Buying Advice 1538 price and situation

[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.