cricco

I just purchased a new Mahindra 1815 HST. I wanted to post my opinion of it here for future buyers. My family has all John Deere tractors, which makes me pretty much the black sheep. LOL! However, I'll start with the purchase price. I got the tractor with loader, a new woods scraper blade for the 3 point hitch, and a very used kubota rear mount finish mower. I paid $13,000 even for everything. I'm not sure how I did on the price, as I have nothing to compare it to.

My initial assessment of this tractor is that it starts well, even when cold. It runs strong, and it will do it's share of work. It is quite heavy, I think the tractor without loader is like 1500 lbs. The 4 wheel drive works very well, however, when in high gear, this tractor will NOT climb hills. Low gear, I'm sure it will climb up the side of a tree. The rear 3 point hitch works well, but when it's cold I have to work the lever a few times before it will raise the hitch. Once it starts working, it's fine. This is probably just due to the cold weather. There also isn't anywhere to put things like chains etc. Maybe they make a tool box for this unit?

That's about all I have for now, as I've only put 6 hours on it. I'll try to keep everyone posted, but overall, I'm very happy with it so far.

Live Oak

Welcome to Tractor Forum cricco and MANY thanks for the great follow up review of your purchase. I have heard a lot of good things about Mahindra in that they are well made and use a lot heavier castings that most of the other manufacturers.

I guess the John Deere 2305 would be the closet approximate comparable tractor.

Enjoy and be sure to post a few more followup reviews as you put more time on her.

chrpmaster

I will second the welcome to the Tractor Forum.

I think that is a pretty decent price for that tractor compared to the big name manufacturers. If you are using it to mow grass I probably would have gone with a belly mower but I don't know if that was what you were using it for. I have heard lots of good reports on these tractors and I would look at them if I was in the market.

Andy

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cricco

I did actually purchase the tractor for mowing grass. I have about 1 1/2 acres of lawn to mow, which I have not done yet. I also have a 200 foot driveway, which I will be plowing snow using the scraper blade. The other major use will be hauling firewood from behind the house, and perhaps adding a splitter eventually. I am actually a bit nervous about mowing grass with this tractor, as it seems a bit heavy, and I'm worried that I may tear up my lawn with it. The dealer told me that with the industrial tires, I should be OK.

cricco

12/18/2007

We have been getting plenty of snow recently, and I had plenty of time to work the new Mahindra. I have discovered a few more pros and cons to post here.

1) I initially noticed that the 1815 does not like to climb hills in high gear. I have since noticed that once the engine reaches proper operating temperature, it seems to climb much better in high gear. Perhaps this is because I now have 20 hours on my tractor, and the engine is more broken in? Maybe the rings are seating better now that I have a few hours on the engine.

2) The 5' Woods scraper blade seems to work quite well for plowing snow. I was initially very impressed with it. However, when the snow is 2 feet deep, and very heavy, this tractor has a difficult time moving it. I may invest in some tire chains, as I believe it will help A LOT!

3) Cold weather starting can be difficult when the temp drops into the single digits. So far, my tractor has always started. However, when it is VERY cold, the engine will fire and stall a few times before it will stay running.

4) I am going to weld some angle iron on to the bucket, and attach a couple of hooks to it for lifting. The lifting capacity of this tractor is excellent! I have absolutely NO complaints about this aspect.

I'll keep posting as I learn more about my Mahindra 1815 HST.

Live Oak

You may want to look into installing a block heater. Diesel engines are a LOT happier with cold weather starts using these.

Are you using the cold start aid (glow plugs or grid heater)?

HERE is a good place to find chains.

Overall it sounds like you are happy with the new machine.

Simpleprestige

One thing I have been told many times is that turf tires are actually better in the snow than ind. We know somebody who bought the exact tractor as ours ( Jd 3520) with industrial tires, and after plowing snow twice, he went and sold them back to the dealer for a pair of turf tires. We have the turf tires and couldn't be happier with their snow performance.

As far as the tractor not climbing hills well in high, High is only meant for transporting no load at high speed with no incline. I don't know if you have a mid range or not, but it is easier on the engine just to put it in a lower range.

Keep your stick on the ice

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cricco

Update 5/03/2008. I had my first real "issue" with my Mahindra recently. I have been having some trouble starting the machine lately, with the ignition working intermittently. My tractor now has 40 hours on it. Sometimes, when I turn the key, nothing happens. If I press the clutch pedal a few times, it then starts. My initial guess was that it was the clutch override switch. I called the dealer, and they sent me one via mail. Well, I delayed installing it until I was using the tractor to push over a very large oak tree we were cutting. Well, as luck would have it, the tractor stalled, and would not restart. I then had to replace the override switch on the side of the road where it died. Once I got the switch replaced, the tractor still would not start. I called the dealer, and was informed that it may be the starter solenoid. He advised me to try jumping the terminals to start the unit. I was also told that I had to bring the unit to the dealer to get it fixed, or they would ship me the part. Moving this tractor is NOT an option as I have no trailer, and the dealer is 40 miles away. So, I tried to jump the terminals, and it worked. So I guess I need a solenoid. From looking at it, it does NOT look like it's very easy to get at to replace. I will call the dealer, and attempt to replace it myself. I will keep everyone updated. I still love the tractor, though I was at wits end for a day over this. I shouldn't be replacing parts with 40 hours on the machine.

cricco

Update 5/30/2008

Well, I replaced the starter, the solenoid, and the clutch overide switch. I'm still having an intermittent starting problem. Seems like a loose ground somewhere. I'm quite aggravated as the machine has 47 hours on it. Maybe I should have bought a Deere? Also, the finish mower that I got such a deal on when I purchased the tractor is a useless pice of s**t. It would be terrific if I needed a trench digger. Unfortunately, I need a mower. So, I'll have to spend another $1,500 on a finish mower. Perhaps I'll just buy a John Deere riding mower, and save myself $200.

ncg45

Sorry to hear about the continuing problems you're encountering with the Mahindra. I was considering this brand for my first tractor. Thank you for posting your experiences.

cricco

I have dissassembled the entire dash assembly, the starter, and the ignition. I cannot for the life of me find a loose ground wire anywhere! Can anyone suggest where I might find my intermittent starting problem???

mongoose_1

Is there a Rental store locally where you can get a trailer? With all the issues you have had and are having with only 47 hrs, renting a trailer to return it to the dealer sounds like the thing to do.

Once there, if repairs are made under warranty, they should deliver the unit back to you free of charge.

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Live Oak

Good suggestion mongoose! Electrical problems can really be a pain in the neck.

cricco, I know you have replace a lot of components but it is starting to sound like a bad ignition switch or a relay. Can you get ahold of a wire diagram from the dealer? Maybe they could email or fax it to you?

Hang in there, these kind of things happen to all colors of tractors, not just yours.

cricco

May 10, 2008.

I finally found my intermittent starting problem!!!!! This problem seemed like a clutch override switch from the beginning. I replaced it, and I still had the problem. I also replaced the starter and selonoid all to no avail. The other night, I began my relentless hunt for the problem, and I was able to diagnose and address it. There is a second override switch for the rear PTO. This switch was not engaging all the way, unless you push rearward on the PTO lever. I discovered that I could make some adjustments to the switch, or just push the lever back when I need to start the tractor. I'm PSYCHED! My problem is solved!! I hope this saves somebody else headaches in the future.

Live Oak

Glad to hear you got the problem whipped and thanks for posting the solution. I am sure many other will benefit from your experience.

cricco

Well, since I fixed my starting problem, I haven't posted. I figure I'm due for an update, so here it is....

I have been working the heck out of my 1815. I now have 70 hours on it, and I have been using it as a skidder for firewood. I have a very steep "mountain" behind the house where I have been hauling firewood from. I recall that when I first got my Mahindra, it didn't seem to have enough power in high gear to climb hills. Well, breaking in the engine seems to have cured that. I now climb the steep sections of the log roads in high gear with relative ease. I have purchased a Norwood Log Hog that I use to attach my chokers and drag logs. I have been cutting mostly birch, about 12" across, but I have pulled a few VERY large maples. With the larger stuff, I usually cut the tree into 2 or 3 pieces about 15 feet long. By "large", I mean trees that are 3 or 4 feet across. My Mahindra has not failed me yet. I will mention that with the small wheels and the industrial tires, she doesn't like any mud...AT ALL! She gets stuck real easy in the mud, and it doesn't take much mud either. I also wanted to note that I have burned 1/2 quart of oil in the first 60 hours. I am changing my oil tomorrow for the first time at 70 hours. I have also been mowing my 2 acre lawn with a finish mower, and I must say it does a very nice job. I do get some scalping with only 2 wheels, but if the ground is dry, it helps to minimize this. Well, thanks for listening folks.....until next time.

cricco

Well, it's been a year since my last post. My Mahindra has worked flawlessly for me. I plowed snow all winter with no problems. It was a VERY snowy winter here in Massachusetts. I have been logging firewood with my Norwood Log Hog attachment. I LOVE that thing! I have yet to cut a tree I couldn't pull with my Mahindra. I have cut some HUGE maples, and needed to limb them, and cut them into 10 foot pieces to drag them uphill. I always manage to pull them though. I now have 130 hours on my tractor. I keep it well greased. I even wax the thing on occassion! My tires are starting to show a little wear. Not bad though. I did manage to bend the upper link on my 3 point hitch while using my finish mower. I straightened it out, but it bends again when I mow. I guess I'll have to find a new one that's a bit stronger. That's about all for now. I will update a little sooner if I remember next time.

tlfrantz

I have a VST180D tractor and it won't start below about 60 deg F...I pulled the starter and found the problem is the pinion gear is huge, about the same diameter of the armature---the upshot is there is no mechanical advantage of the armature over the pinion gear. Most starters have a pinion that's not much bigger than the shaft itself, resulting in a large lever arm over the pinion.

Even if I hooked jumper batts and a charger to it, it just won't turn over so the tractor must be left in a heated garage to start.

Mine also won't go up hills in 3rd gear...engine has 26 hrs.

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cricco

Well folks, I'm back to report on my Mahindra 1815 HST. I figure, I have had this review going for over 2 years, so why stop now? My Mahindra now has 160 hours on it. I am about to do another oil change. I do them a bit more frequently than required, but I want this tractor to last me.
We didn't have much snow this year, but I plowed what we got with no issues. I still haven't picked up the tire chains that I need. My tires do the job, as long as I stay off the ice and mud. I did manage to break my left rear flasher light. I was skidding fire wood down a steep hill, when a log swung forward and took out my flasher light. I called my dealer, and found out that this light is $40.00 . I ordered it instead from Bill's Tractor for $31.00 . I love Bill's. I have discovered a slight annoyance with my tractor to report. When I'm skidding firewood, I have to get on and off the tractor frequently. I do this wearing heavy chaps and boots, etc. So I frequently drag my boot across the rubber transmission cover. The cover comes off very easily, and I frequently have to put it back on. It does drive me a bit nuts at times. I also wish I could find a suitable tool box for my tactor. Carrying my saws and tools in the FEL bucket is a pain, and frequently results in stuff bouncing out of the bucket. Well, that's all for now folks. I am still very happy with this machine. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

cricco

Something I absolutely HATE about my Mahindra (and there isn't much I hate about it), is the location of the engine oil filter! What a pain in the @ss to change! Also, does anyone know of a cross reference for an oil filter? I'm tired of paying $16 for a cheap chinese filter for my tractor.