Recommendations, Advice, Opinions

[selfc23fe]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

 

[ChuckinNH]

I was looking at a Mahindra 2815 today, and thought it was a pretty nice tractor too. I didn't drive it, but probably should have. I think it has 28hp, and does seem pretty evenly matched against the Kubota offering. Tough choice! BTW, I wish we could get those kind of prices around here. The best quote I have on a 2815 is $16480 with loader.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

Maybe look at the 3215, it's always nice to have just a bit more hp.

 

[jbrumberg]

selfc23fe:

Welcome to TBN ! I think you are heading in the right direction as to size and weight/footprint and stated needs . Be prepared for a lot of opinions, brand loyalties, and HP "junkieness" here on TBN . In my opinion dirt work = heavier/mowing = lighter tractors. Of course 4WMFWD and a FEL are a given for this size tractor. I will add that I wish there was a TBN around 20 years ago when I first got involved with tractors. My "learning curve" was pretty steep . Keep us posted about your process and all of us will be more than willing to help you spend your money . Jay

 

[selfc23fe]

Thanks for the welcome Jay, I've read enough to know that there is a lot of experience on this forum.
Chuck/Brian, buy or build bigger is what I've always heard, It's just a question of money, but I plan to go and drive the Mahindra tomorrow, I'll give the 3215 a spin too if I can....

 

[Jimmyp5]

Let us know what you decide!! I was lucky when I lived in Rush Springs., no clay all sand and loam! Ditto here in Texas...

 

[flusher]

Hello all, longtime listener, first time caller....
Shopping for a new tractor to take care of 7.5 acres. Brushhog, moving dirt, landscaping and pond maintenance are my main uses that I foresee. My property is mostly cleared, Oklahoma clay, and sloping terrain. Will be building sometime in the future.
I have narrowed my search to a Mahindra 2815 HST, 4WD, 26hp, FEL, $15,600 or a Kubota L2800, HST, 4WD, 30 hp, FEL, $15,500 or a Kubota L3400, HST, 4WD, 35 hp, FEL, $16,500.
I am leaning towards the the Mahindra, mainly because the dealer is very close and it looked to me like a quality machine. Then there is, of course, the Kubota reputation. The Kubota dealers price is firm, but I haven't worked on the Mahindra dealer yet.
I don't know, should I flip a coin?
Thanks, Chris

With less than 10% difference in these quotes, I'd go with horsepower and buy the L3400.

I have 10 acres of flat pasture land and in May 2005 bought a new 21 hp (engine) Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket) for $12600. Did a lot of the type of work you described with that little beastie.

However, I soon decided to put 7 acres into hay and, consequently, needed more tractor hp. So in July06 I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp engine) for $3600. My experience is pretty typical of many TBNers who rapidly outgrow their original tractor.

My neighbor went to school on my experience and just bought a new Kubota L4630 (45 hp engine) with the 6-ft wide FEL. He's pretty well set for hp-wise to handle chores around his 10 acres.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN!

Only you know how handy you are and how much you can do yourself and how much you want to hire out as you get to building your house and improving your property, putting in drives, etc.... A little more spent now on a larger tractor/more implements may save you money/time in the future.

My bias would be toward hydrostatic transmission,4wd, greater horsepower (I'd think about 50 hp ... I've had to live with smaller tractors and find 50 to be a sweet spot), 2 rear remotes.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I think the L3400 would be my choice for your uses and acreage. I think you will also want a canopy in that hot Oklahoma sun - many options to choose from, don't automatically get the tractor-brand model.

 

[PA hayseed]

I'd definetly go with about 30hp or more. I got 8 acres (looking for more) and I used to have a 26 hp tractor. The only problem, other than it continually breaking down, was that the PTO power was weak, and it couldn't handle the implements I wanted. In sum, too small a tractor for my needs.

Cutting grass, unless your retired and have countless hours devoted to seat time, takes awhile. a 7' mower makes it go alot faster than a 5' mower. A 26 hp tractor can't handle a 7' mower, with certain exceptions.

Moving gravel, shale, and dirt, the 26 hp tractor didn't have enough power to do some things. When you say your going to be building, I am assuming that you want this tractor to accomplish some heavy work, and if that is true, you will want a bigger tractor (Its weight) with more hp. FEL size and lift capacity are big items for you to consider, as well as the HP and PTO. Also look at what implements that you are planning on purchasing (or may want to purchase in the future) the tractor can handle. As with everything else, bigger attachments get big jobs done faster, and makes hard jobs easier.

Good luck in your search, hope you find the right tractor for your needs.

 

[selfc23fe]

Well based on the advice I have received, I think I'll buy the Kubota L3400. Although the Mahindra is a nice machine, when I started looking at the 30-35 hp models, the price started to hit the $18,000 range. The L3400 at $16,500, seemed like a bargain, and a better built machine. I'll go drive one next week and see. Although a friend of mine has a L2800 with 350 hrs he is going to sell, which might be worth a look.

 

[texasjohn]

your friend will be able to tell you what he did with his tractor, why he's selling it, etc.... if he was able to do what you want to do and with an ease/difficulty you are willing to accept, then consider his tractor at the right price, else, use his advice as part of your input on tractor and implement size and selection.

 

[canoetrpr]

All those tractors should handle the work you are speaking of. The Mahindra 3215 is the same size as the Kubota L3400. I imagine that the 2815 is matched to a L2800.

Probably worth springing for the extra HP while you have the opportunity. You usually get that extra $1 or so K back at resale time. Us tractor nuts know that there is more to a tractor than HP but tractors sell by HP in the used market in particular. So $1000 to $1500 is a bargain to go from 28 to 34 hp IMHO.

I have the L3400 and have been very happy with it. It is a no frills machine but built quite well and is a very old Kubota design.

The loader on the Mahindra L3215 is stronger than on the L3400 by about 300lb.

I found that the HST pedal setup on my Kubota was way better than the Mahindra 3215. I found the forward and reverse too far apart on the Mahindra.

The 3215 is definately a solid machine... again - if you are going to get Mahindra, get the 3215 over the 2815.

 

[daveinnh]

I have a Kubota L4310 HST and have been happy. Several items that you may wish to price from dealers:

1. ATI quick-tach - it's compatible w/ skid steer implements
2. rear hydraulic remotes - at least one, 3 is better
3. compare tire width for both front & rear - affects stability
4. review tires - I have R-1 Ag quite happy - but i saw R-1 wide on a bigger tractor and those would be nicer (front ags tend to sink when loader is full); rears are loaded w/ Rimguard
5. review tire spacing from fenders for potential chains - some are real tight
6. I installed a Curtis cab - they're somewhat crude compared to a factory cab, but factory cabs can be $5k
7. price weld-on chain hooks onto bucket - center & each end. (maybe a freeby?)
8. Kubota's extendable rear 3pth arms make implement connections much easy than fixed

 

[streamin]

I started with a L3230 and it was slightly underpowered for a few things, no rear remotes to work the boxblade.I sold it after 400 hours and got a L5030 with 2 rear remotes and a quick attach bucket. I don't know how I lived without those before.When in doubt , go alittle more than what you think you'll need. Alittle money more now will save alot later.

 

[selfc23fe]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. The overwhelming tone was for additional hp, and following everybody's recommendations, I purchased the 35 hp, Kubota L3400 instead of the 26-28 hp models. It has 4WD, Kubota FEL, R4 tires, an Agri 5ft rotary cutter, and an Atlas 5ft boxblade. This tractor seemed to be built as well as any I looked at, and a lot better than some. This model was a nice, simple, no-frills machine, which will (hopefully) allow me to get some work done without a lot of effort on my part. The ease of which the FEL was taken of by myself was particularly nice. Thanks again for the help....
Chris

 

[streamin]

Did you get the remotes in the rear for the boxblade tilt? Congrads on your decision, you will be happy!

 

[selfc23fe]

No, I didn't. I am still in the process of learning about all the things I should have done. They are still putting the tractor together, and it won't be delivered until Monday. Maybe I should call them tomorrow and inquire. I don't plan on using the boxblade much. At least until I learn how to build my road/driveway.

Edit: Like dave said, I probably need to weld some hooks on the bucket. I can see how they would be handy.

 

[selfc23fe]

If anybody is curious... here she is

 

[warhammer]

Wow! Nice looking machine!

WarHammer