Mahindra 4540

[heavy hammer]

Looks like fun, we did some sledding today with my oldest. After the wife and oldest went in me a the two labs carried in some wood and shoveled. This is them enjoying the stove. The one looking at me is m 6 year old he chased his tennis ball for 3 hours today. He puts my arm to the test. The top pic is the wood we brought in yesterday morning quickly before my youngest woke up. I only had about a half hour but I figured any wood brought in would help for this next cold.

 

[thewoodlands]

The wife hadn't driven the 4540 for a year, so we went over a few things last night and she drove it today, things went fine but she'll need more time on the 4540 just so she is use to it.

I did finally get the ring connectors hooked up to the battery so it's just a plug-in instead of taking off the front and putting on the clamps for the battery maintainer..

 

[SpaceBus]

The wife hadn't driven the 4540 for a year, so we went over a few things last night and she drove it today, things went fine but she'll need more time on the 4540 just so she is use to it.

I did finally get the ring connectors hooked up to the battery so it's just a plug-in instead of taking off the front and putting on the clamps for the battery maintainer..

I've been reading some of your posts and posts elsewhere on the web about small tractors and have learned there are certain options to really pay attention to. Like an engine block heater or even a fuel heater, I don't know if it gets consistently cold enough for the fuel heater.

I also read closely on the dealer pamphlet for the tractor they want to sell me and noticed the HST incurs a 20% power loss. The manual and hydraulic shuttle trans tractors have a much smaller 10% power loss. The DK4710 SE they want to sell me only makes 33.4 PTO HP but the engine makes 45 gross HP. The post hole digger I want recommends a tractor with at least 35 PTO HP. I think I'll be ordering a tractor after all because I don't think they have any hydraulic shuttle trans tractors in the DK chassis. Everyone wants the HST they said.

 

[thewoodlands]

I've been reading some of your posts and posts elsewhere on the web about small tractors and have learned there are certain options to really pay attention to. Like an engine block heater or even a fuel heater, I don't know if it gets consistently cold enough for the fuel heater.

I also read closely on the dealer pamphlet for the tractor they want to sell me and noticed the HST incurs a 20% power loss. The manual and hydraulic shuttle trans tractors have a much smaller 10% power loss. The DK4710 SE they want to sell me only makes 33.4 PTO HP but the engine makes 45 gross HP. The post hole digger I want recommends a tractor with at least 35 PTO HP. I think I'll be ordering a tractor after all because I don't think they have any hydraulic shuttle trans tractors in the DK chassis. Everyone wants the HST they said.

They're very well liked up here too, since we basically use the tractor for plowing and work in the woods, I wasn't worried about the hp at the pto but the hst would've been nice when plowing or moving snow.

 

[heavy hammer]

Motor hp and PTO hp are the two of the main things to look at, when looking at running implements. There are plenty of other options when purchasing a tractor to consider but if depends on what your using it for. My tractor is 40 hp at the motor, and the PTO has 35, but i run a 6 foot finish mower and would like to get a three point snow blower. Find the tractor that fits your certain needs, like most of us this is a machine you will have for many years so get it how you want you will not regret it!

 

[SpaceBus]

Motor hp and PTO hp are the two of the main things to look at, when looking at running implements. There are plenty of other options when purchasing a tractor to consider but if depends on what your using it for. My tractor is 40 hp at the motor, and the PTO has 35, but i run a 6 foot finish mower and would like to get a three point snow blower. Find the tractor that fits your certain needs, like most of us this is a machine you will have for many years so get it how you want you will not regret it!

I have found that 35-45 PTO HP and 40-55 engine HP seems to be the sweet spot for someone that isn't a large scale farmer.

The HST does seem like a good idea for snow work, but the hydro shuttle shift trans seems to be a good compromise. You don't have to use the clutch to switch from forward to reverse, or even changing speeds (I think). I feel like that cuts out all of the fatigue normally found when going back and forth on a manual tractor. Ideally I'd just get the full manual, but I don't think my health will allow for that. The DK10 SE series tractors with the HST are already more expensive than the manual or hydro shuttle trans DK series tractors. I'll just have to see what the dealer can work out, but I am definitely getting something with at least 35 PTO HP. I just liquidated some assets, so this should be happening soon. I hope I don't have to order a tractor, since that takes forever, but it might be worth it.

 

[thewoodlands]

I have found that 35-45 PTO HP and 40-55 engine HP seems to be the sweet spot for someone that isn't a large scale farmer.

The HST does seem like a good idea for snow work, but the hydro shuttle shift trans seems to be a good compromise. You don't have to use the clutch to switch from forward to reverse, or even changing speeds (I think). I feel like that cuts out all of the fatigue normally found when going back and forth on a manual tractor. Ideally I'd just get the full manual, but I don't think my health will allow for that. The DK10 SE series tractors with the HST are already more expensive than the manual or hydro shuttle trans DK series tractors. I'll just have to see what the dealer can work out, but I am definitely getting something with at least 35 PTO HP. I just liquidated some assets, so this should be happening soon. I hope I don't have to order a tractor, since that takes forever, but it might be worth it.

Get what you want, it's worth the wait.

 

[thewoodlands]

I have found that 35-45 PTO HP and 40-55 engine HP seems to be the sweet spot for someone that isn't a large scale farmer.

The HST does seem like a good idea for snow work, but the hydro shuttle shift trans seems to be a good compromise. You don't have to use the clutch to switch from forward to reverse, or even changing speeds (I think). I feel like that cuts out all of the fatigue normally found when going back and forth on a manual tractor. Ideally I'd just get the full manual, but I don't think my health will allow for that. The DK10 SE series tractors with the HST are already more expensive than the manual or hydro shuttle trans DK series tractors. I'll just have to see what the dealer can work out, but I am definitely getting something with at least 35 PTO HP. I just liquidated some assets, so this should be happening soon. I hope I don't have to order a tractor, since that takes forever, but it might be worth it.

I bought some of the red bottle last year when the tractor was outside under a tarp, it was our coldest winter that I can remember but I never needed it.

https://powerservice.com/psp_product/diesel-911/

 

[jaoneill]

I've been reading some of your posts and posts elsewhere on the web about small tractors and have learned there are certain options to really pay attention to. Like an engine block heater or even a fuel heater, I don't know if it gets consistently cold enough for the fuel heater.

I also read closely on the dealer pamphlet for the tractor they want to sell me and noticed the HST incurs a 20% power loss. The manual and hydraulic shuttle trans tractors have a much smaller 10% power loss. The DK4710 SE they want to sell me only makes 33.4 PTO HP but the engine makes 45 gross HP. The post hole digger I want recommends a tractor with at least 35 PTO HP. I think I'll be ordering a tractor after all because I don't think they have any hydraulic shuttle trans tractors in the DK chassis. Everyone wants the HST they said.

I wouldn't bother with the fuel heater but FWIW, be sure to dump a few gallons of #1fuel oil (kerosene) into the tank before the weather gets to the subzero stage. They can say what they will about diesel being treated for winter use but I can tell you from years of experience that the only thing that will keep #2 from jelling is to thin it down...... A 50/50 mix is guaranteed not to jell but even 1/4 kero (with the additives already in the fuel) will get you through -20, -30.

 

[SpaceBus]

Good to hear that it's easy to deal with cold temps.

 

[SpaceBus]

I'm glad I'm learning all of this stuff now rather than after I have to find out the hard way.

 

[Stercomancy]

The 4540 4WD is what i’m leaning towards. Glad to see, it seems to be a work horse with little problems.

 

[thewoodlands]

The 4540 4WD is what i’m leaning towards. Glad to see, it seems to be a work horse with little problems.

So far not anything big has gone wrong, they did a code update not long after we bought it and they added a inline restrictor coming out of the radiator which made the 4540 come up to temp.

We have 723 hours on it since we bought it in August of 2016. I

 

[thewoodlands]

We received 5-6 inches of sugar snow overnight so I plowed both driveways, I had orders from the boss to leave some snow on the driveway since it's all ice underneath..... I passed the test according to the boss.

 

[heavy hammer]

SpaceBus I agree with thewoodlands, get what YOU want. You will not regret it.

 

[SpaceBus]

SpaceBus I agree with thewoodlands, get what YOU want. You will not regret it.

What kind of transmission did you go with? My inner old man says get the HST, but my gut says go with the Hydro Shuttle.

 

[kennyp2339]

What kind of transmission did you go with? My inner old man says get the HST, but my gut says go with the Hydro Shuttle.

I believe that kioti has one of the best hydros on the market, duel pumps so while running with pto engaged and steering there is more than enough flow.
The SE series is nice because you have the option of running the tractor with a linked peddle (gas peddle more or less) great for loader and snow clearing work, plus firewood towing, you can turn off the linked peddle and just use the main throttle and cruise control for mowing and snow blowing or you can have the linked peddle engaged and raise the rpm minimum using the throttle control by the steering wheel.
I personally am looking at adding the after market linked peddle system to my ck4010hst.
As far as shuttle shift, there nice if your mowing or tilling, but the pto loss of power isn't really noticeable with the new hst setups.

 

[heavy hammer]

I have the shuttle shift, in my 2540. I say test drive both even if they are on a different tractor you are looking to get. Both have their plus's and minus. I have never used a hydro shuttle or a HST before. See which one you like more.

 

[kennyp2339]

I have the shuttle shift, in my 2540. I say test drive both even if they are on a different tractor you are looking to get. Both have their plus's and minus. I have never used a hydro shuttle or a HST before. See which one you like more.

HST is hydro static trans, no such thing as a hydro shuttle shift. With all popularty with compact tractors it’s very easy to get confused, the tech and options have been 10 fold in the last 5 years.

 

[heavy hammer]

I thought there was only a shuttle shift a hydro, and the old but true gears. But like you said kenntp2339 they seem to have something new all the time. I have ran a true clutch with the gear shift between your legs style tractor and now mine with the shuttle shift. I like the shuttle shift but I still a fan of simple and easy. The old gear shift and clutch is the tried and true but it wasn't offered in my tractor model. The shuttle shift is the next closest you still have a clutch, you just pick low med or high your gear 1-4, forward or reverse. All using the clutch, I can't remember if there is a way to move between the speeds or gears without using the clutch. I haven't ever tried and I can't remember what the dealer said about it. It is just as easy to puch the clutch to shift. The hydro has some nice features I just have never operated one.

 

[kennyp2339]

Use your clutch or your grinding gears.
The shuttle shift offers multiple shifting, all clutch dependent so if you have low medium high and 4 speeds you technically have a 12 speed tractor.
HST has 3 ranges - low medium high, you need to choose the range before travel, if you in transit and need to go faster or slower for torque you need to come to a complete stop then select the output.
The new thing with HST is linked peddle, basically a gas peddle or foot operated throttle. It’s independent for the fixed throttle that’s on the dash, great for loader work and transit

 

[heavy hammer]

Like I said I use the clutch for every kind of shifting. I figured if you didn't you might grind some gears.

 

[kennyp2339]

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[SpaceBus]

Well, Kioti discontinued everything DK except the SE, so I'm going HST. They can also spec the DK4710SE on the lot with the cruise control and linked pedal for not many more dollars. I liquidated some assets so I'm waiting on a check and then after it clears the bank I can go pick up the tractor. With incentives the tractor is a pretty good deal and will do everything I need of it. I really wanted the hydraulic shuttle shift, but they sold their last one, and even if Kioti still made them, it would have been just as expensive to get one ordered. The dealer also said the HST has less than 20% power loss, but I don't know if I believe that. Maybe Kioti is more conservative in their power ratings like VW with the GTI.

 

[thewoodlands]

I moved some snow away that sits up higher than the new garage, even if I left it there and it melted, it should stay away from the garage and drain around back. I also pushed back some banks near the driveway but since it was raining, I left the camera in the rhino.