You know, it's funny. I never even really thought about a backhoe until I looked at the BX23. It's had me thinking ever since - mostly along the lines of wracking my brain to come up with one on a B-series in a BX budget ... I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to pull that off!
I didn't like 3 things about the BX: ground clearance, no position control, and relatively high engine speed for rated power. The Massey removes two of them - it's rated at 2600 and has position control. Has about the same clearance and capacities, though. The ground clearance on both still bothers me. I'm not sure I'm not over-weighting it as a consideration, though.
As much as I liked the M-F compared to the BX, I liked the Kubota dealership locally quite a bit. Big, active, immaculate, and clearly geared toward after-sale service. The dealer went over the parts network with me, talked about Kubota corporate support, product positioning, pricing and marketing policies, etc. Very open and up-front. Pricing was good too.
The M-F dealership was OK too, but just as clearly geared toward the ag market. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and I got very courteous attention, but I wonder if they'll be in the sub-compact market for the long-haul or are prepared to deal with vagaries of home owners' concerns. For example, the salesman said when they got the first GC, they laughed and sent it back. They ordered one for a customer, though, and have sold 7 since July. The salesman had acquired some respect for the machine (same engine as the 1423, BTW), but still didn't quite know what to think. On a side note, entering into the tire religious wars, he mentioned in passing that he personally mows his lawn with a good-sided tractor with R1s, with no problems whatsoever.
I looked over the M-F compacts. They seem more aimed at the industrial market. Liked the Kubota Bs better in that category.
I appreciate everyone's comments. I'm trying to think this one through carefully.
Bill
I didn't like 3 things about the BX: ground clearance, no position control, and relatively high engine speed for rated power. The Massey removes two of them - it's rated at 2600 and has position control. Has about the same clearance and capacities, though. The ground clearance on both still bothers me. I'm not sure I'm not over-weighting it as a consideration, though.
As much as I liked the M-F compared to the BX, I liked the Kubota dealership locally quite a bit. Big, active, immaculate, and clearly geared toward after-sale service. The dealer went over the parts network with me, talked about Kubota corporate support, product positioning, pricing and marketing policies, etc. Very open and up-front. Pricing was good too.
The M-F dealership was OK too, but just as clearly geared toward the ag market. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and I got very courteous attention, but I wonder if they'll be in the sub-compact market for the long-haul or are prepared to deal with vagaries of home owners' concerns. For example, the salesman said when they got the first GC, they laughed and sent it back. They ordered one for a customer, though, and have sold 7 since July. The salesman had acquired some respect for the machine (same engine as the 1423, BTW), but still didn't quite know what to think. On a side note, entering into the tire religious wars, he mentioned in passing that he personally mows his lawn with a good-sided tractor with R1s, with no problems whatsoever.
I looked over the M-F compacts. They seem more aimed at the industrial market. Liked the Kubota Bs better in that category.
I appreciate everyone's comments. I'm trying to think this one through carefully.
Bill
