your 5 acres is more yard or field.

If you have any hills or slopes, the wider stance and lower seating position of the Mahindra would be a big benefit.

The NH has a Shibaura engine and the Mahindra has a Mitsubishi. Both are excellent engines, so that's a wash.

Most of us here would go with the one that had slightly more power, lifted a lot more at the 3ph and weighed more.

 

[Gittyup]

Tractors are pretty much the same. Why spend $1300 more for a loader you don't need? But, I do prefer the Mahindra as it is just little bit more capable.

 

[paulfun9]

more lift, more power, and a little more weight. I would be looking very hard at the Mahindra even if I didn't really need the loader.