GeneV
Elite Member
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.
My choices in red
- Thread starter blacktruck
- Start date
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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.
Raines
Bronze Member
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!
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
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
Bronze Member
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
Bronze Member
Wait, I might have misunderstood you. Did you mean you can have a rear remote added to the MF?
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
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
Bronze Member
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.
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
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
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Messages
- 12,787
- Tractor
- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
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.
fit rite hydraulics - Google Search
Brian's quality is tops.
fit rite hydraulics - Google Search
Raines
Bronze Member
Thank you for the info. Great to know there is a way to add a set of remotes.
Raines
Bronze Member
Yes, after much consideration I too believe a scut is more appropriate for what I need. Mowing, landscaping, ditch cleaning and maintaining a creek line. I have a lot of other projects I would like to do at some point as well. I forgot all about the Branson brand, so I will have to go look at them too. But I am having a hard time finding any specs on the BH100 backhoe that goes on their 2505. I actually have a Branson dealer only 10 miles from me but he is a very small dealer and only has a few tractors out there. He has one 2400 there but none of the 05 models. There is one farther away from me that I can go look at though. Another Red tractor on the list, lol.
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
Yes indeed, precisely the kind of place we should all be buying from. Thanks for sharing the link. My searches in the past had not turned up his website.
Raines
Bronze Member
Have you made a pick black truck? Just wondering how the search was going for you.
LS Tractor Owner
Super Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2017
- Messages
- 7,665
- Location
- Edgewood, NM
- Tractor
- LS XG3025 TLB, Previously MT125 TLB, Craftsman GTS6500
Yes, you can't leave us all hanging.....
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
Sad to say but not yet. I am still working away and only get home infrequently so my quest is still on. I really like the options and price of the RK but the whole idea of another orphan tractor is still on my mind. I bought a new Cub Cadet/Yanmar two years before they parted ways and now cannot get parts from either place. I have read a few posts about some quality issues on the RK with cylinders and other problems lately which I am trying to find out out more on. The MF from all reports I have seen is still in front for quality and the whole longevity of the company thing. This will probably be the last new tractor I buy so I am not rushing it. I could get a bigger tractor but I really enjoy the versatility of the subcompacts for everyday use. I plan to get by an RK dealer when I am home next month to see one in person to either confirm or put away my quality issues about the brand.
Raines
Bronze Member
Well nothing wrong with taking your time and deciding what is best for you. I like the options on the RK24 too. RK seems to be in it for the long haul but nobody knows the future. I am waiting to see a LS MT225s that is supposed to be getting shipped to local dealer. He calls me yesterday and says he doesn't know why they haven't got there yet and that they must be riding them in, lol. You might want to check them out too if you have an LS dealer near you. Not to be confused with the MT 225e, it is the full size compact model.
A few things I have found out while looking at and researching the rk24 and the gc1725mb is that you can buy the Massey for the same price as the RK. You could even get the gc1723eb about $1k to $1.5k less than the RK. I have only found those prices out of state at 2 big powersport dealers. But even my local dealer's prices put the gc1725mb only $1k more than the RK and the gc1723eb $500 less. Those are all cash or "low rate" financing prices. For some reason Massey seems to have a slightly better 0% financing deal than other ones I have looked at. I compared the 0% price with their low rate price and it looks I would save about $25/month with the 0%. That was compared to a 5% rate with the cash price.
The RK does have auto throttle and rear remote but does not have backhoe float option like the GC.
RK has bigger tires and I was told has optional r14 tires now.
MMM on the RK might have quality issues. RK salesman suggested I go with the rear mower as he has had 3 people return this year with issues on mmm deck. He said one guy has gone through 3 decks this year on his tractor alone.
You have to remove 3 point to install backhoe on the RK. You do not have to on the GC
I forgot to try it, but you might want to check if you have dual functions with the loader on the RK such as lift and curl at same time or if it has a float function. The Massey does and has the float function as I tried it.
Me personally, the GC has much better fit and finish but the RK feels better I think because of the bigger tires.
Overall both would make a great tractor I am sure, it just comes down to which one fits you best.
I might end up waiting till closer to spring before I buy as winter will be fast approaching and I also am in no hurry. Best of luck!!!
coldsteelva
Veteran Member
Let me add another +1 for the Massey GC series. I have a GC1720 TLB (500 hours) and it has been nothing short of amazing in what it will handle (in the way of use/abuse) from me. I got it in 2016 and I have modified it as follows: knocked off the left side light against a tree so removed them both; I don't road my tractor. Replaced the headlights with LED. Installed a 36 inch lightbar on the top underside of ROPS (secured via magnets - no drilling). I have Bro-tek spacers and a 60-inch 2326 drive over MMM. I did develop a small weep in one of my quick connectors, but that was remedied. I chafed the neutral safety switch wiring (also remedied after some consternation). I also have a pair of Ken's Bolt-On Grab hooks. I most recently broke one of my stabilizer adjusters by backing into a ditch (oops). This tractor has never needed any warranty work and I perform the maintenance by the book.
OP
blacktruck
Gold Member
I did early on look at an LS model. I managed to see some of those at a dealer about a year ago (sort of before I got in the mood to buy) and at that time I was not impressed in the quality. No real glaring issues but just an overall impression that it was not the best. There is now an LS dealer within about 50 miles from home now so I might go back again to take another look but I am partial to red paint. I like the taller tires on the RK to be sure. The RK is well set up with options that people who actually use their tractors want. I haven't sat on an RK but I will find one soon. I have seen and sat on the MF 1725 and will admit to liking it very much. From a qualtiy standpoint, it was impeccable. I liked some of the small features they have. Yes I am not in hurry to buy as yet but will be soon. Given the choice of all of the brands of subcompact tractors on the market, I don't think a person could really say there are any bad choices out there. If I was making a choice today, I am pretty sure it would be a Massey just for some of those things I mentioned.
Yes precsiely the type of response that is common to the subcompact Masseys. They seem to be fairly bullet proof. Yes I agree, the lights on the outside of the ROPS are asking to be removed by local forces but I am also pretty sure the safety folks would frown on anything inside the ROPS other than the operator but it does seem like a good place to put the light bar you are talking about. Grab hooks are a must.
