Buying Advice Mahindra 2538 and Rotary Cutter

[Stupit]

Hello All,

I'm new here and recently purchased a home on 6.5 acres of wooded land. The previous owner had done ZERO in terms of managing the lot. My lot abuts 70 acres of conservation land, and I would like to thin mine out so that I can plant a large garden, plant food plots for hunting etc.

I've never owned a tractor before, and am looking to buy one in the next week. I've visited all the different dealerships in the area, and have narrowed it down to a Mahindra 2538. I'm a bigger guy and it seems to fit me best.

The Mahindra dealer gave me a quote yesterday of $24,030. This would include the front end loader, Mahindra standard duty rotary cutter, and third function hydraulic installed. I've got my eye on the Everything Attachments 60 grapple and would have to order that separately.

My question is, does this seem like a reasonable price? I assume this is out the door as we don'thave sales tax in NH. My second question is about the rotary cutter. The dealer was REALLY pushing to sell me a comparable land pride rotary cutter. It would cost $600 more. Is it really worth it? Or, is he just trying to sell me a land pride because he has five on the lot and only one Mahindra SD. If there is not a significant difference, I'd like to use that $600 towards a Stihl 261 c-m chain saw.

Thank you for your time and thoughts.

 

[TXHF]

Welcome to TBN! And hello from a recent NH resident who moved to TX!

I just bought the new 2538. Picked it up Saturday morning. It is an awesome machine but this is based on 6 hrs use. Our 2538 is the TLB. The backhoe added about $8k to the deal. I bought the TLB with a 6' shredder and pallet forks for $34,413 and they gave me a $1,000 rebate and $150 veteran discount. Based on the options, the tractor with FEL cost me $24k so I'd say you're getting a much better deal than me!

As for the cutter, I chose the Mahindra because it was a better constructed shredder. The gearbox plate had full welds and wasn't stitch-welded. The deck is one solid steel piece where their other offering was plated welded together. Look it over carefully and be sure it is built with as few pieces as possible and not stitch-welded which is known to crack/fail.

 

[Stupit]

Congrats on your new purchase! Thank you for your input. It's nice to have price a comparison. Ironically I went the other way. I rented out my house in TX (had to for work) and moved to NH. Working in Boston sucks. Period. But I'm really enjoying NH. Whole different world and state just 35 miles away.

 

[screamin400]

Local dealer has the bare 2538 for 19800 cash

 

[ericm979]

I got the SD Mahindra rotary (in 5') with my Branson. The Mahindra rotary cutters are made by Kodiak, in the US. (I'm sure the gearboxes are Chinese as no one else makes them). I specifically picked it vs other units due to the sturdy tail wheel bracket and the long travel float. I do a lot of mowing in reverse and back into stuff at times. Cheaper RCs have tail wheel brackets made from steel strap which can bend easily. This one had a sturdy steel tube to support the wheel. The way the unit floats lets it follow the ground or back up to a bank without binding.

So far it's worked well with a couple exceptions- there's a dent on the side of the skirt from the inside, where I ran over a rock and it went around for a while. I've hit a lot of roks and this is the first damage I've noticed besides some dings on the blades. Second, one of the blades managed to get stuck in a folded position (after hitting a rock of course). It took me a few minutes to figure out why it was vibrating so much more.

The same mower with Kodiak branding can be had cheaper from AgriSupply. But shipping to CA would have made the price pretty close to the dealer's delivered price on the Mahindra branded one so I got that. Shipping to you may cost less.

 

[TXHF]

Congrats on your new purchase! Thank you for your input. It's nice to have price a comparison. Ironically I went the other way. I rented out my house in TX (had to for work) and moved to NH. Working in Boston sucks. Period. But I'm really enjoying NH. Whole different world and state just 35 miles away.

I was raised in central Maine and lived in NH for 18 years. After I turned 50 a couple years ago, I knew I wanted to be out of the snow. Winter of '14/'15 with over 6' on the ground drove us out. I know what you mean about Boston and when people here say traffic is bad? Well, they just don't understand... go try Boston! I can handle Austin traffic just fine! At least people here are courteous on the road. Where in NH are you? We lived in Dover. I loved it there so long as it wasn't winter.

Make sure you check the tractor over very carefully. We picked it up Saturday and went to the land, unloaded it and started working right away. 30 minutes in, I was wrenching the tractor. The failed to tighten two nylon lock nuts and we lost both nuts and one bolt. I ended up robbing bolts from the new trailer side rails to keep the tractor operational. I went to the dealer yesterday and had them give me two new sets so I can put the trailer side back on. Minor stuff, easy to miss. Easy to fix. Outside of that, I'd suggest an after-market suspension seat if you have a lot of uneven terrain to travel. The other thing it the range selector. Switching from H to M to L, the lever is hard to move. Don't worry though as it gets better with every use. I find the FEL and backhoe controls are not easy to feather at first so movement of the FEL is jerky until you get used to it.

I cannot add much more... I don't have much seat time at all. But, I'll share any new stuff I find with you (and everyone) as I work more with the tractor. Enjoy the awe of New England. There is so much to see and do....

 

[Stupit]

I got the SD Mahindra rotary (in 5') with my Branson. The Mahindra rotary cutters are made by Kodiak, in the US. (I'm sure the gearboxes are Chinese as no one else makes them). I specifically picked it vs other units due to the sturdy tail wheel bracket and the long travel float. I do a lot of mowing in reverse and back into stuff at times. Cheaper RCs have tail wheel brackets made from steel strap which can bend easily. This one had a sturdy steel tube to support the wheel. The way the unit floats lets it follow the ground or back up to a bank without binding.

So far it's worked well with a couple exceptions- there's a dent on the side of the skirt from the inside, where I ran over a rock and it went around for a while. I've hit a lot of roks and this is the first damage I've noticed besides some dings on the blades. Second, one of the blades managed to get stuck in a folded position (after hitting a rock of course). It took me a few minutes to figure out why it was vibrating so much more.

The same mower with Kodiak branding can be had cheaper from AgriSupply. But shipping to CA would have made the price pretty close to the dealer's delivered price on the Mahindra branded one so I got that. Shipping to you may cost less.

Thanks for sharing your experience with that! Mahindra is giving $300 back for each implement you purchase with the tractor. I appreciate your tip about the Kodiak costing less, once shipped it would be the same I'm sure.

I was raised in central Maine and lived in NH for 18 years. After I turned 50 a couple years ago, I knew I wanted to be out of the snow. Winter of '14/'15 with over 6' on the ground drove us out. I know what you mean about Boston and when people here say traffic is bad? Well, they just don't understand... go try Boston! I can handle Austin traffic just fine! At least people here are courteous on the road. Where in NH are you? We lived in Dover. I loved it there so long as it wasn't winter.

Make sure you check the tractor over very carefully. We picked it up Saturday and went to the land, unloaded it and started working right away. 30 minutes in, I was wrenching the tractor. The failed to tighten two nylon lock nuts and we lost both nuts and one bolt. I ended up robbing bolts from the new trailer side rails to keep the tractor operational. I went to the dealer yesterday and had them give me two new sets so I can put the trailer side back on. Minor stuff, easy to miss. Easy to fix. Outside of that, I'd suggest an after-market suspension seat if you have a lot of uneven terrain to travel. The other thing it the range selector. Switching from H to M to L, the lever is hard to move. Don't worry though as it gets better with every use. I find the FEL and backhoe controls are not easy to feather at first so movement of the FEL is jerky until you get used to it.

I cannot add much more... I don't have much seat time at all. But, I'll share any new stuff I find with you (and everyone) as I work more with the tractor. Enjoy the awe of New England. There is so much to see and do....

Thanks for the advise. I'll be sure to do a meticulous pre inspection. 15/16 was my first year in NE. I'm originally from WI so snow is nothing new to me. I was shocked however that no matter if it was rain or snow, a few drops or ten feet it's ALWAYS A "NORTHEASTER." Massholes can't drive in in the good weather to start with. The traffic in Austin was a piece of cake compared to Boston. I'm in Kingston now, but the new house is in the next town over, Newton. I'm really looking forward to fixing up the land and having my own peaceful paradise.

 

[TXHF]

Thanks for the advise. I'll be sure to do a meticulous pre inspection. 15/16 was my first year in NE. I'm originally from WI so snow is nothing new to me. I was shocked however that no matter if it was rain or snow, a few drops or ten feet it's ALWAYS A "NORTHEASTER." Massholes can't drive in in the good weather to start with. The traffic in Austin was a piece of cake compared to Boston. I'm in Kingston now, but the new house is in the next town over, Newton. I'm really looking forward to fixing up the land and having my own peaceful paradise.

LOL! That's mostly the transplants there calling them all that. True New Englanders know when the real thing comes and they aren't common. Oh, and it's "Nor'Eastah!" Ayuh! I've been all through your area on motorcycles. We'd cut through there to avoid highways and get to Northern Mass. OR through Exeter/East Kingston to get to Newburyport then on down the coast to Salem and Gloucester. If you get the chance, take a day to go out to Rockport, MA. You'll love it! And don't forget to visit Plymouth Pebble.... I mean ROCK, yeah, rock.... sure..... HAHAHA! Didn't take ya long to pick up the Masshole terminology! Good for you!

 

[Stupit]

I've been all through your area on motorcycles. If you get the chance, take a day to go out to Rockport, MA. You'll love it! And don't forget to visit Plymouth Pebble.... I mean ROCK, yeah, rock.... sure..... HAHAHA! Didn't take ya long to pick up the Masshole terminology! Good for you!

I'll do that! I'm just finishing up restoring a 1980FXWG. Thanks.

 

[Stupit]

Well guys.....

I did it! I bought my first tractor last night. I thought I'd post the results for anyone else who might be considering this set up for price comparison. I ended up buying more attachments than I initially thought, but I figured I may as well buy once, cry once. Mahindra was offering $1000 cash back if you bought three attachments, so I got four. Basically one free. I went into the dealership on guard, because I assumed it would be like buying a car. It was a much better experience. I was reasonable with them, and they in turn treated me respectfully and fairly in my opinion. I didn't try and beat them up on price, but having worked in vehicle sales in a past life I knew what I could ask for that they would find hard to refuse to make a sale. For whatever reason, the dealer did not want to discount the attachments, but was willing to deduct the price of the tractor and loader to reflect the discounted attachments and saw. (I also bought a Stihl MS 261-CM chain saw.) They retail for $569, I asked for one for $500 or the equivalent, and they agreed.

2538 HST with loader, AG tires $19,766

Front auxiliary hydraulics installed (for future EA grapple) $1,600

Mahindra SD Rotary Cutter $1,750

Mahindra KPF 2300 SS Pallet Forks $895

Mahindra 5' SD Box Scraper $850

Mahindra Post Hole digger $ 1,070

Loaded tires with rim guard Free

Two hooks welded to the bucket Free

Tractor and attachments delivered to my house Free

Stihl MS 261-CM $569


Total out the door price (we don't have sales tax in New Hampshire) $26,500