New Mahindra

[BamaRob]

Thank you BamaRob,

I see you have the same tractor...nice machine! How long have you had it? Have you experienced any problems with it?
I would like to hear about it if so.
Sabula Farmer.

I bought the 2615 4WD in August of '05 and currently still have < 100 hours on it (approx. 85 hours). I've been very pleased with it to date. I have access to my dad's 72 HP Ford 5900 2WD when I need a larger ag/utility tractor, but for most tasks, the 2615 gets the seat time. I've used it primarily for mowing (5' KK rotary kutter), maintaining my 200' gravel drive (5' KK boxblade), skidding deadfall and cut logs, moving lots of dirt, rocks, roots, stumps, firewood, a couple deer I harvested, etc. (ML 106 Loader).

I'm about to have about 5 acres of beetle infested pines cut and am considering getting the 48" Millonzi grapple for cleanup. The combined price of the grapple plus the control valve has me a little hesitant, but I'll probably pull the trigger on the purchase eventually. I can see lots of uses for the grapple.

I've had almost zero problems with the tractor (crossed fingers and knocking on wood). I did have a problem with water in the fuel last winter. The tractor (unfortunately) sits outside and I think condensation was the problem with our highly variable winter temperatures. Once I drained the tank, bled the fuel lines, and replaced the fuel filter, after about 1 minute of lots of smoke, it smoothed out and has ran like new since. I did my own 50 hour service with no problems. Took about 3 hours to replace the recommended fluids/filters.

Good luck and have fun with your new machine!

BR

 

[SABULA FARMER]

Hello Maps,

Well the purchasing process was a long deal. I often thought of buying a tractor to do all of the common tasks, ie..plow snow, brush hog the fields, cut the lawn and maintain the property. I however did not know much about the compact tractors available. Once I started pricing them I was sticker shocked one could say. John Deere was asking $21Kfor the model I was after and Kubota was 2K less than a Deere. I was not willing to spend that amount of money for a tractor, so I stopped looking.
After my third year in our house and the past snow storms we received, I again looked at the possibility of buying a tractor.
I have a good friend who owned a Kubota and he was telling me he had traded his in on a Mahindra. I never heard of Mahindra but I hit the net to see what I could find out about them. I contacted a dealer close to where I live and he talked them up a good bit. I held an open mind and did not consider what he said about the Mahindras, I instead looked at several web sites like TBN. I wanted the truth about Mahindra and where can anyone find a better spot than sites like this one? I have heard nothing but good things about the Mahindra line. I continued my research and discovered that Mahindra out weighed New Holland, Kubota and John Deere in every catagory(for the model I was looking at).
Kioti was another tractor line that I looked at(very nice), but the best bang for the buck was Mahindra. Just the physical appearance of Mahindra makes one think about what he is buying. They look like they could take a beating. I know that looks can be deceiving, but after reading about them and at least a hundred hours of looking at threads posted on web sites, I decided that I would give the Mahindra a try.
I am glad, I have what I need and did not have to sell one of the kids to get it! I said earlier in one of my posts..I work hard for my money and I am not willing to pay extra money for a name, period! I wanted a tractor not a second mortgage.
My Mahindra dealer was kind, easy to work with and knew his products. He did not pressure me to buy his product, nor did he bash other brands. He simply showed me the tractor that would do the things that I wanted it to do.
I am very pleased with my purchase, it is a nice machine and I feel that it will last.

 

[maps]

Sabula Farmer,

Thanks for your insight. It looks like our tractor search is quite similar. I've needed a tractor for a couple of years to tend 20+ acres ranging from horse pasture, trails, pines, and hardwoods in western North Carolina. I used some old (very old) JDs 25 years ago when I worked as a ranch hand in northwestern Colorado...other than that I consider myself a complete novice. Last summer I was fortunate enough to visit an equipment dealership in upstate South Carolina who carried both John Deere and Kubota. The salesman spent 2 hours with my wife and I. We were able to crawl all over comparable tractors side by side and drive both. The salesman appeared quite knowledgeable with both brands and made no attempt to sway us one way or the other. What a breath of fresh air that was! I was quite impressed with both products but must admit the Kubota felt better to us newbies. Since then I've been hitting sites like TBN a couple times a day soaking up all I can. Just within the last week I've started looking at the Mahindra line. Looks very promising...especially after reading accounts like yours. I will certainly be visiting another dealership once I get back to the States. Keep us informed on how the tractor does. Thanks again for sharing.

Dave

 

[Oleozz]

When I was tractor shopping last spring I naturally went to the JD dealer, he's only two miles from my house. He didn't make much of an effort to sell me a tractor, I had a JD and I guess he thought I would just buy another one. His price was not quite less than 5% below retail. I visited a local Kubota dealer and when I mentioned considering Kioti he went into a long tirade about their poor quality, etc. I went back to the Deere dealer, asked him if he could drop down on the price just a bit, he shook his head and told me that JD was King in this area and his prices were set. When I mentioned Kioti to him he looked at me as though I had lost all my reasoning abilities and walked back into the shop. I am sure I would have gotten the same response about Mahindra or Montana. If Kioti, Mahindra, and Montana continue to make quality tractors at lower prices than the big three are going to start to get their butts kicked and maybe some much needed attitude changes will take place in the compact tractor market.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

If Kioti, Mahindra, and Montana continue to make quality tractors at lower prices than the big three are going to start to get their butts kicked and maybe some much needed attitude changes will take place in the compact tractor market.

Roger that!! I'm of the opinion JD/NH/etc are already figuring that they have to be losing some sales for exactly the reasoning you stated. I can't wait till the JD Green salesmen/saleswomen start to grovel....It will happen sooner or later. BobG in VA

 

[SABULA FARMER]

You know fellows, I believe that the entire tractor market has taken a turn for the better. John Deere and Kubota are really starting to feel the impact of the other manufactures out there. Mark my words, John Deere and Kubota higher ups are at their round tables discussing ways to keep their places in the market. I would be willing to bet that they will both have some type of "value" model tractor to offer folks to compete with Mahindras and Kioti models. The flip side to that will be a bare bones JD or Kubota, that would be cheaply manufactured. I don't think I would buy one just to own a name. Lets face it, they produce some fine machines and they are hard to beat. But as we are all finding out, they can be matched and sometimes beaten, it's a fact of life.
Mahindra offers some pretty good machines, and they are shooting for the top. The sad thing about that is when they get there, we will have to buy JD and Kubota, because we won't be able to afford the Mahindras!

 

[Dougster]

You know fellows, I believe that the entire tractor market has taken a turn for the better. John Deere and Kubota are really starting to feel the impact of the other manufactures out there. Mark my words, John Deere and Kubota higher ups are at their round tables discussing ways to keep their places in the market. I would be willing to bet that they will both have some type of "value" model tractor to offer folks to compete with Mahindras and Kioti models. The flip side to that will be a bare bones JD or Kubota, that would be cheaply manufactured. I don't think I would buy one just to own a name. Lets face it, they produce some fine machines and they are hard to beat. But as we are all finding out, they can be matched and sometimes beaten, it's a fact of life. Mahindra offers some pretty good machines, and they are shooting for the top. The sad thing about that is when they get there, we will have to buy JD and Kubota, because we won't be able to afford the Mahindras!

As far as I am concerned: The more truly high quality offerings, the better. Competition is generally a wonderful thing for the consumer. But in my view, the thing to watch for in the near future... both here and in the automotive industry... will be the emergence of China as a truly major player. Not with the ugly, dated crap that they have been offering... but with modern, first class machines, most likely in partnership with some (or all?) of today's major players. That's going to have the largest impact by far on this industry. I don't think you're going to see stripped down orange and green machines so much as you're going to start seeing more orange and green machines stamped "Made in China"! I don't think they're going to have much choice if they want to survive long-term.

Dougster

 

[PBinWA]

Thank You fellows, I will post some pics soon. I plan on using the 2615 for various jobs. I live North of Pittsburgh, and have approximately 50 acres.
I have started to read the manual, and I agree, there is alot to learn.
Bill6, you said to keep the tractor very clean? is this just to keep it from the elements and corrision, or is it something else? Just wondering. I plan on keeping it clean and out of the weather, its better than having to buy a new one in the years to come.

My 2615 has been sitting outside for three years. Other than faded paint on the top of the Loader it is in pretty good condition.

I only wash it about once or twice a year. No soap - just a good hose down.

There's nothing wrong with having to buy a new tractor, that's half the fun!

 

[SABULA FARMER]

Thats a good point Dougster. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe China is already making some John Deere components?

Sabula Farmer

 

[Dougster]

Thats a good point Dougster. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe China is already making some John Deere components?
Sabula Farmer

Correct. They've clearly stuck their big toe in China. I'm sure more will follow! I got in trouble here a while back by relating that I discovered Chinese parts on some green machines while shopping for my tractor. It definitely turned me off to the flagship "American" brand. Thank God because eventually I found my Mahindra!

But my point is that China won't just continue to manufacture crap tractors for the next 10 or 20 years. Hardly! With outside help, they will get very good very fast. You need only look at South Korea as a model. Remember when everything made by Samsung and Goldstar was junk? Now everything Samsung and LG (formerly Goldstar) is coveted! I know! The girlfriend and I just went shopping for a new TV and some new appliances! Mama Mia... how things have changed!

It's an ever-changing world. Takes some getting used to when you are as old and crotchety as me!

Dougster

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

It's already happening. There was a post a while back where the poster was saying a John Deere dealer was telling him to buy American and he was seeing a stamp someplace on the tractor saying made in China. I know at this point it is only component parts but with US companies help China will figure out how to make quality tractors. and probably sooner then later just as the Japanese South Korean's and Indian's did.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Interesting Doug You said all of the things I said during the time I was trying to type my post in between taking care of customers. I guess that is a good thing.

 

[Dougster]

Interesting Doug You said all of the things I said during the time I was trying to type my post in between taking care of customers. I guess that is a good thing.

Ha! You may have been recalling my past post about my own trip last summer to a New Hampshire green machine dealer... although I'm sure I'm not the only one who has recently discovered that "buying American" sometimes means "buying Chinese"!

But I must admit... I am becoming more of a realist every day. It's getting harder and harder to buy American... or even something with some American content. I have not given up... but I'm learning to fight the battles only where they can still be won. To do otherwise is just totally discouraging.

Dougster

 

[YanmarFever]

Correct. They've clearly stuck their big toe in China. I'm sure more will follow! I got in trouble here a while back by relating that I discovered Chinese parts on some green machines while shopping for my tractor. It definitely turned me off to the flagship "American" brand. Thank God because eventually I found my Mahindra!

But my point is that China won't just continue to manufacture crap tractors for the next 10 or 20 years. Hardly! With outside help, they will get very good very fast. You need only look at South Korea as a . Remember when everything made by Samsung and Goldstar was junk? Now everything Samsung and LG (formerly Goldstar) is coveted! I know! The friend and I just went shopping for a new TV and some new appliances! Mama Mia... how things have changed!

It's an ever-changing world. Takes some getting used to when you are as old and crotchety as me!

Dougster

Dougster, Hold your horses
You are comparing two totally different things here between china & japan.
You see the japanese are a proud people who want to be the best of the best. Not only that but they are a free society.

china on the other hand is a communist country. The workers there are trated like cra... and there is no insentive to invent or get ahead, just do whats required and punch out at the end of the day.

I have been in commy countries in the past, and thats just the way they operate, Russia is a good example of this.

It will take china many many years to catch up or even come close to Japan, Korea ect....

 

[SABULA FARMER]

Dougster, Not to change the subject, but I was reading my manual for the 2615 and I did not follow the brake-in procedure for a new engine. Is this a problem? I did not run the tractor at full load until I had about 3 hrs on it. And then I only had it at full load a shot time thereafter.
I was unaware that one should run the engine at full load for the first hour.
...I hope that I didn't ruin the engine.

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, Hold your horses You are comparing two totally different things here between china & japan. You see the japanese are a proud people who want to be the best of the best. Not only that but they are a free society. china on the other hand is a communist country. The workers there are trated like cra... and there is no insentive to invent or get ahead, just do whats required and punch out at the end of the day. I have been in commy countries in the past, and thats just the way they operate, Russia is a good example of this. It will take china many many years to catch up or even come close to Japan, Korea ect....

I never mentioned Japan, but I do understand your point. Free people do better than oppressed ones, especially in terms of design innovation and quality. The fact is that it took quite a while even for Japan and South Korea to come up to speed. But China is a whole different animal... the 1,800 lb. gorilla in this game... and they learn awfully fast. Plus, they are doing it all with our help (intended or unintended, for better or worse). They have the cheap labor and the world seems to want it. And just for the record, I do not object to Chinese tractor parts per se. I just object to Chinese tractor parts being sold on those super-expensive, allegedly "all-American", lime green tractors.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, Not to change the subject, but I was reading my manual for the 2615 and I did not follow the brake-in procedure for a new engine. Is this a problem? I did not run the tractor at full load until I had about 3 hrs on it. And then I only had it at full load a shot time thereafter. I was unaware that one should run the engine at full load for the first hour. ...I hope that I didn't ruin the engine.

Can't really help you there. Mine is an older (2004) 10-series machine made by TYM for Mahindra with a Daedong engine. There are no special break-in procedures discussed in my owner's manual. Sorry!

Dougster

 

[Oleozz]

Dougster--How has your Daedong engine worked for you? I'm assuming it must be the same or nearly the same motor that is in the Kioti 40?

 

[BamaRob]

Dougster, Not to change the subject, but I was reading my manual for the 2615 and I did not follow the brake-in procedure for a new engine. Is this a problem? I did not run the tractor at full load until I had about 3 hrs on it. And then I only had it at full load a shot time thereafter.
I was unaware that one should run the engine at full load for the first hour.
...I hope that I didn't ruin the engine.

I think that recommendation (to run under full load for first hour) is intended to "seat" the rings on the pistons. There are others here at TBN much more knowledgeable of diesel engines than I, but here's my take on it. I think that if you run your tractor at varying RPMs under varying loads for the first 50 hours or so, it'll break in fine. Seems like there was quite a bit of discussion here on the topic of engine break-in around the time I purchased my Mahindra. I may have even been the one to ask the question when I read that in my owner's manual. I'm sure if you do a search on the forums you'll find several discussions dealing with engine break-in.

Later,

BR

 

[Dougster]

Dougster--How has your Daedong engine worked for you? I'm assuming it must be the same or nearly the same motor that is in the Kioti 40?

That's exactly right! Same as the Kioti 40 HP... a good thing maybe since my nearest tractor dealer is, in fact, a Kioti dealer!

I must say that so far, so good... no complaints at all. No fail to start, stalling, smoking or running on. No problems of any kind. Plenty of power too!

The really serious "severe duty" testing won't start until this spring. And let's be honest... I really won't know for months if not years whether or not my choice was a good one or not. Still, so far no complaints!

But remember what I've said many times before: I really bought myself a Bradco 509 BH and a KMW FEL. The Mahindra tractor just happened to have been attached! Lucky me!!!

Dougster