2538 Hours per tank?

TXHF · Jun 26, 2017

What's you average hours per tank of fuel on the 2538? When I say hours, I mean working the tractor hard, say, digging a pond?

RNeumann · Jun 26, 2017

My 1538 has the same motor. I have about 40 hours on it and have put 20-25 gal or so in it. I would say it's been hard hours though- plowing snow, driveway maint., moving objects etc. I typically run it at about 2000rpm.

Not hard use but a rough idea- about 1/2 + gal/hr for me.

George2615 · Jun 26, 2017

My smaller Mahindra 2615H (26HP) used to burn about .75 gal/hr during hard use. Current LS XR3037HC (36HP) burns between .75-1.0 GPH.

millsan1 · Jun 26, 2017

Do you mean actually what is in the tank or what the gauge reads?

I believe it burns somewhere around 1.5 GPH, running around 2,000 RPM.

I gave up on figuring out how long I can run after it goes empty on the gauge. I just refill soon after it goes to E. There is still plenty in there.

TXHF · Jun 26, 2017

I guess I should explain a bit. I've not been on a tractor since I was a kid at 9 and 10 yrs old. This is the first tractor I'll own (and hopefully the last!). So, I'm asking because we will be working on a remote 27 acre parcel to prepare to build our retirement home. The closest diesel will be 21 miles away so if I show up on the land with 20 gallons of fuel, I'm looking to see how many hours I can work this horse before she gets thirsty again. One of us can always take off for a fuel run anyway.

In about two weeks, I'm taking delivery of a new 2017 Mahindra 2538 with a loader, backhoe, 6' shredder and a set of pallet forks. I'm buying a PTO auger with two 6", one 8" and one 10" bits from a neighbor for cheap as he is done with it (plus he can just borrow it back).

Thanks for the responses! It looks like I'll get 7 or 8 hours out of the 9 gallon tank then?

I've been reading and watching a ton of videos, searching this forum and getting nearly all my questions answered without having to ask so everyone has done an excellent job filling the site with an incredible amount of valuable information. I think at this point, I can easily remove and attach all of the items I bought without any issue as well as service the beast.

I've collected all the parts I need to make my own Bucket T post driver for about $50.00 (DIY thread will follow so long as no one laughs at my welding.... but I can grind!). I'm also making my own ROPS canopy using several ideas from threads here. Might be soft-top to start until I can make the hard top.

So, if I can get a good day out of a tank, I'll be happy. Thanks again!

smstonypoint · Jun 26, 2017

I have seen two estimates in the ag. engineering literature of diesel consumption by tractors: 0.044 and 0.048 gallons/hr/PTO HP under average conditions. Those estimates are several years old and may not apply to newer tractors.

Steve

Turbys_1700 · Jun 26, 2017

That estimate is going to be pretty close Steve. I bush hogged several weeks ago with my 4610 SU. My tractor is rated at 52.5 PTO HP. It took me 30 minutes run time on the road to and from the area I was mowing. I ran my hog for 7 hours and 20 minutes. If I burned all 13 gallons of fuel the tank held I would have averaged 34.6 to 37.7 PTO HP. I have not refilled my tank yet but will tally the total usage for an estimate and report back. I've got a feeling that I used around 10 to 12 gallons. The fuel gauge just fell to E while I was on the road coming home. I bet my average PTO usage will be in the 25 HP range.

millsan1 · Jun 27, 2017

TXHF said:
I guess I should explain a bit. I've not been on a tractor since I was a kid at 9 and 10 yrs old. This is the first tractor I'll own (and hopefully the last!). So, I'm asking because we will be working on a remote 27 acre parcel to prepare to build our retirement home. The closest diesel will be 21 miles away so if I show up on the land with 20 gallons of fuel, I'm looking to see how many hours I can work this horse before she gets thirsty again. One of us can always take off for a fuel run anyway.

In about two weeks, I'm taking delivery of a new 2017 Mahindra 2538 with a loader, backhoe, 6' shredder and a set of pallet forks. I'm buying a PTO auger with two 6", one 8" and one 10" bits from a neighbor for cheap as he is done with it (plus he can just borrow it back).

Thanks for the responses! It looks like I'll get 7 or 8 hours out of the 9 gallon tank then?

I've been reading and watching a ton of videos, searching this forum and getting nearly all my questions answered without having to ask so everyone has done an excellent job filling the site with an incredible amount of valuable information. I think at this point, I can easily remove and attach all of the items I bought without any issue as well as service the beast.

I've collected all the parts I need to make my own Bucket T post driver for about $50.00 (DIY thread will follow so long as no one laughs at my welding.... but I can grind!). I'm also making my own ROPS canopy using several ideas from threads here. Might be soft-top to start until I can make the hard top.

So, if I can get a good day out of a tank, I'll be happy. Thanks again!

I think your 20 gallons will get you at least two, 8 hour days, no problem with some wiggle room to spare.

deanocraft · Jun 27, 2017

I have a different tractor than you, but with my 28hp Massey, I have found that the fuel use varies with what I am doing. I've done a bunch of work with a box blade and the tractor just sipped the diesel... When I switched to a flail mower and started mowing my property, it seemed like it used about twice as much fuel. Bottom line, I believe it will depend on what you are using the tractor for. I do think 20 gallons will get you pretty far, though! Good luck on your project.