GC1710 vs GC1720

[TSO]

I decided on the GC1710 for a few reasons:

- It would have been late August till I got the 1720 due to stock
- The 1720 needs to have RPM's around 350+ more than the 1710 to achieve the correct PTO speeds. I prefer the lower RPM's of the 1710
- The 1720 seat is nicer and is $1200.00 from Massey! I did find a similar seat online for about $250.00 which I will buy.
- Rear lights have a metal guard, from Massey they are about $35.00 each so I bought them for the 1710.
- 1720 has the rear work light on these guards. I will do the same on the 1710

That really is the only difference, so I saved $1700.00 and went with the GC1710. I did look at other brands, but my GC2310 was so rock solid I just didn't see the point in switching brands. And the new GC's have a full 5 year warranty as well !

Congrats! Good to see you staying MF red!

 

[AxleHub]

- The 1720 needs to have RPM's around 350+ more than the 1710 to achieve the correct PTO speeds. I prefer the lower RPM's of the 1710

And the new GC's have a full 5 year warranty as well !

Greetings Madhatter,

I was unaware that the massey gc1700 series had a full 5 year warranty. Are you sure of that ??

Your other reasons sound logical . . . However the idea that the GC1720 needs 350 more rpms is NOT correct. Engine rpm determines horsepower and pump flow - it has nothing to do with PTO "speeds". If you run the 1710 at 2600 rpm and run the gc1720 at 2600 rpm you get the same 22.5 h.p. But the 1720 may be run at 3000 rpm and get 25+ h.p. The 1710 does not have the option of running at 3000 rpm.

 

[TSO]

I was unaware that the massey gc1700 series had a full 5 year warranty. Are you sure of that ??.

It's true ... Sadly, I bought a year too early so I only get the 3 yr :-(

 

[MJB62676]

Full 5 years on GC 1705 at least...I assume it's the whole series.

 

[madhatter]

Greetings Madhatter,

I was unaware that the massey gc1700 series had a full 5 year warranty. Are you sure of that ??

Your other reasons sound logical . . . However the idea that the GC1720 needs 350 more rpms is NOT correct. Engine rpm determines horsepower and pump flow - it has nothing to do with PTO "speeds". If you run the 1710 at 2600 rpm and run the gc1720 at 2600 rpm you get the same 22.5 h.p. But the 1720 may be run at 3000 rpm and get 25+ h.p. The 1710 does not have the option of running at 3000 rpm.

I get what you are saying about HP and pump flow, however to get 540RPM on the rear PTO and 2000RPM at the mid PTO, the 1720 needs higher RPM to achieve those speeds. It is geared differently so the RPM needs to be higher. Right out of the book and the dealer confirmed.

And yes, I was surprised too about the warranty but it is indeed 5 years.

 

[AxleHub]

I get what you are saying about HP and pump flow, however to get 540RPM on the rear PTO and 2000RPM at the mid PTO, the 1720 needs higher RPM to achieve those speeds. It is geared differently so the RPM needs to be higher. Right out of the book and the dealer confirmed.

Madhatter,

I can't see how this is possible because the 540 and 2000 pto rpm numbers aren't variable. Engine rpm speed determines power available to use the pto units but it shouldn't effect the spin speeds itself. I'll use an example.

If I'm cutting grass in fescue areas of the same height as my blue grass areas . . I need less engine rpm because fescue cuts much easier than does blue grass (density and thickness differenses). The mid pto spins at a set speed . . But with more or less density of grass . . . It can bog down. So you either reduce your ground speed (forward hst pedal), reduce your width of cut, increase the cutting height adjustment, or increase your horsepower (engine rpm).

The 1720 engines and 1710 engines are the same bore and stroke. The engine difference at 2600 rpm is the same hp. The 1720 has the advantage of greater rpm . . . And that rpm extended range from 2600 rpm to 3000 increases hp output an additional 2.5 hp and it increase hydraulic pump output for the same reason.

Because of this . . The gc1710 is a very good performer . . . but the 1720 gives you additional choice with the same equipment because it has been adjusted to perform at an additional range.

If you run any of the gc1700s at 2000 rpm engine speed or 2600 rpm the ptos will spin at the same speeds until resistance increases. Just my opinion. I'd be glad to re-evaluate that opinion . . but from a documented source . . not from a dealer's statement.

 

[AxleHub]

It's true ... Sadly, I bought a year too early so I only get the 3 yr :-(

Tso,
I got a little lost by your statement. When did you buy . . . was it a gc1700 series . . . did warranty lengths change since the GC1700s came out in 2013 ??

 

[TSO]

Tso,
I got a little lost by your statement. When did you buy . . . was it a gc1700 series . . . did warranty lengths change since the GC1700s came out in 2013 ??

No, no.... I bought my 1648 in Jan of '14, as the 1700's were rolling out. MF changed the warranty from 3 yrs to 5 starting last year, but because mine was an "older" model it didn't qualify for the new warranty program.

 

[cdaigle430]

Other than the 2.5HP and bit more hydraulic flow, is there anything else different between the GC1710 and GC1720? Is it just through RPM's? Injector pump?

Wondering if the difference is noticeable for the extra 1K.

Thanks

I too test drove every single one I could find in the sub class. The GC2410\20 caught my attention as beefier, less toy like and the controls were more comfortable. The BH was really the deciding factor as it was built to last. I went with the GC2410 only because it can easily be modified for the extra HP by adjusting the fuel pump.

To this day I can tell you that I never missed the extra HP of the GC2610-never needed it. I am also saving wear and tear on the engine and on fuel.

I can understand if your going to use a three point implement like a brush hog or tiller more than anything-maybe the extra HP and RPM might ne the way to go as you have some more HP to the PTO and higher RPM can help the engine run cooler when using say a brush hog all day.

 

[Stlmatt]

I just got up my new 2015 GC1720 last week, I got the unit with the DL95 loader and CB65 backhoe. It been raining here since I've got it but I did get to play some with it. I made some brackets that bolt on to the ROPS mounting plate for a tool box on each side.....the boxes stay in place with heavy duty Velcro, works great. I also installed a piranha tooth bar and I just found out they offer a factory mech.thumb for the hoe ($400.00) I paid 18,000 delivered with the back tires liquid filled...I also got a 10" and 12" bucket for the hoe (the 10" was free since it came with unit) as I ordered it with a 12" but they let me keep the 10 so far the unit seems very well made, I like how easy the engine compartment is accessed and the all the filters seem easy to get to. I will say it feels like I sit up higher (as compared to JD 1 series) and the unit does seem iffy on a any side hill but, this is my first tractor so maybe I just need some time in the seat......I'm use to my S185 bobcat skidsteer, and this is nothing like that...LOL I opted for the 1720 vs 1710 as there was only about 1200.00 difference in price, from what I know you get, more power+2.5hp, a little more flow 4.6 vs 4.3gpm, a rear work light, metal light guards on the ROPS, nicer curved hydro pedals....that's about it. I am going to add some bro-tek rear wheel spacers, I just haven't decided if I want the 2" or 3" as I do have some hilly areas.

Thanks STLMatt