Comparison GC2610 or 1526?

[Beaux]

First time poster alert. And never have owned a tractor before.

I Spent some time at the local MF dealer today looking for a tractor to help me clear felled trees, move brush, split and tote fire wood, rough cut uncut scrub and saplings, and eventually convert hilly woods to areas of grass and a garden.

Total acreage is about 7 acres on an island. All woods. About 50 feet of grade change. Think upside down bowl.

The dealer directed me to the GC2610TLB and also showed me the 1526. Pricing was terribly different though the 2610 came with equipment like a FEL and a back hoe.

Can someone offer me advice on the pros and cons please of one model over the other?

Thanks very much.

 

[Dr Marko]

The 1526 will have more attachments that it can use being a biggest tractor. It will also have higher ground clearance for traveling through muddy back woods. I believe you can get a bigger fel on the 1526

 

[Coginchaug]

I did the same thing today and I am
Thinking the 1526 based on ground
Clearance and buying up just in
Case so to speak

 

[Beaux]

Did the dealer offer any explanation of the advantages to you of the 1526? I am leaning towards the 2410 but it is too early in the process for me to make a call.

 

[Don87]

The 1526 will have a higher ground clearnce, and more powerful hydraulics. The 2610 will work in the woods, you just need to think a little more is all.

The 2410 is identical to the 2610, just a couple horsepower difference. Exact same engine, just higher rpm's on the 2610.

 

[radrock]

I have a 1526. No it didn't move this rock haha. I seriously looked hard at both the 1526, GC 2610 and 2410. I don't think I really needed a backhoe. I couldn't see getting a 2600 when for 1500 more I could have a considerably bigger tractor. I really like the 1526. It is fun to operate. I have the hydro which I would not have any thing other than a hydro. One thing to consider is that the 1529 is only about $700 more and you have quite a bit more loader. I just didn't need that much more loader.

Welcome to the forum. Lot of information here from lots of people

 

[MF RED in MT]

First time poster alert. And never have owned a tractor before.

I Spent some time at the local MF dealer today looking for a tractor to help me clear felled trees, move brush, split and tote fire wood, rough cut uncut scrub and saplings, and eventually convert hilly woods to areas of grass and a garden.

Total acreage is about 7 acres on an island. All woods. About 50 feet of grade change. Think upside down bowl.

The dealer directed me to the GC2610TLB and also showed me the 1526. Pricing was terribly different though the 2610 came with equipment like a FEL and a back hoe.

Can someone offer me advice on the pros and cons please of one model over the other?

Thanks very much.

Beaux, Welcome to TBN. My GC2410 is my first tractor, and a lot of salesmen tried to sell me larger tractors then I desired, . You will be the one that makes the final choice of your tractor, :thumbsup:. I have 3 acres, very wooded, with about 40ft elevation difference. My choice of tractors was small in physical size, to travel throughtout my property between all of my trees and I am happy with my choice of tractors, :thumbsup:. Here are some specifications regarding the GC2610 vs. 1526 MF Tractors: HP 25 vs. 24.8; PTO HP 19.6 vs. 20.1; 3 point lifting 1,191 pounds vs. 1,322 pounds; FEL lifting 678 pounds vs. 823 pounds; Total weight 2,670 pounds vs. 3,175 (not sure about the 1526) pounds (the 2610 includes a BH = 2,670 pounds). I hope these figures are accurate, because I have been known to error once in a while, . I hope this information will help you with your tractor decision, :thumbsup:. KC

 

[Beaux]

MF Red, thanks for the informative post. :thumbsup: Let me ask a neophyte question: what is the implication of the meaningfully different wheel diameter? Beaux

 

[radrock]

Beaux, Welcome to TBN. My GC2410 is my first tractor, and a lot of salesmen tried to sell me larger tractors then I desired, . You will be the one that makes the final choice of your tractor, :thumbsup:. I have 3 acres, very wooded, with about 40ft elevation difference. My choice of tractors was small in physical size, to travel throughtout my property between all of my trees and I am happy with my choice of tractors, :thumbsup:. Here are some specifications regarding the GC2610 vs. 1526 MF Tractors: HP 25 vs. 24.8; PTO HP 19.6 vs. 20.1; 3 point lifting 1,191 pounds vs. 1,322 pounds; FEL lifting 678 pounds vs. 823 pounds; Total weight 2,670 pounds vs. 3,175 (not sure about the 1526) pounds (the 2610 includes a BH = 2,670 pounds). I hope these figures are accurate, because I have been known to error once in a while, . I hope this information will help you with your tractor decision, :thumbsup:. KC

Also ground clearance 11" vs 6.7". 91 ci engine vs 68 ci engine 3 speed hydro vs two speed hydro. Pro about the 2610 is that you will have a backhoe. Very small but they are handy for digging out saplings and smaller stuff.

 

[Beaux]

Thanks. The ground clearance difference seems large. In what scenarios does the lower ground clearance create a challenge?

 

[radrock]

Thanks. The ground clearance difference seems large. In what scenarios does the lower ground clearance create a challenge?

Depending on how big your trees are and how big are the rocks are around you place. I have heard lots of good comments on the sub compacts and I really considered getting one. I got to test drive both and the bigger one just felt more like a tractor. I plow the snow around our neighborhood too and that is what made me decide. 24 inches of snow isn't going to move good with low ground clearance. I heard one comment about someone here on the forum breaking his transmission case on a rock. He didn't complain about it as he had a lot of hours on it. As long as you watch what you run over and keep the ground clear in front of you, you would probably be fine. One thing to keep in mind is if you run over little saplings. The are going to fall the direction you are going. The minute you try to back up over your path those little stubs will try to poke up into your tractor and can damage something. Always try to make sure the path is clear or find a clearing and turn around so you can clear the opposite direction with your FEL. In other words make sure you know what is underneath you. No matter the size of the tractor the hazards will alway be there

 

[radrock]

One other thing. At least you are considering a Massey Ferguson. I'm pretty partial to them and I think a lot of the guys in this thread is too. I think very highly of their product and have been around several of them in my lifetime. I am by no means an expert advisor but the tractors I have been around has been great. No matter what you get there will be troubles of some kind sometime. That's just Murphy's law.

 

[Beaux]

Very helpful perspective. Thank you.

 

[Don87]

Also ground clearance 11" vs 6.7". 91 ci engine vs 68 ci engine 3 speed hydro vs two speed hydro. Pro about the 2610 is that you will have a backhoe. Very small but they are handy for digging out saplings and smaller stuff.

That comment will get a whole bunch of GC owners in an uproar. GC's are capabable of doing much more than just 'saplings and smaller stuff'.


Edit: here is sapling that a GC2410 can remove: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson-owning-operating/132330-stumpin-w-2410-a.html

 

[radrock]

Haha. Gotta stir it up some. I run heavy equipment for a living and our excavator cat 345 will swallow up a 2410 in one bite. When I get off of it and go to a small hoe it makes you fill like you are on a tonka toy. No insults intended. Anything is better than a pick and shovel any day . I wish I had a small hoe at times here at the house. I have no doubt they serve their purpose. Besides its a Massey

 

[Beaux]

Holy cow! That's a stump! Looks like this tractor will work just fine. Next question: what constitutes "good deal"? I was offered on for (his off the top of his head price) $16500. I was then informed I could get a $2000 discount from that figure if I paid cash.

Thoughts?

Thanks again.

 

[Coginchaug]

Hi,
I think the value for the Massey exceeds the other color paints so to speak. The dealer offered me no better deal on the 15 series vs the GC series but I think it is a good time to buy with the promos they have going on. I think your choice will be a personal one, all you can do is make an informed one. The dealer did convince me to load the tires for my use. Dragging a lot of lumber out of my woods and a couple of driveways to plow. I am also think the rear snow blower due to price and the ability to keep the FEL on for clean up and moving a piles of snow if needed. The thought of hooking up a blower or FEL when its 10 degrees does sound like much fun.
COGINCHAUG= Long swamp

 

[Paystar]

How much difference in physical size and maneuverability between the 1526 and 1529? I'd also like to see a 1526 and a GC side by side.

 

[mscott]

Hi COGINCHAUG
I think the area that you are in a nice Massey 1533 cab with heat to blow snow would be the way to go. Also plenty of power to pull trees and anything else gets in the way.

 

[radrock]

How much difference in physical size and maneuverability between the 1526 and 1529? I'd also like to see a 1526 and a GC side by side.

My 1526 was parked right next to a 1529 when I bought it. I could have gotten it for about $700 more and both was hydrostatic drive. There is a little bit of difference in height and ground clearance. I had all that stuff on a sheet for comparison somewhere on the computer. The loader has quite a bit better lift capacity. I don't think it would get around any worse than the 1526. Here is a picture of the 1526 next to a gc2610