Buying Advice Mahindra; Three Strikes and Their Out...Almost

[atsah]

The largest JD Kubota dealer in New England here in ME dropped Mahindra five or so years ago, I asked them what was the reasoning behind it, they told me they started to get a reputation of selling poor quality tractors. I have looked at them recently and in the past and I do think they could do a much better job building tractors. But then again I really don't care much for Kubota tractors either. It's Deere or Massey for me, they just seem to put more into them and I'm willing to pay the little extra for it.

 

[Neugene]

Okay, I'll agree these problems should all have been caught by the dealer. If they had done a thorough shakedown of each machine we wouldn't be having this discussion. Yes it has been a pain in the ***** but the dealer took the first two defective tractors back and was quick to send the service manager (a great guy) to figure out what was wrong with the third.

Having said all that, the dealership shouldn't have to put up with this type of thing either. Mahindra should have caught each of these problems before the tractors left the manufacturing plant(s) and again before they left the assembly facility in Chattanooga, TN.

I was a mechanical/design engineer in a former life and as such I've had a lot of experience with catching problems at the source so to speak. Little things slip through the cracks occasionally but transmissions that won't go into gear, the use of parts bent to the point of being unserviceable and the use of parts for things they weren't intended for (putting a throttle control lever on the 4wd linkage) is poor assembly and quality control.

As for the tractors sitting around and rusting up, I can't speak to the first two but the third machine (the one with the greaseless grease fitting) was built within a month before I took possession of it.

Believe it or not, I'm still not sour on the brand. I'm 50 and I started driving a Ford 8n when I was about 10. Since then I've owned or operated a Ford 2000, MF's, Kubota's, Deere's you name it. I still own my Ford 2000 and even though it's a little long in the tooth it's still a fine machine. I'm no expert by any means but I do think I know my way around a tractor and in my limited experience with these Mahindra's I believe that once the initial assembly/quality control issues are sorted out the 3540 I have now will prove to be a hard working dependable machine. Trust me, I'll let you know if it doesn't.

For it's size it has more than enough power (the engine purrs, at least so far). It is also heavy for its size. Having said that, even with methanol in the rear tires it does run out of traction before it runs out of power but remember after all it is a compact, not a full size tractor. The FEL will handle a bucket full of wet mud/sand/gravel without breaking a sweat and the tractor acts like the load isn't even there. It will also pull my heavy duty 7' yard box full of loamy gravel up my somewhat steep gravel driveway as long as it's in 4wd.

Like I said in my original post there's a good chance I'll need another tractor in the next few years and I'll look at Mahindra again when the time comes. Granted I'll take a much, much closer look at each individual tractor but they're not out of the race. I just wanted to post my experiences so that others might learn and benefit from them if/when they're in the market for a new tractor.

Chris

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Perhaps part of the problem is who Mahindra selects as dealers. Two of the dealers near me are trailer sales lots. They do not have service experience beyond a horse trailer. You might as well buy at Home depot.

 

[arrow]

I have the Japanese built Mahindra bought 3 years ago. It has been just about trouble free and when it did have issues (sticking rear end lock, sticking shift lever linkage) these were handled with minimal bother mostly with WD-40. When i went tractor shopping 3 years ago, I thought just about everyone built a better tractor than Mahindra. I thought (and still do) that their shift linkage was rather a Fred Flintstone design. I bought this one because I got a deal I couldn't refuse and because you can mount it from both sides which was a critical issue for how I use a tractor.

The Kubota tractors seemed better put together in my mind but I refused buying from a dealer that showed untoward arrogance for a customer. I went to JD (as that was the tractor I was trading in) and they were giving me $6000 less than the Mahindra dealer for my tractor. I also cannot get by them using aluminum for their gear housing.
I looked at Branson and how tough they seem to be built but the dealer went out of business in the 3 week span from my first visitation to my last.

I will not give my undying loyalty to any tractor (same as when I was logging and had no loyalty for any chainsaw except the one that ran while in my hands) I own nor take exception when one tells of their problems with this brand or any other. The op should have never experienced what he did and shame on Mahindra for building such tractors in todays market. They are shooting themselves in the foot. They keep this crap up and their faults will be written in stone.

 

[RNeumann]

Here is the dealer stats for 2016-
https://www.ne-equip.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016_Survey_Report_Final.pd_.pdf

 

[paulfun9]

Ultimately I feel the dealer and service manager failed. The tractor should have been gone over/threw before ever being put on the lot for sale and especially so if it was planned for delivery.
Now to my feelings on Mahindra based on my experience and experience like the one posted. I looked at many tractors the last time around but even when I suspected a poor dealer/service manager/mechanic I could not overlook the amount of problems that seemed obvious to me just sitting still with the tractor running going threw the workings. Now I know that NO COMPANY makes a perfect machine that has zero quality control issues slip threw the cracks but having multiple problems slip threw on a regular basis that needs fixed before delivery is not quality.

 

[Oldpath05]

"Like I said in my original post there's a good chance I'll need another tractor in the next few years and I'll look at Mahindra again"

Mahindra; Three Strikes and Their Out...Almost<<<<<Guess the problems wasn't really strikes, just a couple foul balls, for me there would be no almost about it and if the dealer doesn't know what he's selling and or dont mind selling junk, then I would go back there either. 20k is a tremendous amount of money for me for something that wont work right.

 

[Oldpath05]

Here is the dealer stats for 2016-
https://www.ne-equip.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016_Survey_Report_Final.pd_.pdf

Lot of graphics and charts there, if I'm looking at the chart right and go down the page at 13-80 it shows LS tractor being the winner!!

 

[Neugene]

"Like I said in my original post there's a good chance I'll need another tractor in the next few years and I'll look at Mahindra again"

Mahindra; Three Strikes and Their Out...Almost<<<<<Guess the problems wasn't really strikes, just a couple foul balls, for me there would be no almost about it and if the dealer doesn't know what he's selling and or dont mind selling junk, then I would go back there either. 20k is a tremendous amount of money for me for something that wont work right.

You are correct sir. I should have said two strikes and a foul. You're also correct about $20k being a tremendous amount of money. It wasn't very long ago that I wouldn't spend that much for a car much less a tractor.

 

[CADplans]

You're also correct about $20k being a tremendous amount of money.
It wasn't very long ago that I wouldn't spend that much for a car much less a tractor.

I started work at a large factory in 1982,, our house cost $65K,,
The majority of my co-workers thought I was crazy,, spending that much for a house,,,
They had mostly spent $5-10K for their home, but some time earlier.

I did buy a place with 30 acres of timber,, last year, I was offered almost $150K for the trees.

I could sell the trees, and still have a valuable property,, but,,
the family likes ATV riding on the 30 acres,,, WITH trees,,,

 

[Code54]

We have a Mahindra dealer not far from us here. I stopped in and took a look at them last weekend. I was not impressed with the fit and finish of them, .. Many small pieces looked to be cheaply built and welds were not impressive. Maybe they are fine tractors, I have never had one. But for me,I woulda
End the extra money for a Orange one.

I had the exact same experience. Then one of my buddies employees bought one and had a bunch of issues so I figured I would just "stay orange". Also when I looked there was very little price difference.

Hope everything works out and the problems are all behind you!

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I started work at a large factory in 1982,, our house cost $65K,,
The majority of my co-workers thought I was crazy,, spending that much for a house,,,
They had mostly spent $5-10K for their home, but some time earlier.

I did buy a place with 30 acres of timber,, last year, I was offered almost $150K for the trees.

I could sell the trees, and still have a valuable property,, but,,
the family likes ATV riding on the 30 acres,,, WITH trees,,,

I hear what things cost from grandparents and even parents, compared to that it seems I'm playing with Monopoly money, 20k for a tractor, 10k for vehicles, well over 100k for a little basic house, everywhere I turn it's $500 here or $1000 there lol. Everyone has there hands out demanding premium prices for nothing it seems.

I was always told with interest and higher job wages it's comparable to what people paid back then but who knows.

 

[IH782]

The fit and finish on our 2538 and 2555 is very nice, just as nice as our Kubotas. And the 2555 is an absolute animal when it comes to lifting!

 

[tjkubota93]

The fit and finish on our 2538 and 2555 is very nice, just as nice as our Kubotas. And the 2555 is an absolute animal when it comes to lifting!

View attachment 499374

View attachment 499375

That's a big freaking log!

 

[RNeumann]

Lot of graphics and charts there, if I'm looking at the chart right and go down the page at 13-80 it shows LS tractor being the winner!!

Yep LS, Kioti and Branson and then a big group with Mahindra, Kubota and JD.

 

[jmh1783]

I have a 2555 HST that I got last July and have been very happy with it. Initially I had the throttle issue which was fixed with a patch from Mahindra. I looked at most brands except JD and Kubota. I didn't really notice much difference in quality. All of them cut corners where they can. It had more to do with dealers. I spent two years looking for the right property and did a lot of reading about tractors. This is my first tractor. I was in love with LS on paper but the local dealer left much to be desired. It came down to Branson and Mahindra based on the rapport I had with the two dealers. I ended up picking the closer one.

I discovered it is tough to find a good dealer and maybe this guy will turn out to be not so good. At this point, I'm very happy with the service I received. The tractor has been in twice; once for the throttle issue and once for the first service. I had planned to do the service myself but I had so much going on with work and my new place, I opted to pay him to do it. I also managed to destroy the frame on my back blade on a rock. The dealer was very helpful finding me a new one and transferring the parts. I've heard said here that you should buy the dealer and not the tractor, I'm certainly convinced.

 

[Neugene]

I hear what things cost from grandparents and even parents, compared to that it seems I'm playing with Monopoly money, 20k for a tractor, 10k for vehicles, well over 100k for a little basic house, everywhere I turn it's $500 here or $1000 there lol. Everyone has there hands out demanding premium prices for nothing it seems.

I heard these same stories when I was growing up. Many of my clients are in their 80s and 90s so I still hear them from time to time. Having experienced the fuel embargo back in the 70's and the following rise in fuel prices, my favorite came from my father who once told a gas attendant that wanted $1.05 per gallon "I've drove off from stations because they wanted 25｢ a gallon..

 

[Deleted member 314313]

Green, Massey Red, Blue, Orange, shoot all have issues, especially an inattentive Dealer will amplify them. This fall looked them all over. In Sept. 2016 settled on a new Mahindra 3550 PST MFWD Tier 4 with loader. Had issue with the ECU right off the bat within first 50hrs. Dealer updated the ECU. No issues since. Currently 87 hours. I like the metal hood, fenders and operator platform, overall weight and power. The power shuttle fits my needs. For me it's a beast. It handles full loads up and down hills with ease. Lifts, moves and pulls all I have asked. I also like the fact it does not require burn off every time I used it. I'm just a retired Navy Seabee what do I know. LOL

 

[bindian]

However, if I should decide to buy another one I'll leave my fine toothed comb at home and go over every detail of the new tractor with a microscope twice before it ever leaves the lot.
Chris

That is what I did. I drove it over 2 or 3 days while we were waiting for the backhoe to arrive for the dealer to put it on. I had probably..............10-12 items for the mechanic to fix or adjust.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

besides I didn't want a pink tractor after a few years of sunshine on it.

Never seen a pink Mahindra. Mine is almost as shiny red as the new painted light mount I bought and haven't put on yet.
hugs, Brandi