Comparison Massey GC1715 vs. Kubota BX2670-1

[TSO]

Hmm ok... I don't completely agree with you but it's your thread so I'll not argue your supposition.

Regarding the DL95 vs DL100 ... Dealers install the loaders at the dealership. They'll use up all of the remaining old stock first unless you request the new model. And yes, AGCO has been slow to publish loader specs for the new ALO-Quicke loaders ... Not sure why.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

As I had previously stated, the Massey website needs some improvement, and with todays internet based society, they could probably help their sales with more information about products and pricing. Let me see if I can address your 3 specific items from above.

1. MF recently switched loader/backhoe manufacturers. See this thread. The change happened sometime recently, so there is mixed stock out there. A reputable dealer can help you find one version or the other if you really want. Just know that the DL100 has been discontinued and stock will be dwindling to nothing.

2. If you head over the the implements page, and click on snowblowers, you'll see the 2360 front mount snowblower listed as compatible with the GC1700 series tractors.

3. Not sure where you are getting your pricing. The 2360 blower should be ~$3500 INCLUDING the subframe and mid--> front PTO adapter. The Kubota 50" front mount blower complete lists ~$3200, slight cheaper, but not the $1000 you stated. Hydraulic or electric shoot rotation/deflection are options for additional cost on both. Not sure wha you mean by "and adapts to other implements as well." The sub-frame on both is the basis for front blades also, and maybe the broom.

You also mentioned you could not find the brooms. Once again, go to the implements page here:2330 Broom

I think the reason why you don't see SSQA mounts on the SCUT class tractors, is that they add weight to already low capacity loaders. In general skid steers have huge power and hydraulic flow in comparision to SCUT and even CUT sized tractors, and that huge power allows big, heavy, and strong implements to be used. A small skid steer bucket might weight 500 lbs, taking up most or all of the lower capacity of these little tractors. So, in general, having an SSQA loser on a SCUT sized tractor does not allow one to take advantage of the skid steer attachment market.

Wow, this post got long, so let me summarize. My impression is that you are disappointed with the Massey website, and therefor have a hard time considering their products. Kubota is the market leader in SCUT/CUT sized tractors. They were in the market earlier, sell more units, and have a larger availability of aftermarket attachments and such. BUT, Massey still sells a good product, and hopefully they will be able to improve their online presence. Remember, at one point in time, no company has a website...and many still made and sold quality products..

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings Fitz,

No . . My impression does not come as much from a poor website . . as it does from hugely poor brochures and summary line catalogs. All shiny and pretty and nothing of reasoning and examples of product capabilities. Maybe all else Massey is wonderful . . But the GC1700 series brochure is strikingly poorly prepared.

But its not just the website and lack of printed materials . . its watching the dealers looking up on the computer and not seeing the information either. With 15 minutes of looking . . they found the front plow . . no snowblower . . no broom . . . etc. etc.. By reading TBN and seeing 1 youtube . . I knew about the DL95 they hadn't any info on it. By me reading and reading I was telling 2 different large successful dealer locations about the really important GC1700 series features.

My point isn't to make fun . . my point is some people at Massey are falling down on their job. Products can be a superior design . . but if they don't get the support product effort and the PROPER marketing support effort . . . there aren't enough like me who will dig and dig to uncover the info that is needed.

Its silly to say it . . its ridiculous to say it . . .but its true . . . TBN is a far better resource for GC1700 series info . . . than is the company.

 

[TSO]

Greetings Fitz,

No . . My impression does not come as much from a poor website . . as it does from hugely poor brochures and summary line catalogs. All shiny and pretty and nothing of reasoning and examples of product capabilities. Maybe all else Massey is wonderful . . But the GC1700 series brochure is strikingly poorly prepared.

But its not just the website and lack of printed materials . . its watching the dealers looking up on the computer and not seeing the information either. With 15 minutes of looking . . they found the front plow . . no snowblower . . no broom . . . etc. etc.. By reading TBN and seeing 1 youtube . . I knew about the DL95 they hadn't any info on it. By me reading and reading I was telling 2 different large successful dealer locations about the really important GC1700 series features.

My point isn't to make fun . . my point is some people at Massey are falling down on their job. Products can be a superior design . . but if they don't get the support product effort and the PROPER marketing support effort . . . there aren't enough like me who will dig and dig to uncover the info that is needed.

Its silly to say it . . its ridiculous to say it . . .but its true . . . TBN is a far better resource for GC1700 series info . . . than is the company.

I think that Massey dealers focus more on large machine sales than compacts. That's what I see around here anyhow.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

AxleHub,

There is one statement I've seen consistently everywhere, and that is, go with the dealer you get the best service from, regardless of brand. If they can't give you confidence that they know their products features and accessories at least to some level, what would make you think they can service or repair your tractor if needed? Sounds like you had a bad dealer experience. I'm pretty confident, that if you visit enough dealers, you'll find a "bad dealer" from every brand.

My opinion is that most all the tractors out there are pretty good, people will prefer one over another for all sorts of reasons. It's a Ford vs Chevy type of thing. Could be a particular spec that they feel is important. Could be the ergonomics, one feels more comfortable to that person. Could be the color. Could be company history. Could be dealer experience (good or bad) that drives a person to make a particular decision. Who knows...

 

[AxleHub]

AxleHub,

There is one statement I've seen consistently everywhere, and that is, go with the dealer you get the best service from, regardless of brand. If they can't give you confidence that they know their products features and accessories at least to some level, what would make you think they can service or repair your tractor if needed? Sounds like you had a bad dealer experience. I'm pretty confident, that if you visit enough dealers, you'll find a "bad dealer" from every brand.
..

Greetings Fizik,

Well said and well reasoned. However 2 different dealers had the same issues . . and both dealers are larger and have great reputations.

As a specific example . . One dealer of Massey that has a product I like (GC1715) also sells Kubota. Their skills representing Kubota are highly knowledgeable and skilful. But if the information isn't available to them . . that's a manufacturer's fault.

My concern is . . I really see a number of benefits to the Massey gc1715 that competes with the kubota (my other choice). But most of that knowledge of its benefits did not come from the manufacturer's information (in any form).

Now here is a piece of information ive been unable to verify anywhere:
1. Cast iron engine giveshigher durability and longer life than cast iron block and aluminum heads.

2. Mower deck . All spindle assemblies are made of cast iron for greater durability versus competitors aluminum casted spindle housing.

I haven't read a review yet that talks about this at all. In fact I've only read one professional review on the Massey gc1700s and that was1.5 years old.

 

[TSO]

Please don't take any offense to this, but I think you are reading way too far into this comparison. I would say that all of the tractors in this class are built to compete with each other, and all will be relatively comparable in regards to capabilities and specifications. They all come with a warranty, some better than the others, so if you do have any problems at least you have the assurance of the problems getting resolved within the warranty period. What you really need to do is spend some time operating each tractor that you are considering, and draw your conclusions after you get actual seat time on each machine. That will tell you more then specifications or company rhetoric any day. Then, combine your personal preference for the tractor along with the feeling you get regarding dealer competence. if you feel that the dealer isn't well aware of specifications, but otherwise is equipped to handle service and warranty repairs if necessary, then that should suffice. But, if you feel that the dealer lacks competency because he is not well informed on the specific machines specifications, then factor that in to your own scale.

My Massey dealer also sells Kioti, but services any machine, new or old, that makes it into his shop. When I ask him specific questions related to my tractor, especially regarding service work, I find that he is not particularly knowledgeable about the details of the tractor. However, he has much more detailed engineering and mechanical information and knowledge on the Kioti tractors. I think the reason is, when I ask him about specifics regarding my massey, he tells me that he very very rarely gets any Massey's back into the shop for repairs, and always answers that he is not for familiar with this problem, or that problem, or that part of the machine, because he simply doesn't see them back in the shop for service. He does, however, see the Kioti's.

It's possible that the dealers you are visiting never do much more than sell the tractor... And then only see the owner back for scheduled maintenance supplies or trade ups.

Also, I don't think that the GC series are big money makers for MF, and don't seem to be a very high volume unit compared to larger models. But the BX machines on the other hand, are very common (due to exposure) and probably earn some nice profits for the dealers ... So the ate very familiar with the machines as they sell and service a lot of them.

Just a couple theories ...

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings TSO,

I certainly don't take any offense . . I welcome different viewpoints . . and yours was a good one.

However too often it seems users express that essentially all the units are good and very similar. But I find there are considerable differences and I find I'm trying to choose which features are most important to have or do without as a big part of the process.

I believe the new and developing market for scut and compacts . . . is a big wave of prospects who have never owned a tractor before . . they aren't farm oriented or interested . . and they have more challenging terrains to deal with than the previous majority.

As a result . . implement choices and engineering of them are far more significant than prior because "big or heavy" is not the big desire of this new prospect grouping and a reputation in farm equipment is not a qualifier like it once was for this new peospect grouping in my opinion.

 

[Citydude]

Hi Axle, I'm looking at a GC 1705 and wasn't impressed with the web site information as well until I spent a good part of an hour going through each tab. The information is there, it's just in areas that seem odd. It took me for ever to find the MMM information for the 1705. It's there, it's just "all over the page".

 

[art]

No skid steer QC? It is to heavy on these tractors and would take up to much lifting ability!!! Some manufacturers do have there own design of quick attachments for this size tractor although they are non-universal! Look for grease fittings on the loader for the bucket that are NOT exposed to damage from over loading the bucket!! Many manufacturers changed away from having them exposed to the top over a decade ago do to the damage and consequent failure of the fitting from being broken.