Buying Advice Massey Ferguson 1734 E Series - HT vs. Gears

[Buckchaser]

I'm just looking for help in deciding transmission types on the MF 1734 E Series Models.. I've looked at both and am having a hard time trying to decide which to buy. Do any of you guys have advice ? I see that the E Series does not have any type of cruise control on the Hydrostat Transmission.. I will be brush hogging about 15 acres of field plus tilling a couple acres also.. Just wondering how much trouble it is to hold the pedal down for longer periods of time ( 3 hr job ) when doing this type work with the Hydro Transmission..I wish this Series had some sort of cruise control. I don't mind gear transmission, but like the feature of HT as well. I will be doing some loader work and snow removal also, but not as much as the field work..Any Advice would be helpful especially from you guys who own both types transmission. Thanks!

 

[Tompet]

Compromise and get the 1736 with 12x12 power shuttle! I have the 8x8 syncro on my Massey and wish it was the power shuttle, but with that solution aside, I would suggest the hydro. I have an old gear tractor, shuttle and hydro...all three get things done, but since you can't get any type of shuttle on that model, I just think you'll enjoy the hydro.

You might want to look closely if there is a slot for cruise that might be there and just not implemented on that series but parts available from another model. Might take a little research with dealer. Having an old gear tractor and imagining doing loader work with it doesn't sound to appealing to me but that's comparing it to my shuttle let alone the hydro. But yes, a loader on a gear tractor better than no loader for sure!

Sit on it and see how it feels holding your foot on pedal (rocker or side by side?) as far as positioning comfort.

I did look that model up and what I would check out thoroughly is whether there are any differences between the rear pto type of the gear vs hydro as it seemed there was a little discrepancy in the sources I looked at. Anyway, good luck with the decision.

 

[mapper]

I have a 1734e hydro, use it for tilling and brush hogging. Like it just fine, hydrostatic treacle is easy to use, never noticed any fatigue with it, my acreage is a bit rough from mole activity and the ability to speed up or slow down as the ground requires avoids getting beat up by the bumps. Hydro is 3 range so high will get you down the road reasonably fast, that's about all it's good for. 95% of the time I am in mid range, tractor will spin the tires in 4 wheel drive in mid range (R4 tires), ag tires might be a different story.
I like the hydrostatic for what I do, the 1734e replaced an 8n that I had for about 30 years, manual manual transmission, steering and no live PTO, only thing I liked better on the 8n was the seat, long spring travel was better on the bumps, hydro let's me slow down so it's no big deal.
1734e is an economy tractor at a much lower price than the tractors with more features, I have found the overall quality to be very good, it has not had any problems or issues since I bought it about 4 years ago.

 

[jcmaurice6]

Also having a MF 1734E with Hydro, When you get use to the roker type pedals it go very well. The only issue I have it’s sometime hard to engage the transmission level. I also have to pass few hour working on it and it’s a very good machine. Very good for value for the money, robust and easy to maintain. Also a verry good warranty for this market.
End of my second year and no issue.

 

[Buckchaser]

Thanks for the input guys.. I test drove both gear and hydro 1734 E . At one time I owned an older JD and was constantly clutching with 8 different gear options and also clutching for the PTO... It got to be a lot of extra left leg work...It was a good tractor though. It had loader with it, but in very tight situations while doing loader work, if you jumped the clutch or your foot slipped off of the clutch..it was usually trouble. I also did brush hogging with it and was slowing down and speeding up a lot so the gear trans. didn't really help me that much. It would be nice if the 1734 had a cruise function, but may not use it that much anyway. I will be going both faster and slower while brush hogging..The treadle on the 1734e, like you say didn't need much pressure to hold it down. I looked the 1736 Premium series, but didn't have the extra money to get to the stepped up series..Even though the PTO HP is slightly less with Hydro, ( book says 1.8 PTO HP difference ) I decided I'm going to go with the Hydro 1734 E Series anyway, it still will handle my attachments well...It seems like the best option for me.. Thanks again for the help.

 

[mapper]

I use a 5` brush cutter with mine, never had any issues due to lack of power, it has easily handled stuff that stopped my old 8n dead in it's tracks. Probably would handle a 72" hog no problem.

 

[Buckchaser]

I use a 5` brush cutter with mine, never had any issues due to lack of power, it has easily handled stuff that stopped my old 8n dead in it's tracks. Probably would handle a 72" hog no problem.

Thanks for all of your input guys..This was my first post on this site and your responses were very helpful.. HST was my pick..

 

[Phillip w]

Dont want to rain on the picnic, but i would do a little more research on masseys before you buy one. There are those of us who have had nothing but trouble. Loaders breaking, power train failures, trouble with 4 wheel drive, wont start in the cold, overheating in the summer, emissions trouble, etc. Agco will not offer any solutions or stand behind their tractor. Many of us have learned this first hand. You can start your reseach by browsing the mf section of this forum. I wouldnt give 3 red cents for any agco product.

 

[Tompet]

Dont want to rain on the picnic, but i would do a little more research on masseys before you buy one. There are those of us who have had nothing but trouble. Loaders breaking, power train failures, trouble with 4 wheel drive, wont start in the cold, overheating in the summer, emissions trouble, etc. Agco will not offer any solutions or stand behind their tractor. Many of us have learned this first hand. You can start your reseach by browsing the mf section of this forum. I wouldnt give 3 red cents for any agco product.

I would suggest starting a thread in Massey forum for a straw pole on Agco/Massey product titled "Massey satisfied vs unsatisfied buyers". Maybe you will have enough people to start a class action lawsuit. Or have enough info to contact a local attorney and sue Agco under lemon laws to get a refund or replacement of your tractor.

One other thing is in the reviews section, I saw no reviews listed for 1531...post your experience and let her rip!

 

[LukeDuke25]

Thanks for all of your input guys..This was my first post on this site and your responses were very helpful.. HST was my pick..

I have a Woods RC6 rotary cutter that I have used on my 1734e (HST) to keep 7 acres cut down a few times a year. It runs this with ease. I can typically cut at full speed in the second range without any bogging. I have had zero issues with my 1734. I have 200 hours on it. We purchased this in fall of 2016.

Enjoy!