Buying Advice Pretty Sure I have Narrowed It down to Two: Massey 2706e or Kubota MX5800

[AuburnAlum]

They appear to be very close in specifications from what I see. They both appear to be light for utility tractors, very close to the compact tractors (within 100 lbs.) I have currently. Did you price these tractors with rear hydraulic options and 3rd outlet for mid hydraulics? Also did not see pressure rating for hydraulics or loader specifications, did you research all of this?

I have done a lot of comparison and has lead me to the conclusion of these two. Here is a spreadsheet of some of the details on your questions.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have done a lot of comparison and has lead me to the conclusion of these two. Here is a spreadsheet of some of the details on your questions.

View attachment 453007

Both of these tractors should be able to physically handle a grapple and trees in your other thread. I would recommend you have at least two rear remotes for later use on the tractor you choose.

I would be interested in how the controls are set up for the third fel function on these tractors. It would be beneficial to have a rocker switch or similar arrangement on the joystick. I would find it very irritating to have to operate a separate lever on the side console if the grapple is 80% of your work. That would be a bigger concern to me than which brand of tractor.

 

[TSO]

Regarding your stats... Look further into the hydraulics. Massey typically has the best hydraulics. That number you posted for the Massey should be "implement" flow (loader and remotes) while the number you posted for the Kubota I believe is total flow (implement plus power steering) ... The Massey total flow may be closer to 17 total.

Another number to consider is that the Kubota will have slightly higher PTO HP.

BUT in truth, you probably won't notice much, if any, difference, between all of the numbers in real life use.

 

[TSO]

Both of these tractors should be able to physically handle a grapple and trees in your other thread. I would recommend you have at least two rear remotes for later use on the tractor you choose.

I would be interested in how the controls are set up for the third fel function on these tractors. It would be beneficial to have a rocker switch or similar arrangement on the joystick. I would find it very irritating to have to operate a separate lever on the side console if the grapple is 80% of your work. That would be a bigger concern to me than which brand of tractor.

Good advice. I know that the remotes on my Massey 1652 all offer Detent and Float, while none of the rear remotes on my buddies Kubota L5240 have that option. Also, I believe that factory loader on the Massey has a factory 3rd function option built right into the loader and joystick. Not sure on that Kubota

 

[GManBart]

There are two important considerations (for me) that you've mentioned.

One is that you've already said the Massey is slightly more comfortable. It's not likely you spent hours on the machine, so if you noticed it in a few minutes, you're really going to notice it after a couple of hours.

Second, the cheesy FEL control mounted to the loader frame on the MX is a lot less comfortable to use...your arm is hanging in the breeze. Mounting the loader control on the fender is much more comfortable, makes it easier to be precise because your arm is braced (enter someone who will argue they can be just as precise with their MX loader) and isn't in the way if you need to get on/off from the right side of the tractor (not generally what you will be doing). Some folks have said that the longer loader control arm is more prone to snagging by branches etc, but that might be picking knits.

Both are good machines that should do what you want, and having good dealers nearby, and similar price points really narrows it down to which one feels better (or it would for me).

 

[TripleR]

Good advice. I know that the remotes on my Massey 1652 all offer Detent and Float, while none of the rear remotes on my buddies Kubota L5240 have that option. Also, I believe that factory loader on the Massey has a factory 3rd function option built right into the loader and joystick. Not sure on that Kubota

When ordering remotes on the Kubota, you can get float and detent, I was too stupid/inexperienced/clueless to get them on mine, but they were an option. My third function is located in the FEL handle, but I'm not sure about the MX.

I have no input into which is best as both are good machines.

 

[AuburnAlum]

When ordering remotes on the Kubota, you can get float and detent, I was too stupid/inexperienced/clueless to get them on mine, but they were an option. My third function is located in the FEL handle, but I'm not sure about the MX.

I have no input into which is best as both are good machines.

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

 

[TSO]

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

The very first thing you'll want to do is add a hydraulic top link (they are priceless) so you'll have 1 set taken up with that. I would say 2 is a must, then 3 is a bonus.

Also, if you ever need to run an implement that needs constant flow (like a brush/sweeper, log splitter, etc) you'll need Detent.

 

[TripleR]

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

I ordered mine with Top and Tilt as I have a Land Pride HR3584 which requires three. Here is a video of a setup similar to mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3bOCFXeLec

The float allows your equipment to better follow uneven ground, detent is handy, but I don't miss it like I do the float.

Buying remotes at the time of purchase is much cheaper than later. Some save money by buying aftermarket kits, but I don't have the skill to do a good looking installation.

As TSO said, you will really want a hydraulic top-link, I didn't have one for many years now we put them on all our tractors with the capability. I've found it prudent to buy with future as well as present needs in mind.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suggested three rear remotes earlier because you mentioned box blade work. I use two remotes for top link and tilt link then the third is for the hydraulic scarifiers. A rear blade fully hydraulic has offset (one circuit) blade angle(one circuit), blade tilt or hitch tilt (one circuit) and the top link (one crcuit) so 4 circuits total.