Another "what tractor to buy" question....sorry, I'm new a this!

[metalbender]

Didn't overthink when I bought my Massey 1742. Sat in it, felt right, bought it. Didn't even start it. Had an old Ford 3000 here, no comparison. Was all over a unit at the JD dealer for fifteen minutes, no salesman came to talk. Kubota dealer wanted to keep their tractor, lot queen of a couple years, new model year price, no discounts, no deal. Wasn't interested in Mahindra, good thing, dealer is gone anyway.

 

[smartascii]

The only reason I ultimately chose a gear drive tractor was the whine coming from the HST. Maybe I looked at the wrong brands, or maybe my ears are too sensitive, but if I had to listen to it make that noise all the time, it would drive me crazy. The arguments others have made in favor of the hydrostatic transmission are completely valid, but I would suggest testing it first to make sure your ears are tougher than mine.

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

I ended up with a MF 2706E in hydro. The MF dealer is only 5 miles from my farm, and its family run with great people. I wanted the biggest hydro that was available and they happened to have this one on the lot.

After driving hydro lawn tractors and my skidsteers I decided HST was the way to go for me. I do a considerable amount of loader work (this tractor replaced my skidsteer and a smaller tractor) and the HST cannot be beat for loader work. I also mow quite a bit and again HST has benefits there as well. Just remember, the HST pedals are not the same as the throttle in your car. If you start to bog down, let up on the pedal, don't give it more. It takes some people more time to figure this out than others. And make use of the different HST ranges for their intended purposes.

The extendable lower links make a huge difference when hooking up implements (MF comes with them). I got rid of the quick hitch because my new tractor came with extendable lower links.

If you're looking at the 1735M get a price on the 1740M as well. Same tractor, just a little extra power. Also, get at least 1 rear remote.

Another note: MF does not have a DPF and does not need DEF. This was an important factor for me when picking between a 1758 and the 2706E.

 

[fried1765]

I ended up with a MF 2706E in hydro. The MF dealer is only 5 miles from my farm, and its family run with great people. I wanted the biggest hydro that was available and they happened to have this one on the lot.

After driving hydro lawn tractors and my skidsteers I decided HST was the way to go for me. I do a considerable amount of loader work (this tractor replaced my skidsteer and a smaller tractor) and the HST cannot be beat for loader work. I also mow quite a bit and again HST has benefits there as well. Just remember, the HST pedals are not the same as the throttle in your car. If you start to bog down, let up on the pedal, don't give it more. It takes some people more time to figure this out than others. And make use of the different HST ranges for their intended purposes.

The extendable lower links make a huge difference when hooking up implements (MF comes with them). I got rid of the quick hitch because my new tractor came with extendable lower links.

If you're looking at the 1735M get a price on the 1740M as well. Same tractor, just a little extra power. Also, get at least 1 rear remote.

Another note: MF does not have a DPF and does not need DEF. This was an important factor for me when picking between a 1758 and the 2706E.

"MF does not have a DPF and does not need DEF"
How do they meet the EPA requirements?

 

[riptides]

Listen to the hydro crowd. LOL.

Especially so, if and when the wife gets involved with her tractor. LOL.

You also need to go sit on them, test drive if possible. Get familiar with the operator station. Take the wife along too.

 

[rScotty]

Listen to the hydro crowd. LOL.

Especially so, if and when the wife gets involved with her tractor. LOL.

You also need to go sit on them, test drive if possible. Get familiar with the operator station. Take the wife along too.

Yeah, that's funny. I wonder what most wives would make of someone saying that they are the reason to go with HST. Wow....such a statement.
My 125 lb. wife would be a seriously dangerous critter to be around if I suggested that she couldn't work a clutch as well as any guy.
In fact, she specified standard shift when she bought her own new F250 PU. Plus diesel & 4wd of course.

Yes, she did go along to buy the tractor....& even test drove several. But that was clearly my idea; not hers & not her interest.
She was a low to medium good sport about tagging along looking at tractors, but she clearly felt that choosing which tractor to buy was my job.
However, she loves that tractor now - and she particularly likes the backhoe with thumb. Says that the backhoe with the thumb is just about the best thing we ever bought. And a necessity with our aging backs..
Not that she drives it, but I've heard her talk to her friends about what a good thing it is to have.

Bottom line is she likes for me to run it. I've rarely been able to get her in the seat to to work it - just enough to know how.
I guess tractoring is my job.

But her feeling for the tractor doesn't have anything to do with gear shift vs HST. Or the controls or anything like that.
She doesn't seem to care what kind of a transmission they have. It takes her all of about 1 minute to get comfortable with either, and she doesn't intend to be on it all that much anyway.
rScotty

 

[TheFarmerInAdell]

"MF does not have a DPF and does not need DEF"
How do they meet the EPA requirements?

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC).

 

[Beeenvenue]

Looks like the MF is a nice machine. I strongly support HST.

One consideration - MF is quite a bit heavier than my kioti 3510 (base weight 600# more or so). Good thing for traction but consider what that MIGHT mean for trailering. My 3510 with loader and 5’ shredder is at max weight for my 7000# trailer (remember the trailer weight counts!) and the combo is at max weight for my f150. If not a consideration then more weight is better.

 

[mkdevore]

I shopped all of those brands except the Case. Driving them and using the various levers made the 1735M the clear choice for me. I now have 130 hours and has moved a lot os snow, dirt, rocks, pavers, etc. I have only mowed a little but the soft start pto and cruise control make mowing easy.

 

[SenileTexasAggie]

So, threeacres, what did you end up buying?