Mowing Plowing and mowing: 2615 Gear or HST?

[NorCalMatt]

Hi guys:
I've been studying this site for months now, and you all helped convince me to get a Mahindra 2615. My only question is whether to get a gear model or an HST. I'll be using it to work just 5.5 acres in Yolo County ('bout an hour west of HangtownMatt), mowing mostly open area but also between rows of a small orchard. I want to really work what is now a very rough and hard horse pasture. I want to rip it as deep as I can because I have between 18 and 48 inches of hard clay covering most of it right now. It's flat as a board.

I was thinking the gear model would be better for ripping/plowing, but the HST would be better for mowing, which I'll be doing a lot. So my question is, which do you recommend (which I guess comes down to whether the HST would work better at plowing than the gear model would at mowing)?

I know ripping with a small tractor is not ideal, to say the least, but it makes no sense for me to get a larger machine. If I can't get good enough results, I'll hire my neighbor with his D10 Cat.

I've been advised by Dave up in Red Bluff that a gear model would be best for me, but would welcome other opinions.

 

[DavesTractor]

Hi guys:
I've been studying this site for months now, and you all helped convince me to get a Mahindra 2615. My only question is whether to get a gear model or an HST. I'll be using it to work just 5.5 acres in Yolo County ('bout an hour west of HangtownMatt), mowing mostly open area but also between rows of a small orchard. I want to really work what is now a very rough and hard horse pasture. I want to rip it as deep as I can because I have between 18 and 48 inches of hard clay covering most of it right now. It's flat as a board.

I was thinking the gear model would be better for ripping/plowing, but the HST would be better for mowing, which I'll be doing a lot. So my question is, which do you recommend (which I guess comes down to whether the HST would work better at plowing than the gear model would at mowing)?

I know ripping with a small tractor is not ideal, to say the least, but it makes no sense for me to get a larger machine. If I can't get good enough results, I'll hire my neighbor with his D10 Cat.

I've been advised by Dave up in Red Bluff that a gear model would be best for me, but would welcome other opinions.

Matt, I've "expanded" my opinion. I think you need one of each. I can help.....

 

[matt701]

Hey Matt, I would go for it. It sounds like Dave is offering a 2 for 1 kinda deal. I would think gear would give you more power for ripping and you can mow with both about the same if you don't have to reverse a lot and have an open area to mow. I have a 2615hst and I mow and snowblow around the house and trees so a hst works better for me.

 

[DavesTractor]

Hey Matt, I would go for it. It sounds like Dave is offering a 2 for 1 kinda deal. I would think gear would give you more power for ripping and you can mow with both about the same if you don't have to reverse a lot and have an open area to mow. I have a 2615hst and I mow and snowblow around the house and trees so a hst works better for me.

No fair if the Matts gang up on the Dave.

 

[JerryG]

I would say to take Dave's recommendation. He knows what type of soil you have and you will get more power to the ground with the standard.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Of course, one of each! Why didn't I think of that...?

Thanks for the input, guys.

Much has happened in the last few hours. I happened to meet my neighbor at the mailbox this morning and mentioned I was looking to get a tractor. One thing led to another and we came to an agreement that he would rip/plow/disc the field with his D10 in exchange for me doing some work for him.

So, now I'm thinking the HST may be better for me, since I'll mostly be mowing and using the FEL for landscape work. Dave's offer for a gear model is great, but so is the HST offer from my local dealer. So many decisions....

We want to take advantage of the Mahindra factory incentives so we'll make up our mind soon and let you all know what we decide.

 

[DavesTractor]

NorCalMatt,

Excellent idea exchanging some big work for small. It takes a big heavy machine to do deep ripping. It's also best to support your local dealer. If you aren't going to be doing heavy ground engaging work, you might also look at the 2415HST or the 2415G. They are smaller, but with similar capacities.

I mowed 6 acres recently testing an 1815HST with a 60" mid-mount mower. It was really quick, especially in tight spots, plus you can easily speed up or slow down as the grass varies. So the HST surely has it's place.

 

[NorCalMatt]

Thanks, Dave. You made it easy for me to go with a 2615 HST from Bill and Ray at Factory Outlet Trailer Sales in Vacaville. They were great to work with, and spoke highly of your skill and knowledge in assembling their tractors.

Bill brought the machine to our front door and we did the deal in our kitchen. I then went and mowed the whole place right after he left, in 97 degrees (shows you how smart I am). Had to crawl along in low as the field is extremely rough -- can't wait to change that too. Then helped the neighbor mow his orchards this morning, where I could fly right along. I am proud to say it already has a nice protective coat of dirt covering every square inch.

I am very impressed with the tractor. I grew up in ag country and have put several thousand hours on everything from tiny Fords to huge 4WD John Deere's. Never used an HST before, so that took some getting used to, but I can see how much easier it will be for FEL work. I'm seeing this tractor as the last one I'll ever need, looking for at least 30 years of service. My initial impression is that I made the right choice.

Thanks to all for your help.

 

[DavesTractor]

Thanks, Dave. You made it easy for me to go with a 2615 HST from Bill and Ray at Factory Outlet Trailer Sales in Vacaville. They were great to work with, and spoke highly of your skill and knowledge in assembling their tractors.

Bill brought the machine to our front door and we did the deal in our kitchen. I then went and mowed the whole place right after he left, in 97 degrees (shows you how smart I am). Had to crawl along in low as the field is extremely rough -- can't wait to change that too. Then helped the neighbor mow his orchards this morning, where I could fly right along. I am proud to say it already has a nice protective coat of dirt covering every square inch.

I am very impressed with the tractor. I grew up in ag country and have put several thousand hours on everything from tiny Fords to huge 4WD John Deere's. Never used an HST before, so that took some getting used to, but I can see how much easier it will be for FEL work. I'm seeing this tractor as the last one I'll ever need, looking for at least 30 years of service. My initial impression is that I made the right choice.

Thanks to all for your help.

Excellent, and a good dealer choice as well.

 

[SABULA FARMER]

I have the 2615 gear drive and I currently use it to manage approx 40 acres. I mow with little problems, I am pulling a 5' KingKutter and leave it in Mid range either 2nd or 3rd gear. Plenty of power, I am sure I could go faster, but the time away from the house can be a nice retreat!
S.F

Good luck in your decision.