Buying Advice How do I option this thing?

[dickfoster]

I've just about decided to pop for a 1538 HST with the FEL of course and the backhoe.
My question is what other options are worthwhile getting up front. I'm already going to get an extra remote valve installed should I ever need one. I'm thinking it might also be a good idea to get the mid PTO too just in case I add a snowblower or something down the road.
Is there anything else that is better to get on or with the tractor up front that would be a pain to add later? I will be using it to dig some stumps, dig a few trenches do some terracing and general clean up for five wooded, some sloping, acres along with snow removal should nature ever decide to make it snow here again. I'm in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ballast box, etc. etc. etc. This will be my first and likely last tractor purchase.

Oh yeah, does anybody know why PTO stump grinders cost so much? They seem to cost like backhoes.

 

[brasco426]

Get all the (toys) you can afford. See what dealers offer for incentives. Rear mower would be nice, brush hog if it's really rough, or a finish deck for a cleaner cut. A box blade maybe nice to do some grading and leveling as you pop out those stumps. Remember it is a tractor, and has its limits, treat it right it should do the same to you. Good Luck.

 

[dickfoster]

Get all the (toys) you can afford. See what dealers offer for incentives. Rear mower would be nice, brush hog if it's really rough, or a finish deck for a cleaner cut. A box blade maybe nice to do some grading and leveling as you pop out those stumps. Remember it is a tractor, and has its limits, treat it right it should do the same to you. Good Luck.

Thanks for the input. While I don't see any kind of mowing in my future, I'll look into the box blade as it seems to be a common implement. How about ballast box or do most folks just comeup with some home remedy to add ballast.
What I'm most concerned about is getting what I should on the tractor itself right away so I can add implements and attachments later on with less fuss, muss and hassle. Like the mid PTO while I will likely never ever get a mid mount mower, I could end up with a snowblower. I think the mid PTO might help resale later on when it goes to someone else (after I die of course). I just don't want to get too carried away and end up with a zillion dollar tractor with features that will never be used.
This is my first time so I'm open for a lot of input on the original purchase. How about added hydraulics, what's good and what's likely never to be used?

 

[brasco426]

Well if your on the fence about the mid pto for the sake of having a snow blower, another cheaper option is getting a snow plow blade for the loader. It'll definitely move snow and save some money. Another option for ballast is having the tires filled with Rim Guard and is easier to be done before taking delivery. Of course a ballast box is fine too. Not for nothing but I moved all the snow banks around with just my loader today. It's no snow blower or plow but works fine too. If you plan on keeping the tractor until the bitter end ( no pun intended ) then don't worry to badly about outfitting it for resale. Equip it to fit your needs. I just got delivery of my Mahindra Max 24 Friday night and really enjoy it. For us and our needs its perfect. I looked at a lot of brands, sat in plenty of seats before I decided. Youll do fine and good luck. Another piece of advice that I heard time and again around here is working with a quality dealer that you're comfortable with it makes a huge difference!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Mid PTO is not that hard to install later on, sort of a waist of $1000+ if you never use it.

To be honest, several of Mahindra's add ons seem to be stupid expensive. A single rear remote for $1282, a block heater for $448:shocked:, A 3rd function diverter system for just under $2200. That's crazy expensive, beyond stupid. :confused2:

If there are things that you may want, do some research and see what's available other than from Mahindra.

Good luck

 

[brasco426]

All brands have pros and cons lol. Look around and see what fits your application best! Even if it's not Mahindra.

 

[dickfoster]

Well if your on the fence about the mid pto for the sake of having a snow blower, another cheaper option is getting a snow plow blade for the loader. It'll definitely move snow and save some money. Another option for ballast is having the tires filled with Rim Guard and is easier to be done before taking delivery. Of course a ballast box is fine too. Not for nothing but I moved all the snow banks around with just my loader today. It's no snow blower or plow but works fine too. If you plan on keeping the tractor until the bitter end ( no pun intended ) then don't worry to badly about outfitting it for resale. Equip it to fit your needs. I just got delivery of my Mahindra Max 24 Friday night and really enjoy it. For us and our needs its perfect. I looked at a lot of brands, sat in plenty of seats before I decided. Youll do fine and good luck. Another piece of advice that I heard time and again around here is working with a quality dealer that you're comfortable with it makes a huge difference!

Yeah I got the dealer bit when shopping tractors and I feel much better about the Mahindra dealer and their attitude than the JD or Kubota dealers I've visited. Actually saves money right up front with free delivery etc. It doesn't hurt that the same dealer also owns Western Parts distribution for Mahindra and it's right next door in Marysville. I'd much rather get parts from only 50 miles away than half way across the country or more.

I hear ya on the blower and was thinking I could likely get away with just the FEL but never having seen a real snow year here yet one never knows what's gonna happen.

So far I've been learning a lot from this board. Maybe too much, my want/must have list keeps growing longer and longer. LOL

 

[MtnViewRanch]

All brands have pros and cons lol. Look around and see what fits your application best! Even if it's not Mahindra.

I agree with this, look at every brand that is within a comfortable driving distance for you. They are all pretty good, one may fit you better than another, and for sure there are options that are far more reasonable from the other brands. :thumbsup:

You have a $42,000+ list price on what you are considering. Have you gotten a quote from a dealer yet? That's big money in my book for that size machine.

If you have to stay with Mahindra for whatever reason, maybe look at the 2538, you can get way more for about $4000 less.

Something to consider. :scratchchin:

 

[dickfoster]

All brands have pros and cons lol. Look around and see what fits your application best! Even if it's not Mahindra.

I'm pretty well fixed on Mahindra for several reasons, not the least of which is dealer attitude ( a really big deal with me) and parts availability. They also appear to have a better warranty (including dealer warranty support and cost), a heavier tractor and it seems more bang for the buck than some of the others. I like the lack of a particulate filter for tier 4 too. I can get a New Holland from the same dealer but the engine has the dreaded filter on it and they don't own the regional parts distribution like do for Mahindra. I can likely drive the 50 miles and pick parts up for the Mahindra instead of waiting a week to get my mitts on it and paying to ship it too.

 

[dickfoster]

I agree with this, look at every brand that is within a comfortable driving distance for you. They are all pretty good, one may fit you better than another, and for sure there are options that are far more reasonable from the other brands. :thumbsup:

You have a $42,000+ list price on what you are considering. Have you gotten a quote from a dealer yet? That's big money in my book for that size machine.

If you have to stay with Mahindra for whatever reason, maybe look at the 2538, you can get way more for about $4000 less.

Something to consider. :scratchchin:

Yeah I have a quote for the tractor with HST, FEL, BH & 12" bucket, spark arrestor, extra remote valve plus sales tax. 33K and change. Price includes free delivery to my place and they come here to fix it under warranty or haul it there to fix it for free too. A far cry from what they want for a green one along with a much better attitude. Perception is everything. Only thing is, Mahindra's website could use some work. A lot of work.

 

[xring100]

I would suggest you should look at other dealers, before you establish your opinion on a brand rather than a single dealer. After this month I will have purchased 2 kub ota's from 2 different dealers both offered up free delivery and both seemed eager for bussiness. I have had very good luck with both parts departments. I visited 5 kubota dealers alone before I bought my M8540. 3 JD, 2 New Holland ,1 Massey , and 1 Kioti dealer.

2 of the Kubota dealers actively wanted my business. I left one ending one of my final sentences to the sales manager with "It's very obvious you have no desire to sell me anything unless you can make and extra $5000 over Flint New Holland Kubota or Rosy Brothers. I brought him the quotes from the other two after he told me there was no way they could sell me a tractor for the price I verbally told him.

 

[kwbretired]

You may want to consider a grapple $ the 3rd function for the loader if you are going to be clearing out the woods.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Yeah I have a quote for the tractor with HST, FEL, BH & 12" bucket, spark arrestor, extra remote valve plus sales tax. 33K and change. Price includes free delivery to my place and they come here to fix it under warranty or haul it there to fix it for free too. A far cry from what they want for a green one along with a much better attitude. Perception is everything. Only thing is, Mahindra's website could use some work. A lot of work.

Well, that's not quite 20% off, so you actually look pretty good. :cool2: But, seems like a lot of money if you have not shopped around. Maybe you have and just haven't said. But if you have not, I know that I sure would.

Just my :2cents:

 

[dickfoster]

I would suggest you should look at other dealers, before you establish your opinion on a brand rather than a single dealer. After this month I will have purchased 2 kub ota's from 2 different dealers both offered up free delivery and both seemed eager for bussiness. I have had very good luck with both parts departments. I visited 5 kubota dealers alone before I bought my M8540. 3 JD, 2 New Holland ,1 Massey , and 1 Kioti dealer.

2 of the Kubota dealers actively wanted my business. I left one ending one of my final sentences to the sales manager with "It's very obvious you have no desire to sell me anything unless you can make and extra $5000 over Flint New Holland Kubota or Rosy Brothers. I brought him the quotes from the other two after he told me there was no way they could sell me a tractor for the price I verbally told him.

I've been to two Kubota dealers. Nether seemed as interested as the Mahindra dealer, neither seemed to be as experienced as the Mahindra dealer and there are also the parts availability, warranty and particulate filter issues.

I think I'm comfortable with my dealer and brand choice unless there is something I haven't seen yet.

To tell you the honest truth originally I was looking at Kubota because they have a dealership of sorts right here in town but their interest level isn't what it could have been. It's a pretty small dealer that doesn't stock a lot and I don't think their heart is really in the small local dealership, their interests seem to be more centered in their larger dealership closer to Auburn instead of this one. The one in Yuba City wasn't nearly as interested as the Mahindra dealer. His *** didn't leave his chair the whole time I was there. Sorry but attitude tells me a lot and it weighs a lot in what I buy .

 

[dickfoster]

You may want to consider a grapple $ the 3rd function for the loader if you are going to be clearing out the woods.

Might just do that. I plan to use it mainly for wood, dirt and some snow. I think the stumps are the big thing so will likely add a thumb or more likely a ripper for the stumps. Stumps seem to be a real bogger for smaller tractors and it will need all the help it can get. In the old days, you'd just go down to the hardware store and get yourself some dynamite, stump gone. LOL

 

[murphy1244]

Well, that's not quite 20% off, so you actually look pretty good. :cool2: But, seems like a lot of money if you have not shopped around. Maybe you have and just haven't said. But if you have not, I know that I sure would.

Just my :2cents:

Isn't Dave's tractor out that way?

 

[dickfoster]

Well, that's not quite 20% off, so you actually look pretty good. :cool2: But, seems like a lot of money if you have not shopped around. Maybe you have and just haven't said. But if you have not, I know that I sure would.

Just my :2cents:

Well maybe I said it somewhere else but I shopped Mahindra and New Holland at the same place, Deere and found the worst prices, attitude and warranty support, and lastly Kubota and Massey Ferguson at the same dealer but he didn't really stock or sell Massey so don't know why he bothers with that line at all. If I were Massey I'd drop him.
None of the other brands were local enough to suit me. I'm a touchy feely buyer type so don't feel comfortable buying pricey stuff from a web site or out of a catalog and some dealer waving his hands in the air. If they don't have the commitment to stock something then they shouldn't be selling it. If it's not convenient for me to go look at and buy then it's likely going to be a real PITA getting after sales support so that leaves those who are a long way out of my way out of the running.

 

[dickfoster]

Isn't Dave's tractor out that way?

Dave's is in Red Bluff about two hours away maybe more. I'm talking to Beeler in Yuba City which is much closer to me (40-50 miles and about 50-60 min.). I'm about 5 miles east of Nevada City, CA. Just in the next county from Beeler.
Another factor is that Beeler also own the Western Regional Mahindra distributorship which for all practical purposes is in the same town, which would make getting stuff later on a bit easier. Mahindra Expands West Coast Presence | Mahindra
Sutter Buttes Ag and Beeler Tractor are essentially the same animal.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well maybe I said it somewhere else but I shopped Mahindra and New Holland at the same place, Deere and found the worst prices, attitude and warranty support, and lastly Kubota and Massey Ferguson at the same dealer but he didn't really stock or sell Massey so don't know why he bothers with that line at all. If I were Massey I'd drop him.
None of the other brands were local enough to suit me. I'm a touchy feely buyer type so don't feel comfortable buying pricey stuff from a web site or out of a catalog and some dealer waving his hands in the air. If they don't have the commitment to stock something then they shouldn't be selling it. If it's not convenient for me to go look at and buy then it's likely going to be a real PITA getting after sales support so that leaves those who are a long way out of my way out of the running.

Well, sounds like you have done your home work. :thumbsup:

Enjoy.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My next tractor if there is one will have 2 rear remotes so I can have top and tilt. Consider a box blade instead of a ballast box. Given your needs I would skip the mid pto.