Buying Advice How do I option this thing?

[oldpilgrim]

I have two seats on my tractor. I have a stick that I keep on the bh which I use to reach forward and press the hst pedal, from the bh seat, to move the tractor when I need to back up to continue digging.

 

[murphy1244]

That will work but sure hope they don't get jammed.

 

[dickfoster]

A flip seat will be much better than getting off the tractor using the backhoe then back to the tractor to move up a few feet then back to the BH. It gets old real quick.

That is likely true but I don't think there is but one BH option for the 1538 and you can take that or take nothing. Guess I take what they have. It's not like I didn't want to know. To tell the truth trying to find a clear picture of a 1538 with a BH that shows this detail is somewhat of a futile exercise. I tried that search and got nowhere fast. They all want to sell you something but they want to tell you nothing. LOL The first thing you see is a UTube of some blabber mouth fast talkin salesman back east yanking about this and that and how great Mahindra is compared to the competition but nothing but a distant shot of the unit itself. Try an image search and you get Mahindra everything but what I need, mostly from the Mahindra site. It's really frustrating trying to get your mitts around concrete info. You'd think info like that would be much easier to get from them. **** if nothing else put PDFs of the manuals on line and let folks have a look for themselves. It's not rocket science. Any high school kid could probably build a better site.
BTW For this reason, I'm getting full user and maintenance documentation with the tractor or I ain't gettin it at all.

 

[dickfoster]

I have two seats on my tractor. I have a stick that I keep on the bh which I use to reach forward and press the hst pedal, from the bh seat, to move the tractor when I need to back up to continue digging.

:thumbsup: Truly, a high tech solution indeed. What is the diameter of your stick?:laughing:

 

[oldpilgrim]

basically it's a piece of 1x2 strapping about 3 feet long. Does the job.

 

[dickfoster]

basically it's a piece of 1x2 strapping about 3 feet long. Does the job.

I take it the HST is in neutral when you're running the BH so how do you deal with that? Don't you have to push in the clutch to get from neutral to whatever speed range? Something I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

BTW looking very closely at a pic I managed to find on the web of a 1538 with BH on the web, I don't see a second seat, so it must be a spinner which suits me just fine. Whatever it is, I guess I'll get used to it. I can think of only one trench I need to dig for now so it's not a big deal for me, I won't be making money with the thing anyway.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I take it the HST is in neutral when you're running the BH so how do you deal with that? Don't you have to push in the clutch to get from neutral to whatever speed range? Something I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

BTW looking very closely at a pic I managed to find on the web of a 1538 with BH on the web, I don't see a second seat, so it must be a spinner which suits me just fine. Whatever it is, I guess I'll get used to it. I can think of only one trench I need to dig for now so it's not a big deal for me, I won't be making money with the thing anyway.

The 3 speed axle, L-M-H, is usually in M. I very seldom use L or H. When an HST is running and you're not pushing a pedal, you're in neutral. It just sits there waiting for you to press the rocker pedal either front or rear.

The clutch is only only used when starting the engine or when shifting the 3 speed, engaging the diff lock or engaging 4wd.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I take it the HST is in neutral when you're running the BH so how do you deal with that? Don't you have to push in the clutch to get from neutral to whatever speed range? Something I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

BTW looking very closely at a pic I managed to find on the web of a 1538 with BH on the web, I don't see a second seat, so it must be a spinner which suits me just fine. Whatever it is, I guess I'll get used to it. I can think of only one trench I need to dig for now so it's not a big deal for me, I won't be making money with the thing anyway.

The seat flips over, it does not spin.

 

[dickfoster]

The 3 speed axle, L-M-H, is usually in M. I very seldom use L or H. When an HST is running and you're not pushing a pedal, you're in neutral. It just sits there waiting for you to press the rocker pedal either front or rear.

The clutch is only only used when starting the engine or when shifting the 3 speed, engaging the diff lock or engaging 4wd.

Good to know. So you just leave it in M and do the hoe thing. Thanks.

 

[dickfoster]

The seat flips over, it does not spin.

As long as it gets turned around somehow, I guess it'll work. By flip do you mean you sit on the seat back when using the BH? Told ya I was green
At least I've been learning a lot for this thread and this board. Thanks a lot for your patience guys. :thumbsup:

I still haven't figured out why stump grinders cost like a backhoe. I might even try brewing something up using an old rear axle or something for the gear box. It can't be that hard.

When I get the tractor at least I won't be using my 4X4 to skid logs anymore. They were heavy green 24" oak logs bucked to 16' so they weighed quite a bit. I still managed to get them decked up and half of them cut. I did that the first summer using the front mounted winch and I wound up needing to replace the balljoints, a job I really hate doing. The second summer I just pulled and rolled them around with the truck and a chain hitched to the back, clumsy but effective. The tractor should do a better job of it.

 

[brasco426]

The tractor will do a much better job . Get ready to have some fun post pics as soon as you get it all picked out and home. You made a good choice on brand. Lots of opinions and all valid and all good. Mahindra builds a solid product, the website isn't great, but like they say Rome wasn't built in a day either.

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

As long as it gets turned around somehow, I guess it'll work. By flip do you mean you sit on the seat back when using the BH? Told ya I was green
At least I've been learning a lot for this thread and this board. Thanks a lot for your patience guys. :thumbsup:

I still haven't figured out why stump grinders cost like a backhoe. I might even try brewing something up using an old rear axle or something for the gear box. It can't be that hard.

When I get the tractor at least I won't be using my 4X4 to skid logs anymore. They were heavy green 24" oak logs bucked to 16' so they weighed quite a bit. I still managed to get them decked up and half of them cut. I did that the first summer using the front mounted winch and I wound up needing to replace the balljoints, a job I really hate doing. The second summer I just pulled and rolled them around with the truck and a chain hitched to the back, clumsy but effective. The tractor should do a better job of it.

Correct

 

[mike69440]

On a rig that size, I'd certainly get a remote on the loader for a 3'rd function, not just a diverter. One rear remote is nice two even better.

Don't worrk about implements, There is Craig's list.

 

[dickfoster]

On a rig that size, I'd certainly get a remote on the loader for a 3'rd function, not just a diverter. One rear remote is nice two even better.

Don't worrk about implements, There is Craig's list.

I plan on talking to them more in depth on the hydraulics before I write the check. I don't think I've seen anything in the list for added hydraulics for the front so I may have to do that on my own should I need it for a grapple or something someday. He was also saying to hold off on the top and tilt for the rear as I may never need it. The BH will be back there most of the time anyway.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I plan on talking to them more in depth on the hydraulics before I write the check. I don't think I've seen anything in the list for added hydraulics for the front so I may have to do that on my own should I need it for a grapple or something someday. He was also saying to hold off on the top and tilt for the rear as I may never need it. The BH will be back there most of the time anyway.

As far as the loader 3rd function, DO NOT get the Mahindra system, stupid expensive. You can get an after market kit for less than half of what Mahindra wants and a better system in my opinion.

As far as top & tilt, only if you are doing a fair amount of grading, other wise just get by with a hydraulic top link for a box blade. Need to keep in mind that Mahindra only offers a single rear remote for the 1500 series. If you want-need more than that, it will be an after market system.

 

[dickfoster]

As far as the loader 3rd function, DO NOT get the Mahindra system, stupid expensive. You can get an after market kit for less than half of what Mahindra wants and a better system in my opinion.

As far as top & tilt, only if you are doing a fair amount of grading, other wise just get by with a hydraulic top link for a box blade. Need to keep in mind that Mahindra only offers a single rear remote for the 1500 series. If you want-need more than that, it will be an after market system.

Yeah I think I'll just get the one remote valve for now and hold off till later if and when I need more. The only thing I'm adding to the quote I have is the mechanical thumb. That I think I have a use for right away. I'm sitting at about 34K including tax etc. The dealer says he always adds a hook and D ring to the front bucket and fills the tires.

I'm getting antsy to get down there, plant my backside on one and fire it up.

 

[PILOON]

I heard mentioned a few times 'block heater'.
That is an easy 1-2 hr DIY project and costs, like, $50.00 or so while a dealer often runs 3-5 times that.
If anything an extra hydraulic is my suggestion.

 

[Snowback]

What is the real diff between the 1538 and the 2538? The Mahinda site isn't very helpful when trying to compare tractors for a first time buyer.

Maybe this will help a bit. I was able to touch and feel both at the Mahindra HQ in Houston. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../348064-info-mahindra-2538-a.html#post4362631

There are couple of other good threads here discussing the pros/cons of each machine. The 1538 is very nice and a touch more refined, but the 2538 is a similar machine for less money... Both would be great. The direct comps are a Kubota L3901 and John Deere 3038 E. Also some other brands similar, but you sound like you're on the right track with picking a dealer first, (service and support), then the tractor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

basically it's a piece of 1x2 strapping about 3 feet long. Does the job.

The previous owner of my B26 TLB did similar with a 1/2" rod that he bent a triangular handle on the end. It is just long enough to reach over and press the HST pedal. I had some 3/4" tubing so I welded a bracket on to it and bolted it to the side of the backhoe control panel. Now it is accessible and doesn't rub the paint off the fender where it was formerly stored jammed between the hydraulic controls.