What tractor should I buy?

bigman · 30th August 2009, 18:33

I was speaking to my cousin on the telephone yesterday and he asked me to look at the spec etc of a few tractors and let him know which was better. Could not find a suitable thread so here it goes.

To me (not being an expert on tractors) the spec/features for both look similar with some cosmetic styling differences.

The first is the New Holland 5500
New Holland Fiat India Agriculture tractors, Equipment exporter india.

The other the New Holland 3630
New Holland Fiat India Agriculture tractors, Equipment exporter india.

(He will be buying a 2WD 5500 and sadly not the 4WD model).

So please can the resident tractor experts please tell me the difference between the two and which one is worth getting.

(I suggested a John Deere but apparently they are a bit too thirsty)

shankar.balan · 30th August 2009, 18:57

IMO
I like John Deere - for toughness and reliability (proven in Punjab/Haryana and Andhra) - expensive to maintain and drinks juice quite a bit. (my bro in law has one and this is what he says.)

He could consider the Sonalika tractors - they are good. ( a friend of mine from Punjab's opinion)

Mahindra is tough and useful - easy to maintain and care for - cheap to run. the common man framer's friend.( my dad's opinion)

Tafe - Massey Ferguson - solid beasts. Not much trouble.(from experience and based on what my dad says.)

New Holland is good - but I dont know enough about them.

bigman · 30th August 2009, 19:29

Shanker,

Thanks for your response. The tractor will be used in northern Haryana, as you say John Deere are the bid daddy when it comes to tractors but costs are putting him off.

Sonalika have a terrible reputation in our area so that is out the question. He did buy a MF Tafe but it was too lightweight for his liking and was sold after a year or so.

The New Holland models are what he has narrowed his choice down to. They have a decent repuation in our area and they doing a bulk buy (4 to 5 tractors with a few other villagers) so hope to get a nice little discount as well.

He currently uses a Ford 3600 which they have owned since new since the 1980s. Very reliable and tough as old boots.

directinjection · 30th August 2009, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

The New Holland models are what he has narrowed his choice down to. They have a decent repuation in our area and they doing a bulk buy (4 to 5 tractors with a few other villagers) so hope to get a nice little discount as well.

He currently uses a Ford 3600 which they have owned since new since the 1980s. Very reliable and tough as old boots.

"Area repuation" is important in tractors and must be factored in while making the purchase. Have you considered HMT that's made at Pinjore and has been a popular brand? The best people to guide you would be the actual users in the area where the machine will be used. Good after sales service is important.

New Holland enjoys a good reputation in southern Haryana where I'm from.

bigman · 30th August 2009, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by directinjection

Have you considered HMT that's made at Pinjore and has been a popular brand?

To be honest I think its a class issue as well. Being a zamindar of a certain standard you do not even consider certain makes of tractors as they are considered beneath you and for the less well off. Stupid attitude to take but if he can afford it then might as well go for something half decent and a brand that has decent reputation locally. A shame he is scared of going for the John Deere.

I remember that people used to laugh at anyone with an Eicher tractor as they were considered to be lightweight.

I still recall the phut phut phut phut engine noise those red eichers used to make.

Please can anyone explain the technical difference between the two New Holland tractors linked to in the first post.

Thanks

normally_crazy · 30th August 2009, 21:28

John Deere has quite a few models now to choose from - they have added smaller HP tractors to their product portfolio now.

And like you have said - they rule the roost in Punjab and Haryana. Maybe a bit expensive to maintain but reliable. And they are also coming up with a new model KRISH in a couple of months.

pranavt · 30th August 2009, 21:43

How about a Tata Indica?

bigman · 30th August 2009, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranavt

How about a Tata Indica?

Don't think it would last long with a plough behind it.

Quote:

John Deere has quite a few models now to choose from - they have added smaller HP tractors to their product portfolio now.

Yes they do a 55HP model which is what he wants. Any more information on the KRISH?

maddy42 · 30th August 2009, 23:23

Well suggestions
Mahindra Sarpanch is a good beast in our area.

Massey Ferguson(Tafe) The old model was well appreciated and still the second hand market in coorg for the same are good but the new model was not well recieved as it had complaints of being light weight in the front due to which a driver lost his life when the front lifted over while ploughing.

HMT is not sold much but my friend owns one and he goes by the handle TIMSON on team bhp. He has had this one from a long while and loves his beast as it has taken quite a beating.
PS: His tractor is maintained by his dad and no mechanic has ever touched it

One suggestion is to find one which has good backup of service or one where the local mechanics are going to understand it and spares are available in plenty as you are never going to drive 40kms to the dealers place for an overhaul after ploughing in the slush:-)

amit_arya · 30th August 2009, 23:54

hey,

i do not have any idea about tracktors, but the subject actually excited me. no one talks about escorts? just know of them coz of their factory on main road of faridabad. they have some 3 ranges of tracktors. more details at ESCORTS GROUP > The Escorts Group, is among India's leading engineering conglomerates operating in the high growth sectors of agri-machinery, construction & material handling equipment, railway equipment and auto components.

shivapsreddy · 31st August 2009, 02:25

It depends more on the usage. Is it planned to be used for more trolley pulling work or the work in the field for ploughing work etc.
TAFE is low on maintenance and very good for both the works and not very good in terms of heavy pulling work on the field.
Same with Mahindra. It is slightly costlier to maintain and they are leading ones in the market.
Sonalika is not a good one. They have lot of reliability issues.
Swaraj is a very good one. They have very good engines. Better one is to select a oil cooled ones.
Newholand one seems to be a good one but I do not have experience of using this one.

My choice is Swaraj tractor.

ThE Godfather · 31st August 2009, 13:14

Sawaraj, Ford, Mahindra, Tafe are good ones. We own a Mahindra Bhoomiputra 250, its good in all ways. Never put us down. Negligible maintainance.

rageshgr · 31st August 2009, 13:42

Wow! tractors! just got excited, although I don't know much about tractors in detail. All I can say is thanks "bigman" for lending a new dimension to TBHP

simply_sunny001 · 31st August 2009, 13:51

My vote goes for Mahindra Arjun/Sarpanch if not Holland Ford which suits your requirements very well.

reddy6980 · 31st August 2009, 13:55

Hi Bigman,

It would we very informative if you specify for what purpose will the tractor be mainly used for.Like will it be used mainly in wet lands,dry lands,transport purpose,pestification purpose.

Saying this because people buy tractors in our area according to type of use.

30th August 2009, 18:33	#1
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	What tractor should I buy? I was speaking to my cousin on the telephone yesterday and he asked me to look at the spec etc of a few tractors and let him know which was better. Could not find a suitable thread so here it goes. To me (not being an expert on tractors) the spec/features for both look similar with some cosmetic styling differences. The first is the New Holland 5500 New Holland Fiat India Agriculture tractors, Equipment exporter india. The other the New Holland 3630 New Holland Fiat India Agriculture tractors, Equipment exporter india. (He will be buying a 2WD 5500 and sadly not the 4WD model). So please can the resident tractor experts please tell me the difference between the two and which one is worth getting. (I suggested a John Deere but apparently they are a bit too thirsty)
	(1) Thanks

30th August 2009, 18:57	#2
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,156 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	IMO I like John Deere - for toughness and reliability (proven in Punjab/Haryana and Andhra) - expensive to maintain and drinks juice quite a bit. (my bro in law has one and this is what he says.) He could consider the Sonalika tractors - they are good. ( a friend of mine from Punjab's opinion) Mahindra is tough and useful - easy to maintain and care for - cheap to run. the common man framer's friend.( my dad's opinion) Tafe - Massey Ferguson - solid beasts. Not much trouble.(from experience and based on what my dad says.) New Holland is good - but I dont know enough about them.
	() Thanks

30th August 2009, 19:29	#3
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	Shanker, Thanks for your response. The tractor will be used in northern Haryana, as you say John Deere are the bid daddy when it comes to tractors but costs are putting him off. Sonalika have a terrible reputation in our area so that is out the question. He did buy a MF Tafe but it was too lightweight for his liking and was sold after a year or so. The New Holland models are what he has narrowed his choice down to. They have a decent repuation in our area and they doing a bulk buy (4 to 5 tractors with a few other villagers) so hope to get a nice little discount as well. He currently uses a Ford 3600 which they have owned since new since the 1980s. Very reliable and tough as old boots.
	() Thanks

30th August 2009, 21:28	#6
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,369 Thanked: 528 Times View My Garage	John Deere has quite a few models now to choose from - they have added smaller HP tractors to their product portfolio now. And like you have said - they rule the roost in Punjab and Haryana. Maybe a bit expensive to maintain but reliable. And they are also coming up with a new model KRISH in a couple of months.
	() Thanks

30th August 2009, 21:43	#7
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 641 Times View My Garage	How about a Tata Indica?
	() Thanks

30th August 2009, 23:23	#9
maddy42 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coorg Posts: 2,131 Thanked: 1,328 Times View My Garage	Well suggestions Mahindra Sarpanch is a good beast in our area. Massey Ferguson(Tafe) The old model was well appreciated and still the second hand market in coorg for the same are good but the new model was not well recieved as it had complaints of being light weight in the front due to which a driver lost his life when the front lifted over while ploughing. HMT is not sold much but my friend owns one and he goes by the handle TIMSON on team bhp. He has had this one from a long while and loves his beast as it has taken quite a beating. PS: His tractor is maintained by his dad and no mechanic has ever touched it One suggestion is to find one which has good backup of service or one where the local mechanics are going to understand it and spares are available in plenty as you are never going to drive 40kms to the dealers place for an overhaul after ploughing in the slush:-)
	() Thanks

30th August 2009, 23:54	#10
amit_arya BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 69 Thanked: 86 Times	hey, i do not have any idea about tracktors, but the subject actually excited me. no one talks about escorts? just know of them coz of their factory on main road of faridabad. they have some 3 ranges of tracktors. more details at ESCORTS GROUP > The Escorts Group, is among India's leading engineering conglomerates operating in the high growth sectors of agri-machinery, construction & material handling equipment, railway equipment and auto components.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 02:25	#11
shivapsreddy BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nuremberg,Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 0 Times	It depends more on the usage. Is it planned to be used for more trolley pulling work or the work in the field for ploughing work etc. TAFE is low on maintenance and very good for both the works and not very good in terms of heavy pulling work on the field. Same with Mahindra. It is slightly costlier to maintain and they are leading ones in the market. Sonalika is not a good one. They have lot of reliability issues. Swaraj is a very good one. They have very good engines. Better one is to select a oil cooled ones. Newholand one seems to be a good one but I do not have experience of using this one. My choice is Swaraj tractor.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 13:14	#12
ThE Godfather BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: punjab Posts: 213 Thanked: 6 Times	Sawaraj, Ford, Mahindra, Tafe are good ones. We own a Mahindra Bhoomiputra 250, its good in all ways. Never put us down. Negligible maintainance.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 13:42	#13
rageshgr BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai/Vaikom Posts: 549 Thanked: 551 Times View My Garage	Wow! tractors! just got excited, although I don't know much about tractors in detail. All I can say is thanks "bigman" for lending a new dimension to TBHP
	(1) Thanks

31st August 2009, 13:51	#14
simply_sunny001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London & Rohtak Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	My vote goes for Mahindra Arjun/Sarpanch if not Holland Ford which suits your requirements very well.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 13:55	#15
reddy6980 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 151 Thanked: 44 Times	Hi Bigman, It would we very informative if you specify for what purpose will the tractor be mainly used for.Like will it be used mainly in wet lands,dry lands,transport purpose,pestification purpose. Saying this because people buy tractors in our area according to type of use.
	() Thanks