Loader GC1705 loader performance

[henryccca]

I am really close to purchasing a MF GC1705 tractor with the DL100 loader but the only thing that is holding me up is not knowing how the DL100 loader with this tractor performs. I have 5 acres with about 2 of those being woods. We have some reservations about if the loader will actually will be able to lift loads of gravel, horse manure, dirt, sand, and also wondering if the tractor itself is strong enough to drag small trees that have fallen in the woods. Can the tractor push snow pretty good in the winter with a snow blade? I know a lot of questions but it would be better coming from a forum of users and not salesmen telling you anything you wanna hear. Its really appreciated.

 

[bakerg]

That's the same loader that is on my GC2400, I think it is rated for 700lbs. I have now problem lifting heavy things with mine as long as I have ballast at the back end. I use my home made boxblade that weighs about 300lbs. I use the FEL and boxblade to move snow and I only have turf tires but have now problem when it is in 4wd. The 4wd work wonderfully for pull stuff, used it to pull shrubs out.

 

[henryccca]

That's the same loader that is on my GC2400, I think it is rated for 700lbs. I have now problem lifting heavy things with mine as long as I have ballast at the back end. I use my home made boxblade that weighs about 300lbs. I use the FEL and boxblade to move snow and I only have turf tires but have now problem when it is in 4wd. The 4wd work wonderfully for pull stuff, used it to pull shrubs out.

Thanks bakerg, My wife was/is still sort of hesitant (rightfully so) about paying for a machine that may not produce the work we need it to. The 2400 is basically the older 1705, right?

 

[bakerg]

Right, the GC1700s came out last year to replace the GC2400s which has in turn replaced the GC2300s. If you search these models, you will find a lot of good info on them to help with your decision. Remember it is a small but mighty tractor.

 

[Ultara]

Right, the GC1700s came out last year to replace the GC2400s which has in turn replaced the GC2300s. If you search these models, you will find a lot of good info on them to help with your decision. Remember it is a small but mighty tractor.

I've had my GC2410 for two years now. I have removed somewhere in excess of 16 stumps. Granted, some I had to cradle with the backhoe to move because it was too heavy to lift with the loader, but most I moved with help of a chain and the FEL.

 

[polarred21]

I've had my GC2410 for two years now. I have removed somewhere in excess of 16 stumps. Granted, some I had to cradle with the backhoe to move because it was too heavy to lift with the loader, but most I moved with help of a chain and the FEL.

Man that is some pretty green grass to be tearing up with that BH! Nice report and thanks for the feedback.....need all the Massey GC traffic we can get here..this forum is all BX!

 

[lobsterman1]

It will have no problem with a full bucket of gravel . The only thing about these tractors is they have limited ground clearance for woods work ,but lower center of gravity is sometimes better for other applications . For pushing snow and dragging small trees a set of rear chains make a huge difference .
They are surprisingly very strong for their size .

 

[irvingj]

I'll add some… these things, on both the FEL and the BH, are strong enough that the one thing that limits them is the tractor's (lack of) weight. It's very easy to lift one of these up or drag them around if you're yanking on something and are not level and/or using the BH stabilizers. Yes, they're small, but their strength in the hydraulics is pretty impressive.

On the other hand, their small size is very handy in tight spaces. And yes, the 4WD is very effective. Only problem I've had is, with my turf tires, if I'm in soft mushy stuff --either mud or snow-- they'll load up quickly and spin. If you're going to be doing a lot of that kind of work, a more open-tread tire would be better, or perhaps chains. irvingj

 

[Gator6x4]

If you are having thoughts about size, upgrade now, do not buy then decide you should have purchased the next size up from the 1705. The 1705 is a very capable little unit. You get about all a homeowner needs in the package, loader, backhoe and mower. Add a set of pallet forks and your back will thank you every time you have heavy lifting to do. If you intend to try and use it for logging the woods, may I suggest something else bigger might be a better fit for you. If you are going to use it for yard tasks around the residence it would be a good unit.

 

[Pixguy]

If you are having thoughts about size, upgrade now, do not buy then decide you should have purchased the next size up from the 1705. The 1705 is a very capable little unit. You get about all a homeowner needs in the package, loader, backhoe and mower. Add a set of pallet forks and your back will thank you every time you have heavy lifting to do. If you intend to try and use it for logging the woods, may I suggest something else bigger might be a better fit for you. If you are going to use it for yard tasks around the residence it would be a good unit.

I agree with Gator. I am the homeowner who finds it great 98% of the time to do my chores and maintenance of my long gravel road. The 2% is when I want to move huge rocks or to reach further with my BH.
Nice machine.

 

[polarred21]

The 1705 is a very capable little unit. You get about all a homeowner needs in the package, loader, backhoe and mower.

This is good advice....just to clarify the 1705 is FEL unit w/o BH

 

[henryccca]

Anybody use their FEL to remove any sod and then the dirt below the grass?

 

[Chooglin]

http://youtu.be/j4zi6StUteY
A toothbar on the loader would work much better but it can be done with the flat edge that come's on the loader !!

 

[frankd1]

Anybody use their FEL to remove any sod and then the dirt below the grass?

Yes, my wife has removed a fair bit of sod and the dirt below it before she learned that bucket position means a lot when scooping! GC2610 very handy and strong for the size.

 

[South NH]

I removed sod and dirt down about 6" with mine to build a deck. Worked great. I have since purchased a used box blade and definitely would use that instead for doing that type of work. Be smart and watch CL for used attachments and watch for sales for other attachments that may be hard to find. I just picked up a boom pole and used it today to move a section of tree I had just cut down. The 3 pt hitch is plenty strong and also handles my snowblower, 5 ft rear blade, and other attachments. The loader has plenty of strength, but be careful not to overload, otherwise have some type of weight or attachment on the back to counter load. As a last thought, it's great to have something to put the dirt into, as it will save you time. I has 3 piles around the yard.

 

[red tractor driver jay]

Just picked up a new 2015 gc1705 with loader and belly mower. The new belly mowers are drive over. As far as what the FEL will lift. I can tell u that you don't want to put 700 lbs. In there on this size tractor. It is quite impressive but the weight of the tractor is just too low to be holding the max on the loader. I haven't had anything I wanted to do that it couldn't in the first 13 hours. This thing is really good on gas, 13 hours and it is still not empty. I had a 2013 mf 1526 that I traded for the 1705 and it was the right decision. The gc is awesome, very solid, and refined all in a smaller very capable package. The only thing holding this tractor back is traction in sand.

 

[cdaigle430]

I am really close to purchasing a MF GC1705 tractor with the DL100 loader but the only thing that is holding me up is not knowing how the DL100 loader with this tractor performs. I have 5 acres with about 2 of those being woods. We have some reservations about if the loader will actually will be able to lift loads of gravel, horse manure, dirt, sand, and also wondering if the tractor itself is strong enough to drag small trees that have fallen in the woods. Can the tractor push snow pretty good in the winter with a snow blade? I know a lot of questions but it would be better coming from a forum of users and not salesmen telling you anything you wanna hear. Its really appreciated.[/QUOTE

I can tell you from experience that the DL100 loader is more than capable of anything you mentioned. Since I bought mine I have used it for snow removal and plowing, heavy load movements like 12' by 4' galvanized steel walls, 40 yards of organic loam, 6-18 yard truck load of 2" gravel, 14-16 yard truck loads of sand, 2-18 yard truck loads of silt. 6 yards of crushed slate. I have used it to level a half an acre of gravel over what was once an 8' foot hole in the ground, sand, silt and loam. I've moved 10 yard piles of dirt in several locations. I've used it to push down trees up to 4" in diameter, move yards of snow piles and install 6 yards of mulch. I have also used it to bulldoze\lift tree trunks from trees 14" in diameter My pins are still in good shape, my tractor in great condition and my front edge on the loader is just starting to show a little wear on the outer edges. My only complaints are the grease zercs on the top linkage of the bucket are subject to breakage when moving gravel-the rocks can fall in between-however the 1705s new grease zerk design will eliminate that. The other is when trying to lift clayish dirt you will need some teeth and ;lastly I need some kind of a bucket extender so I can grab more snow at one time. She may take more trips than a full size machine but she will get the job done on 12 hours a tank of diesel. I am now at 180 hours.