Going to be downsizing from a 55HP Mahindra 4WD to a 35-40 HP 4WD. Is there a consensus on which brand (s) is best for this size tractor… any makes to stay away from… etc.?

Kubota

I'm personally a Kubota fan. We have owned 4 different pieces of Kubota equipment, and have been absolutely happy with all of them.

** - ETA, dating back to 1998. I am aware of a couple of 20ish HP Kubota tractors that are still in service since the mid 1970's.

No. There is definitely not a consensus

I would highly recommend a hydrostatic transmission in that size tractor.

Kinda of curious there’s not a lot of downsizing from 55 to 35-40hp, wouldn’t both still be considered compact? I say that in that I got a mx5100(52hp)

What is the benefit of hydrostatic? Would it be longer lived than conventional?
Thank you

I’ve got a 37 hp Mahindra that’s been a great tractor My father in law has a 39 hp Kubota. In my opinion the Mahindra is stronger. I know it’s heavier and it doesn’t have the def or it doesn’t have to regen

John Deere 4 series, 4WD, hydro transmission, 42 HP Yanmar engine, with loader weights just over 4K.
Got a thousand plus hours on mine with no problems.

My $0.02, would depend on the usage a lot of bucket work hydro, a lot of bush hogging conventional, starts/stops. That doesn’t answer your tractor size question.

If I was working in a landscape company loading mulch and topsoil I’d want a hydrostatic. Otherwise I see no use for them.

This. I recently bought a JD 3035D and have been pleased with it so far. It's plenty strong for running a mx5 cutter and is easy enough to use the loader efficiently.

Kubota in the lower HP range. Step up to the biggest, heaviest series in the HP you want. You need weight to get the HP to the ground.
I have a 5205 JD it's only 5 HP or so bigger than the highest HP 4000 series but is .much heavier and will work circles around it.

Add tubes and water in tires weight problem solved.All newer tractors are lighter than 70's models

I like a heavier tractor and fluid in the tires.

I've had one of these for a long time. Good little tractor.

Kubota for sure

No clutching, very intuitive. I think it’s also safer (defaults to “stop” if you’re not pressing the pedal).

For smaller properties, smaller fields, lots of trees I like it.

Having said that I have a shuttle shift tractor which isn’t hydrostatic and doesn’t require shifting, but it’s a bit bigger at 75hp.

I have a 2018 model Kubota L4701 that has been an excellent tractor
It is a clutch drive with fel
Perfect size for greenfields, gardens and work around the house
It is 47 HP and handles 6’ equipment very well though I will say the 6’ bush hog in high grass is all it wants

Thanks for the comments - having a good dealer nearby is important for me too.

Do you know why it doesn’t? It’s subject to the same exhaust particulate matter regulations other tractor manufacturers are.

The muffler on the Mahindra is actually a catalytic converter (which helps some). But the biggest difference is it burns fuel MUCH MUCH more efficiently.

How you ask? They run a MICH higher combustion temperature inside the cylinder/combustion chamber than anyone else. Like 1200* exhaust temp versus maybe 8-900* in other brands. What effect will that have on the life of pistons, valves, head gaskets etc? I don’t know but I would wonder. If I was only gonna keep one a few years and trade I’d very likely buy a Mahindra.

I tend to buy older 40-50 hp two wheel drive utility size tractors. Keep them 5 years or so and resell them. No Def or Regen on the ones I shop for either.

A good JD or Kubota compact will last 1-2000 hrs with proper care easy. A 40+ hp utility size tractor can be run 5k hours plus. No reason to buy a new one to me. I’d never live long enough to wear it out.