Mahindra Considered 2nd Tier?

[robertwhite]

Looking to replace my Bobcat CT335 with a larger and more HP tractor.

Looked at Kubota M5040/6040, Kioti DK55, and Mahindra 5530. All 4x4 and FEL.

Coming off the Bobcat, Kioti is the most familiar obviously, Kubota is pretty pricey and the Mahindra is the odd man out. Never seen them in use, but their powertrain warranty is 5 years which is a huge deal.

Only problem is that while the Mahindra is built with heavy steel and seems like a good deal, the concern of them being an "off" brand is in my mind. Not too concerned about resale, more concerned about reliability and customer service.

So, is Mahindra still considered 2nd tier?

 

[Guesseral]

I really don't know much about Mahindra except that they are not 2nd tier!

 

[aczlan]

"Tier" generally refers to how many tractors they sell per year, the size of their dealer network, etc more than the quality of the tractor.

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

IF you are in the states here, they are no more 2nd tier than kioti/bobcat. And no more so than kubota was 20 years ago.

Mahindra is huge, just not as well represented in the states. Doesnt make them a bad tractor though, cause they are not. Just dont have the dealer support like Kubota, Deere, or CNH et al

 

[idaho2]

robertwhite,

My 2008 5530 turbo 4wd is a tier three. Mahindra it is not an off brand by any means. It just may not be marketed in your area. Do a side by side comparison of any tractor in the 55hp category and you'll be surprised where Mahindra stands. I bought my tractor from my dealer 200 miles away sight unseen and never even seen a Mahindra in person. Did my research and and comparison and bought it. I use it on 80 acres of Idaho palouse, and all my equipment is heavy duty that gets attached to it. Give it a good look and then decide on what you feel comfortable with especially the dealer for support if you ever need it. Oh, at least have two remote hydraulics as a minimum on your purchase.

idaho2

 

[cowski]

compared to my john deere my mahindra would be 3rd tier.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Robert, Mahindras are very good tractors just as most all the tractors are these days. If you want a true comparison though, you should compare the same level of tractors between brands.

 

[robertwhite]

Idaho,

Have you ever needed to use the warranty and if so, how easy/hard did it go?

 

[idaho2]

Robert,

I had a faulty indicator light which was taken care on my 50 hr service. The other item was a hydraulic line for one of my remotes came loose. These were OEM but installed by the dealership. Mechanic came out onsite to take care of that. As far as the Mahindra 5 year warranty for the "drive train" my dealer says it's not heard of for the 5530's to need it. I agree with him, just a stout well built machine. I recently was told that 5 other Mahindras were sold by my dealer in my zip code area in Idaho. Have you read up about the Mahindra company. I found it very interesting what they did for us in WWII.

idaho2

 

[LMan1967]

Will any _________ dealer perform warranty repairs on a ______________ tractor, or only the selling dealer? If so, are dealers reluctant to perform warranty work on a tractor they did not sell?

 

[robertwhite]

. If you want a true comparison though, you should compare the same level of tractors between brands.

All tractors I named in the original post ARE the tractors one would use for a true comparison.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

All tractors I named in the original post ARE the tractors one would use for a true comparison.

The Kubotas you listed are considered deluxe utility. You need to look at the MX5100 or probably the M5640SU to have a true comparison IMO. The Mahindra 5530 is a utility tractor, but not a deluxe model as the M5040 & M6040 are considered. Doesn't matter to me, just trying to help you compare apples to apples.

 

[robertwhite]

The Kubotas you listed are considered deluxe utility. You need to look at the MX5100 or probably the M5640SU to have a true comparison IMO. The Mahindra 5530 is a utility tractor, but not a deluxe model as the M5040 & M6040 are considered. Doesn't matter to me, just trying to help you compare apples to apples.

Thanks, but the MX5100 compares in size and weight with my old CT335. The 5640sube is a bare bones tractor which even the Kioti DK55 makes it look like a toy, feature wise. I really like the M5140, but at $5K more than the Mahindra, I dont know if I could justify it.

 

[eagle107]

Manhindra is a good tractor and is close or is the number 3 tractor seller in the states now. 5530 is a good/strong tractor also. You might also want to consider the JD 5055D or 5055E. I think the JD might not be that much different in price.

 

[cowski]

of the ones you listed i would get the kubota m5040 or 6040.let tell about my mahrindra experience .the mahrindra is a basic tractor that would be good for gardening or upkeep around a small farm.i got mine to work with .it now has 700 hours.i have had to weld numerous hitch and front end parts back together. i broke the lever off the hydraulic valve.i discovered you can not buy the lever you have to buy the whole valve.real expensive.i had thought jd parts are expensive,wait till you start buying mahindra parts.i only use the tractor to hay rake,move hay bales and pull a 6 ft disc in the garden.it just does not like being run all day with out something going wrong.a friend of mine has one like mine,he likes it a lot.he only uses it to bush hog a little and pull a box scraper for a few hours at a time.if you to have to have a mihindra,i would recommend you get a used one,for they seem lose their value faster than a jd or kubota.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks, but the MX5100 compares in size and weight with my old CT335. The 5640sube is a bare bones tractor which even the Kioti DK55 makes it look like a toy, feature wise. I really like the M5140, but at $5K more than the Mahindra, I dont know if I could justify it.

I am not pushing the Kubota, if anything just the opposite. Just want you to compare equally which is why I had highlighted the M5640SU. I like Mahindra, have 2 of them, both have been excellent machines for me. When a person is looking, they should at least look at all that are available in their area and in the same category. If you are looking at entry level utility tractors, to be fair to yourself wouldn't you want to only look at entry level and not entry level with model A and deluxe with model B? Now if you have a certain price point, say 30k and you just want to get the most tractor for that amount of money, then that is a different deal altogether.

Again, I don't care one way or the other, just trying to help with looking at everything equally.

 

[robertwhite]

let tell about my mahrindra experience .the mahrindra is a basic tractor that would be good for gardening or upkeep around a small farm.i got mine to work with .it now has 700 hours.i have had to weld numerous hitch and front end parts back together. i broke the lever off the hydraulic valve.i discovered you can not buy the lever you have to buy the whole valve.real expensive.i had thought jd parts are expensive,wait till you start buying mahindra parts.

I'm sorry, but why would you weld anything on a new tractor? I would be all over Mahindra's ***** and get them to make it right. You say they are garden quality tractors, but I know of no garden tractor that weighs just under 3 tons without the loader. Do you know if other owners have experienced weld failures?

Now if you have a certain price point,

OK, lets make that price point $26K, which puts the Kubota 5140 out as the cheapest price I could find was just under $30K.

So at $26K, what is the most bang for the buck?

 

[idaho2]

cowski,

In fairness to the OP let us know which model/yr are you are speaking of that has been giving you problems.

Idaho2

 

[MtnViewRanch]

OK, lets make that price point $26K, which puts the Kubota 5140 out as the cheapest price I could find was just under $30K.

So at $26K, what is the most bang for the buck?

LS hands down at this time. Of course it all depends on where you are located. I am guessing that you can get a U5030 close to your price range. Take a look at what you get, 16x16 trans, 2 rear remotes among other things. I like all the gears myself and would be hard pressed with only 8, but that is just me. You will be hard pressed to beat a 30 series Mahindra, big, tough, heavy and good capacities. How much weight are you looking for? That can make a difference also. Don't let the guys say"oh you can just add more weight" That's right you can, and you can add that same weight to the already heavy machine and make it even heavier than you can ever think about getting the lighter machine. I have my Mahindra 7520 ballasted to were it weighs in right around 12,000lbs. Just about perfect for it. It came from the factory at 7300lbs. Other brand tractors of the same size and hp weigh in at about 5k and then get ballasted. There is no making up that other 2300lbs.

If I were you, I would take a look at EVERY tractor that I could for that 26k and then make a pro and con list for each tractor and then get the one that I liked the best anyway. But at least I would know what was out there and that I had all the available facts that effected my purchasing decision.

Have you sat on any of these tractors that you are considering? Ergonomics would play a huge part in my decision. Before I bought my 7520, I thought that I wanted a New Holland TN75. That was until I sat on one, I did not like how it felt to me and that was the end of wanting that particular tractor. People say, "oh you get use to it". I say why should I have to get use to anything when there may be a tractor that fits me perfect and there is no getting use to anything.

All different ways of looking at stuff and getting to the end decision.

Good luck.

 

[robertwhite]

LS hands down at this time.

While the LS may in fact be a good tractor. Any brand in which service doesn't exist (my LS guy is also a music store :confused2 is out.

If I were you, I would take a look at EVERY tractor that I could for that 26k and then make a pro and con list for each tractor

I do in fact have a big list of specs, prices, etc. That is how I came to Mahindra in the first place. Heck, if Bobcat had a bigger framed tractor, I would be on it in a heartbeat as I loved my CT335. Kioti's upper end DK series is the same as Bobcats non existent size line, but the shuttle is non hydro and I don't know if I am OK with that. I used to love the HST models, but if after 4,5,? years the HST goes out, we are talking major money to fix, which is why I am going to geared.