Mitsubishi or Iseki

[Phillip w]

I've got a 2005 MF1533 Iseki and it has been bulletproof. Only issues not our fault have been hub seal on front axle. We've put it through it's paces, too, and has right at 1k hours.

The little engine although not a power house, doesn't like to start when it's cold and you gotta watch the heat gauge in the summer has been pretty ok. The hydrostatic drive has held up really well. I started having trouble about 900 hrs and it has snowballed. Finally found someone close that has one of these 1500 series. He has right at 1100 hours on his and he is starting to have trouble. I got a little over 1600 hrs on mine. The last 650 hrs have been extremely expensive. I don't use mine to much anymore, seems like every time i do something breaks. I rely heavily on my "old dinosaur " models. Say what they want but at 14000+ on one tractor and 20000+ on the other tractor durabilty, reliability, dependability, and ruggedness speaks for it self. I hope you don't start having troubles, agco repair jobs are pricy. I will never again buy a newer agco product. Got in the same boat years ago with a Kubota. I'm pretty gun shy of all these little foreign tractors. I want and expect something I can put at least 5000 + hours without alot of problems.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Both are manuf. in Japan.. & w/ all the tornados, tsunamis, landslides & earthquakes, its getting VERY HARD to keep a manuf. plant open & running.. & for that reason, you couldn't GIVE me a Mitsubishi vehicle to own.. Just my .02

 

[Streetcar]

What scut or cut tractors are not foreign? No major manufacturers

 

[plowhog]

Philip,

Between your Deere and Allis Chalmers you have logged 34,000 tractor hours. Throw in an occasional holiday or vacation and that is 100 hours of tractor time each month for 30 years. That by itself is impressive! Compare that to a lot of users here who don't even hit 100 hours in a year.

I know the frustration of a machine that seems to be a maintenance hog, and I sympathize. But to be fair, you also have work demands well above the average user here. Some higher amount of maintenance could be expected. But that doesn't excuse manufacturing defects.

btw, the best, nicest, and fastest airplane I ever owned was a maintenance hog. I had seven straight flights in it where something broke, each time costing thousands of dollars to fix. Seven in a row. And it is a well regarded plane in the industry, if you have the pockets to keep it operating. Yes, I sold it and bought something else. Since you already burnt up a Kubota and now dislike Massey as well, I don't have any suggestions other than to revert and use "old reliable" instead?

 

[JFahey]

I have the same outlook on tractors. I need a cab Tractor of at least 35hp with a loader on it. Can’t go too big because I have to haul it a dozen times a year to another farm for brush chopping. I want reliability. When does a tractor go from being called a compact Tractor to a regular farm Tractor?? Is it HP rating? physical size? Seems like your right...the big old tractors just keep going. That’s what I need...but not too big. What would be a good choice Phil ?? I don’t want to go any heavier than about 7000 pounds.

 

[TSO]

I currently own a Massey 1652 HST cab. That's an Iseki 3.0L 4cyl (55hp) diesel. ((Previously i owned: Massey 1648 with Iseki 2.2L 4cyl (48hp); LS R4041 & R4047 with LS built Mitsubishi 2.2L 4cyl engines; Kioti CK20 with Kioti 0.9L 3cyl (21hp).

I also currently have a Terex/ASV track loader with Cat-Perkins 3.3L 4cyl (80hp) which is actually a Mitsubishi engine.

I also currently have a Hustler Super-Z Diesel commercial mower, with a Shibaura 1.7L 3cyl (25hp).

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I will say that my Cat-Perkins Mitsubishi in my Terex is the best winter starter of the bunch. It starts smooth even in the winter. The next best were the LS built Mitsubishi engines. Then, i would say that my Iseki, Shibaura, and Kioti diesels all share the bottom spots in my fleet for winter starting.

Can't complain about any of them regarding performance, they've all performed as expected. The Iseki Tier3 engines are good, old tech engines.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either.

 

[Cub 7274]

I had a Cub Cadet 7274 with the Mitsubishi 3cyl diesel for 21 yrs and it never failed to start.
I also had a MF 1533 which was a little grumpier but always started..sold them both no longer needed them
Now I have a brand new MF GC 1715 and man I'm not used to "trying" to get it to start in this cold weather, lesson learned I need a block heater the glow plugs just dont cut it

 

[PILOON]

I have an '80's Mitsubishi tractor and can't fault that engine. IMHO opinion they rank with Kubota.
Massy, Ford (NH) use them in all sorts of equipment as do many other brands.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My 205-4 massey has Toyosha, 2 cylinder engine.

 

[2ndhalf]

You cannot go wrong with either engine IMO. Mitsubishi is known for great engines and put them in all kinds of large equipment. I have love my MF with the Iseki though I do have to glow it about 3 or 4 times sometimes to get it to start in cold weather. Started it in 5 degrees just a bit ago no block heater.

Regardless of what tractor you get, if possible, I would get some power to your barn. Any diesel could be served well by just having a battery tender on it.

IMO I would go with the used MF and use some of the savings on attachements.