Test drove a 5520 & 6000 MFWD

davemhughes · Mar 2, 2007

I was out looking at new tractors today and at one of the Case dealers they also carried Mahindra's.
The two models w/fel I test drove and used the loader on (they had a big sand pile) were the 5520 & 6000 both with MFWD. I spent about 15 minutes on each and ran each through all gears both in 2wd and 4wd. I used the diff lock and loaded sand in the fel's. he 5520 was more pleasing to sit on and look at because of the open work station. Thats about where the pleasing part ended. The engine oil light kept coming on and going off, the loader was kind of stiff with jerky hydraulics under load and a slow load/dump cycle. The engine cowl piston was weak and it kept wanting to come down and hit me in the head as I looked upder the hood. I am sure they all are not this way but first impressions for me count.

The 6000 which was a straddle mount work station was a little cramped and my left foot kept hitting the instrument cowling like it was designed for small people. If you just keep the tip of your boot on it and work the clutch it is a non-issue but I would never be able to do that. The tractor itself ran great and felt very solid through all the gears and had a seat of your pants torque feeling like it wants to work. The loader cycle was slow but it felt rock solid and strong. I liked this tractor a lot even the 6000 model was very basic in fit and finish compared to the 5520. I would concider buying this tractor but in the 6500 model built on the same frame as the 6000.

The price for these 2 tractors was in the $26k range at this dealer. The dealer admitted tht they just started carrying these and only had them a month and didi not know a lot about them yet. Mahindra is probably gong to do very well in my area even through for me in that price range I will more than likely stick with my plan to buy a Case.

jwcinpk · Mar 2, 2007

I've had the 6000 MFWD for almost 4 years now. While they may be lacking in fit and finish I believe they are the best value for the money out there. To me the 00 series is as straight forward as they come both to use and to work on. Mine has the older loader, but I can tell you it will lift more than it needs to. A little slow at the low rpms, but once you fuel it up a little it works pretty fast. I use mine to do the normal farm chores and some light excavating.
I'll add too that the price sounds a little high. Can most likely pick up a 6500 for a little more than that or a 6000 for $1500 less if you shop around.

davemhughes · Mar 2, 2007

Good to hear.....I really liked that 6000 model. Not all tractors have that solid feeling to them under load and this one did......the engine gave me the impression it really would be at its best under heavy load.

Smithla · Mar 3, 2007

I upgraded from a Mahindra 4005 2WD FEL to a Mahindra 6000 4WD FEL in January this year, and WOW does that thing have power. I push over trees that the old tractor wouldn't budge. The 6000 had 285 hours on it and I paid $21K for it. I have been very happy with both of the Mahindra's that I have owned.

Good luck in your purchase,

Les

BobG_in_VA · Mar 3, 2007

davemhughes said:
Good to hear.....I really liked that 6000 model. Not all tractors have that solid feeling to them under load and this one did......the engine gave me the impression it really would be at its best under heavy load.

I've got a 6000 4WD with a KMW FEL as well. I was raised on old Ford 8Ns and JD As and Bs so the 6000 "sit in" cockpit was no surprise. I will say it takes some getting use to, but once you get the "knack", it actually give you a feeling that you are part of the unit, not just "on" it. As you might have noticed, it revs out at about 2000 rpm. You will find that you will never have to go over 1800 rpm to anything....yes, I mean anything...If your Case dealer has a dyno, have him put the 6000 on it. I would be willing to bet that it will dyno more towards 55PTO HP rather than the spec'd 50 HP. Engines usually are rated about 3-5 HP UNDER what they actuall put out. I've got about 275 hrs on mine and wouldn't trade it for anything....BobG in VA

DavesTractor · Mar 3, 2007

BobG_in_VA said:
I've got a 6000 4WD with a KMW FEL as well. I was raised on old Ford 8Ns and JD As and Bs so the 6000 "sit in" cockpit was no surprise. I will say it takes some getting use to, but once you get the "knack", it actually give you a feeling that you are part of the unit, not just "on" it. As you might have noticed, it revs out at about 2000 rpm. You will find that you will never have to go over 1800 rpm to anything....yes, I mean anything...If your Case dealer has a dyno, have him put the 6000 on it. I would be willing to bet that it will dyno more towards 55PTO HP rather than the spec'd 50 HP. Engines usually are rated about 3-5 HP UNDER what they actuall put out. I've got about 275 hrs on mine and wouldn't trade it for anything....BobG in VA

Bob, we dyno'd a 5500 4wd recently and it had 49HP at the PTO. I haven't ran a 6000 on the dyno, but I suspect your estimates would be close.

davemhughes · Mar 4, 2007

Actually did a little looking around via phone for a 6500 mfwd to test drive. Figure if the 6000 felt as strong as it did a 6500 on the same frame would be a real mule. I was impressed with the engine. Who makes the engines for Mahindra or what engine design is it based off of, ie..cummins b, kubota?

BobG_in_VA · Mar 4, 2007

davemhughes said:
Actually did a little looking around via phone for a 6500 mfwd to test drive. Figure if the 6000 felt as strong as it did a 6500 on the same frame would be a real mule. I was impressed with the engine. Who makes the engines for Mahindra or what engine design is it based off of, ie..cummins b, kubota?

Mahindra builds all of their own engines for the 00 series. They are not based on anyone else's design. Mahindra had AVL of Austria design the engine for them (AVL has been in the diesel business longer than almost anyone...) Carraro designed the trans and differentials. BobG in VA

Slippy · Mar 4, 2007

I agree with these guys. You can search some old posts of most of us a few years ago when we purchased our 4wd 6000s. It really is a very good machine. I have two sets of wheel weights on my rear wheels and I am still amazed at the traction that tractor gets. It has done just about everything I have asked of it. I have been considering moving up to the 7520 for two main reasons, 1st the extra hp to pull my 10' rotary cutter and possibly a bigger one. My 6000 dynos at about 57 pto hp. My dealer tested numerous 6000 and they all where above the spec hp. But, that is really not an issue for this tractor unless you want it to do some heavy cutting of high grass on hills. Other wise the 6000 will lift, push, dig, and go where you want it to.

The 2nd reason is simply the creature features of the 20 series. Open, easier to operate, etc. All day, 2-3 day projects tend to frustrate me with shifting, close quarters, etc of the 6000. But, at this point I am not convinced the 7520 is as reliable as the 6000 has been.

I also have the backhoe and it really does a nice job. I run it off the tractor Hyd, and it could stand to have more. If I were using it 3-4xs a week I would modify it. But, I don't use it much at all in the winter, and maybe a couple of months during the summer.

I have had contractors watch the 6000 in action, and they usually will come up to me and ask me what kind of tractor I am operating.

They only loader lifting it could not do was pond clean out debri that was wet. If I got a full scope, it just could not lift it. But even if it did, it would have been too heavy to safely move anyway. A little smaller bite and off it went.

I don't know if you have hills, but my 6000 has been very stable on some pretty steap hills over the years.

So, keep checking around, but I don't think you can go wrong with the 6000 4wd. Get a canopy and weight the rear some way. Check MUSA web site. They have cash back and cash or low interest through end of March.

Good luck.

michellesc7 · Mar 5, 2007

mr davemhughes
i did alot of research and testdrives on all of the tractors from 40 to 60 hp. i was a deere person. and family had alot of great luck with kubotas. i was not sold easy on mahindra. i agree with the post on best value. but being an engineer i always think about need, not want, need. how big is your yard or farm? if you need a true medium sized do it all workhorse, go for the 6000 or the 6500 4wd. if have a small hobby farm step down to the next series. the 20 series are alittle plush. the 00 series are alot robust. so work your need into the equations. the shuttle shift on the 00 series in my mind is a plus feature that i absolutely love - check it out. if you have less than 10 or 15 acres - get one of the smaller mahindras. in either case we are some very smart and picky people on this post. so you will recieve great advice from us who have nothing to gain but to help you. dont do the trial and error on the Case. it is a world market now- choose wisely based on need.
My happy thoughts, Michelle