Buying Advice JD1025 TLB or MF GC1710 TLB

[Canuck07]

Hello
I'm looking at picking up a SCUT in the next week or two and have it narrowed down to these two, the JD 1025r TLB or MF GC1710 TLB either would also have a 54" mower under it. I did look at the BX line as well as TYM, LS and Kioti but I've ruled those out. I will be using this machine for Mowing (Approx 1 acre), snowblowing in the winter, tilling a garden, digging some drainage ditches, building and maintaining a small motocross track for me and my kids and whatever else I can find to do around my couple acres. I am leaning towards the JD but just looking for some reassurance. I know bad news travels fast and there is probably a lot more of these JD out their but I have read quite a few people with problems with their JD 1 series but haven't seen complaints on the MF.

Also in case power is brought up note I'm comparing these as equal power (JD rated 23.9HP and MF 22.5HP). Both are 68 ci (1100cc) motors and JD is 18HP PTO MF is 18.7HP PTO.

I have run tractors around my Dads farm so I know my way around full size machines. I find from my short drive around on each they are pretty equal, here is where I am at so far with what I like and dislike about each SCUT. Guys that have a SCUT please chime in on what may be important or not so important on this.

JD1025 TLB with mower $27,500 CAD
Pro
Quick connect and detach loader and mower
Nice comfortable machine seems well layed out.
Hood and front feels bigger

Cons
High idle (1500-1600) and high RPM for PTO speed (3200)
From limited play time at dealer seems hydraulics only operate one valve at a time (can't raise loader and dump bucket at same time)

MF GC1710 TLB with mower $23,800 CAD
Pro
Lower idle (1100) and RPM for PTO speed (2600)
Less electronic switches and sensors

Cons
Seat position seems high with steering wheel low
Feels like smaller machine when sitting on it driving

 

[ThirdMan]

Re: JD1025 TLB or MF GC1720 TLB

Did you like either dealer more?

 

[Goose69]

Re: JD1025 TLB or MF GC1720 TLB

I researched both of them a lot, even tho I do not currently have one at this time.
I have used both of them.
.. i found the JD more comfortable to ride on with more features, and gadgets, and for me, better ergonomically designed.

And the MF more simple, less doodads, but still comfortable enough, and as you noticed, much cheaper..

Until I can manage to grow and harvest some money trees, I would be getting the MF 1710.

Either one is a fine SCUT, and will last a long time, one of them just saves you enough money to buy a few more attachments if you want.

 

[Canuck07]

Thirdman both dealers are close and good.
Goose69 I felt the same way about the machines.

 

[Snobdds]

The Massey has better lifting capacity and a more robust backhoe. I lifted a plate steel stove and it was over 1000 pounds, it did it fine. The king pin on the backhoe is high carbon steel, not cast pot metal. I have a cat excavator and I choose to dig these footers with the Massey.

 

[WVH1977]

One of my neighbors has the 1025R he uses around his barns. I asked him how he liked it. He said he uses it more than any of his other tractors he has got and he has quite a few. I like the Massey 1705 better than the 1710 because of the seating situation. I was looking hard at the 1710 after driving a 1705. Dealer did not have the 1710 in yet. Once I tested the 1710 I did not like how high the seat sat up compared to the steering wheel like you (that was the only thing I did not like).

Both machines are nice and it seems you have already looked at the pros and cons of both. I think Massey is making good strong machines right now and give you the better bang for the buck. At least where I live the 1710 TLB is cheaper than the 1025R. However, being comfortable on a machine you plan on owning for a long time is the biggest factor I would consider. The 1025R wins in that category.

 

[not2old]

I'm assuming the Massey is similar to my 2010 GC2610TLB. It's now at about 650 hours. Only real problem I've had is the need to replace a steering hose after a recall where I think the mechanic did a poor job of securing the hose. I now cover the seat and the console with garbage bags to keep dry when not in use. I had a problem with the throttle cable freezing and the tachometer acting up in freezing weather before I did this. One filled rear tire leaked fluid until I added more air and the block heater is necessary when well below freezing is all I can remember.

 

[looch]

The Massey hoe has boom float. That's a smoking price - I was quoted 28K for the same configuration here in QC. The JD was closer to 32.

 

[paulfun9]

Hello
I'm looking at picking up a SCUT in the next week or two and have it narrowed down to these two, the JD 1025r TLB or MF GC1710 TLB either would also have a 54" mower under it. I did look at the BX line as well as TYM, LS and Kioti but I've ruled those out. I will be using this machine for Mowing (Approx 1 acre), snowblowing in the winter, tilling a garden, digging some drainage ditches, building and maintaining a small motocross track for me and my kids and whatever else I can find to do around my couple acres. I am leaning towards the JD but just looking for some reassurance. I know bad news travels fast and there is probably a lot more of these JD out their but I have read quite a few people with problems with their JD 1 series but haven't seen complaints on the MF.

Also in case power is brought up note I'm comparing these as equal power (JD rated 23.9HP and MF 22.5HP). Both are 68 ci (1100cc) motors and JD is 18HP PTO MF is 18.7HP PTO.

I have run tractors around my Dads farm so I know my way around full size machines. I find from my short drive around on each they are pretty equal, here is where I am at so far with what I like and dislike about each SCUT. Guys that have a SCUT please chime in on what may be important or not so important on this.

JD1025 TLB with mower $27,500 CAD
Pro
Quick connect and detach loader and mower
Nice comfortable machine seems well layed out.
Hood and front feels bigger

Cons
High idle (1500-1600) and high RPM for PTO speed (3200)
From limited play time at dealer seems hydraulics only operate one valve at a time (can't raise loader and dump bucket at same time)

MF GC1710 TLB with mower $23,800 CAD
Pro
Lower idle (1100) and RPM for PTO speed (2600)
Less electronic switches and sensors

Cons
Seat position seems high with steering wheel low
Feels like smaller machine when sitting on it driving

Less plastic
Less expensive
less electronics
HYD operation seemed better to me
No need to remove 3 point lift arms to attach or detach backhoe
Loader is not hard to remove and I know I rarely take the loader off anyway
The quicker attach mower of the JD sounds good but I have an older drive over deck and challenge anyone to disconnect it and actually drive over it without first blocking it still or something when in the garage on a smooth concrete floor. That's where its headed after removal in the yard anyway so its actually much quicker for me to remove one and slide it sideways, right where it belongs. Honestly I prefer a rear mount finish mower anyway and wouldn't let the Mid mount have any influence on my decision anyway.
Engine RPM is a big one for me because I am hard of hearing now and more RPM almost always means more noise. Not to mention I simply prefer any type of motor that makes its power at lower RPM because in 99% of the cases the torque curve is more linear and wider.
I simply like Red better than Green so no need to paint it!

The cons of the higher seat might be easy to deal with simply add some height to the steering wheel. I think just from watching some You-tube video that it is a bit mismatched in that regard and that the reason it feels smaller while driving it is because of the seat height. I think one of the reasons I didn't notice it when I actually sat on one was because the seat on one of my small JD's was switched out for a much more comfortable kings seat but it does create the same lower feeling steering and I am use to it. Leaning a little forward when doing loader work can be an advantage in some instances but I don't have to lean forward to steer for most uses just don't use the top of the steering wheel but rather keep hands around the 5 and 7 clock positions.

Comfort is big to me with any new purchase so if I couldn't determine positively that I could make it work easy for me or adapt to it as is that would be one of the biggest sways to my choice!


A little more thought on this A 3700 dollar difference would sway me to raise the steering up even if it wasn't easy to do because taking out and welding on an extension would cost no place even close to the price difference