Massey GC1705 vs Deere 1026R

[gunner76]

looking at getting a sub compact for snow removal and mowing around my place. Narrowed my choices down to either a Deere 1026r or a Massey GC1705. These are the only two choice I'm really considering because these are the closest dealers to me in case I need service. Which one would be the better bet in terms of reliability and durability.

I also see that Deere has a lot more options for other implements but Massey doesn't list many. Down the road I might consider a rear mount blower and or a tiller. Are these available for the Massey?

 

[Goose69]

They will both be fine machines. I've been looking at sub-compacts for awhile. Idk if I will ever have the extra money to buy one, but I would like one for the barn and yard work.
As far implements for the Massey, yes you will be able to find all the same type of implements available to any sub compact tractors. The dealer I bought my tractor from carries Bush Hog brand, Taylor Pittsburgh, and a few other brands.
My advice is sit on both, test both of them out, to feel which ones feels most comfortable to use to You.. as personal comfort on a tractor is individually subjective.
And of course if budget is an issue, when I was looking at the TLBs the Massey was substantially less expensive than the Deere. But that may not always be the case.

 

[nikerret]

At the end of the day, the big three sub-compacts, JD 1-series, MF GC-series, and Kubota BX-series really just come down to personal preference, best price for wanted package, and dealer relationship. I researched and shopped for two years. There is no wrong choice, only choices better suited for specific situations.


Which one do you find more ergonomically friendly?
Which dealer do you trust the most?
Which product gives the best bang-for-buck, given the options you need?

Buy the one that answers the most of the three questions.

 

[not2old]

My Massey is a 2010 GC2610. I chose it over the Deere to save a little over $5000.00. I chose it over the Kabota to gain nearly 200 lbs. in loader capacity, which I still wish had more.

 

[Wagtail]

According to Tractordata.com, the GC1705 is listed as a CAT 1 3PH, the 1026R is a limited CAT 1. [Note: do you mean the 1025R?]

Now, depending on what you need the tractor to do and what implements you want to employ should be a deciding factor. Limited CAT 1 means that you can use CAT 1 implements but they're an embuggerance to get on and off (even with a quick-attach) due to the height above ground of the 3PH. Ideally, you'd need elevate the rear end of the limited CAT 1 tractor in order to attach certain (not all) implements.

The JD 2025R is a CAT 1, the 1025R is a Limited CAT 1.

 

[gunner76]

According to Tractordata.com, the GC1705 is listed as a CAT 1 3PH, the 1026R is a limited CAT 1. [Note: do you mean the 1025R?]

Now, depending on what you need the tractor to do and what implements you want to employ should be a deciding factor. Limited CAT 1 means that you can use CAT 1 implements but they're an embuggerance to get on and off (even with a quick-attach) due to the height above ground of the 3PH. Ideally, you'd need elevate the rear end of the limited CAT 1 tractor in order to attach certain (not all) implements.

The JD 2025R is a CAT 1, the 1025R is a Limited CAT 1.

Only implements I would even consider would be a rear mount blower(if the bucket doesn't do a good enough job for me)and maybe a tiller.

 

[Wagtail]

Only implements I would even consider would be a rear mount blower(if the bucket doesn't do a good enough job for me)and maybe a tiller.

The tiller will be the bugger for a limited CAT 1.

[Note: this is a JD 655 tiller which is larger than what you'd be getting)

When sitting on the ground the two retractable ground support arms will have the left side raised. A CAT 1 3PH will have no problem attaching... the 'limited' may go on with a LOT of cursing, swearing and singing of inspirational hymns! And that's before hooking up the PTO shaft. :laughing:

Ideally, the tiller (and all of your implements, for that matter) should be on a wheeled 'dolly' for ease of positioning for attachment. Mind you, you require a flat surface to roll them around on AND they increase the height off of the ground.

 

[plowhog]

I have a Massey GC1710. When I bought it, I had exactly zero hours of tractor experience. I "test drove" a John Deere SCUT tractor and a Kubota SCUT tractor. The salesman asked if I felt a big difference. I said "no, they both seemed the same." The salesman seemed to think there were differences. He was steering me toward the Kubota even though his shop has a firm policy not to take sides. I think there were differences, I just didn't have enough experience to sort them out. My point is that if you are shopping for a first tractor, it can be very confusing. It was for me.

I wound up looking at little things about construction, such as overall fit and finish. How to lift the hood and get access to filters for service, access of zerk fittings for grease, metal vs plastic parts, and how the hydraulic hoses were routed. That sort of thing. I liked the Massey best. This isn't relevant to your choice, but I also liked the dual hydraulic cylinders operating the bucket whereas the Kubota had just one in the center. And the Kubota treadle was annoying. The Iseki engine in the Massey wasn't at all familiar to me. I researched this and found it has a very long term, excellent reputation. Again, not relevant, but the Kubota dealers in my opinion were not fun to deal with. Seemingly having low interest in selling a single unit to the residential property owner.

I am guessing I visited 12 or so dealers kicking tires on tractors before buying. Every dealer (except one) said "don't buy John Deere" even though they were comfortable with me shopping other competitive brands. You may have heard the same feedback. The consistent theme was that for the same tractor, you pay thousands of dollars extra just because it has a green color. I didn't really follow that advice, and I did shop for the John Deere models. Personally, I think it would be foolish to pay $2,000 less to get the wrong or a lesser tractor. The owners of Deere tractors are very proud of their machines, as they should be. I personally know someone with a Deere tractor (next size up,) and they really like it.

My GC1710 has been a workhorse. I've used it for countless projects, moving snow and dirt in enormous quantities. I have a rotary cutter, box blade, and landscape rake, and of course the 1710 has a backhoe which I've used. The community of Massey owners is smaller than John Deere, as Deere and Kubota are the supposed market leaders. But I've shopped hard, now having bought two tractors, and I didn't buy either one from Kubota or Deere. I like my small Massey enough that I also bought a larger one for another property.