Confused / MF1523 or B7510

[Mudflinger]

Can anyone give some feedback on the MF1523? I have been researching subs and compacts for a bit now and have decided to pic one of the two listed. MF dealer tells me he sells more GC's than the 1523 now, for whatever reason. I cannot seem to find even one review on the 1523, is there something I am missing?
Thanks,
A

 

[IslandTractor]

The review section on TBN is pretty quiet these days. I would not take absence of a review to mean much. Have you tried searching the archives for "1523"? That might turn up some owners who you could contact via PM.

MFs have a very good reputation and while there are generally more 7510s out there, the MF might be a relatively newer design. The 7510 is a great tractor that is a little long in the tooth. Check out to see if the MF has features missing on the 7510 such as position control for the 3pt and what type and power the loader has. Cannot go very far wrong with a Kubota but MFs are great too.

 

[mchasal]

As the smallest compact, the 1523 is in a bit of a tough place. If someone wants something more than the sub-compact (GC series) they generally step up to the mid frame (1528, 1531) or the large frame (1533) compacts. And if someone wants something smaller than the compacts they go down to the GC. My local dealers don't even stock the 1523s.

So, given that, what's the specific thing that's keeping you from considering the 1528/31? If I recall, the price difference was pretty small between them and the 1523 and you gain quite a bit of capacity, especially in 3pt lift, which is over double on the 1528, probably because the tractor weighs 1000# more.

Mike

 

[Nasty135]

Mud, There is a fellow that is a member of this forum that just bought a 1523, Maybe you already read the post on it...Just search on 1523

Happy Reading!!

 

[Mudflinger]

Thanks for all the quick feedback. The reason for the 1523 is price related, I can get the 1523 for the same price as the GC, Is that a deal? I was thinking so but am not that sure, and it puts me into a compact instead of sub. I have talked with a few dealers and they said the same as mchasal, they dont even stock them.

 

[mchasal]

Hmmm, well I'd be surprised if you could find a 1523 for the same price as a GC. I guess if there's one that a dealer has and just can't get rid of it's possible. The 1523 has the same motor as the GC, but in the slightly larger frame. The 3pt has the same specs, but the loader on the 1523 has better capacity. I'm trying to think of a case where the GC would be better than the 1523. They weigh about the same, so the 1523 shouldn't be worse for mowing from a compaction perspective. The only thing I can think of is if you have lots of little spots you need to get into. In that case the smaller size of the GC would be an advantage.

Mike

 

[73jeep]

I bought a 1523 this spring. It's more equivalent to the Kubota 7610/2410(68.5 cu.in.)than the 7510(61 cu.in.). I love mine so far. I've never been short on power with anything as of yet. I have used a 60"RFM, 49" medium duty Tiller, and 30" dirt scoop with plenty of power to spare. I like the slightly higher ground clearance over the GC2300 subCUT. I didn't really want anything bigger than the 1523 for my uses. The 1528/31 have a longer nose(overall lenght is 10" longer) and have wider axles. Just for me personally, I liked the overall "look" of the 1523 better.
When comparing other brands(JD,NH,CI etc.) of the same size model(small-frame CUT), for me personally I liked these things:
....shortest lenght to fit in my garage - 102" (others =106,108,109")
....HP rated at lower rpms - 2600 (others = 2850, 3000)
....metal hoods, fenders,etc. vs. plastic (I know some like plastic better)
....higher ground speeds 12 1/2 gear, 13 1/2 hydro (others = 10.5, 11)..Okay, so this is not really anything worth mentioning....
....Lower overall height - 77" (others = 81, 89")
....and Price - $9,600.00 (others = 12,500, 13,000)
These are all little things, and I would love to own any of the other name brands. I feel there's close to equal quality with all of them. What it really comes down to is which tractor you'd really like to own the most. When I do my soul-searching, what probably influenced me as much as anything(sad to say) was that I liked the Massey I grew up with more than the other tractors we owned.
.....Back to the subject of my review, so far I have have no trouble with my 1523. All bolts, parts, etc. have been put together for a nice fit and finish(no rattles or quirks).

 

[biker128pedal]

$9,600? Is that with Hydro? I went with the B7610 which has Hyrdo and love it. At first I though it would be too small. It pull a 5' RFM and 5' box without a problem. I get the most use out of the loader.

For the 1523 If I coud have found a 1523 Hydro to try for that price it would have been close. I tried a demo 1423 and that was not adequate. It was like a GC with big tires.

 

[73jeep]

Sorry, the $9,600.00 was for gear model. Hydro was $10,400.00. Another dealer in area had Hydro for $11,400.00, so sometimes it does pay to shop around.

 

[biker128pedal]

That's still close in price to the B7610. So if you compare the B7510 to the 1523 for about the same price you get Hydro with the B7510 but you get proportional 3 point and more hp with the manual 1523.