Buying Advice 1538 price and situation

[whitexc]

Hi folks, been stalking for a while and joined a few weeks back. This is a great site with a ton of info tractor related and just about anything else it seems. I am currently looking at a 1538 Hydro TLB. I don't need to preach about the Mahindras here...I know where I am posting. I have looked at the other colors and price and emissions keep steering me back to Mahindra.

So the local dealer has a left over '16 Hydro in stock (has a shuttle too but not what I am after so...) however they do not have a tractor in that frame size equipped with a hoe. He will have to order a hoe and have it shipped and then install it on the 1538 he has in stock or I can build and order a tractor and pay more. No biggie, except, for that kind of money I really want to spend some time (15 minutes is all I ask - really) on one to see the workings of it and how they run. Is this request a bit too much? The dealer has been great to answer questions and give me his time and he even tried to contact a few guys who purchased similar models last year to see if I could stop by their place and check them out, ask questions, etc. He didn't have any luck in contacting them or lining anything up. He is not willing to equip a tractor that he doesn't have a set deal on because he doesn't want to be stuck with the hoe if I don't buy it. I understand that part but on the other end....I want to try the thing before I buy it. I can rent a lot of mini excavators for how much the hoe will add to the price of the tractor and I would rather run a mini for the majority of projects anyways. What are some of your thoughts?

The next closest dealer is maybe 70+ miles away and I'm not sure what they have nor do I know anything about them. I did put a call into them and will see what they come back with. I really am trying to get someone to sell me a tractor but it just isn't happening and this has been going on for over a month. It's not like I just went today and things aren't working out. I have been to the dealer 4 times and walk away with the same empty feeling each time. If I knew I liked it I could just go for it and beat him up on the price some to keep the business local. He is quoting me just over $29k with a 12" bucket on the hoe before any "in stock rebates" for the cash price financing deal, before tax. I would like to get the monthly payment down from the $420-ish area he is at currently which should be possible with his rebates for in stock items and I can throw some cash at it if necessary. I will likely pay the tax up front if I buy local. I don't even want to talk like I have a deal with him because at this point I don't even know if I like the tractor enough.

Sorry for the book, just a hard working guy looking for advice to best spend his ching. Thanks all.

 

[RNeumann]

If you want/need to see and use the BH is sounds like a road trip is in order. Buying over state lines and taking delivery in your state may have tax advantages. At 30k taking a long weekend to go look at one seems logical.

 

[whitexc]

I agree 100% Neumann. If the second dealer can't bring something together (supposed to call back Monday with new rebates/etc.) then I guess the search broadens. I like the thought of buying local and giving the business to them but at the end of the day I will do all of my own services aside from anything major. I hope the tractor never goes back there and would think they hope the same, save for a parts or service visit once in a blue moon which is still a possibility no matter where I purchase.

How have others worked the backhoe deal out? Did your dealers have what you wanted and let you try it out or did you purchase blind? I have even heard of some folks getting a loaner unit for a weekend - "we'll pick it up Monday, let us know what you think".

 

[Gator6x4]

I agree 100% Neumann. If the second dealer can't bring something together (supposed to call back Monday with new rebates/etc.) then I guess the search broadens. I like the thought of buying local and giving the business to them but at the end of the day I will do all of my own services aside from anything major. I hope the tractor never goes back there and would think they hope the same, save for a parts or service visit once in a blue moon which is still a possibility no matter where I purchase.

How have others worked the backhoe deal out? Did your dealers have what you wanted and let you try it out or did you purchase blind? I have even heard of some folks getting a loaner unit for a weekend - "we'll pick it up Monday, let us know what you think".

Would you buy as a New Unit a tractor or TLB that joe doke abused all one weekend and brought back too or had the Dealer pick up? I wouldn't, neither would anyone else. A tractor mounted backhoe does not have the capability of a trackhoe unit. Tractor backhoes lack the brute strength of a trackhoe. If I am buying a TLB I want to be the first person that gets dirt in the backhoe bucket as well as the front loader.

 

[whitexc]

I guess I could have said that differently. I have heard the orange and even blue dealers will let you test drive one (if they have a comparable demo unit available) but that isn't the case with the folks I am dealing with. And no, I don't want something that has been put through its paces before I get to put it to the test....you are spot on. I want to be this tractors first!

As for comparing a consumer level TLB to even a small rubber track excavator, not even possible. Power, maneuverability and function all go to the track type units. The TLB does get you digging and also moving dirt with one unit but at a fraction of the performance and a fraction of the cost. That is fine by me. I work with construction equipment and am aware that I am not purchasing that. I want something capable of weekend warrior type projects.

The Allmand TLB's(220/325) always come to mind when thinking of smaller frame rubber tire hoes and we have done a number of projects with those type of units in the past. If I get that or a little more out of a 1538 I will be more than pleased.

 

[redman135]

Would you be better to rent a track digger as required and just get a tractor with fel.

 

[whitexc]

Still stuck on a 1538 with a hoe. I have not heard from the second local dealer after I spoke with the salesman Saturday. He did state they had a shuttle in stock but no HST units, that he would have to locate one. Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[mike69440]

Re: 1538 price and situation, Backhoes

Farm tractors with a BH are way better than a shovel, but leave a lot to be desired, that goes for any of them. Nice to have for the occasional project, but not the tool for serious work. I have a great Hoe on my L39, But if you got a lot of Digging a Mini Ex flat out kills a BH, even a dedicated machine like the Kubota TLB's.

Renting is tough, unless you negotiate long term, because it will rain the week you rent the excavator, then your are inclined to work the thing 120 hours a week to get your money's worth. I don't "need" my excavator any more, but it still sure is handy, so being foolish I keeping it, but consider buying a good used mini, using it to do the majority of your work and selling it.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My buddies 28XL, just a little hoe with I think a 10in bucket.

It's not the greatest digging tool in the world but it will get it done, down it 6ft I think.

For weekend projects I think a frame mounted hoe is fine, will take a bit longer but will get it done.

I priced a 1533 with a land plane, FEL, rear blade and standard forks and it came out to 23k and change, I forget what the Mahindra "land leveler" and forks cost. I want to say the tractor was 18 or 19k, last years stock. I remember adding a belly deck to a 1533 was close to 6k lol.

P.S. I was gonna sign on a 1533 until I found a used 4320 JD, the same guy I bought my tractor off of had that Mahindra, I made a call and my buddy bought it, he really wanted the 1533 with the hoe but was too far out of his budget, that 28XL popped up with everything he was after, I wouldn't use a hoe enough to justify buying one, he thinks it's a must have lol.

Only thing about the 28XL is the hydraulics are really jumpy, it was the same with the FEL as it was the hoe, i never ran the 1533 at the dealer to compare.

 

[whitexc]

"Only thing about the 28XL is the hydraulics are really jumpy, it was the same with the FEL as it was the hoe, i never ran the 1533 at the dealer to compare."

This is my fear. I understand the level of performance that will be likely result and think it will be ok but I would like to see how fluid the hydraulics run and just the overall operation of the hoe. After sitting on the tractor on the lot and tinkering with the loader, it is pretty much exactly what I expected. I have seen guys with smaller tractors get a lot done with them, leaving me hopeful I will be satisfied with a 1538 if it works out.

Still no call backs from dealers. If this was a car/truck purchase, I would have to change my number by now they tend to hassle you so much.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Only thing about the 28XL is the hydraulics are really jumpy, it was the same with the FEL as it was the hoe, i never ran the 1533 at the dealer to compare.

This is my fear. I understand the level of performance that will be likely result and think it will be ok but I would like to see how fluid the hydraulics run and just the overall operation of the hoe. After sitting on the tractor on the lot and tinkering with the loader, it is pretty much exactly what I expected. I have seen guys with smaller tractors get a lot done with them, leaving me hopeful I will be satisfied with a 1538 if it works out.

Still no call backs from dealers. If this was a car/truck purchase, I would have to change my number by now they tend to hassle you so much.[/QUOTE]

Maybe watch YouTube videos? It should be pretty clear how fluid the controls are, jumpy hydraulics are hard to hide in a video.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Mahindra 1538 Backhoe Working - YouTube

Mahindra Max 28XL Backhoe in Action - YouTube

 

[whitexc]

Good call farmer, I have watched a bunch. As painful as it is to watch some folks operate you do get a decent idea of how capable the equipment is.

One of my favorites is Mahindra Lift Video - YouTube.

 

[belman]

Here's another over view of the 1533 with the backhoe:Mahindra 1533 HST Loader Backhoe Full Walkthru - Bing video

 

[dickfoster]

This is my fear. I understand the level of performance that will be likely result and think it will be ok but I would like to see how fluid the hydraulics run and just the overall operation of the hoe. After sitting on the tractor on the lot and tinkering with the loader, it is pretty much exactly what I expected. I have seen guys with smaller tractors get a lot done with them, leaving me hopeful I will be satisfied with a 1538 if it works out.

Still no call backs from dealers. If this was a car/truck purchase, I would have to change my number by now they tend to hassle you so much.

Maybe watch YouTube videos? It should be pretty clear how fluid the controls are, jumpy hydraulics are hard to hide in a video.[/QUOTE]

For what it's worth the controls on my 1538 work well with the exception of the swing cylinders on the backhoe. Swing can get pretty wild at RPM and you have to work hard to feather it. I'm thinking for adding some flow restrictors to mine so as to slow things down a tad to make control of horizontal position or swing a bit easier.

 

[belman]

Maybe watch YouTube videos? It should be pretty clear how fluid the controls are, jumpy hydraulics are hard to hide in a video.

For what it's worth the controls on my 1538 work well with the exception of the swing cylinders on the backhoe. Swing can get pretty wild at RPM and you have to work hard to feather it. I'm thinking for adding some flow restrictors to mine so as to slow things down a tad to make control of horizontal position or swing a bit easier.[/QUOTE]

I bought the 1533 last year and its met my needs. My son wants to buy the backhoe for this tractor. I contacted the dealer over a month ago to have him contact my son to make the deal. I've spoken to the dealer twice since that time and have been told he's really busy right now with the overall business! Mean while I had asked him how he would hookup the backhoe to the 1533 which I have read in previous threads it requires all 3 connections. He stated to me it just required the two connections and the return line off the backhoe would not be used! Now I'm not sure that I want the backhoe or not from his view of how it should be installed! It seems this should not even be an issue but I'm not pleased with his attitude nor thoughts on proper installation of the backhoe!!!!

 

[metalcaster]

I upgraded from a Deere 790 to my 1538 in 2015. I had a woods 3 pt BH that I was going to use on the 1538 until I read the Mahindra disclaimer for warranty coverage when using 3 pt BH. Sold the woods and ordered the 1538B. The dealer installed and it wasn't cheap, but it is under warranty and done correctly.
Belman is right the swing is a bit fast so I rarely run over 2K RPM to make it more controllable. I ordered a narrower bucket last year and had to wait what seemed like an awfully long time for delivery. So I have a 10" and a 16". I've dug out 50 or so stumps with the 16" bucket and it is surprising how well anchored some of those suckers are. I used the 10" bucket to trench in 300' of water line late last winter and then did a couple of stumps. The narrower bucket was able to sever some of the larger roots a little easier than the wide one.
One thing that is important to note is that the subframe for this BH is well engineered. With the design the back hoe is the easiest of my implements to attach to the tractor. Remove the 3 pt arms, back up in line with the unit, attach the hoses, pick it up, tilt it back and back up into it. Use the hydraulics to put it into position. Very easy, no straining or cursing. The one drawback is the swivel seat. The mounts complicate the conversion some and it seems to tilt the seat forward some in the normal driving position so that I feels as though I'm sliding off the front at times.
In retrospect maybe I'd be money ahead renting a mini excavator when I need one, but I know that if I need to bury a horse tonight I don't have to wait until a unit is returned from rental before I can get it done.

 

[whitexc]

Thanks dickfoster and metalcaster.....good to hear you got away from that Deere! I got a call back from the second local dealer who gave a price of just over $31k. This is about $2k more than the 1st guy so that doesn't help me any on the $$$ end! The second guy doesn't have the tractor in stock and would have to order one where as the 1st guy has a left over on his lot so there is the price difference. Neither seem willing to outfit one with the hoe for playtime but I haven't discussed it in too much detail with the second fella either. I am certainly not in a rush and I think I will play the shopping game a bit longer. Worst case is I end up at $500 more for a new tractor I order, that hasn't sat outside for a year and change.

How many have bought out of state? I am thinking the tax savings would pay towards a nice trailer.

 

[mike69440]

"Only thing about the 28XL is the hydraulics are really jumpy, it was the same with the FEL as it was the hoe, i never ran the 1533 at the dealer to compare."

This is my fear. I understand the level of performance that will be likely result and think it will be ok but I would like to see how fluid the hydraulics run and just the overall operation of the hoe. After sitting on the tractor on the lot and tinkering with the loader, it is pretty much exactly what I expected. I have seen guys with smaller tractors get a lot done with them, leaving me hopeful I will be satisfied with a 1538 if it works out.

Still no call backs from dealers. If this was a car/truck purchase, I would have to change my number by now they tend to hassle you so much.

You probably will be satisfied with the BH on the 1538, unless you operate more serious BH like a full size or even a Kubota TLB. Even worse don't try out a late model mini excavator which puts the Kubota's to shame with their smoothness and strength.

Pilot controls let you pick up an egg.

 

[clevalley]

How many have bought out of state? I am thinking the tax savings would pay towards a nice trailer.

I came real close to buying out of state, could have saved a little less that $2K but after moving it back I figured is would be closer to $1700 because of fuel. I am glad I bought local because my dealer is flat-out awesome to work with. I am having issues with mine and the dealer has gone to bat for me against Mahindra corporate and is hand assembling my transmission and PTO. Also, when I wanted to get my cutter I said I would be by to pay for it and they could deliver it when they brought the tractor out (first time it was in for the symptom) and they said "you can come in whenever and square up the bill, we know where you live"

I still call my other dealer from where we moved from (JD out of state) and get quotes on equipment and they are great to work with as well... if I was buying John Deere or Polaris I go to them first for quotes.

Dealer selection is #1 for me and you get that vibe after talking with them for about 15 minutes.