GC2310 review

[madhatter]

Thought I would add my 2 cents. I research things I buy to the point of being crazy! I can honestly say, I have never made a better decision. I looked at all models and when I weighed out all the options, details and specs of each the MF won out. This unit has so much power for the size it is amazing. The low RPM compared to the others with the same torque is nice. Makes the jobs more quiet and burns less fuel. I had a JD before, just a lawnmower ( 345 ) not the 2305, and was really wanting another JD because they DO make a good product. But in this case, the MF is simply a better machine when you compare the facts and specs. The look of it, the power, sevicability etc, is second to none. The only complaint and it is trivial, is the forward/reverse foot control, it works as it should, but prefer the JD system. Although I beleive JD has a patent on thiers which would explian why only they use it. It would also be nice if the hydraulic speed was a little faster ( for the loader and hoe ) but you have to remember that this is a compact not a full size AND out of all the subcompacts it seems to have the fastest hydraulics and most flow. I could go on bragging about this machine, but it really is a great unit, not saying the others are not good, just saying no one would go wrong getting of these units. If anyone wishes more info, feel free to PM me....

 

[dragula]

Well, I just got back from the MF dealer. Okay 61, where do I send the commission check?

I signed the papers on a new 2310 to be delivered first thing in the morning.

I'm glad now that I waited before purchasing the Kubota. Here was some of my deciding factors to go with the MF vs the Kubota after just an initial "test drive" on each:

The Kubota was nice but the MF just seems to be more of a "tractor". I don't know if that makes sense because when comparing their specs, they are very similar.

I liked the movement of the backhoe better especially at lower rpms.

The MF was considerably more comfortable to me. I have some back problems and the seating position is a pretty important factor to me.

I also liked the fact that the MF had twin cylinders on the FEL vs Kubota's single cylinder.

One thing that I did not like on the MF was the location of the hydraulic control hoses for the FEL. They stick up pretty high and don't seem to be very well protected. I could see these getting snagged in some heavy underbrush. The Kubotas FEL hoses were tucked inside the lift arms for the FEL which offered more protection.


Finally, probably one of my BIGGEST deciding factors was the dealer that I went to. It was just a "Mom and Pop" dealer but they had been in business at that location since 1958. I only counted four employees (two owners, parts guy and mechanic/serviceman). I like to support the small businessman (since I'm one myself ). The owner was VERY knowledgable about this particular tractor and didn't mind spending as much time with me as I wanted to help me decide. He had his mechanic come out and show me some of the operation of it and also answer any questions that I might have. They are about 40 miles from me but I think it'll be worthwhile to continue to do business with them.


This is a little off-topic but I'd like to tell one other thing that I noticed with this particular dealer that you don't see too often anymore; While he was working with me, I was his NUMBER ONE customer at the time. The phone rang several times while I was there and the people were obviously asking for the owner who I was working with; I noticed that whoever answered the phone always replied with "He's with a customer right now, can I take a message?". The same with people that came into the store asking for him. How many times have any of us been working with a salesman on a large purchase (such as a car) only to have the salesman be constantly distracted by others? Clearly, the attitude of the owners of this place is that the customer that the owner is with right now is the most important person and you'll be that person when your time comes. I LIKE that attitude!



The MF did end up costing me a little more than the Kubota but I think it'll be worth it in the end. I had been quoted about $14,800 "Out the door" on the Kubota and this MF costs me $15,200 "Out the door". $400 isn't much difference in the long run, I guess.


Anyway, I'm off my soapbox now and thanks again to everyone for your help! I'll post a review of my tractor after I put about 20 hours on it this weekend.

 

[61flattop]

Drag..... thats awesome man! Actually to be quite honest what makes me sick is in the world of todays most widely used marketing theory and techniques by todays "smartest" marketing people "Throw as much garbage as you can out there and see what sticks". It simply makes me ill at how much garbage is actually out and when I come across what I truly feel is a good product I want to tell people about it. The Massey falls in this catagory, it has impressed me from the minute I first turned the key. As confused as I was about purchasing a unit before I knew I could not be the only one and it seemed that nobody simply knew about the little tractors.....

 

[archerynut]

Finally, probably one of my BIGGEST deciding factors was the dealer that I went to. It was just a "Mom and Pop" dealer but they had been in business at that location since 1958. I only counted four employees (two owners, parts guy and mechanic/serviceman). I like to support the small businessman (since I'm one myself ). The owner was VERY knowledgable about this particular tractor and didn't mind spending as much time with me as I wanted to help me decide. He had his mechanic come out and show me some of the operation of it and also answer any questions that I might have. They are about 40 miles from me but I think it'll be worthwhile to continue to do business with them.

This was also a deciding factor for me. The MF dealer seemed to be very good. Although I had talked to him on the phone I wanted to meet him in person and take a look around. Small dealership but the owner and his son and wife were working there along with some service guys. The most impressive thing was the son (who I think deals with parts and repairs mostly) knew the answer to every question asked on the phone and in person and was actually following up with customers that were waiting on parts. You just don't see that very often anymore.

 

[archerynut]

Oh yeah, congrats Dragula on your new purchase. I hope to have mine here on Friday (first time I will be around to get it) and put some serious hours on it this weekend. The wife asked me to rip some shrubs out of the planting beds around the house, of course I said "GLADLY", but only if I can do it with the backhoe.

 

[61flattop]

"rip" and "shrubs" dont go together.......... atleast not when it comes to your MF that you will get on Firday.... in fact I think you may just boore it. I was after buckets full of broken concrete and taking it back up the hill to the proposed carport area for backfill today.

 

[archerynut]

How about 20 tons of reground asphault to redo the driveway? Does that sound like a task the MF would be interested in? The shrubs are going to be an appetizer!

 

[dragula]

LOL!!

This thing isn't even here yet and it's already costing me money because I took off today to play with it once it arrives. Self-employed = no worky/no payee.

I've been walking around the yard today looking for things to try it out on. I have a TON of things to do with it but I don't have all of the materials yet;

Drain lines to run - haven't bought the lines yet
Trees to plant - haven't bought the trees yet
Retaining wall to build - haven't ordered the gravel base yet
Flower gardens to dig out - no flowers yet
etc., etc., etc.,

I think I need to go shopping.

 

[dragula]

Ha, as a side note about this particular dealer; Yesterday, the dealer told me that they would call me at 8:10 this morning to get directions to my house. I thought that it was kind of an odd time to tell me they would call. Well, just as I finished typing the post above, the phone rang at exactly 8:10. I just hung up from giving him directions. I hope their customer service continues along this path.


Oh yea, btw Archerynut; I found your spreadsheet on one of the other posts which I used quite a bit. Thanks for putting that together.

 

[61flattop]

Archery........ the driveway sounds like a task.... with 40K pounds of material to spread.Heck, if you were closer I would even come help you out

Drag.... I was at rural King this last weekend and I bought 6" drainage tile for 39.00 per 100 ft which I did not think was hateful......