My choices in red

[GeneV]

I’ve had two MF GCs. A 2014 GC1710, and now a 2019 GC1723e. Sold the 1710 @550 hrs or so to buy the 1723, now at 190 hours. I use them on our farmette and commercially, zero issues with either.

Hey dude, so with the 1723, do you notice any issues with your leg bumping against the 3 pt hitch lever, or have you any complaints about the tilt steering? Just curious.

 

[MoMower]

I like the tilt steering, 5’11”, 200’.

My calf does bump the lever, but I actually use that to keep stuff in float when I need to.

 

[Raines]

I am wanting to buy a new tractor. I've done my share of lurking/research on all of the brands I could find. My choices have came down to either an RK24 or a MF1725MB. I cannot say that I read of any what I would call real issues with either other than a freak occurrence here or there. I cannot say that I am particularly leaning either way as yet. There is a MF dealer about 5 miles from home. RK is about 75 miles. What is the word from those who own those brands? Any non-published issues? Idiosyncrasies that nobody talks about? Just the good or bad with either brand if you know of something.

I am looking at these exact same models after researching all the brands. RK is 50 miles from me and MF dealer is about 60 miles away. Talked to both places and they both have great personnel that was friendly and informative. MF dealer offers free delivery , RK doesn't. I was quoted 1k more for the gc1725mb than the rk24. The RK 24 also comes with one set of rear remotes which I could use with a dump trailer. It seems the MF has no option for a rear remote. MF backhoe seems beefier and overall the MF looks better built. So right now I am leaning towards the MF. I also am worried about the RK turning pink, lol. That MF red sure does shine! Still not sure which one I will go with though. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[blacktruck]

I am looking at these exact same models after researching all the brands. RK is 50 miles from me and MF dealer is about 60 miles away. Talked to both places and they both have great personnel that was friendly and informative. MF dealer offers free delivery , RK doesn't. I was quoted 1k more for the gc1725mb than the rk24. The RK 24 also comes with one set of rear remotes which I could use with a dump trailer. It seems the MF has no option for a rear remote. MF backhoe seems beefier and overall the MF looks better built. So right now I am leaning towards the MF. I also am worried about the RK turning pink, lol. That MF red sure does shine! Still not sure which one I will go with though. Best of luck with your decision!

I too am really liking the MF more every time I look. The rear remote and the third valve for the FEL are keeping RK on my list. I strongly agree with you on the looks of the BH on the MF. My trips to the MF dealer each time have left me with the impression those are some well built little tractors. The options I mentioned above can be added but definitely not cheap. The rear remote is something that I defintely want with the thrid valve for the FEL only slightly behind that. As far as I can see a price difference of only 1-2K$ is not worth trying to save if I am giving up things I really want. This will probably be my last new tractor purchase so getting it right is key to me. I am still cautious on the whole RK committment thing as yet. They would not be the first to jump into a business only to jump out a few years later. I have that now with my Cub Cadet/Yanmar. Great tractor but neither dealer wants to sell parts or heaven forbid, do any sort of work on it. As much as I think buying American is the only way to go, it is sad there are none built here that I know of. I think both brands are assembled here but built elsewhere.

 

[Raines]

I too am really liking the MF more every time I look. The rear remote and the third valve for the FEL are keeping RK on my list. I strongly agree with you on the looks of the BH on the MF. My trips to the MF dealer each time have left me with the impression those are some well built little tractors. The options I mentioned above can be added but definitely not cheap. The rear remote is something that I defintely want with the thrid valve for the FEL only slightly behind that. As far as I can see a price difference of only 1-2K$ is not worth trying to save if I am giving up things I really want. This will probably be my last new tractor purchase so getting it right is key to me. I am still cautious on the whole RK committment thing as yet. They would not be the first to jump into a business only to jump out a few years later. I have that now with my Cub Cadet/Yanmar. Great tractor but neither dealer wants to sell parts or heaven forbid, do any sort of work on it. As much as I think buying American is the only way to go, it is sad there are none built here that I know of. I think both brands are assembled here but built elsewhere.

You can get a third function on the FEL on the MF. I was quoted $750 for it with free insrallation. Just no rear remote option. And yes I worry a little about RK staying with it. This will be my first tractor and I am looking to get one this size to last me and I would like to still be able to get parts easily down the road. It is sad American made is almost non-existent. American assembled is all we get, lol.

 

[Raines]

Wait, I might have misunderstood you. Did you mean you can have a rear remote added to the MF?

 

[blacktruck]

Yes, it seems like a year or so ago I found an aftermarket company that sells a kit to add a rear remote. I would tell you the name but I would have to look for it myself. My quest for a new tractor has taken me about a year so far so I have done some looking and forgetting in that time. The rear remote was not a factory option. I am surprised that as far as I know, RK is the only one to offer it on a subcompact tractor.

 

[Raines]

Yes, it seems like a year or so ago I found an aftermarket company that sells a kit to add a rear remote. I would tell you the name but I would have to look for it myself. My quest for a new tractor has taken me about a year so far so I have done some looking and forgetting in that time. The rear remote was not a factory option. I am surprised that as far as I know, RK is the only one to offer it on a subcompact tractor.

Well that is great to hear! If you remember what aftermarket company makes the rear remote kits for MF please let me know. I just went and drove both the RK and the MF again and gave them a good look over. The MF definitely is winning me over. Spot welding on the RK backhoe versus full solid welds on the MF backhoe. Plus the MF has recessed grease points everywhere. The BH subframe on the MF is definitely stronger it seems and you do have to take the 3 point arms off on the RK for the BH. I liked the flat floorboard area on the MF versus the hump on the RK. If I can add rear remotes on the MF then that seals the deal for me. There is one more scut I want to look at but the dealer has not had one in yet but is supposed to get one in next week and that is the LS MT225s. But right now I think I have eliminated the RK from my short list. I looked at the LS MT125 but did not like it compared to the MF. I haven't seen Bobcats new CT1025 yet either but from what I have seen online , nothing really stands out to me. I looked at John Deere 1025r, didn't like it, looked at Kubota bx series, didn't like them either. So right now MF is on top. I will wait and look at the new LS model before I make my decision though if they actually get one in next week.

 

[blacktruck]

Well that is great to hear! If you remember what aftermarket company makes the rear remote kits for MF please let me know. I just went and drove both the RK and the MF again and gave them a good look over. The MF definitely is winning me over. Spot welding on the RK backhoe versus full solid welds on the MF backhoe. Plus the MF has recessed grease points everywhere. The BH subframe on the MF is definitely stronger it seems and you do have to take the 3 point arms off on the RK for the BH. I liked the flat floorboard area on the MF versus the hump on the RK. If I can add rear remotes on the MF then that seals the deal for me. There is one more scut I want to look at but the dealer has not had one in yet but is supposed to get one in next week and that is the LS MT225s. But right now I think I have eliminated the RK from my short list. I looked at the LS MT125 but did not like it compared to the MF. I haven't seen Bobcats new CT1025 yet either but from what I have seen online , nothing really stands out to me. I looked at John Deere 1025r, didn't like it, looked at Kubota bx series, didn't like them either. So right now MF is on top. I will wait and look at the new LS model before I make my decision though if they actually get one in next week.

Now that you mention it, the recessed grease zerks on the MF were a little thing I did like. In my past probably like many others, I have had to replace broken zerks due them being rubbed off because of where they were located. Recessed zerks are our friend. I still have not seen an RK in person so I can't say anything about the welds but as a life long maintenance and operator kind of guy, I like good welds and plenty of them. I will see if I can find the ad for extra remotes and let you know. I did briefly look at the LS models. Not sure what is was but the ads I did see (once again no first hand knowledge of the brand) did not give me that warm and fuzzy feeling about buying one. I did like the color but something unknown did not make me want to run out and buy one. I might feel differently if I saw one but that hasn't happened as yet. I did an online search a few months ago for the Bobcat tractor. Same thing, I did not see anything that called me to buy one. I do like the JD 1025R but do not think it is any better than the MF. Kubota tractors are good but the reports and videos I have seen do not put them in front for anything that I saw. Yes I am leaning heavily towards a new MF. I will probably not be buying another new tractor after this one so I am getting what I want and fits my needs. I could get a series 2 tractor but for the things I plan to do, a subcompact tractor is the way to go for me.

 

[jeff9366]

Brian of Fite Rite Hydraulics, a regular T-B-N contributor, can fabricate any and every kind of hydraulic option for compact tractors.

Brian's quality is tops.

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