Leaning toward Mahindra

[chinton]

Until recently I've been leaning toward Kubota and was looking at other manufacturers more as due diligence than anything. I'd originally been looking at B series and the dealer redirected me to the L series. A thread I'd posted on the Kubota forum lead me to re-evaluate what I'd been looking at. I've also been to see the NH and Kioti machines. So many choices!

I had been comparing the 1533 to the 2538 but now I'm looking hard at the 1538 Shuttle. The big differentiator for me was that the BH on the 1538 uses the same seat, just turned around vs. the 2538 with two seats. My sales guy was out delivering a tractor so I didn't get the price on the 1538 yet, so that could dampen my enthusiasm.

I'm looking at the 1538 Shuttle with the FEL, BH, 7' landscape Rake, pallet forks, probably a splitter and separately a WoodMaxx Chipper, Ratchet Rake and/or Piranha.

Do they even sell the service manual for these machines? I've not had much luck finding anything.

Also, on the trailer for these things, is the utility trailer style generally preferred over the car-hauler style? The two dealers that also sell trailers both sell the utility trailer style and that seems to be less useful to me.

 

[BlackOps]

For years i was interested in the BX series for my needs. after years when i finally tried to make it happen - the dealer and the bx was not good and i had found around the time mahindra and the specs etc convinced me immediately to go with mahindra. I am most happy that I did. Love my max 25 HST. welcome!

 

[brasco426]

I really enjoy the Mahindra Max 24 we have. Excellent build quality on my Max, stout little tractor. As for the service manuals, any dealer can get them. Sorry I don't have a trailer so no advice on that but others will chime in. Oh, and Welcome

 

[dickfoster]

Until recently I've been leaning toward Kubota and was looking at other manufacturers more as due diligence than anything. I'd originally been looking at B series and the dealer redirected me to the L series. A thread I'd posted on the Kubota forum lead me to re-evaluate what I'd been looking at. I've also been to see the NH and Kioti machines. So many choices!

I had been comparing the 1533 to the 2538 but now I'm looking hard at the 1538 Shuttle. The big differentiator for me was that the BH on the 1538 uses the same seat, just turned around vs. the 2538 with two seats. My sales guy was out delivering a tractor so I didn't get the price on the 1538 yet, so that could dampen my enthusiasm.

I'm looking at the 1538 Shuttle with the FEL, BH, 7' landscape Rake, pallet forks, probably a splitter and separately a WoodMaxx Chipper, Ratchet Rake and/or Piranha.

Do they even sell the service manual for these machines? I've not had much luck finding anything.

Also, on the trailer for these things, is the utility trailer style generally preferred over the car-hauler style? The two dealers that also sell trailers both sell the utility trailer style and that seems to be less useful to me.

I have a 1538 shuttle with about 50 hours on it. I also have the loader and backhoe. After having the spinner seat I'm inclined to think that maybe a separate seat for the backhoe wouldn't be such a bad thing as turning the seat around is an extra step and can be a hassle. It's a pretty clumsy mechanism where the seat has to be unlatched, then lifted to the backhoe position, then latched down and then unlatched and rotated. When you want to reposition the tractor a little reverse all of the above, then repeat before operating the backhoe again. It such a hassle that if it's something simple, I sometimes I reach around from the driving position to operate the backhoe. Of course you can only operate the hoe with one handle at a time that way. Then again if it had separate seats I would not be able to reach around and operate the hoe from the forward facing position because the controls would be too far to reach. There is no room to spin the seat with you on the tractor, you have to dismount and remount for each position.

The 1538 is a nice tractor but Mahindra user and service documentation absolutely sucks. The service manual isn't worth a plug nickle mustless whatever they charge for it. There is not one part number and absolutely no useful engine info in it while most disassembly and reassembly info is pretty much take it apart and reverse to put it back together with very poorly done drawings. It's a a very poor minimal effort work product. It's largely useless and a waste of paper so don't waste your money buying one.

 

[chinton]

Thanks for the feedback everybody!

I'll try spinning the seat and see how it feels to me.

 

[dickfoster]

Thanks for the feedback everybody!

I'll try spinning the seat and see how it feels to me.

It's actually easier to get off the tractor to spin the seat. Unlatch the seat and lift it first then get it latched while lifted. Then unlatch and spin the seat. When you lift you have to lift and shove the seat rearward. It's a little awkward at first.
Reverse the procedure to get it back to the drive position. That is, spin the seat around first, then unlatch and lower the seat to the driving position. Again, it's easier to do from the ground. You don't have to latch the seat down as it will latch itself when you sit down in it.

 

[Snowback]

I am very happy with my Mahindra 2538. No backhoe on mine, but I use a six footer cutter and box blade along with a five foot grapple. It's done everything I've needed it too. Also looked at Kubota, Kioti, and Bransons of similar capacity/price. The non DPF engine in the Mahindra was a big driver, and the overall value was very impressive. Check out these Mahindra specific threads from the last six months for some more 2538 reviews and info.

Good luck!

 

[chinton]

I've got a question regarding the advertised PTO HP of the 1538HST and 2538. The 1538HST advertises an engine HP of 38.7 and PTO HP of 27.7 while the 2538 advertises an engine HP of 37.4 and PTO HP of 31HP.

Is the 2538 drive train just that more efficient or did they use different measurement regimes? nitpicking I know, but inquiring minds want to know.

 

[L39matt]

Until recently I've been leaning toward Kubota and was looking at other manufacturers more as due diligence than anything. I'd originally been looking at B series and the dealer redirected me to the L series. A thread I'd posted on the Kubota forum lead me to re-evaluate what I'd been looking at. I've also been to see the NH and Kioti machines. So many choices!

I had been comparing the 1533 to the 2538 but now I'm looking hard at the 1538 Shuttle. The big differentiator for me was that the BH on the 1538 uses the same seat, just turned around vs. the 2538 with two seats. My sales guy was out delivering a tractor so I didn't get the price on the 1538 yet, so that could dampen my enthusiasm.

I'm looking at the 1538 Shuttle with the FEL, BH, 7' landscape Rake, pallet forks, probably a splitter and separately a WoodMaxx Chipper, Ratchet Rake and/or Piranha.

Do they even sell the service manual for these machines? I've not had much luck finding anything.

Also, on the trailer for these things, is the utility trailer style generally preferred over the car-hauler style? The two dealers that also sell trailers both sell the utility trailer style and that seems to be less useful to me.

After trying out a single seat on the Kubota hoe a few times and the double seat on a Woods hoe I was sold. The Woods is so much faster back and forth. Try it a few times before you buy, it was pretty easy to find one of each type at different dealers.

I ended up springing for a tilt deck trailer and it is awesome! loading and unloading is quick and easy. There have only been a couple times I wished I had a deck over to make getting pallets off easier, but loading the tractor with a deck height that high would be much more difficult.

Good luck with the new tractor decision, my good friend has a 1533 and loves it.

 

[LD1]

All this leaning back and forth, just be careful you don't fall over.

In all seriousness, it's hard to go wrong with any of them. They all make great machines, you just have to find the one that fits you best ergonomically

 

[Sysop]

I've got a question regarding the advertised PTO HP of the 1538HST and 2538. The 1538HST advertises an engine HP of 38.7 and PTO HP of 27.7 while the 2538 advertises an engine HP of 37.4 and PTO HP of 31HP.

Is the 2538 drive train just that more efficient or did they use different measurement regimes? nitpicking I know, but inquiring minds want to know.

Is the 2538 a HST (hydro static transmission) also? HSTs are known for losing more power to the PTO than geared transmissions. HSTs are generally safer, easier, and more precise in their travel speeds.

 

[chinton]

Yes, both are HST.

I've pretty much decided upon the 2538HST.

Now to discuss the financing, etc.

 

[Sysop]

I would say the difference is either in the weight difference, final gearing, or both.

 

[dickfoster]

Yes, both are HST.

I've pretty much decided upon the 2538HST.

Now to discuss the financing, etc.

I think that's a good decision if for nothing else the HST two pedal on the 2538 as opposed to the rocker HST on the 1538 . The 1500s are supposed to be a little nicer but I suppose much of that is in the mind of the buyer. The loaders are different too, not sure about the backhoes. I know the 1538L loader is made by KMW in Kansas and I think the loader on the 2438 is made in Korea but don't quote me on that.

 

[Navasot]

They are both KMW loaders but totally different systems... the 1538 has a much more solid loader with a tight construction.. a lot less wobble or movement when weight hits it at different directions.. the loader on the 2538 is the opposite.. but still specs out higher on paper...

Its all about driver really if I had to choose HST I would like a rocker pedal better because it would be quite easy to get to doing some back and forth work in a fast pace with them and mistaking which pedal your hitting wouldn't be a good thing in closed quartered situations...

 

[Navasot]

:laughing: that was a long sentence

 

[Snowback]

They are both KMW loaders but totally different systems... the 1538 has a much more solid loader with a tight construction.. a lot less wobble or movement when weight hits it at different directions.. the loader on the 2538 is the opposite.. but still specs out higher on paper...

Its all about driver really if I had to choose HST I would like a rocker pedal better because it would be quite easy to get to doing some back and forth work in a fast pace with them and mistaking which pedal your hitting wouldn't be a good thing in closed quartered situations...

Did Mahindra switch to KMW loaders on the newer 2538s? The loader on my Dec' 2015 vintage 2538 has a plate showing it to be TYM manufactured and matched unit. It is strong like bull, but perhaps less refined than the 1538 as you point out Navasot. I would say it is very solid and well built in my opinion. Clearly the design is different from the 1538, but I don't think it is "wobbly" as you seem to suggest above - or at least mine is not.

Interestingly is does not look like the loaders on the actual TYM built and branded tractors...

Lastly - I agree with Navasot and think the whole rocker vs side by side issue is a personal preference in my opinion. I had the rocker on my Max 25 and it was great. The side by side hydro pedals on this 2538 work brilliantly as well. It did take 10 minutes to adapt from my rocker motion to side by side, but I like the side by sides a lot now and the rear floorboard is clean and flat for my big feet to relax when using cruise. My suggestion to everyone is to hop on and try them both out.

Be safe all!

 

[rback33]

They are both KMW loaders but totally different systems... the 1538 has a much more solid loader with a tight construction.. a lot less wobble or movement when weight hits it at different directions.. the loader on the 2538 is the opposite.. but still specs out higher on paper...

Its all about driver really if I had to choose HST I would like a rocker pedal better because it would be quite easy to get to doing some back and forth work in a fast pace with them and mistaking which pedal your hitting wouldn't be a good thing in closed quartered situations...

Actually, KMW does NOT build the loader on the 2538... only the backhoe.