We tested the Mahindra 2025, the smallest tractor sold by the company in Brazil and stands out for its torque reserve and several construction items that are present in this model.
24.09.2019 | 20:59 (UTC -3)
The 2025 is the smallest tractor sold by Mahindra in Brazil and stands out for its torque reserve and several construction items that are present in this model.
In general, we have had great experiences on our adventures in Brazil carrying out tests for Revista Cultivar Máquinas. Surprises have been a hallmark of this activity. For this edition, we want to report to our readers the test of the Mahindra tractor, model 2025, carried out in Vale dos Vinhedos, in Serra Gaúcha. There were many surprises, from the model of the tractor, its size, its specifications, to seeing it working on the activities of a typical family farming property. This model, recently arrived in Brazil, is manufactured in India and went on sale shortly after its presentation at the Show Rural Coopavel 2019, in Cascavel (PR). It was presented at other national fairs, and was even awarded at the 19th Expoagro Afubra, for the innovation that led to its entry into the Brazilian market. The explanation for offering an imported model by the brand is that this tractor can reach our market at a very favorable cost, due to the large volume of production in the factory unit located in India. This model is a global product from the Indian brand for the markets of Asia - including India and China -, Mexico, the United States and Brazil and between these countries, more than 23 thousand units have been sold worldwide. By the way, current information is that Mahindra produces around 330 thousand tractors per year, reaching third place in the market share of tractor sales in a competitive market such as the United States. In Brazil, Mahindra had an increase of approximately 40% in revenue compared to 2018, and is preparing the launch of the expansion of its factory in the coming months, aiming for the brand's growth in the Brazilian market.
The 2025 model is the smallest tractor offered by the company, it is classified as a microtractor, called subcompact by the company. It is intended for family farming, mainly for those activities where movement space is limited. However, although small, the model features many items and configurations found on larger tractors. It is, proportionally, a large tractor in reduced dimensions. It has a driven front axle (TDA), differential lock and other features that we will highlight to readers. It is entirely made of metallic material, including using metal sheets to cover components, such as the hood and fenders, unlike the vast majority of tractors produced in the country, which already use plastic material. Also noteworthy in this model is the high lifting capacity of the hydraulic system, quite representative for the category, which reaches a maximum value of 750kg at the hydraulic system joints.
MOTOR
The engine that powers the 2025 is from Mahindra, model MDI 1365, with two cylinders and a volumetric displacement of 1.366cm3, giving it, according to the manufacturer, maximum power of 25hp at 2.500rpm. It uses a direct injection system, based on an in-line Bosch injection pump. The engine torque is 86,3Nm, the highest for its category. Although it is a maintenance item, the solution found to open the hood is quite interesting. Instead of opening backwards (in the operator's direction), like most larger tractors, it opens forwards, placing itself at an angle of more than 60°, exposing all components of the engine and electrical system.
STREAMING
The power transmission of the Mahindra brand is made up of a simple disc clutch, with pedal operation, which connects to a mechanical, synchronized gearbox, with eight forward and four reverse speeds. The range of speeds allows the tractor to travel from 1,2km/h to 24km/h, in different combinations of four gears (1, 2, 3 and 4) and groups (H and L). The manufacturer placed a sticker on the fender, visible to the operator, showing the gear ratios, both forward and reverse, in the various possible combinations, for the standard tires. On the operator's left side there is the gear lever with four positions, plus the neutral position, and on the right side there are the hydraulic system control levers and on the inner side the selection lever for the two groups offered. It is interesting to note that the manufacturer adopted a creative solution to place a direction inverter in this model. Instead of creating a third lever or placing reverse on the gear selection lever, the project provided the reverse position on the group selection lever, so to reverse the movement forward or backward, it is only necessary to alternate the position of this control between the group that has been chosen (H and L) and the reverse (position R). This way, we can have a reverser that is easy to use as long as the operator activates the clutch and immobilizes the tractor. The final reduction of the rear axles is internal to the housing. The semi-shafts are split with two flanges for placing the wheel hub.
The front axle is also produced by the manufacturer and has a particular constitution that results in increased free space. The axle is driven by bevel gears and does not use crossheads, meaning there is a gap between the plane that passes through the axle and the center of the wheel hubs. This is an important difference in increasing the free space, even with small diameter wheels. To drive equipment that requires rotation of a shaft, such as sprayers, for example, there is a power take-off (TDP) with two options, the first standardized at 540rpm at an engine speed of 2.046rpm and the economical TDP 540E which is obtained with an engine angular speed of 1.654 rpm. Both indicated on the tractor panel so that the user can recognize these angular speeds and correctly use the system. As we said previously, this tractor features the same devices used in larger models, one example is the rear differential lock, which is done by pressing a pedal on the floor to the operator's right.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
The three-point hydraulic system is category 1 and is based on an open center pump, with a flow rate of 16 liters per minute and a maximum system pressure of 190kgf/cm2. With this, the lifting capacity on the lower arms reaches 750kg, which is very good for this size of tractor. The side stabilizers are chain type with tensioner. The vertical tie rod on the right side has length adjustment to facilitate attachment of implements.
The Ferguson system, adopted by the manufacturer, is the traditional one with two levers, one for position and the other for depth. Position control is used when you want to set a height for the lower arms and is the main lever for activating and coupling implements that do not suffer ground reaction when working. The depth lever, on the contrary, is the one that must be used in equipment that reacts with the soil and therefore needs to be combined with the sensitivity system. In this tractor, the presence of excellent limit regulators in the positioning of the levers is very interesting. The hydraulic system's sensitivity system uses a type C beam with two positions and screw adjustment.
PREVENTIVE
One of the points on which we base our evaluations refers to the ease of maintenance of tractors, especially small ones, where the reduced space requires creativity from designers. We found that in relation to engine maintenance, in the 2025 model, access to its accessories and complementary components is facilitated by the wide opening of the hood, exposing the filters, pump, battery, fuses, connectors, relays, front lights and other components. The air used by the engine for combustion is filtered by a conventional filter with two elements, one main and one safety. The air intake is in front of the radiator, with an air duct placed just behind the front grille. Positioning on top of the engine makes it easier to open the filter and remove coarse impurities through the rubber nozzle. Filter cleaning is done preventively, however, when the environment has an abundance of dust, the cleaning period will be determined by the restriction meter, which indicates to the operator when the main filter is saturated. The main element must be cleaned by tapping or, if necessary, with a stream of air, without damaging the paper filter material.
The internal safety element does not require cleaning, only replacement, and lasts for a long time. We found that one of the changes to the original project to offer this tractor, important in the Brazilian market, was its adaptation to the respective Regulatory Standard (NR 12), which in our analysis was fully met. On the sides of the engine there are protections against contact with moving and hot parts. At the rear, the TDP protection is easily removed and is encouraged to be replaced, as the screws remain and their removal and replacement are done with just a small turn. The starter motor also received a protection that surrounds it. As for adapting the tractor to work, we saw simplicity in adjusting gauges and ballasting. The gauge adjustment is made by changing the position of the wheel's central disc, and placing the disc on the inside and outside of the nuts welded to the rim. With these combinations it is possible to achieve six gauge possibilities, ranging from 762mm, 813mm, 864mm, up to 914mm, with the tire options offered by the manufacturer. The manufacturer recommends a weight/power ratio of 55 kilograms per engine horsepower, that is, approximately 1.375 kg for ballasting the tractor. The weight increase for heavy operations, reaching this weight/power ratio, is done by placing up to three plates weighing 45kg each, mounted underneath the front part in front of the axle. At the rear of the tractor, the weight increase can be achieved by adding a 50kg disc attached to each wheel, if necessary. Ballasting must be done to achieve this ratio and to distribute the weight between the axles, in a proportion of approximately 40% of the weight on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle. In operations with low traction requirements, but with steep terrain, it is recommended that the weight be placed heavily on the front of the tractor to avoid wheelies.
Fuel is supplied via a nozzle located in front of the instrument panel and behind the engine. The metallic diesel tank is placed in front of the operator and holds 22 liters, which, given the average consumption of this tractor, should be enough for more than one day of work per day. Throughout the tractor you can see several lubrication points with grease pins. It is worth highlighting the presence of a tool box, with the capacity to store frequently used keys, positioned behind the driver's seat, being an important item on tractors in this power and weight range.
OPERATING POSITION
The operating station is a semi-platform type, as although there is good space for movement of the lower limbs, there is a projection over the gearbox that raises the center of the floor. To avoid raising the height of the tractor and to facilitate fruit farming work, the manufacturer chose to place an exhaust pipe flange on the right side of the engine, which allows it to be mounted upwards or forwards, depending on need. The parking brake is activated using a lever positioned below the steering wheel, pressing the brake pedals. To release the parking brake, simply press the pedals and return the lever to its position. The manufacturer takes great care in alerting the user to the dangers of the operation, including technical operating information. All alerts are in Portuguese and in a good writing style. A two-point protective arch (ROPS) was mounted behind the operator, which can be tilted or removed when working in low height environments. There is no option to fold the arch, but to remove it, in a simple disassembly process. There are a series of protections for different components, such as rear lights, to prevent breakage due to shock. This is justified by the fact that this tractor is used in a restricted space environment.
At the rear, the manufacturer installed a seven-pin electrical socket to drive machines, mainly trailers. In the driving position, just in front of the operator's legs there is a 12 volt socket for recharging and activating personal electronic objects, such as mobile phones, and a place to store small objects. The controls are predominantly placed on the right side, with the levers for the hydraulic system, group selection and reversal, the hand accelerator on the steering column, the choke and the parking brake activation. On the left side is the gear selection, PTO activation and light control lever, as well as the flashing lights. The side encouraged by the project for the operator's ascent and descent is the left. We note, favorably, that the switches are very robust. The instrument panel has a white background and a high contrast in relation to its number scale. This panel contains checking instruments such as the tachometer, the fuel volume indicator present in the tank and a thermometer that indicates the temperature of the water in the cooling system. To assist in operation, the design provides a large mirror on the right side of the driving position, which can be placed either horizontally or vertically, depending on the type of task to be monitored.
SPECIFICATIONS
The tractor we tested was equipped with rear tires measuring 8.3-24 R1W, which are fitted to the standard version, with the option of having 9.5-20 tires recommended when you want to lower the height of the tractor. At the front, the standard version tires are 6-14 R1 and 6-12 as an optional item. Disc brakes are connected to the axle shafts and immersed in oil.
FIELD TESTING
For the field test of the Mahindra model 2025 tractor, we chose two very different situations and characteristics of work on the Dallé family property. First, a three-rod scarifier from the Netz brand, model 7243, which is used to prepare the soil for sowing corn. This equipment was superior to that recommended for this power, but as the ground was soft, it was sufficient for our evaluation. First we chose two gears for work, third down and second down. We did the work in both speeds, choosing the reduced third speed due to the good adaptation of the tractor and use of the torque reserve. We note one of the strong points of the model, which is the engine torque. We measured the turning radius and found that it was just over two meters, without activating the individual brakes.
As the soil intended for corn was flat, we decided to use a sprayer on the vines, also in reduced second gear, to test maneuverability and stability in a sloped environment with obstacles. The system adopted by the family is a spacing of 2,75 meters between rows, alternating with some of three meters, which are used to transport the harvest. The height of the wires to fix the vine branches is 1,90 meters, requiring a low tractor. The Mahindra 2025 has a maximum height of 1,42 meters, including the rear-view mirror, without the protective arch. The gauge of the tractor we used was 1,08 meters and the total width was 1,32 meters. The ground clearance with standard tires was measured at 0,34 meters. All these dimensions allowed him to work freely between the lines, without the need for maneuvers. We were unable to evaluate fuel consumption in any of the operations, but the demonstration team had measured 0,9 to one liter per hour with the 400 liter sprayer attached to the three-point hydraulic system we used. We found that the great qualities of this model are the high engine torque, the ability to maneuver in small spaces and the lateral and longitudinal stability. Especially in the test on a slope, the weight distribution, the front weights and the small height provided complete safety, even in the extreme conditions in which we were testing the tractor.
Test drive in Vale dos Vinhedos
The test site was a rural property belonging to the Dallé family. We were wonderfully received by the owner, Mr. Vilson Dallé, his wife Lorena Toniollo and his son Giovani Dallé. They kindly welcomed us throughout the day, including serving us a great lunch, filled with food produced by the family itself. All activities on the property are carried out by the three of them, with support, on weekends, from their other son, Mateus Dallé, who works during the week at a company in the city. The property is located in Linha Pederneira, seven and a half kilometers from the municipality of Santa Tereza, in the micro-region of Caxias do Sul, in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul. It is an agricultural region, especially for grape growing, horticulture and other activities, characteristic of family farming.
The 22,6 hectare property is a family heirloom and was the birthplace of Mr. Vilson. It is used for the production of grapes for wine and juice, corn, livestock, and pig farming. Grapes are the main activity, and are supplied to three canteens in the region, located between three and 16 kilometers away. The product is transported using our own truck. The activity is entirely family-based, with support from contractors per harvest, mainly in the grape harvest. In total, there are five hectares of vineyards that produce an average of 100 to 110 tons of grapes per year, using the trellis system, with an average height of 1,90 meters. The harvest, which takes place from January 10th to the end of February, is entirely manual, with the help of a collection basket, then goes to a box and, finally, in bulk to the truck body, covered with canvas. All cargo is delivered to purchasing companies, which measure weight and grade. Payment occurs after accounting for the amount and commercial value. The producer explained to us that it is necessary to control operations through a field notebook and the requirement for a special space for the storage of chemical pesticides. In the family production system, immediately after harvesting, the branch that will produce that year is chosen. Between July and September, pruning is carried out, leaving four to five branches per tree. In the summer, cleaning pruning is also carried out.
The most intense operations begin from sprouting onwards, with applications of phytosanitary products and foliar fertilizers every five to seven days apart. After grain formation, sulfate treatments begin. Traditionally, until the All Souls' Day, application work is very intense, with weekly applications, and then reduces to fortnightly application intervals, weather permitting. The family has two other tractors, but is now a Mahindra customer. The preponderant factor for acquiring the brand's first tractor was the opportunity to see the machinery working in a demonstration in the town of Caravaggio, close to the city of Farroupilha, in Rio Grande do Sul. Soon after discovering the Mahindra tractor, a neighbor purchased one of these models and then the family asked for a demonstration and were convinced that it would be the best option. According to the producer, another determining factor in the acquisition was the five-year warranty that the company offers.
Dealer
Tudo Agrícola Comércio de Peças e Serviços LTDA is the Mahindra dealer for the region, with a main store in Vacaria (RS), but which has support points in other cities. The company, which was founded in 2017, is an official Mahindra dealer and has all the models available by the brand for sale. The company also provides information for the sale of used tractors and implements and a large stock of agricultural parts, in addition to holding shifts, both for services and parts, in order to best serve rural producers. Tudo Agrícola also offers the Mahindra National Consortium, with interest-free plans of up to ten years, as an important alternative for purchasing the brand's tractors. The test of the Mahindra 2025 tractor was attended by salesman João Batista Mello Zimmermann, who serves the Dallé family and producers in the Santa Tereza region. As a factory representative, we had the support of engineer Gilberto Dutra, Product Marketing specialist at Mahindra, who provided us with all the information on the test tractor and also on the manufacturer's user support strategies.