I've had mine for 3 years and I have about 600 hours on it. I don't find the range selector lever to be problematic or in the wrong place. The three point lever could be more ergonomically accessible but it isn't a deal breaker. On facebook we have a Mahindra 2638 owners page that we have a nice library of files related to this tractor. Several people have made modifications to the three point lever that won't endanger the warranty, usually it involves taking off the rubber knob and slipping an extensions over the lever and screwing it onto the lever.
I've really enjoyed this tractor. Growing up and owning several straight gear shift tractors doing field work I was skeptical of the hydrostatic transmission, but I got to the point I was doing so much task work with a loader, in tighter areas, or mowing and grading with alot of directional changes (forward/backward) that I figured a hydro would be good for me. After owning this thing 3+ years it is great for most things. Mowing, grading, loader work, snow removal it is really nice. Tillage work (not a PTO powered rotary tiller) it is not great at, it lacks weight and in my opinion is hard on the hydro trans with a plow, ripper or chisel plow. The ride is rough, at least rougher than other tractors I have which are longer wheelbase and heavier, but the seat is nice and the suspension helps.
What I do regularly with it: I run a 6' finish mower on 2-4 acres worth of mowing, running a 6' bushhog, handling enough round bales or big square bales to feed 3 horses 6-9 months a year, my driveway is 1/4 mile long and hilly so I maintain it, dragging an arena rake at least weekly on my horse arena.
