Just a little overkill for what I’m using a tractor for and it would be heck to get in to my hidey-hole food plots unless I mounted a skidder blade on the front.

I think the next one I get is going to be 7800. I passed on a super clean low hour mfwd 7800 out of Southern Illinois last year dealer took in on trade. Offered it to me at $30k and I think it sold for nearly $45k. I should have bought it I just didn't know what was going to go on with the Wutang Flu. Really kicking myself. I normally would never spend that much on one I tend to deal in the scrap value range.

Good clean low hour equipment is really bringing a premium. D&D Equipment in Centerville, TN usually have a few really clean tractors like you are looking for and prices are usually reasonably in line. Irby Tractor in Vincent down here south of Birmingham also deals in really nice used equipment but his prices are a bit high IMO. But he's got a MX5200 HST for $22k. 1500 hours but on for a good machine that's not hardly getting broke in. Or at least shouldn't be.

Beshears Kubota in Oxford is who we normally deal with on a Kubota for parts and service. Good dealer there even if buying new I'd at least make a phone call and see what they had.

I’ve owned red and blue tractors and am leaning towards something else this go around. Those dang green tractors sure hold their value and if I can find the right one I might have to give them a whirl. Orange will probably be my second choice.
I’ve been looking online at the Vincent dealer. They move a lot of machines.

My JD 5200 doesn’t have any of the newer shuttle shift, etc….all gears. Slower for bucket work, but it’s hell for stout in that class….I wouldn’t overlook that 5200/5300/5400, late 90s batch…..it’s far closer to what I grew up driving on farms. I might graduate to newer one day, but it’s simple, and was a good package for the $.

Goatkiller if you find a 7800 MFWD in good shape that would be a fine snag.

Finally pulled the trigger on a new Mahindra 5155 4x4 with FEL. It’s a new model that came out late in 2021 to replace the 5555. It’s got 55hp with 45 pto hp, sync shuttle shift 12 speed tranny, 3400 lbs full lift in the bucket, 3950 lbs 3 point lift, air ride adjustable seat, R4 tires, rear remotes, no exhaust stack ( exhaust underneath bottom right of engine). It’s a tank, right at 8000 lbs with the loader. It’s probably a little overkill for what I need on my small property and food plots, but it’s going to be fun. I got a great deal on it too.
Of course it’s no 4960 John Deere, but it’s a pretty stout little tractor.

Very nice rig.

You are going to be very satisfied with your purchase I believe. After owning a mahindra 5570 for 3 years I don't think I’d even consider another brand in the utility tractor market. There’s many benefits that I saw over others and I’ve worked mine pretty good. 440 hours without a hiccup.

Thanks Matt. I contacted the dealers you recommended and while I ultimately didn’t buy from them, they did give me the bargaining power to negotiate a better deal down here with a more local dealer. This tractor was head over heals any other brand in specs for anywhere near its size. And No DEF or DPF Regen! I am well pleased so far.

How did you get it without the emissions crap? I thought everything over 25hp comes with it?

That's what I thought too.

Several years ago Mahindra spent over 30 million dollars with their engineers developing a Tier 4 compliant engine that is one of a kind and it appears they succeeded because they’re not having trouble with them and they meet all emission standards.

One of the several reasons I went Mahindra

You can read in their website how it works..some use particulate filters..some use def fluid and heat..they basically made a fancy catylitic converter..that burns the soot as fast as it comes out..still smells like burnin diesel..an if you bark a turbo it will gouge a little smoke…mahindra has one model that uses def fluid..or did anyway..it was the biggest tractor they make..it is the only one tho..everything under 125hp burns constantly and does not regen. Id also like to tout how powerful these tractors are..even the small ones are eat up with it..the combined power an hydraulic lift on the 1528 i ran for 150hrs worth made me think i was gonna bust hoses left an right..yall shoulda seen the stump i turned up n lifted with that little tractor..i shoulda had my butt kicked for the abuse i put that machine through…mighty little tractor for 34hp..an i can make one do tricks..imagine what a biggin will do🤔

This is why I love a 70-80's era tractor. Tractors don't have to be complicated. That's why Mahindra makes good machines. They simply make at least some effort to build it where it won't tear up. And there will always be value in that . That goes for any type of equipment from a dozer to a lawnmower.

Well all I have as a series 1 John deere, but I have driven gear drive tractors. I prefer the hydostatic. Mine even has cruise control.

I have a 2020 Mahindra 4 x4 with FEL , bush hog and disc and it has been a great tractor so far

what are the low-mid 40s hp, 4wd, FEL, Mahindras bringing new these days. I havent priced a tractor in about 15 yrs and I'm sure the sticker shock will be surprising.

Not as bad as you’d think. You can likely get one for low $20Ks. That’s a basic gear shift model. The hydros and cabs will be upper $20ks to low $30ks.