Buying Advice New Holland vs Kubota vs Mahindra

[CajunRider]

Here is my situation:

Equipment I own: 6ft rotary cutter, 6 ft box blade, a broken 6ft flail mower that I just might repair some day, a Kioti DK45 with FEL that has been flooded in two hurricanes, a Kubota T2080 riding mower to cut grass immediately around my house.

Land: 7 acre homestead half dry half kinda wet with standing water (about 4") 3 months/year.
The house pad is built up high with slope steep enough for me to feel concern at times but is generally not too bad.
1200 ft long drive way built up 18" higher than my land. The slope along the drive way is pretty steep but I've been able to deal with it with my DK45.

Things I have to do: * Cut grass on my land once a month. The grass on the wet area is the tough wire grass.
* Twice a year I cut around the perimeter of a 10 acre pond that belongs to my neighbor. Usually when I cut the brushes and canes have grown to be about 5-6 ft tall.
* Maintain the area around 1 acre pond and the lake bank area around my house. The land is soft & boggy with brushes and canes growing there.
* Grade & maintain 1200 ft gravel driveway.

I need to replace my DK45 because keeping it takes way too much of my time. With so much salt water on it in the past, it's a rust bucket that keeps falling apart.
Based on past experience of trying to get tractor service in my small town, I've pretty much narrowed my choice to one dealer that is reliable and reasonable. The dealer carries New Holland, Kubota, and Mahindra.
With my ailing knee, I would very much want a tractor with HST so I don't have to work the clutch. Due to budget constraint, I'd like to keep my cost as low as I can but buying new tractor. I've given up on buying used tractor.

What I need advice on: 1)Recommended tractor models of New Holland, Kubota, Mahindra for my stated needs. I don't want to rely on the dealer input because the dealer has inherent bias and can't be independent in my opinion. If you have experience in a model of any of those three makes, please chime in.
2)Pros and cons of the 3 makes mentioned above.
3)Should I sell my implements and down size to a smaller tractor?

Thank you for all your help.

 

[TractorNH]

Mahindra doesn't use a DPF (diesel particulate filter) to meet Tier IV emissions, they spent $30 million to redesign the engine so it meets the requirements. No DPF means no regen or emissions related issues down the road.

Regarding tractor size, how much PTO HP do you need?

 

[CajunRider]

Mahindra doesn't use a DPF (diesel particulate filter) to meet Tier IV emissions, they spent $30 million to redesign the engine so it meets the requirements. No DPF means no regen or emissions related issues down the road.

Regarding tractor size, how much PTO HP do you need?

For my 6ft implements I'm thinking something around 30 PTO HP. However, I can be persuaded to get rid of those 6ft ones and downsize to 5ft implements if it's the right thing to do. Then I probably would go down to 25 HP.

Here are my thoughts so far:
Kubota: L3901 HST MSRP $27704 according to the Kubota build tool (FEL+ 2 remotes)
Mahindra: 2538 HST $27750 according to Mahindra build tool (FEL Remotes=?)
New Holland: Workmaster 37 HST? The build tool at New Holland is confounding!

 

[Teachu2]

Test drive them all, see what fits you best. My Kioti dealer offered to bring my top two choices out to my property and let me use both for the weekend - no charge, no strings attached.

And set up a wash rack, use it every time....

 

[sdquick]

I sure love me Kubota L2500. But I have no experience with the others. You might see if you can get an honest answer from your dealer on reliability and company cooperation on warranty issues. Other than that I agree that you should test drive them. I would do a long test drive, with a bad knee I would see if there is one that is the most comfortable to get off and on and to be on for long periods.

 

[TractorNH]

Here are my thoughts so far:
Kubota: L3901 HST MSRP $27704 according to the Kubota build tool (FEL+ 2 remotes)
Mahindra: 2538 HST $27750 according to Mahindra build tool (FEL Remotes=?)
New Holland: Workmaster 37 HST

You really need to get a quoted price on what you're looking for from the dealer. Different manufacturers run different programs and deals. The website price on the Mahindra 2655 HST Cab with loader is $45,770 and I can tell you the cash price that I paid was $10k less than that (though I then added stuff like loaded rear tires, 3rd function on loader, and 2 extra remotes (total of 3).

Generally what I found with Mahindra, Kioti, Kubota, and Massey Fergussen was that adding a 3rd function on the loader for a grapple adds about $1500. Extra remotes run about $650 each. The pricing was pretty consistent for these add-ons.

 

[CajunRider]

You really need to get a quoted price on what you're looking for from the dealer. Different manufacturers run different programs and deals. The website price on the Mahindra 2655 HST Cab with loader is $45,770 and I can tell you the cash price that I paid was $10k less than that (though I then added stuff like loaded rear tires, 3rd function on loader, and 2 extra remotes (total of 3).

Generally what I found with Mahindra, Kioti, Kubota, and Massey Fergussen was that adding a 3rd function on the loader for a grapple adds about $1500. Extra remotes run about $650 each. The pricing was pretty consistent for these add-ons.

I definitely am going to. I just want to come to them with some good ideas in mind instead of being led around by the nose.

 

[airbiscuit]

This would be my order of preference / advice

Kubota - Gold Standard of CUTs, but has that silly treadle for the hydro - Grand Series are nicer than the L Series
New Holland - Solid tractor, but liked the Shibaura made ones better than the current LS Made Ones
Mahindra - good value but too many reports of sketchy quality

I would get a third function or additional rear remote

I would get a 40-50 hp and keep your current implements.

R4 or Turf tires for flotation on your wet conditions

 

[Grandad4]

It's a popular saying that people should want a heavy tractor since more weight = more pulling power, but you may be one guy for which that's not the best advice, considering your place is half-wet and half-dry, with standing water for extended periods. A heavier tractor, if it's not getting stuck, will certainly tear things up more. Something to consider as you compare different brands and models.

The other things that come to mind are reliability and durability in your wet environment. I have yet to see a tractor brand that takes corrosion protection seriously, even though virtually all under 60 hp tractors are made somewhere in the Far East, particularly in Japan or Korea, where you might think wet, humid field conditions are pretty common. Wouldn't know which brands might be better or worse in this respect, but it's again something to consider.

I'd go with one of the brands with local support due to your tough operating conditions; hopefully the local dealer is good to deal with and can provide good service if/when you might need it. If your dealer is a straight-shooter, he might even give you his honest opinion about which brands or models have worked well in your area. On forums like this, you'll mostly hear people recommending the brand they own. Nothing wrong with that, and it does suggest that most of the major brands sell decent equipment.

Probably makes sense to find something of the same general size and power as your DK45 since it evidently got the job done before it started having problems. That also lets you keep your existing attachments.

 

[Tractorable]

Remember that that standard L Kubota's still have a clutch. It's needed to start the tractor and to engage the PTO. I believe the Grand L Kubota's do not have a clutch but I'm not 100% sure on that.

What's the chance that your new tractor will just get flooded again with the next hurricane? Would be a shame to see a brand new tractor under 6ft of salt water.