1523 vs. GC Differences?

[Paystar]

LBrown59: I have a Kubota/John Deere dealer close buy. I think they are all decent machines (the Kubota having the best pricing), but as stupid as this sounds, when I was a kid I grew up around Massey's, so I kinda have a soft spot for them. If they were junk it would be different, but I've read pretty positive reports on them, and they have all the features I need. Just like with trucks, I'm guilty of being pretty brand loyal.
I don't know a lot about Kubota, but they must make pretty good engines, as in the trucking industry, most APU's and reefer engines are Kubota's. I will give them a look, but I wanted to see if MF's would work for me first.

Thanks for the other info Will.

 

[jaybrad]

I'm fortunate that within about 30 miles there are dealers who represent just about every tractor on the market. When I started my quest, I first went to the JD & Kubota dealer and was a bit disappointed that the model I was most interested in (2305 and BX24 respectively) had so much plastic on them. Beyond that was the layout of the controls, which just didn't seem to fit me.

The good part was that, in spite of the lousy salesman I happened to get, the dealer's service department had a good reputation and that 4 of my neighbors all have Kubota's and like them quite a bit.

Then I went to the Massey dealer. Their show room was mostly outdoors, and their shop not as new, or fancy - but the salesman seemed genuinely interested in my business, was much better informed about the various machines, and took the time to show me the features that he felt put the GC2310 ahead of the comparable competitor's models.

He also gave me a good price, tossed in a Bro-Tek thumb and a bucket hook, and we signed the papers. A couple days later it was delivered, and I have been smiling ever since.

For my projects, this has proven to be the perfect tractor. I'm very pleased with how the implements worked this summer and I hope to be able to give the snow blower a workout one of these days.

I don't know how much of a difference the extra horsepower of the 2610 would really make for my purpose, but I can attest that given the opportunity to do it all over, I would buy the same setup again.

The good news is that they are really all good units - I'm sure you will get many years of work and enjoyment out of whatever you select.

Jay

 

[Paystar]

Thanks Jay. You said you have a thumb for your backhoe? Do you have any pics? That was one thing the salesman I was talking to mentioned, he said there is no factory thumb for the GC series but you could get an aftermarket one.
The other thing that puzzles me about the 1500 series, maybe Will knows since he has one: In the 1500 brochure there are pics of the 1523 with a backhoe on it, yet they do not list the 1523 in the BH application charts? The smallest machine in the BH specs is the 1528. What BH will work with the 1523?
Also I see the 1523, 1528 and 1531 have no factory joystick available. What kind of setup do they have.
Wish I had a dealer closer by, I'd like to see them in person.

 

[WilliamBos]

If you get a loader, you get a pedestal mounted controller. I am not sure why MF stopped selling the 1523 with a BH, but I am sure Woods makes one for it.

We have no loader, so right now no controller. The log splitter has a controller on it, so we use that. We will add an aftermarket controller in the spring.

We relocated the hydraulics from under the right step to under the took box below the ROPS bar. We shut the tractor off, plug the lines in, and the restart, then the opposite to remove. We put the loop back in so we do not dead-head the pump.

Look under the floor board, above the deck.



Relocated.




Also in the pics a tool box from Princess Auto, and a bungee cord used to hold the chute up while driving in the garage.

Thanks Jay. You said you have a thumb for your backhoe? Do you have any pics? That was one thing the salesman I was talking to mentioned, he said there is no factory thumb for the GC series but you could get an aftermarket one.
The other thing that puzzles me about the 1500 series, maybe Will knows since he has one: In the 1500 brochure there are pics of the 1523 with a backhoe on it, yet they do not list the 1523 in the BH application charts? The smallest machine in the BH specs is the 1528. What BH will work with the 1523?
Also I see the 1523, 1528 and 1531 have no factory joystick available. What kind of setup do they have.
Wish I had a dealer closer by, I'd like to see them in person.

 

[jaybrad]

Thanks Jay. You said you have a thumb for your backhoe? Do you have any pics? That was one thing the salesman I was talking to mentioned, he said there is no factory thumb for the GC series but you could get an aftermarket one.

I can't answer the questions about the 1500 series, but here are some pictures of mine with the Bro Tek thumb. It works great and uses the toplink from the 3PH. When it's not being used, I just remove the toplink and it folds up against the BH arm.

It is great for lifting stumps and rocks, both of which I did frequently this summer. I'd highly recommend it.

There are times when it would be handy to have one that I could deploy and retract from the control seat, but they cost A LOT more than I was willing to spend.

Good luck.

Jay

 

[Paystar]

Oh, that's a manual closing thumb Jay? Does anyone make a hydraulic one that would fit on the GC?

How come you relocated the lines Will? Just for conveience of hooking up?

 

[WilliamBos]

Oh, that's a manual closing thumb Jay? Does anyone make a hydraulic one that would fit on the GC?

How come you relocated the lines Will? Just for conveience of hooking up?

Yeah, for the ease of hooking up. We do not ever plan on putting a loader on it, so moving them was a no brainer for us.

 

[Paystar]

Oh, OK Will. I spent all my life around trucks but I'm new to this compact tractor thing. Appreciate all the help, trying to learn all I can of what's available before I make any decissions. When the time comes to make the purchase it will likely be around for a long long time. Unless I win the lottery, then I'll buy one of each

 

[jaybrad]

Oh, that's a manual closing thumb Jay? Does anyone make a hydraulic one that would fit on the GC?

Seems like I saw a hydraulic one earlier this year when I was looking at different options, but the price was about 3x the cost of the manual one, which was a lot more than it was worth to me.

Jay

 

[WilliamBos]

No problem. Feel free to ask anything. Remember, a stupid question is the one that is NOT asked.

That is why we are here!!

If I win the lotto, I will gladly buy one one, because I will be buying a few more too!!

Oh, OK Will. I spent all my life around trucks but I'm new to this compact tractor thing. Appreciate all the help, trying to learn all I can of what's available before I make any decissions. When the time comes to make the purchase it will likely be around for a long long time. Unless I win the lottery, then I'll buy one of each