Why Buy a Mahindra or Mahindra vs . . . .?

[MtnViewRanch]

We took in a used 3316 turbo last week with 25.9 hours! It had been garaged and was perfect, but it also sold the first day. They come up like that occasionally, but not often and unless you find one local to you, you simply cannot get to it before it is sold.

At your elevation, and with the added weight of a backhoe I'd also recommend the 3616. 8 more HP. But the 3016 will do the job and has adequate HP even at elevation to run the pump fine, meaning the backhoe would dig perfectly and the loader would lift fine. But pushing a pile of dirt with the bucket or other heavy ground engaging tasks will require low range, slow speed and some patience with a 3016. Still incredibly faster than a shovel and wheelbarrow.....

Dave, any used 35 series machines on hand?

Honestly, with the pictures that the OP has posted, a 5035, or now a 3550 would be the absolute minimum machine to use IMO. But if you can't afford it, you can't afford it and you have to get by the best way you can. I still think used would be his best alternative, and not a 16 series machine at all, but a 35 series at the minimum.

But that's just me.

 

[DavesTractor]

Brian, no used 35 series at the moment. No doubt a 5035 with a 595 backhoe would be sweet, but that would bust the budget for the OP I think even if we found a used unit. We get some used TLB's, we have a Montana here now, but too small for the task at hand I think. The size of the machine is dictated some by the tasks, but also by how much time the operator wants to spend getting it done. Tractor seat time is not a bad thing if a guy has the time.

If a guy does not mind the risk, a used full size TLB to knock out the big stuff is a cheap way to get a lot done. Unless of course the transmission fails or something like that. Dave

 

[JimnAZ]

Ok, here is the latest and greatest. I searched on Equiptment trader and tractor house. A lot of new stuff, a buch of Max's and a couple used. The used are just too far away.
I finally got in touch with a dealer in our state, however they are still around 260 miles away.
He quoted me the following:
MAHINDRA MODEL 3016 TRACTOR EQUIPPED W/ 115SK LOADER, 3720 BACKHOE & 12" BUCKET, 4WD, HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION,
$27415.00
MAHINDRA MODEL 3616 TRACTOR EQUIPPED W/ 115SK LOADER, 3720 BACKHOE & 12" BUCKET, 4WD,HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION
$30334.00

For either one the following:
Back blade - $660
2 attachment discount - $500
$2700 buy down charge <---- WTF is that?

So, $361 for 84 months on the 3016 and $396 for 84 months on the 3616
This includes delivery.
He also stated that Mahindra requires insurance on equipment while under finance, and there may be a small down payment based on credit score.

How does all of this sound? The person I spoke with was very friendly and helpful, willing to answer any questions I had.

Jim

 

[AchingBack]

I can't speak about the fairness of the prices, but I know for a fact, Mahindra, who bought Agricredit, does require a small down payment, and insurance. I put down about 10% of the purchase price of $14,995 on a zero interest 36 month contract when I bought my tractor in 2005. I also had to pay an administration fee of a couple hundred bucks. Not sure why, maybe it was the salesman's commission. Nevertheless, I've been very happy with my 2615, which is built by Mitsubishi, on a very similar platform.

 

[JimnAZ]

I just read the chats between some of you. I get it about bigger is better, I really do. However, we can only do so much for a cash deal, and so much for a monthly payment, used or new. I really need something now. We have already spent 3k paying someone to do the work that has been done, and cannot afford to pay anymore. So unless I get a piece of equipment, everything is on hold.
Also, I am ok with some things taking twice maybe even three times or longer using a smaller model. As long as I can still get the job done! Even as a newbie I believe I can level the greenhouse, house plot and orchard with just about anything. As long as I can (however time consuming) finish the pond and fix/maintain the road, then it will be much father along than I am now. :thumbsup:

 

[arrow]

Heck, I made out with 17 hp for years. It is more about traction and weight. I never ran out of HP as I cut no grass. The 3016 I have now is 3 times faster than the JD 750 for logging. Not because of HP but because it weighs a thousand lbs more than the JD did and has taller tires for better traction.The JD would only pull one of these logs out of fresh cut oak. With the 16, this load is a breeze. The JD did a ton of work such as snow removal, logging, putting in a riding arena, digging out hillsides for retaining wall work. It even pulled out a Camry that was nose down in a ditch near my home. The 3016 would have made all these tasks easier.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I know there are different prices for cash sales vs financed sales. When I got mine about 6 weeks ago, as I remeber, the financed price was in the neighborhood of your quote. I don't remember exactly as I was fortunate enough to be able to pay cash.

You will love either. I dont think I'd pay an extra 3k for 1.5 hp but the monthly payments aren't that much different, so maybe it's not that bad.

GET THE TIRES LOADED as part of the deal. You'll be glad you did.

 

[JimnAZ]

After much consideration and help from all of you, we decided to get a new 3616 with FEL, backhoe and box blade. Should get delivery end of next week.

Now I need to learn how to use it! Any good vids on how to work controls and/or what to use for specific task? Or is it all trial and error.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Go to post # 8 of this thread. 3RRL is the box blade guru. He isn't around the forums to much any more and is missed, but his posts should be able to help you in the use of your box blade.

Enjoy your 3616, you made a good choice in my opinion.

 

[drajj5]

You are going to love the tractor, congrats. I think that once you get on it and use it; you are going to have a hard time getting off to do other errands. I personally think that you could have gotten away with a less powerful tractor to perform your task(s). One thing is for sure, you will like the more powerful rig that you purchased. It will take some time to master your tractor's capabilities but it looks as though you have lots of practice ahead of you by looking at the pic's from your property. When I got mine I was told by my wife to make sure that I took care of it "So it will last a long time". I make sure that I grease/clean/service to ensure that my tractor will last for years to come.

 

[JimnAZ]

Thanks guys! It is tough making decisions based on budget.

Brian, thanks for the link. Just read all 18 pages - good stuff. Do you think that thread is a place for me to post for advice on fixing our road? Since I would mostly be using a box blade.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks guys! It is tough making decisions based on budget.

Brian, thanks for the link. Just read all 18 pages - good stuff. Do you think that thread is a place for me to post for advice on fixing our road? Since I would mostly be using a box blade.

I think that it may be best to start a new thread in the attachment forum once you have started. Post lots of pictures, Good pictures can be truly worth a 1000 words.

First give it a go and see how things work for you. Once you try the implement, that will give you a better idea of what you should be asking. It is very common for it to take a lot of hours to be proficient at box blading. So don't get discouraged early on.

Just like everything in life, some people are good at it and others just get it done.

Good luck and please post pictures of delivery day and all the new equipment.

 

[dpb800]

You will love the 3616. I picked one up last year and have been using it for everything.

 

[wolftree]

Congratulations on a very good choice of tractors.

 

[arrow]

I also think you may not need the extra horses but one of the good things is that the 3616 comes with larger tires at the rears than the 3016 (industrials that is). Larger tires equal more weight when filled which will be helpful. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

So some of you guys think that with all the grading and heavy chores that this guy has to do, that a 23hp tractor would have been fine?? :confused2: That's all he would have had if he would have gone with the 3016. Remember he is at 6000 feet in elevation. He loses 18% of his power. Yes he would have been fine working the hoe, but for any ground engaging work, and from the looks of it he has a lot of it to do, he would have been very very disappointed.

Just my :2cents:

 

[arrow]

So some of you guys think that with all the grading and heavy chores that this guy has to do, that a 23hp tractor would have been fine?? :confused2: That's all he would have had if he would have gone with the 3016. Remember he is at 6000 feet in elevation. He loses 18% of his power. Yes he would have been fine working the hoe, but for any ground engaging work, and from the looks of it he has a lot of it to do, he would have been very very disappointed.

Just my :2cents:

I do. I did all of my stuff with a 17 hp tractor. `There were early tractors made with 12 hp but they weighed 4000 lbs. I'd rather have weight than hp for ground engaging stuff. If he bought a geared tractor, I don't think he would have been disappointed at all. Its all moot now anyway. He's happy and that's all that counts.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I've been pushing, digging, scooping and hauling about everything I could imagine with my 3016. Clearing paths thru the woods, , hauling logs and clearing out a section of woods for a new lawn. I have never run it over 1500 rpms, which is a long way from the max hp being created at 2400 rpms. I don't know what the rpm vs hp curve is, but I'm very happy with what I've been able to do with the hp I've been using.

I'm sure he'll be happy.

 

[arrow]

I've been pushing, digging, scooping and hauling about everything I could imagine with my 3016. Clearing paths thru the woods, , hauling logs and clearing out a section of woods for a new lawn. I have never run it over 1500 rpms, which is a long way from the max hp being created at 2400 rpms. I don't know what the rpm vs hp curve is, but I'm very happy with what I've been able to do with the hp I've been using.

I'm sure he'll be happy.

I can't sit here and say I know about tractor engines. I do know about high performance engines however and if these small diesels are like anything as those, then torque is going to peak before hp. For all we know the Mitsu engine put into the 3016 may reach full torque at 23 hp but I can't say for sure. What I do know is torque is what's doing the work and gets a car out of the hole. Hp was for speed. Even with my old 17 hp tractor, I always lost traction before I ran out of hp.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I do. I did all of my stuff with a 17 hp tractor. `There were early tractors made with 12 hp but they weighed 4000 lbs. I'd rather have weight than hp for ground engaging stuff. If he bought a geared tractor, I don't think he would have been disappointed at all. Its all moot now anyway. He's happy and that's all that counts.

You don't need to tell me about tractor weight getting things done, my 3215 weighs in at 5000+lbs, my 7520 weighs in at over 12,000lbs. I have these tractors ballasted to get the absolute maximum performance possible out of them for my working conditions. But I don't have those tractors with the smaller HP engines that were available in each of their frame sizes either. I wanted a certain size tractor, I got that tractor with the most HP available at the time and I then ballasted to be able to get the maximum performance out of each machine that was possible.

So, do you feel that 12hp tractor made full use of that 4000lbs? If the tractor would have had 40hp, how much more work could it have done in an 8 hour day? I'm not saying that this stuff can't be done with a smaller HP unit like what you use to have, and if you have all the time in the world then I guess that is fine. But there is a reason for the larger HP tractors and one of the reasons that it is so often recommended even here on TBN, get the most HP in the frame size that you are getting.

My personal opinion is that the OP has too small of a tractor for what he needs to do and get it done in what I consider a reasonable amount of time. I hope that I am wrong for his sake. What he got is all that he could afford and that's fine. At least he got something that should not run out of power for him.

Everyone operates differently, some just poke along and get stuff done at a slow even rate. Other people need to get things done at a faster rate for various reasons, so they need something with a little more power than the guy that can take his time.

Just my :2cents: