SMALL TRACTOR REVIEWS
essentially simple Brent Lilley found the simple yet effective 40hp Mahindra 4025 tractor did the job, without the bells and whistles, in this 2016 review
I
f you’re in the market for a smaller, lower horsepower tractor then there are loads of options to choose from – such as the Mahindra 4025, built in India as a robust and reliable 40 horsepower (30kW) tractor. I travelled to the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand to meet with local dealer Prescott’s in Hikuai to see what the model has to offer.
PLENTY OF GRUNT
Above: The 4025 tractor was a standout
Pluses Powerful Mahindra-built engine Simple yet functional controls Well-balanced tractor for loader work Well-built Mahindra Loader with self-levelling
Minuses Transmission somewhat clunky Lack of external remotes; available as an option
Under the bonnet the Mahindra has a four-cylinder 2.7-litre diesel engine, which interestingly meets tier four emission standards and is built in-house by Mahindra. It has a rated output of 41hp (31kW) or 31hp (23kW) at the power take-off (PTO) shaft and, while I never get to put this tractor to task with any PTO work, the engine feels reasonably responsive and like it has plenty of grunt when pushing the bucket into a pile of sand. The 55-litre diesel tank has more than enough capacity to keep you working all day. While access for daily checks to the engine is simple and straightforward, anything more than that requires wrestling with multiple panels that need to be removed and seem somewhat fiddly. Four-wheel drive is easy to engage with a lever beside the seat and drive to the front wheels is delivered though bevel gear hubs, which give a tight turning circle. It is good to see diff-lock, which will prove itself the first time you find yourself in a sticky situation.
SIMPLE AND STRONG Mahindra describes the transmission as ‘simple and strong’ which is fairly accurate, although for me it is probably just a little too simple. It gives you four forward gears in an ‘H’ pattern as well as reverse on the main gear stick and then two ranges,
high and low on a second stick – so a total of eight forward and two reverse. While this is about what you would expect on a tractor this size, it’s not overly friendly for the operator. Plenty of gear changes result in a crunch even at a standstill, or using the double clutch tactic. Shunting backwards and forwards for loader work becomes tedious fairly quickly and highlights how spoilt we are with forward-reverse shuttles these days. The gears do seem to be well spaced, though, and give a good spread – top gear gives a travel speed just under 30km per hour.
UNCLUTERRED Controls are fairly simple and easy to sort out. The dash is clear and uncluttered with gauges to show engine temperature, rpm and fuel level, as well as a series of warning and display lights. Not having a display of the forward speed might be a problem for some, although probably not on the tasks that this tractor is going to be used for. A comfortable and adjustable seat positions the operator well, with good visibility in all directions; although getting to the seat is hampered by the high-low gear lever in the centre of the raised platform, which I seem to get my foot tangled in every time I get on or off. Independent pedals control the brakes which are fully enclosed dry discs at the rear. The three-point linkage controls are a pretty standard set-up beside the seat, with one slide lever for height controls and one for draft control. While a lift capacity of 1,600kg will prove adequate for most tasks. Around the back the lift arms cleverly feature fixed end balls that fit Category 1 or 2 pins, which, along with the simple sliding telescopic stabilisers, make hitching implements easy. Disappointingly, on the day the tractor had no external remotes;
Looking for a Mahindra? Search for ‘Mahindra’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
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22/10/2020 12:53:49 PM