Mahindra 3525 decisions?

[PetersonQH]

I'm thinking about purchasing a 3525, for our small horse operation. Right now I am using a A-C WC for baling, and have someone cut my 8 acres of hay for me. I would like use this for mowing the hay with something like a 7ft NH haybine, but I'm not sure it will do the job, waht are your opinions?

I have been quoted $17,100 for the tractor w/ FEL, how does the price sound?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[m4hindra m4n]

i dont know where you are located but we bought a mahindra 5525 with fel for 16,575 at woodards tractor and equipment in gray,georgia.

 

[PetersonQH]

I'm in Ohio, the price he gave me was list price.

 

[xlr82v2]

I bought my 3525 back in August 2007, and that price is WAY high, by at least $2500 or more. The dealer can do much better, should be able to get down in the 14-15K range easy, closer to 14K, if prices haven't gone up too much for '08.

I think it would handle a 7' haybine just fine, especially if you're on flat ground. If you're ground is fairly hilly, you may want a little bit bigger tractor. But HP wise, I think you'll be OK.

I love my 3525, it's probably the best kept secret out there in the tractor world... by far the best bang for the buck available! No bells and whistles, just a strong, basic, no nonsense, dependable tractor!

 

[PetersonQH]

XLR,

I was thinking it would work, I was doubting myself a little when I looked up the HP for the haybine on NH's web site, it stated 30 hp or greater, I was thinking PTO, but that is the "tractor requirement". Our hayfield isn't hilly, but does have some gentle rolling to it.

Yeah, I beleive I can do better on price also, I believe I can get down around 13k maybe a little less.

 

[xlr82v2]

Wow, if you can get him below 14K for the tractor AND FEL, then that's quite an accomplishment for a new 3525. Do you have some blackmail material against your dealer, or are you looking at a used one?

 

[EFC]

XLR,

I was thinking it would work, I was doubting myself a little when I looked up the HP for the haybine on NH's web site, it stated 30 hp or greater, I was thinking PTO, but that is the "tractor requirement". Our hayfield isn't hilly, but does have some gentle rolling to it.

Yeah, I beleive I can do better on price also, I believe I can get down around 13k maybe a little less.

If you can get it for 13k or less count me in for 6 of them since that is less than dealer cost.

Buck

 

[PetersonQH]

Well I will let you guys know, they are a new dealer, so I don't know how they will be with the "wiggle room"?

 

[DonWorrell]

Peterson QH,

When I as on the farm years ago we had a Allis Chalmbers WD-45 and ran it on a haybine. It wasn't a 7' though. Our haybine gave our WD-45 all it wanted and we have extremely flat land.

I look up on Tractor data.com and saw a WD-45 has 38.9 hp at the PTO. The Mahindra website says a 3525 has 27 hp at the PTO.

If I were you I would ask the dealer if I could cut a swath or two of hay before I bought the 3525.

I personally think is just a little to small for the job. I own a 3325, almost the same tractor except no PS or live clutch. They do have the same engine. I love my tractor and it pulls a 5' bush hog in extremely heavy grass in 2nd high. I did have a WD-45 pulling the same bush hog it pulled it in 3rd. (I love Allis Chalmbers especially the WD-45 and D-17's I would own an AC if you could get parts.)

I would try out the 3525 before I bought it.

In 2006 I bought my 3325 without a FEL and paid $8,950 plus tax before rebate. I was offered a 3525for around $2,000 more without a FEL. So in my mind the $17,100 is a little high. But it is 2008 now and not 2006.

Don

 

[PetersonQH]

Don,

Thanks for the information, what size of haybine did you run? I don't have a haybine yet, but that is waht I was looking for, maybe I can see if they can get on off consignment feom someone?

Mark

 

[PetersonQH]

Brian,

Did you say you used to bale with your 8N, if so did you use a haybine and what size?

Mark

 

[DonWorrell]

I can't remember but it conditioned a swath of hay cut by a New Idea pull behind mower.

Don

 

[grfok]

I bought my 3525 in March 2008 and the price was $15,500 w/loader.
mine was to replace my tired 2N and it seems to pull the 5ft brush hog just fine in 3rd or 4th low... probably could go faster but I have a lot of trees and rough ground.

 

[xlr82v2]

Brian,

Did you say you used to bale with your 8N, if so did you use a haybine and what size?

Mark

No, I've never had my 8N or 3525 on a baler yet. But, when I was growing up on the farm, we ran our JD 24T baler with a Farmall 300, which I think is about 35hp on the engine, same as the 3525. I'd think the 3525 would do OK running a baler, horsepower-wise, as long as the windrows aren't too heavy. Rake them single, or maybe even double if they're light, and it will do OK. Heavy windrows raked double may be a little more than it wants. I used to help my other uncle put up clover hay, and he ran his 24T with a JD 60. When the windrows were heavy, the baler would make that old 60 snort pretty good . That's about all the experience I have with running balers with small tractors. As I got older and we got more tractors, the old 300 was relegated to rake duty and we put bigger tractors on the baler.

We used to have a JD 1209 mower-conditioner (haybine), and while it probably would be a little big for the 3525, it was light as a feather compared to the NH 14' haybine that we had. I'd imagine that a JD1207 or 1217 mo-co would not be a problem for a 3525. Again, haven't tried it, but I don't think you'd have any problems with one cutting hay/alfalfa. Now if you go trying to cut heavy stuff like sudangrass, etc, all bets are off. And, I think the NH haybines are built a lot heavier than the JD's... so if you have any hills, you might want a little more lead in your britches with the NH's. Morning dew and the first downhill pass could get a little exciting

I'm not saying that I think the 3525 would be the optimum tractor for all of these activities, but with a small hayfield like 8 acres, I think it can get the job done if that's all the budget will allow. It's not like you're going to be haying with it 5-6 days a week like we did on the dairy farm.

 

[PetersonQH]

Brian,

Thanks for the reply you have been very helpful, I have been thinking the same. I only have 8 acres that I would try to get 3 cuttings of Timothy/Orchard/Alfalfa mix off of. Our property has a gentle roll to it, so I don't believe that would be an issue. I will still have someone cut for me until I can find the right cutting equipment, and I dont believe a conventional square baler of any kind, with my hay mix, would cause any problems with the tractor. I don't like to get too big a windrow anyway, for me they keep too much moisture in them, which can cause other problems and concerns.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[DonWorrell]

I agree the 3525 should handle the baler well. The plunger will rock the tractor some but it should have enough hp to run the baler. We had a 14T when we farmed and ran it with a John Deere A or a AC WD-45. You might need to slow the tractor down some. I would think 2nd high or 3rd low would be as fast as I would go.

Don

 

[xlr82v2]

I agree the 3525 should handle the baler well. The plunger will rock the tractor some but it should have enough hp to run the baler. We had a 14T when we farmed and ran it with a John Deere A or a AC WD-45. You might need to slow the tractor down some. I would think 2nd high or 3rd low would be as fast as I would go.

Don

Don,

Do you mean 2nd Low or 3rd Low? 2nd High is a little fast... probably faster than the fingers on the pickup can come around and pick up the windrow, at least with a JD 14 or 24. Now with some of the newer high capacity balers, it may be possible! Those things can pack away some hay! But, not with a 3525 leading the charge

 

[DonWorrell]

Don,

Do you mean 2nd Low or 3rd Low? 2nd High is a little fast... probably faster than the fingers on the pickup can come around and pick up the windrow, at least with a JD 14 or 24. Now with some of the newer high capacity balers, it may be possible! Those things can pack away some hay! But, not with a 3525 leading the charge

Yes you are probably correct.

Don

 

[PetersonQH]

To all,

Thank you for your input, I finally pulled the trigger and am going to be taking delivery of a 5525 today. I figured for the price difference I was being quoted ($1100) I would go with the 5525 rather than the 3525. This will for sure run any hay equipment I may need and I will not have to doubt whether I got a big enough tractor, although it may be too much tractor...NAH! I will try to get pics later.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[xlr82v2]

Good deal. Congrats on your purchase! You're right, no doubt that the 5525 will be enough.

How low did you finally get them down to on the 3525?