Comparing new Massey 1526 to a small Massey 1700

[AxleHub]

Greetings,

At a recent open house - for the 1st time I saw in person the 1526 product that was essentially discontinued in 2014 and then brought back again in late 2015.

Now for clarity - I'm not talking about the GC1700s. What I'm wondering is how does the 1526 (smallest of the 1500s) compare to the 1700 (smallest model) ?

Specifically - has the 1526 been updated or modernized at all since the 2011 models etc.. What are the pluses or minuses of the 1526 to the smallest 1700?

(note: the 1526 I saw had position control and rear and mid PTO and 3 speed hydro)

 

[Rock Crawler]

There is no option to add a backhoe to the 1526. The 1700 series accepts the Woods Ground Breaker series backhoe with full backing of the MF warranty. That would turn me off of the 1526.

 

[jeepcj7]

The 1526 is a smaller frame higher spec tractor than the 1726E. It uses an Iseki engine. the 1726E is a larger frame tractor but lower spec - it uses a Shibaura engine (same engine as the 1734E/1739E but derated). You can put a mid mounted mower or front mounted PTO implement on the 1526. There is no option to do that on the 1726E. Both have loader capability but only the 1726E has backhoe capability. Not sure what the price difference is, but my suggestion is sit in the seat and buy the one that fits you best.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

For people who like comparisons to other tractors brands, I believe the 1526 is similar to a Kubota B2601, and the 1726E is more like an L2501. This is why the 1526 was brought back. Without it, Massey didn't have an offering in that size range.

 

[AxleHub]

For people who like comparisons to other tractors brands, I believe the 1526 is similar to a Kubota B2601, and the 1726E is more like an L2501. This is why the 1526 was brought back. Without it, Massey didn't have an offering in that size range.

Fiziks,

When I was 1st looking at Massey in early 2015 prior to my getting the GC1715, I had never seen a 1526 in person because the dealers in our area didn't have them anymore. I often wondered at the time how come AGCO/Massey was greatly expanding their dealers and influence in the upper MidWest especially with the GC1700s, yet the 1700s seemed like a very wide category of choices but not that "small compact" concept choice like Kubota had. I read about the 1526 in later 2015 and it seemed like a very strange decision and loss of momentum to have discontinued it. Then when they "re-continued" it, it seemed strange they didn't modernize a few things on it to fit into the line up well. Simple stuff like changing the hood and headlights to a more modern look, changing the fel valve positioning so the hydro lines don't extend up in the air so much, flattening the floor, and putting a rops and seat on it like the GC1715. This weekend was the 1st time my big dealer has had one in since the last time I was there in March of 2017. And so this weekend was my first view in person. All those changes I listed would help what looks like a really nicely featured unit be very competitive niche between the GC1700s and the 1700s.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Fiziksgeek,

Looking at the 1526, I would personally call it larger than the B2601, more like the B2650 twin. The B2601 is a lot shorter seat height, and the MF 1526 just all around feels a little larger and much more like my B2650. The 1726E/L2501 is spot on from my opinion as well. I was heavily shopping the MF against the Kubota brand, and the other thing that I note is that I had the BX25 and the MF GC1705 to GC1720 series is larger than the BX series and just all around looks beefier, I know that lb for lb it matches the BX... but visually and seat of the pants feel... it feels more similar the B2601 than it does the BX. Kubota most definitely has more steps in the product line... good or bad... It makes choosing a little more stressful.

 

[AxleHub]

I agree Rockcrawler. I looked for years at the BX line and the Cub Cadet/Yanmar products and in early 2015 I looked at LS and New Holland and Mahindra and Massey too. For me - it was down to the BX and Massey products, and after test driving I never looked back - as the GC1715 offered a better cockpit, and a stronger feel, and unique features.

Now at the time - a 1526 with turfs on it and a more modernized styling (as I previously mentioned) - and I'd have been doing some serious deciding and test driving between the GC and that as yet not produced 1526 concept. Kubota has had a marvelous method of marketing and updating and producing brochures to match their fine equipment. Massey has lagged in speed of decision making even though they make excellent products. I think Kubota has been challenged in maintaining their marketshare, as others are getting competitive in just the last 4 years. Numerous dealers in our general area are now Kubota and Massey combined. Such was not the case 4 years ago.

Some pictures I took just this weekend at my dealers open house shows a big Massey dealer is also a big Kubota dealer.

 

[Paystar]

When I started looking for a compact I was all set on a Massey GC. At the time they blew the BX away. Not sure how the newest ones match up?

Anyway, I started looking at larger tractors and the 1526 was it. But Massey didn't seem to be promoting them and the closest dealer to me said they were coming out with a newer and improved version. Was told it would have ss qa and the 1600's hood styling. Next thing I knew it was discontinued.
Now they re-release the exact same tractor.

Kinda glad I ended up with my B2620 because it has more nicer features in my opinion. This is one class where Massey is slightly lacking. The 1526 is a really nice tractor, don't get me wrong. Just lacks some of the niceties of the other brands.

 

[Tompet]

Fiziksgeek,

Looking at the 1526, I would personally call it larger than the B2601, more like the B2650 twin. The B2601 is a lot shorter seat height, and the MF 1526 just all around feels a little larger and much more like my B2650. The 1726E/L2501 is spot on from my opinion as well. I was heavily shopping the MF against the Kubota brand, and the other thing that I note is that I had the BX25 and the MF GC1705 to GC1720 series is larger than the BX series and just all around looks beefier, I know that lb for lb it matches the BX... but visually and seat of the pants feel... it feels more similar the B2601 than it does the BX. Kubota most definitely has more steps in the product line... good or bad... It makes choosing a little more stressful.

I agree that size wise 1526 is more like B2650 in comparison. After 1526 originally came out and I was thinking about upsizing from a GC2310, I traded several emails with a Massey person at corporate about another issue and that led to pointing out they needed an integrated BH and some other enhancements for 1526 to compete with Kubota B2620, B3200 (newer models like B2601 B2650 etc). Jumping to a larger Massey 1529, 1531 and up made gap more apparent...if they wanted to compete in B2601, 2650, etc. frame size. Apparently they do not feel a need to compete in that niche size. Maybe in future?

So I traded for a Kubota. And wound up with a used Massey 1540 too.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Yes, the no backhoe option knocked MF off my list. And I absolutely would have bought that 1526 if I could have optioned it with the Woods Ground Breaker like you can the 1726E.

But like the Kubota L2501, the MF 1726E was just too heavy for what I wanted to do (lawn mowing my beautiful 2.5 acre yard) so that meant that the MF 1526 was my only viable option.

But I'll say it again... in case MF reads this... MF made me buy the Kubota B2650 by telling me that I can not have a backhoe if I buy that tractor. So they lost my $27,000 purchase to team orange.

That said, I love my B2650 immensely and do not at all regret the purchase for even a second. It truly is a freaking beast mode small CUT.