I've been researching tractors for weeks and I think I've narrowed my selection to these 2 tractors. The Mahindra 3550 and the Kubota MX5800, both HST 4WD.
I'm having a tough time deciding between these. I like them both...
Someone give me some feedback please.
Dealers:
The Kubota dealer is 25 min away
The Mahindra dealer is 45 min away
I have the 3550 - I looked at kubota briefly before deciding on the Mahindra.
Reasons I chose the Mahindra:
-Heavier overall. I use it primarily for loader work. I want the extra weight, and the extra strength that the weight provides.
-Front axle pivots captured top and bottom. Stronger than if they were just captured from underneath. Not sure what Kubota does on this particular model. May not matter to you if you are not using the loader to full capability.
-Larger tires, especially in front, compared to the competition.
-No DPF, and no regen for Tier IV emissions
-The loader is stronger than the competition, including the MX5800.
Reasons you may want the Kubota
-Lighter weight will be easier to transport if that is an issue for you.
-Higher horsepower will be a bit better if doing mowing or hay work. I find the Mahindra does pretty well with a 6 foot bushhog, but more power is never a bad thing.
Drive them both, and see what you think. The Mahindra HST can "chatter" a bit when trying to inch forward. The use of low range mitigates this for the most part - but you may/may not find it annoying. On the flip side, the 3550 loader joystick looks like it's more ergonomic than the kubota. I also prefer the twin touch pedal vs a rocker pedal for HST - but some people prefer the opposite. Try them both out and see if there's anything that's better or worse for you.
I'd also consider checking out the Mahindra 2555. I think that is a more comparable machine to the MX5800.
I'd also make sure you check out each dealer as far as warranty goes. Mahindra corporate can be a bit sluggish at times. A good dealer will be able to help tremendously if you have any issues.
If you have any specific questions on the 3550, let me know. I have about 500 hours on mine, it's about 2.5 years old.