Buying Advice (crosspost) 1600 vss

[Yankee]

Although I have my wife's support for buying a cab tractor to replace my 7610, I'm in the still thinking about it stage because of the money involved. The current incentives make things very tempting, though!

I've looked on and off at the L's - 3240 through 3940 (no bigger). I like them, and have had good luck with my B. At the time of my original purchase I also looked at NH and MF. I dismissed MF, though, because the local dealer where I lived at that time was a disaster.

Since then, MF has come out with their 1600 series, which seem well-spec'd, and the dealers here (NH) seem better. I don't know anyone with a Massey, though, so thought I'd ask about opinions, specifically Kubota L vs. MF 1600 series, as well as any impressions of MF generally. I have local dealers for both brands and the Kubota dealer is superb (Chappell), which is a significant consideration.

I have some fairly substantial landscaping to do, including regrading the front yard, putting in several retaining walls, drainage, and new garden areas. I maintain a 250' asphalt drive and large parking area, and maintain a 1200' gravel drive. I also need to clean out, then maintain several wooded acres. No particular cab issues with the latter, by the way, apart from the undergrowth and saplings, the trees are typically 75-150 years old, the canopy is high with very few low branches. I use my tractor for snow removal as well. I don't mow with it, as I have a ZT mower for that.

Why larger? Because I already max out my 7610 at times, particularly moving rock and logs. I also want some features I don't have, including remotes, top and tilt, skid-steer type quick attach, etc., and don't want to invest more in the 7610. I also want a substantial enough tractor to take a BH without tossing the tractor around. (I understand the issues of BH use with a cab.)

Why a cab? Like most, I'm tired of freezing in the winter and getting eaten alive by the bugs in the spring and early summer.

I'm also still considering a 3030, though I find it a bit narrow and cramped. I'm most interested in what you know about Massey, though, and how that 1600 series compares to the Grand L's.

 

[northwoodpower]

Try the Massey before you buy. You will find the hydraulics on the MF are much better. Do you want a hydro or power shuttle? let me know, and I will drop one off at your home, you try it out and then decide.

 

[Yankee]

Thank you, Rick. Which Northwood location are you? I've been planning on getting out to the Northwood shop.

I've heard several times now that the hydraulics on MF are better. My question is how? The specs on a comparable Kubota are different to be sure - but in the same ballpark. Or do you mean better in a qualitative sense?

 

[northwoodpower]

I am at the Claremont, NH store.

The MF's hydraulics run at 3,000 psi, others run at 2000 - 2200psi or less.

That is why the MF's hydtaulics are better, and after running one, every one will notice the difference.

 

[Yankee]

(crossposted from Kubota forum)

I drove the Masseys today. I have to say in most respects I liked them a lot more than expected, which took me by surprise, actually, as I've been a Kubota fan for a while. Fit and finish of the MFs is superb, the cabs are spacious, the controls fit and felt better to me, and forward visibility was noticibly better than the Grand L's. The ride was smoother with less porpoising on the MFs. It was the forward/back porpoising as well as some side-to-side roll in the Kubota L's that gave the impression of top-heaviness. I didn't notice it in the MFs. The only thing that seemed slightly cheap on the MF cab were the quarter window latches. I preferred the MFs plastic seat after seeing a couple of used tractors with fabric seats. I bottomed out the Kubota seats on a couple of ruts - didn't happen in the MFs. The position control setting on the MFs didn't budge, where I could hardly get the L's setting NOT to move, no matter how gently I moved the lift control.

Loader performance seemed about the same between both lines, with a slight edge to Kubota. Cab access is slightly better on the Kubotas, I think, as are the larger sizes of the openable windows. The L's heater is better and quieter.

I didn't like the MF HST very much. It was very whiny. The side by side pedals don't do anything for me and, if anything, I think they could be dangerous. The Kubota Grand L's are CLEARLY the better choice in an HST.

On the other hand, I liked the MF power shuttle a lot. Very smooth forward and reverse and for loader work, where you'd be using the foot throttle, it's as easy as a hydro - think a flick of your hand instead of moving your foot. The clutch is also very light (non-tiring), and you can feather the speed very precisely to sneak up close to something.

The MFs loader frames seem phenomenally heavily built. They also extend to the rear of the tractor. Hydraulic components seemed very rugged also. One thing I did NOT like on the MFs, however, is the reliance on hoses instead of hard lines, and in particular, the loops of hose (for the loader) hanging below the frame - just waiting to get snagged.

The dealer had them pretty well spec'd as-is on the lot, including stereo in the cab, filled tires or weight box (my choice), heavy-duty bucket (w/cutting edge), and a couple of rear remotes. The last struck me as odd, though, as the MF brochure lists a 3-spool setup as optional, not 2.

Price? Seemed high - 29,950 for a 1635 with loader & powershuttle.

 

[dieselfreak]

(crossposted from Kubota forum)

I drove the Masseys today. I have to say in most respects I liked them a lot more than expected, which took me by surprise, actually, as I've been a Kubota fan for a while. Fit and finish of the MFs is superb, the cabs are spacious, the controls fit and felt better to me, and forward visibility was noticibly better than the Grand L's. The ride was smoother with less porpoising on the MFs. It was the forward/back porpoising as well as some side-to-side roll in the Kubota L's that gave the impression of top-heaviness. I didn't notice it in the MFs. The only thing that seemed slightly cheap on the MF cab were the quarter window latches. I preferred the MFs plastic seat after seeing a couple of used tractors with fabric seats. I bottomed out the Kubota seats on a couple of ruts - didn't happen in the MFs. The position control setting on the MFs didn't budge, where I could hardly get the L's setting NOT to move, no matter how gently I moved the lift control.

Loader performance seemed about the same between both lines, with a slight edge to Kubota. Cab access is slightly better on the Kubotas, I think, as are the larger sizes of the openable windows. The L's heater is better and quieter.

I didn't like the MF HST very much. It was very whiny. The side by side pedals don't do anything for me and, if anything, I think they could be dangerous. The Kubota Grand L's are CLEARLY the better choice in an HST.

On the other hand, I liked the MF power shuttle a lot. Very smooth forward and reverse and for loader work, where you'd be using the foot throttle, it's as easy as a hydro - think a flick of your hand instead of moving your foot. The clutch is also very light (non-tiring), and you can feather the speed very precisely to sneak up close to something.

The MFs loader frames seem phenomenally heavily built. They also extend to the rear of the tractor. Hydraulic components seemed very rugged also. One thing I did NOT like on the MFs, however, is the reliance on hoses instead of hard lines, and in particular, the loops of hose (for the loader) hanging below the frame - just waiting to get snagged.

The dealer had them pretty well spec'd as-is on the lot, including stereo in the cab, filled tires or weight box (my choice), heavy-duty bucket (w/cutting edge), and a couple of rear remotes. The last struck me as odd, though, as the MF brochure lists a 3-spool setup as optional, not 2.

Price? Seemed high - 29,950 for a 1635 with loader & powershuttle.

Was that price for a Cab 1635??

df.

 

[Yankee]

Was that price for a Cab 1635??

df.

Yes, with cab.

 

[dieselfreak]

Yes, with cab.

That is a good price, considering it has a loader.

Did they install a block heater too? They do not leave the factory withone.

df.

 

[Yankee]

That is a good price, considering it has a loader.

Did they install a block heater too? They do not leave the factory withone.

df.

i don't know if it included a block heater. First look, so I didn't get 100% of the details. I was more interested in seeing if I was interested, if you know what I mean. Ballparking the price was good enough for now. I expected a hydro to come in at that price, not a gear. When/if it comes time, I'd have to nail down the details, including more remotes (including the front), top and tilt, front blade, new box (mine's only 48"), etc.

Since looking, I've been trying to find out how reliable the MF power shuttle is.

 

[CDsdad]

Since looking, I've been trying to find out how reliable the MF power shuttle is.

Very reliable. I know several folks down here that have them on 1400 and 1500 series tractors. Most hours I know of on one is about 1900 with no problems on it or any of the others.

I have a 1533 but it's Synchroshuttle which is just a regular gear tractor with dry clutch. Wish I had a Powershuttle.