Really tires of Iseki. Buying Mahindra 3325.

[DonWorrell]

I bought a TS2205 Iseki over two years ago. I liked the tractor but hated not being able to get service or parts.

I am not extremely mechanically inclined so I had to rely on mechanics to do my work. I couldn't even find one who was willing to work on an Iseki. Parts were another story. I found them but hundreds of miles away. Oil fliters were $34.00 for 3.

If anyone wants to buy a TS 2205 for parts let me know.

So here is my question.

I am looking at a new Mahindra 3325 2WD. I know it is bare bones but all I need is bare bones. I only mow slightly over 4 acres and have a 250' driveway.

I have been told the 3325 is almost the same as the old International Haverester. Parts are made in India but they are assempled here in the states. No part is every more than an overnight flight away. It doesn't have Power steering but i could put a loader on it if i wished. Steering woild be harder but woud work. It has an internal override clutch. Has 35 horse power at the motor and 30 hp at the PTO.

The tractor list for $10,699.00 the dealer has quoted me $8950.00 with 0% interest for 3 years. It also has a 3 year limited warranty. First 12 months is bumper to bumper except tires. Senond year is they supply parts I pay for labor. Third year is 100% on drive train.

Is this a good deal? Will I like the tractor? I asked the mechanic what could I expect going wrong. He said if anything I might have some small leaks. But these could be stopped by tightening the fittings. He has worked on Mahindra for 10 years. Said he has only put on two sets of brakes. Only had two motors to replace and they were due to owner error.

Dealer I am working with says they have sold over 1,000 in the past 10 years.

Give me your thoughts.

By the way I am serious about selling the Iseki for parts.

Don

 

[Phil_R]

Hey Don,

Your dealer is being straight with you, 3325 is a 350 DI with updated sheet-metal, and a 60's 35HP International Harvester isn't far removed... Had my 3325 for a year and a half now, no problems, just routine maintenance.

Burns about 1/2 gallon fuel per hour mowing. (2000 RPM / 4th. gear low-range) I pull the battery every 6 months to top-off the cells and clean terminals. Haven't needed parts or warrantee work... it's a simple, bare-bones workhorse. If I had to replace my 3325, I'd want another 3325.

 

[Fredex]

Have you checked out or priced the 3525? Same basic tractor but with power steering and live pto. Easier to manage pto equipment at startup and a bunch easier to steer with a loader. Either 3325 or 3525 is a nice basic tractor with a lot of residual IHC heritage still evident.

 

[DonWorrell]

Yes I did look at the 3525 but I can't make myself pay another $1650.00 for power steering and 2 a stage clutch. Beside the 3325 has more hp at the PTO. 3#0 hp for the 3325 verses 27 hp with the 3525.

Don

 

[xlr82v2]

Don,

Don't know what kind of mowing you're doing, but I'd take Independent Live PTO over Transmission driven PTO any day of the week... Especially if you're using a bush hog (rotary cutter). If it's available on the tractor class you're buying, then IMHO it is a necessity.

Manual steering is fine until you drop a front wheel in a hole or up against a log or something and the steering wheel sprains your wrist, and spins at 540 rpm to the stop lock, hyperextending a couple of your fingers in the process. Don't ask me how I know...

I'm not sure you'll be able to notice the 3 less HP on the 3525 as well...

If you've got the means to afford these "options", then I'd think you're shortchanging yourself by not getting them. A couple of sprained/busted fingers, and you'll have long forgotten about the $1650 you saved. And besides, with a little haggling with the dealer, you should be able to close the gap on the 3325 quoted price... Nobody pays the first price that the dealer quotes, do they???

Just my opinion...

 

[tractorboy5500]

if you got alot of mowing to do, than you cant go wrong with the hydrostatic streeing, or power steering, its called hydrostatic steering on a 5500, anyway when there is mowing to do, than there is alot of steering to do also. just my thoughts. just to let you know on my 5500 fwd, i can steer it with one finger, and thats a 6400 pound tractor.