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

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 If 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

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;

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1. The tractor is well balanced and handles loader work with ease 2. A robust three-point linkage has a lift capacity of 1,600kg and the ball ends can take Category 1 or 2 pins 3. Power comes from a 40hp engine built in-house by Mahindra 4. The ML345 loader comes standard with mechanical self-levelling

Mahindra 4025

Engine

Mahindra 2.7 litre four cylinder diesel Power 41hp/31kW Fuel capacity 55L Transmission Eight forward, two reverse Hydraulic pump 33L/min Rear lift capacity 1,600kg although it is an option to have one set that is, I’m told, fitted to almost all tractors sold. Hydraulic pump output sits at 33L/ minute, which is fairly good on a tractor this size. The loader was smooth and responsive, never showing any sign of struggling even with a bucket full of sand. A simple single speed PTO is probably all that’s required and engages easily with a lever beside the seat.

COOL LOADER

The Mahindra-built ML345 loader on the front was by far the most impressive part of the tractor. It is compact yet robust and well built. It fits the tractor well without feeling clumsy or hampering visibility. Stands are incorporated into the design so the loader can quickly be taken off by simply removing two pins. Mechanical self-levelling is included as standard, which keeps the bucket or forks at the same angle as the loader is raised, and is great to see, as is the guide rod that shows the operator when the bucket is level to the ground. Heavy-duty greasable pins are used on all pivot points and a standard euro hitch set-up on the front ensures it will easily fit all attachments. A joystick control is within easy reach of the operator and is clearly labelled and very easy to use. Third service is an option, I’m told, although it was included on the tractor that was provided for the test.

FINAL WORD

Price and perceived value are nearly always the biggest factors in any machinery purchase. Sometimes a simpler, cheaper option might tick all the boxes, even though some of the features might not be quite as good. This is exactly where the Mahindra 4025 tractor comes into its own. You get a solid and well-built tractor with a loader at an exceptional price, and while there are some negatives, for many it will do everything that is required. In Australia, Mahindra distributes its own product under Mahindra Ag & Auto Australia. All Mahindra tractors feature a factory three-year/2,000-hour powertrain warranty as standard.

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 5-7 Luisa Avenue, Dandenong South, VIC 3175

MAMMUT413HTAGRILOADER 3000kgcapacity,Parallellift,9000kgoperatingweight97kW(130hp) Cummins6BT5.9-C130DieselEngineCertifiedROPSCabinwithairrideseat, A/C,radio&camera.3speedelectronicpowershifttransmission,40km/h MAXDonaldsonairfiler,continentalHydraulichosesthroughoutvehicle. Hydraulicquickhitch,pilotcontrol3.6mLoadoverheight,3.05mdumping height.S3. TA985852. $54,900IncGST

SUMMIT8202TONNEWHEELLOADER 2019,2000kgliftingcapacity,5300kgoperatingweight,3.4mdumping height,4mliftingheight,102HPFEVDieselmotor,2speedpowershift, hydraulicquickhitch,A/CROPScabinwithradio&camera.Comeswith4in1 bucket,palletforks&sparewheel.S12. TA985927. $24,900IncGST MAMMUTTL30003TONNETELESCOPICWHEELLOADER 3000kgliftingcapacity,7300kgoperatingweight.Cummins125HPDiesel engine,4speedelectronicpowershifttransmission,40km/hMAX.Standard Bobcatskidsteerquickhitch,pilotcontrol,ROPScabinwithairrideseat,A/C, radioandcamera,synchronisedextractionandliftingsystem.S5. TA985855. $56,500IncGST SUMMIT8282.8TONNEWHEELLOADER 2019,2800kgliftingcapacity,6800kgoperatingweight,125HPFEVdiesel motor,2speedpowershift,hydraulicquickhitch,4in1Bucket,Palletfork, A/CROPScabinwithradio&camera.Comeswith4in1bucket,palletforks & sparewheel.S9. TA985903. $31,900IncGST

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