mahindra 3525 - should I?

[jonbravado]

hello guys -

i am all but sold on a mahindra 3525 - i have been comparing it to john deere, kubotas, new hollands, etc. it weighs a LOT more and lifts a LOT more than anything in it's range.

i will be using it to keep up about 6 acres of land - with a large garden on about an acre and a half. it's mainly flat, and with no sharp turns or tight spaces (not many, anyway). and plowing up my hunting land for food plots.

would this tractor do the job? i am a novice at best at all this, and am looking for a simple workhorse.

thanks in advance for the comments.

J

 

[Nightrain1]

I would imagine it would serve you well. You might see some more info on the Mahindra forum down below. There are some very smart people there, for that matter all over this entire board. I would add this, if you can get a 4wd model, I have never heard anybody that wished they had'nt got one, but have heard others that wished they had the front assisted drive. It makes a big difference imho, but I realize the added cost.

 

[Dieselmh]

It sounds like that would be a great tractor for you. The only complaints I've ever heard about Mahindras came from some guys who used them commercially, to move dirt/rocks/gravel all day, every day. They said that the hydraulics are great, and will lift just about anything to attach the FEL to, but that after a year or so of hard lifting and hauling, the front end of the tractor couldn't handle the abuse. I've never heard this complaint from a residential user, so I think the problem was that they were lifting more than the tractor was rated for, but since the FEL would lift it, they went ahead and hauled it, ultimately causing lots of wear and tear on the front end parts, due to overloading. You also have to keep in mind that the guys running the equipment weren't the ones paying for it, so I'm sure they pushed the limits. Unless you're planning on using it to move heavy loads of dirt all the time, I think it'll be great for you.

 

[DonWorrell]

I have 5 acres which is fairly flat. I own a Mahindra 2wd 3325 and use it with my 5' bush hog, a 6' finishing mower and a 5' box blade.

Both tractors have the same 35 hprse power engine. Both look almost the same.

I have bush hogged trees up to 2" no problem. The main differance between a 3325 and 3525 is as follows.

A 3325 doesn't have a two stage clutch. This is not a real problem doing what you mention.

Also you can't get rear spools. This is something which allows you to operate a remote lift like a log splitter or a dics on wheels.

Also they tell me you can't buy a FEL for a 3325. But I have read on here you can.

One last thing PS doesn't come with a 3325. So a FEL would be harder to operate on a 3325 than a 3525.

Now if you have read this far here is the answer to your orginal question. Yes, I would buy the 3525 or for that matter the 3325 in a New York minute. Both will do what you want done with no problem at all.

But there is only $1,586 difference in price between the two. A 3325 list for $10,959 and a 3525 list for $12,545.

But when I buy a tractor i want a tractor. I never had, (I am now 60 years old), PS, 4WD or 2 stage clutches. I don't want a lot of things which can break down. I just buy a good tractor.

 

[jonbravado]

Thanks for the info guys -

i am all but sold - i got a great price from a local dealer on the works - tractor, trailor, 5 foot bushhog, 5 foot box blade, drag harrow, and disc harrow.

Don, i am only 30 yrs old, but we are kindred souls - i like simplicity - i like things to work and more bells and whistles, to me, means more stuff to break.

from what you have mentioned, i think the 3525 will serve me well. i have heard negative comments on mahindra, but if you search around, people talk trash about all the big boys too.

this is a great forum - glad to now be part of it. i'll learn a lot.

thanks again, guys.

J

 

[UncleBubba63]

There is no doubt the 3525 is a really good tractor. The price is very attractive too.

I researched so many tractors before I bought one that it is pathetic... in the end I bought a JD 990 with FEL and 4WD (see my post on that). But, the other tractor that made the final cut was the 3525. After all the comparing and research, only the JD 990 and the Mahindra 3525 were on my list.

In the end I chose the John Deere for several reasons, but one of them was NOT because I thought it was a better tractor than the 3525.

Here a couple of my own thoughts about the Mahindra 3525:

1. I am a true blue American. Patriotic to a fault perhaps... I had to get over the tractor being an Indian product. I hate to admit it but America doesn't make the best stuff anymore... well, except for women. So my opinion is forget about who made it... it is a good machine.

2. I am cheap. I hate to spend money. When I do spend it I don't want to spend a dime more than I have to. One of the things I really liked about the 3525 was the price. By the time I added the loader it was still a good deal. Then the 4wd...

3. You really should consider getting the four wheel drive. My opinion is that most people don't get it because of dollars. But I think the 4wd is worth the extra money. Can you live without it? Sure. But I think if you do spring for the 4wd you will be glad you did. ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET THE LOADER (and you should).

4. The "heaviness" of the 3525. I don't think that the extra weight is really that big of a deal. I have had two Massey Fergusons and two Fords, and never once has weight been an issue.

For what you stated you plan to do with the tractor I am confident the 3525 will work for you. Truth is, a 40 year old, beat up old work horse with about 35 HP will do it too... in the end, it all comes down to what you really want/ personal preference.

If you want the Mahindra, get it... IMHO there is no real good reason not to.

Ps. and keep in mind that whatever you buy will some day be passed down to your kids who will neglect it and tear it up anyway... it is just a tractor. haha

Whatever you buy, ENJOY IT!

 

[jonbravado]

Thanks for the info -

i went and looked at them this weekend. The owner of the place was very nice and knowledgable.

the 2615 is the old cub cadet. the 3525 is the old international harvester.

without a doubt, the 3525 is a **** of a tractor - tried and true. it feels great, has plenty of weight, and lots of lifting power. i am sold.

i am signing the papers this week. since my land is mostly flat, i will be confident in the 2wd on the 3525. I will post my findings when the deal is done - thanks again for the help.

J