GC 1700's : Ground Clearance

[Clipse3GT]

Looking to strongly purchase a MF GC 1720 TLB but I compared the ground clearance to a Kubota BX25D and Kubota 2601 and it is significantly less, only 6.7" vs 9" vs 12.8" I know I am comparing a SCUT vs SCUT vs CUT. However, I am wondering if anyone that purchased a GC 1700 wanted more ground clearance?

Primary use will be mowing and snow clearing but will be used to relevel my yard and move probably 40-80+ tons of dirt working on a 5 acre property. Need a lot of low spots filled and yard regraded since it is too steep currently. So I know that the GC will have a lower center of gravity since its closer to the ground vs. the other two.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I wish I had more ground clearance...with the mower mower on. I have to go over some granite cobble curbs to get to all areas of my yard, and keep banging the deck on them, even when raised all the way. I haven't has any issues with ground clearance without the mower.

Going up a size may not solve that problem for me though. See this thread. The poster, MXBX bought a Kubota B2601 and was nice enough to measure the height of the deck when fully raised...about the same as my GC2400, even though the tract itself has much higher ground clearance...

 

[Clipse3GT]

Yeah, I been researching the same threads regarding the B vs BX vs GC. Thanks for posting regarding the mower deck height.

I doubt I will be driving the mower anywhere on my property that will require a lot of ground clearance with the mower deck on. I am bit concerned with going too small on the tractor and then regretting it. That's why the GC is a top tier competitor. About same size as the BX, a bit heavier, stronger and more powerful backhoe and FEL, engine with more displacement = more torque, and fits in the space in my oversized 3 car garage. Same reason I am considering a B2601 all same reasons bit bigger and stronger than GC but takes up all the spare room in the garage.

I am strongly thinking going with the GC and then rent any other machines I need to complete certain specific tasks since the GC will be primarily used to move gravel, mulch, dirt, snow, and mow. Unless Barlow's gets back to me regarding the 2601 and we make a deal since I am going to be nearly same amount in for both tractors when you add the implements to GC. **** that backhoe for the 2601 is pricey otherwise price is not too bad.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I've been contemplating an upgrade, and a B2601 is one of the options. I wouldn't say I regret my purchase, but there are some features that I wish I had. I l'd love a larger bucket, its not as good for digging, but it moves lots of material, like mulch, firewood, and brush. The 60" almost looks out of place on a B2601 its so big, more suited for the B2650, but I don't dig a lot, so that probably wont be an issue for me, but the extra capacity would be great! I am worried a little about the extra weight, as I use my tractor for weekly mowing on my residential lawn, which prevents me from considering stepping up to the next sized Massey. The GC gives an excellent cut.....not sure how the kubota stacks up there, but its probably good.

There is a pretty significant cost difference though...comparing the best I can apples-to-apples, a GC1715 is ~$3K less than the B2601, the loader is about the same price, but on the B2601 you then have to add the bucket, which is nearly $1K for the bucket and ssqa. Massey includes the bucket, but there is no factory quick attach option. So its not quite a fair comparison, but close. So the B2601 seems to be roughly $4K more expensive....plus Massey has better finance options.

 

[Clipse3GT]

Pretty much the same boat right here. Would the extra power and strength come in handy, sure it would. But it also would be worse when mowing and moving things across the lawn. So it's a offset always. Mentality is bigger and stronger better, but in the same respect too big and its more of hassle to maneuver and get to places I need it to go. The GC1720 has hydraulics as a TLB that are more capable then its weight. But the 2601 is something like ~200 lbs heavier. I am sure with a FEL and BH it would be heavier by a decent margin but not ground breaking. So it's always a balancing act. Question becomes can I save $3-4k and rent out anything the GC can't handle and still have it do 90% of the tasks I need it to do. Huge stumps a GC / 2601 will still not be able to move so grinder or excavator will be needed it. Otherwise, it can still the majority of things. Kind of like jack of all trades and master of none.

 

[AxleHub]

Pretty much the same boat right here. Would the extra power and strength come in handy, sure it would. But it also would be worse when mowing and moving things across the lawn. So it's a offset always. Mentality is bigger and stronger better, but in the same respect too big and its more of hassle to maneuver and get to places I need it to go. The GC1720 has hydraulics as a TLB that are more capable then its weight. But the 2601 is something like ~200 lbs heavier. I am sure with a FEL and BH it would be heavier by a decent margin but not ground breaking. So it's always a balancing act. Question becomes can I save $3-4k and rent out anything the GC can't handle and still have it do 90% of the tasks I need it to do. Huge stumps a GC / 2601 will still not be able to move so grinder or excavator will be needed it. Otherwise, it can still the majority of things. Kind of like jack of all trades and master of none.

Just a couple thoughts. A b2601 seems to be a fine machine . . But as I recall, its wheelbase front to back us a fair amount different. That might be an advantage on rough ground at times . . but greater length means different turning radius issues and other lawn cutting difficulties.
And thats not to mention trailer length needs or garage spacing requirements to consider.

I own a couple of rough acres adjacent to our property. And every 2 years I hire someone to come out and brush clear with a firelane cutter. It costs me a couple hundred dollars instead of me buying a brush hog, storing and maintaining it, and using my gc1715.

In the past I had hauled some fill to that lot and had some good dirt moved to our improved lot . . niw with the gc I can move more good dirt . . but I would still pay someone to rough level the lot first.

Paying people with equipment or just renting equipment either way for me . . . is smart because they can rough level with a a big bulldozer in a couple hours for 500.00 and then I can do the cleanup and smoother leveling and cleaning up the stumps that the bulldozer pushes out of the ground.

For $3,000 that would be a ton of work by a hired person with their equipment . . a ton.

Meanwhile the GC1715 is no baby machine . . but I never planned it could do 100% of my needs or I would have lost sight on how well it could do the most important 80% of my needs.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

The B2601 has a wheel base 4 " longer, and is ~2" wider than the Massey GC....doesn't seem like a lot, but I haven't driven a B2601 around my yard to see the real world effect of that size difference in maneuverability.

I have a hard time justifying a backhoe at all, which is why I don't currently have one.

Tough decisions....

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a GC2400 that is almost the same tractor as the GC1700. I have done a huge amount of earth moving with that little tractor. Dug out about 10 ton or more for my shop, and it was digging and hauling away. Dug a drainage beside my mother in laws house that was 14' wide and 18' to 20' wide on the other. Started out about 1' deep and went to over 2' deep. Moved all the dirt about 100 yards. Not once have I had to worry or even think about not having enough clearance under the tractor.
That said I would like to have more clearance with it when I work in the garden, so I could pull a cultivator, weeding corn and potatoes ect.

 

[gladehound]

You know you're property better than any of us so for routine use, you can best answer your own clearance needs. The only time I've needed more clearance was in deep mud and skidding logs though heavy deep snow. Once you start pushing mud or wet snow with the front axle your ability to move goes decrease rapidly. But if you don't think you'll have either of these conditions and you think the GC can get through whatever rough terrain you have, I don't think the low ground clearance is much of an issue. The advantage is lower center of gravity which translates to stability.

 

[Clipse3GT]

Again most of the time machine will see mostly flat ground. Plus I am getting the tires filled so that will help out for sure. There will be some work with the loader moving dirt and leveling a lawn. But I think it is nothing out of the ordinary for this little machine. As much I am worried of under buying I am also worried of overbuying something I don't need but only for a few tasks. I think overall the GC1720 will be the best fit for me and my property currently. But if I will need something bigger or with more power I can always rent it for a day or two or even hire out the labor.