New 2415 HST Owner

RussPack · Mar 25, 2008

I'm the proud owner of a new 2415HST, thanks in part to this forum for some of my research. I just thought I'd stop by and thank you guys for all the info you have posted regarding these fine tractors.

It's my first tractor so I'm still learning all the things it can do. I got it with a 60" cutter for mowing my pastures (9 acres), FEL (for all the great things it can do), and a 48" Woods BB (got it cheap from a friend who didn't have a use for it). Now, if I can just get some seat time with it....

Actually, my wife uses it daily for hauling manure from our horse stalls in the barn out to the pastures--gotta love that FEL. She also does most of the mowing (she claims it's therapeutic). She's even learning to grade with the box blade and can switch implements like a pro.

We are still learning how to utilize this machine, which brings me to a question I have about dealer support. I'll give the Reader's Digest version:

A few weeks ago, after loading the bucket with manure to spread, the tractor wouldn't start. It had started only 20 minutes earlier, so I was puzzled. Thought it might be the safety lockout on the treadle-pedal, so I nudged it with my foot (this had worked before). Nothing. Called the service manager at the dealer (70 miles away). He told me how to hotwire it, basically, to start it. Got it started and dumped the manure, then parked it. Still wouldn't start in the usual way. I suspected a faulty/bad safety switch. Called the service dept. for some more help. Since I don't have a trailer, they would have to send a guy out, to check it out, for a service charge. I didn't ask how much so this is where I screwed up--silly me for thinking like a sane person, I figured at most $150.

It turns out that the PTO lever had been bumped a little so it wasn't quite in the full OFF position. Service Charge=$593 and some change. It turns out that the dealer charges $1.75 per mile and $75 per hour for a service tech to make a house call. This was NOT explained to me in advance. After a call to the dealer, and speaking to the manager, he agreed to knock $100 off the labor charge. What a guy!

Needless to say, I will never spend another dollar at that dealership!! Just a heads up to anyone in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Steer clear of Landmark Equipment, unless you really want to get "serviced". Or is this the normal practice in the tractor business?? If so, I'm changing careers...

Other than this bad experience with the dealer, I love this little tractor.

Russ Packham

Mahindra 2415 HST, Woods 48"BB, Mohawk 60" Cutter, FEL

AchingBack · Mar 25, 2008

Caveat emptor, Russ. I think it was stupid of the service manager to tell you to hot wire your tractor. As you discovered, and the mechanic should have known, the PTO lever can easily get bumped out of position. You weren't treated right. When I had a similar problem I called and talked with the salesman who had the smarts to point out the PTO lever issue.

wallace · Mar 25, 2008

OMG

Thats a good way to keep business coming back.
I can understand 50 or 75 bucks to cover somethings BUT I would be embaressed to charge a customer that!
Nexr time you have a problem call me and we more than likely can walk you through it.

Hmmm... maybe I just need to raise my rates naaa I'm to honest.

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Mar 25, 2008

I would call the dealership and speak to the salesman that sold you the tractor if nothing else let him know how you feel. Also I'm sure if you had posted you problem on TBN (Mahindra) some of us would have got that one solved for you No Charge. Good luck and have fun with your 2415.

RussPack · Mar 25, 2008

I know, I know.. I should have just triple checked all the levers, but a quick glance told me everything was ok.. I actually talked to the service manager 3 times. First time was when he told me to hotwire it (actually just jumping across the starter nodes). Second time I asked if there had been any issues with this model, and if there were any common things I could check. He replied no to both questions. Third time was when we scheduled the tech visit.

When I called to complain about the charge his response to the fix was "Yeah, that's a common thing with new owners, not checking the PTO lever." He seems like a real helpful guy.. NOT!

Anyway, it was an expensive lesson. One I won't soon repeat.

RussPack · Mar 25, 2008

And for what it's worth, I did talk to the salesman. He also thought the charges were overboard, so he passed the complaint on to the store manager (his dad).

I did do a quick search on here to see if there had been any other issues, but I didn't find any. I was pressed for time, as I had to catch a plane or I would have actually posted the problem here. The help on here is one of the reasons I felt comfortable buying the tractor, and I still am very happy with the purchase.

It seems these tractors are almost bullet-proof, but not idiot-proof. If Mahindra or anyone else ever builds one that is, I'm buing it.

AchingBack · Mar 25, 2008

So now you've paid an extra $500 for your tractor. If you just keep it for 10 years that is $50 per year, and less than 14 cents a day. I hope looking at it that way eases the pain.

Still, your dealer should be spanked with a mud flap.

RedRiver · Mar 25, 2008

so it took the tech 4 hours to figure out what was wrong or did they also charge you $75 an hr. for driving time on top of the $1.75 per mile?

RussPack · Mar 26, 2008

The tech figured it out right away. The all the charges (the $1.75 per mile and the $75 per hour labor) were incurred during the drive time. I'm wondering if maybe a note to the BBB and state attorney general's office might be in order.

I probably should just let it go and amortize it over the life of the tractor, as has been suggested.

It's just so hard to turn the other cheek when you've been torpedoed between them.

DavesTractor · Mar 27, 2008

The dealer should have diagnosed that over the phone. The PTO lever being bumped is a common "no start" on tractors with this sort of safety. We have seen a few new 2415s (and 1815s) where the PTO switch needed to be moved forward 1/8" so they aren't so touchy. It is two bolts, and the holes are slotted.

On a positive note, this may help many others that come across such a situation. Each person that you save from paying a dealer to come out to help should send you $20.