Comparison MF 1742 or Mahindra 1538

[jwcinpk]

Comparing the MF 1742 to the Mahindra 1538. I've owned a Mahjndra 3316 HST for about 8 years and it's served me well. It's time for something a little bigger and newer. My Mahindra dealer picked up the Massey line so the dealer would be the same regardless of brand. The tractors seem very comparable on most things. MF is about $2500 more. It does seem to spec a tad bit better at the backhoe and loader. Also looks to be a little more "comfortable". 1742 seems to be a little bigger tractor. I like the idea of no dpf and 4 cyl on the mahindra, but I like the Mitsubishi engine on the MF. Is there anything that should sway my decision to the MF?
Also I've tried to find the height to the top of folded down rops and size of R4 tires...can anyone answer these questions? Dealer never got back to me, just said the 2 were really close to the same and MF online chat folks had no idea.

 

[Wolfman]

I'm in the middle of tractor shopping also and have looked at the Massey line up and down. The 1742 looks like a really nice tractor. I'm looking at the MF 2706E right now (just about ready to buy). When I was pricing these out, the MF 2706E is just about the exact same price as the MF 1742. The 2706E comes with a 57 HP engine that does not require DPF, just like the Mahindra. The 2706E also uses the same style loader as the bigger frame tractors (1749 up to 1759) which gives a good increase on lifting power. Also the 2706E would use the larger CB85 backhoe vs the CB75 backhoe on the 1742. We were seriously considering the backhoe option but decided against it due to cost vs the price of used mini excavators in the area.

If you haven't looked at it yet, I would look at the 2700E series. They are well priced and come with a lot of nice options for an 'economy' tractor. They have the extendable 3 point lift arms, pin stabilizers, and soft start PTO. I liked the wet clutch power shuttle available on the 1700 premium series as opposed to the dry clutch synchro shuttle found on the 2700E series. For that reason I decided to go with the HST on the 2706E, which also includes cruise control. The HST on the 2700E series, does not come with the electronic perks that come with the HST on the 1700 premium series, but I couldn't seem to justify the large difference in price between say a 1759 and a 2706E (about $5K).

As I looked heavily at the 1700 and 2700 line, it seemed to me that the 1700 premium series (like the 1742) made sense if I was going to get a cab (that was on the table at one point also), but if you are not going to get a cab, then I would suggest seriously looking at the 2700E series - it is really a lot of tractor for the money.

I'm not sure why Massey doesn't make it easy to find - but their 1700 series pocket guide has tons of detailed information on the 1700 series. I wish they made a similar guide for the 2700E series. This guide will probably answer any other questions you might have: https://agco.bigmachines.com/bmfsweb/agco/image/StandardFeatures/MFCompactTractorPocketGuide.pdf

As a side note, this tractor shopping has really worn me out. I'm looking forward to when my new Massey is finally sitting on my property. I'm also looking forward to making the switch from Green to Red.

 

[jwcinpk]

Thanks for the pocket guide. Crawled all over the 17 series at the dealer today. Why on earth would they put the loader block there by the step? Really don't like that!

 

[Wolfman]

I never noticed that about the loader block until you mentioned it. Does not seem to be an actual problem from those that have them, although it does look like it has the potential when just looking at it.

Are you looking at the HST models or Power Shuttle?

 

[jwcinpk]

I never noticed that about the loader block until you mentioned it. Does not seem to be an actual problem from those that have them, although it does look like it has the potential when just looking at it. Are you looking at the HST models or Power Shuttle?

HST...primary use would inside 4-40x400 breeder hen houses. Hauling slats and pushing and piling chicken litter.

 

[Tea4me]

Asking about how tall it is with rops folded down.. My 1758 with r4's is approximately 81.5" tall.

 

[jwcinpk]

Asking about how tall it is with rops folded down.. My 1758 with r4's is approximately 81.5" tall.

I think 71" is the magic number for clearing the nests. If the 1742 is taller than that with the rops folded I'd need to look at a smaller tractor.

 

[ErikVann]

I can't speak to the mahindra, but I have a 1742 and have driven my father in laws 2706. Both tractors are similar in stature and weight with the obvious horse power and gel lift capacities favoring th 2706. The 1742 is has the distinct advantage of being able to start and stop the PTO from the fender. The seat switch needs to engaged to run the PTO on the 2706. Making it a challenge to run certain implements without jerry rigging the seat switch. I am also not a huge fan of the manual shuttle shift on the 2706 compared to the 1742 hydraulic shuttle which is effortless to operate.

Having the loader Block by the step hasn't been a problem for me. I have not noticed where it is located on the 2706.

 

[Wolfman]

The 1742 is has the distinct advantage of being able to start and stop the PTO from the fender. The seat switch needs to engaged to run the PTO on the 2706. Making it a challenge to run certain implements without jerry rigging the seat switch.

That is a good point that I really did not take note of. I guess I'll have to see how I get along with the 2706E. I'm definitely not used to all the new safety switches that they throw on everything nowadays...

One tradeoff, to me, was that the 2706E was available with a factory remote - where the 1700 series did not get a factory remote unless ordered with a cab.

I wasn't a huge fan of the dry clutch shuttle shift, myself. I decided to go HST this time around because of it. Fortunately, my particular 2706E sounds pretty quiet for a HST machine.