New to the forum, and a soon-to-be new tractor owner. Thanks for any suggestions or help that may come our way! This may be a long post, so bear with us if you have any interest:
We are looking at four different compact tractors, the JD 3025 and 3032, vs the MF 1726E and 1734E. We have considered many different tractors in this size range, and seriously considered others (especially a Kubota), but settled on the JD or MF due to dealership/service availability. Any dealerships besides these two are many hours away, and we decided that we want to go with a new machine rather than used. We lived many years making due with an old Dodge M37 for plowing snow and skidding saw logs in Montana, and a 1943 jeep for tractor kinds of work, but it's time to get a "real" tractor for jobs now in our current location (the SW canyon country), including FEL work and BH and forklift needs.
Basic jobs will include a bit of BH and forklift work trenching for water lines and power lines, moving and placing large water tanks, lifting and moving other objects, digging drainage ditches for 50-75 yards, installing small culverts, etc. FEL work will include road maintenance (about 200 yards of dirt driveway), prepping platforms for the 2500 gallon water tanks, clearing snow for the once or twice a year real snow storms, and moving gravel around the road and parking area in front of the garage. We have about 65 acres of juniper and pinyon, so there will be a bit of firewood hauling but no real acreage maintenance such as mowing. Perhaps a garden area in the future, but nothing that might be considered big. A sub-compact tractor is out of the question due to the ruggedness of the terrain.
The MF 1726E and the JD 3025 are nice because we wouldn't need to worry about the diesel pollution regulations, and I believe (?) they will be big enough to handle our needs. However, we are considering the more powerful MF 1734E and the JD3032 just in case, despite the on-line complaints about the environmental controls and related issues (although both dealerships say these are not real problems). I have spent hours at various web site, YouTube, and dealer pages for research. We have not yet had a chance to visit the dealerships and sit on these machines, but there are plans for that in the very near future. Our questions are directed primarily towards those with experience regarding these four tractors, such as--
-- what are your likes/dislikes and concerns with models?
-- what are your takes on the power differences between the 25-26 and 32-34 hp?
-- and, most importantly, what can you say about reliability and longevity? It's a long haul from our 65 acres to the nearest dealer/service, and we tend to hold on to our vehicles (of any sort) until they are piles of mobile rust.
-- the MF can be had for $3100 cheaper (1726E) or $1400 cheaper (1734E) than the comparable JD, and this would be nice but not a deal-killer.
-- the local JD dealership is currently advertising a 10-year drivetrain warranty, which is indeed in consideration.
-- would the JD aluminum tranny and rear-end housing raise any concerns regarding extensive backhoe use? We would be operating in mostly sandy situations, but there are some big rocks and bedrock hiding down there on occasion.
-- both dealerships admit that the other makes a "fine tractor."
--If you just prefer JD over MF, or visa-versa, tell us why!
Thanks for your opinions and advice, and any comments would be appreciated--
D.
We are looking at four different compact tractors, the JD 3025 and 3032, vs the MF 1726E and 1734E. We have considered many different tractors in this size range, and seriously considered others (especially a Kubota), but settled on the JD or MF due to dealership/service availability. Any dealerships besides these two are many hours away, and we decided that we want to go with a new machine rather than used. We lived many years making due with an old Dodge M37 for plowing snow and skidding saw logs in Montana, and a 1943 jeep for tractor kinds of work, but it's time to get a "real" tractor for jobs now in our current location (the SW canyon country), including FEL work and BH and forklift needs.
Basic jobs will include a bit of BH and forklift work trenching for water lines and power lines, moving and placing large water tanks, lifting and moving other objects, digging drainage ditches for 50-75 yards, installing small culverts, etc. FEL work will include road maintenance (about 200 yards of dirt driveway), prepping platforms for the 2500 gallon water tanks, clearing snow for the once or twice a year real snow storms, and moving gravel around the road and parking area in front of the garage. We have about 65 acres of juniper and pinyon, so there will be a bit of firewood hauling but no real acreage maintenance such as mowing. Perhaps a garden area in the future, but nothing that might be considered big. A sub-compact tractor is out of the question due to the ruggedness of the terrain.
The MF 1726E and the JD 3025 are nice because we wouldn't need to worry about the diesel pollution regulations, and I believe (?) they will be big enough to handle our needs. However, we are considering the more powerful MF 1734E and the JD3032 just in case, despite the on-line complaints about the environmental controls and related issues (although both dealerships say these are not real problems). I have spent hours at various web site, YouTube, and dealer pages for research. We have not yet had a chance to visit the dealerships and sit on these machines, but there are plans for that in the very near future. Our questions are directed primarily towards those with experience regarding these four tractors, such as--
-- what are your likes/dislikes and concerns with models?
-- what are your takes on the power differences between the 25-26 and 32-34 hp?
-- and, most importantly, what can you say about reliability and longevity? It's a long haul from our 65 acres to the nearest dealer/service, and we tend to hold on to our vehicles (of any sort) until they are piles of mobile rust.
-- the MF can be had for $3100 cheaper (1726E) or $1400 cheaper (1734E) than the comparable JD, and this would be nice but not a deal-killer.
-- the local JD dealership is currently advertising a 10-year drivetrain warranty, which is indeed in consideration.
-- would the JD aluminum tranny and rear-end housing raise any concerns regarding extensive backhoe use? We would be operating in mostly sandy situations, but there are some big rocks and bedrock hiding down there on occasion.
-- both dealerships admit that the other makes a "fine tractor."
--If you just prefer JD over MF, or visa-versa, tell us why!
Thanks for your opinions and advice, and any comments would be appreciated--
D.
