Questions for Max28 owners/ users

[harbin]

I've begun the process of narrowing the field for a future tractor purchase, and the Max keeps coming back into the fold. My primary uses are mowing, snow blowing, and tilling. My hope is to get something with a mid mount mower, and dump the garden tractor that I have now. My driveway is too steep for the GT without chains (even then it's quite a chore), and we also have to clear a private road that's about 1/4 mile. Reason I'd lean more towards the 28 is for snowblowing and implements like tillers. Currently I have about 1.5 acres to mow, could grow to 2 this year.

What size (front mount) snowblower does the 28 use? anyone have any feedback on it? cost?

I assume the cutting decks are the same in the Max series, but any opinions on how the MMM cuts?

If anyone runs a tiller, any opinions on power/size/model?

My other concern is from a youtube video and a post I read somewhere about a lack of power in high range going up hills. Is this exagerated, a one-off problem, or just something to accept and plan to use Low when going up hill? I'd really like the HST for mowing and FEL work, but it sounds like a 3 range would have been a better choice.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Shift4200]

I have a Max 25 that i use for similar tasks that you've described. I bought mine with MMM and FEL and since have added several 3pt attachments.

I've used the MMM several times last season and was very pleased with the result. First time around the yard I forgot to lower the anti-scalp wheels and made a bit of a mess of the first pass. After adjusting those, it cut great. A VERY powerful mower... ****, it tosses clippings a good 150-200ft without trying.

Sorry, i got nothing on tilling. Last time i tilled a field i was 17 and used a 12hp Wheel Horse.

I do not use a snow blower. Right now I'm using a combo FEL and rear drag blade to clear snow from my road (about 1/4 mile as well, with 60% of it being a 7-10% grade). This combo works well. I do the majority of the moving with the drag blade, then use the bucket to clean up. The only time i have trouble with High gear is on my first pass or if the snow is heavy. Once i get that first drag up the hill done I typically snap to High gear to finish it up. I travel up and down my road in High gear NOT under load with 0 issue.

Hope some of that helps...

-J

 

[roughcut]

Hi Harbin. I have the Max 28. It is a beast in low range but does lack power in high. I have the FEL, MMM and back blade. When I bought mine I had to pay extra for the mid PTO so you may want to inquire with your dealer about that. Can't remember what I paid but it wasn't cheap. Overall I really like the Max. The mid mount mower does a great job mowing. Actually looks better than my JD rider. Only problems I have with the mowing is the MMM does not lift very high, on softer turf the front tires will sink in a bit and it seems to use a lot of diesel at the rpms suggested for mowing.
Good luck with your decision making.
Dave

 

[drajj5]

There is no way I would mow my hill in high range, The hill that I mow is quite steep.... I decided that the max was the right size for me, "using my hill". I attempted to mow this very hill with my Husqvarna riding mower and it didn't go very well. The little riding mower went down the hill in a hurry with no traction at all- my body leaning as far back as possible to gain traction, yeah it was scary. As soon as I unloaded the tractor I rode this very same hill with backhoe and fel attached, success! Not as scary as one of the Bigger tractors because the center of gravity is lower due to the smaller tires. I had to conquer the (hill), because if I didn't I would have loaded the tractor back on the trailer and returned it the same day. Mahindra at the time had a 30 day unconditional warranty, and I needed to stop weed eating this hill- my back was killing me by fall.

I guess that sums up what I have to offer, Hope this helps. The hill that I mow is much, much steeper than the video that you saw. I use a PTO finish mower vs a MMM, I can back into the edge of the woods and get that underbrush cleared with ease.

 

[chvfrk98]

I just bought TLB w MMM and so far it's good. Everything said is true to some extent. The deck does not go that high. You do have to be careful transitioning to hard surfaces while turning. (Will be torching and bending my wheel back straight this weekend). But don't worry it's a stout unit you just have a lot of mass and power. Low gear is fine for mowing even uphill at rated rpm. Why happens on the high is it can hit the max psi and dumps pressure whereby protecting the hydrostat. Mahindra may be a little conservative with this pressure but it's cheap insurance. As stated the MMM has a powerful throw so much so I'll have to change the way I mow. Also wondering how quickly my leaf vac will keep up. So far I love it.
First round of mods (and repairs) this weekend. LED light forward and back and arms on the seat.

Btw I paid 24500 w TLB and added steel hooks and a d ring added to the bucket that's with the zero financing so it's a little higher than cash. Oh and that's a 13 with the tier III engine. Don't get a tier IV unless you have too. Added cost! Mid PTO can be added at the dealer. The MMM is specific for the Max28. 22 and 25 may be the same. Snowblower is the same for all max so I would think it will work great on the larger unit. Seems to have a good amount of grunt. I'm going to be getting a 5' tiller eventually and I dot have any concerns with its power.

Good luck. Think I hit everything. I did a lot of comparing to the kubota b3200. Just didn't want to pay the extra money and the overall beefiness of the construction won me over. And the real drive over deck. Kubota was stamped. The 60" you can't drive over and the 72" you are supposed to remove the FEL.

 

[jimpen]

I have a Max25 with FEL, MMM and backhoe. My driveway is about 60' gravel with a slight upward grade. I just use the FEL to clear it. The MMM works well to do about 4 acres of very lumpy grass.

I would say look at buying the backhoe at the same time as the rest of the tractor from a financing view. I'm the envy of my neighbors because I'm pretty much the only one who has one. It makes a bunch of stuff easier like pulling out old fence posts and digging out stumps.

 

[harbin]

Thanks everyone for the replies, like others I'm trying to find something that can fill many roles. This week is going to be a little busy at work but once we quiet down I'm heading to a dealer about 45 minutes away to check them out in person and get an idea of cost. Also checking out LS tractors, dealer is quite a bit closer.