(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.
