My choices in red

Raines · Sep 23, 2020

jeff9366 said:
Brian of Fite Rite Hydraulics, a regular T-B-N contributor, can fabricate any and every kind of hydraulic option for compact tractors.

Brian's quality is tops.

fit rite hydraulics - Google Search

Thank you for the info. Great to know there is a way to add a set of remotes.

Raines · Sep 23, 2020

blacktruck said:
Now that you mention it, the recessed grease zerks on the MF were a little thing I did like. In my past probably like many others, I have had to replace broken zerks due them being rubbed off because of where they were located. Recessed zerks are our friend. I still have not seen an RK in person so I can't say anything about the welds but as a life long maintenance and operator kind of guy, I like good welds and plenty of them. I will see if I can find the ad for extra remotes and let you know. I did briefly look at the LS models. Not sure what is was but the ads I did see (once again no first hand knowledge of the brand) did not give me that warm and fuzzy feeling about buying one. I did like the color but something unknown did not make me want to run out and buy one. I might feel differently if I saw one but that hasn't happened as yet. I did an online search a few months ago for the Bobcat tractor. Same thing, I did not see anything that called me to buy one. I do like the JD 1025R but do not think it is any better than the MF. Kubota tractors are good but the reports and videos I have seen do not put them in front for anything that I saw. Yes I am leaning heavily towards a new MF. I will probably not be buying another new tractor after this one so I am getting what I want and fits my needs. I could get a series 2 tractor but for the things I plan to do, a subcompact tractor is the way to go for me.

Yes, after much consideration I too believe a scut is more appropriate for what I need. Mowing, landscaping, ditch cleaning and maintaining a creek line. I have a lot of other projects I would like to do at some point as well. I forgot all about the Branson brand, so I will have to go look at them too. But I am having a hard time finding any specs on the BH100 backhoe that goes on their 2505. I actually have a Branson dealer only 10 miles from me but he is a very small dealer and only has a few tractors out there. He has one 2400 there but none of the 05 models. There is one farther away from me that I can go look at though. Another Red tractor on the list, lol.

blacktruck · Sep 24, 2020

jeff9366 said:
Brian of Fite Rite Hydraulics, a regular T-B-N contributor, can fabricate any and every kind of hydraulic option for compact tractors.

Brian's quality is tops.

fit rite hydraulics - Google Search

Yes indeed, precisely the kind of place we should all be buying from. Thanks for sharing the link. My searches in the past had not turned up his website.

Raines · Oct 4, 2020

blacktruck said:
I am wanting to buy a new tractor. I've done my share of lurking/research on all of the brands I could find. My choices have came down to either an RK24 or a MF1725MB. I cannot say that I read of any what I would call real issues with either other than a freak occurrence here or there. I cannot say that I am particularly leaning either way as yet. There is a MF dealer about 5 miles from home. RK is about 75 miles. What is the word from those who own those brands? Any non-published issues? Idiosyncrasies that nobody talks about? Just the good or bad with either brand if you know of something.

Have you made a pick black truck? Just wondering how the search was going for you.

LS Tractor Owner · Oct 4, 2020

Yes, you can't leave us all hanging.....

blacktruck · Oct 5, 2020

Raines said:
Have you made a pick black truck? Just wondering how the search was going for you.

Sad to say but not yet. I am still working away and only get home infrequently so my quest is still on. I really like the options and price of the RK but the whole idea of another orphan tractor is still on my mind. I bought a new Cub Cadet/Yanmar two years before they parted ways and now cannot get parts from either place. I have read a few posts about some quality issues on the RK with cylinders and other problems lately which I am trying to find out out more on. The MF from all reports I have seen is still in front for quality and the whole longevity of the company thing. This will probably be the last new tractor I buy so I am not rushing it. I could get a bigger tractor but I really enjoy the versatility of the subcompacts for everyday use. I plan to get by an RK dealer when I am home next month to see one in person to either confirm or put away my quality issues about the brand.

Raines · Oct 6, 2020

blacktruck said:
Sad to say but not yet. I am still working away and only get home infrequently so my quest is still on. I really like the options and price of the RK but the whole idea of another orphan tractor is still on my mind. I bought a new Cub Cadet/Yanmar two years before they parted ways and now cannot get parts from either place. I have read a few posts about some quality issues on the RK with cylinders and other problems lately which I am trying to find out out more on. The MF from all reports I have seen is still in front for quality and the whole longevity of the company thing. This will probably be the last new tractor I buy so I am not rushing it. I could get a bigger tractor but I really enjoy the versatility of the subcompacts for everyday use. I plan to get by an RK dealer when I am home next month to see one in person to either confirm or put away my quality issues about the brand.

Well nothing wrong with taking your time and deciding what is best for you. I like the options on the RK24 too. RK seems to be in it for the long haul but nobody knows the future. I am waiting to see a LS MT225s that is supposed to be getting shipped to local dealer. He calls me yesterday and says he doesn't know why they haven't got there yet and that they must be riding them in, lol. You might want to check them out too if you have an LS dealer near you. Not to be confused with the MT 225e, it is the full size compact model.

A few things I have found out while looking at and researching the rk24 and the gc1725mb is that you can buy the Massey for the same price as the RK. You could even get the gc1723eb about $1k to $1.5k less than the RK. I have only found those prices out of state at 2 big powersport dealers. But even my local dealer's prices put the gc1725mb only $1k more than the RK and the gc1723eb $500 less. Those are all cash or "low rate" financing prices. For some reason Massey seems to have a slightly better 0% financing deal than other ones I have looked at. I compared the 0% price with their low rate price and it looks I would save about $25/month with the 0%. That was compared to a 5% rate with the cash price.

The RK does have auto throttle and rear remote but does not have backhoe float option like the GC.

RK has bigger tires and I was told has optional r14 tires now.

MMM on the RK might have quality issues. RK salesman suggested I go with the rear mower as he has had 3 people return this year with issues on mmm deck. He said one guy has gone through 3 decks this year on his tractor alone.

You have to remove 3 point to install backhoe on the RK. You do not have to on the GC

I forgot to try it, but you might want to check if you have dual functions with the loader on the RK such as lift and curl at same time or if it has a float function. The Massey does and has the float function as I tried it.

Me personally, the GC has much better fit and finish but the RK feels better I think because of the bigger tires.

Overall both would make a great tractor I am sure, it just comes down to which one fits you best.

I might end up waiting till closer to spring before I buy as winter will be fast approaching and I also am in no hurry. Best of luck!!!

coldsteelva · Oct 6, 2020

Let me add another +1 for the Massey GC series. I have a GC1720 TLB (500 hours) and it has been nothing short of amazing in what it will handle (in the way of use/abuse) from me. I got it in 2016 and I have modified it as follows: knocked off the left side light against a tree so removed them both; I don't road my tractor. Replaced the headlights with LED. Installed a 36 inch lightbar on the top underside of ROPS (secured via magnets - no drilling). I have Bro-tek spacers and a 60-inch 2326 drive over MMM. I did develop a small weep in one of my quick connectors, but that was remedied. I chafed the neutral safety switch wiring (also remedied after some consternation). I also have a pair of Ken's Bolt-On Grab hooks. I most recently broke one of my stabilizer adjusters by backing into a ditch (oops). This tractor has never needed any warranty work and I perform the maintenance by the book.

blacktruck · Oct 6, 2020

Raines said:
Well nothing wrong with taking your time and deciding what is best for you. I like the options on the RK24 too. RK seems to be in it for the long haul but nobody knows the future. I am waiting to see a LS MT225s that is supposed to be getting shipped to local dealer. He calls me yesterday and says he doesn't know why they haven't got there yet and that they must be riding them in, lol. You might want to check them out too if you have an LS dealer near you. Not to be confused with the MT 225e, it is the full size compact model.

A few things I have found out while looking at and researching the rk24 and the gc1725mb is that you can buy the Massey for the same price as the RK. You could even get the gc1723eb about $1k to $1.5k less than the RK. I have only found those prices out of state at 2 big powersport dealers. But even my local dealer's prices put the gc1725mb only $1k more than the RK and the gc1723eb $500 less. Those are all cash or "low rate" financing prices. For some reason Massey seems to have a slightly better 0% financing deal than other ones I have looked at. I compared the 0% price with their low rate price and it looks I would save about $25/month with the 0%. That was compared to a 5% rate with the cash price.
The RK does have auto throttle and rear remote but does not have backhoe float option like the GC.
RK has bigger tires and I was told has optional r14 tires now.
MMM on the RK might have quality issues. RK salesman suggested I go with the rear mower as he has had 3 people return this year with issues on mmm deck. He said one guy has gone through 3 decks this year on his tractor alone. You have to remove 3 point to install backhoe on the RK.
You do not have to on the GC
I forgot to try it, but you might want to check if you have dual functions with the loader on the RK such as lift and curl at same time or if it has a float function. The Massey does and has the float function as I tried it.
Me personally, the GC has much better fit and finish but the RK feels better I think because of the bigger tires.
Overall both would make a great tractor I am sure, it just comes down to which one fits you best.
I might end up waiting till closer to spring before I buy as winter will be fast approaching and I also am in no hurry. Best of luck!!!

I did early on look at an LS model. I managed to see some of those at a dealer about a year ago (sort of before I got in the mood to buy) and at that time I was not impressed in the quality. No real glaring issues but just an overall impression that it was not the best. There is now an LS dealer within about 50 miles from home now so I might go back again to take another look but I am partial to red paint. I like the taller tires on the RK to be sure. The RK is well set up with options that people who actually use their tractors want. I haven't sat on an RK but I will find one soon. I have seen and sat on the MF 1725 and will admit to liking it very much. From a qualtiy standpoint, it was impeccable. I liked some of the small features they have. Yes I am not in hurry to buy as yet but will be soon. Given the choice of all of the brands of subcompact tractors on the market, I don't think a person could really say there are any bad choices out there. If I was making a choice today, I am pretty sure it would be a Massey just for some of those things I mentioned.

coldsteelva said:
Let me add another +1 for the Massey GC series. I have a GC1720 TLB (500 hours) and it has been nothing short of amazing in what it will handle (in the way of use/abuse) from me. I got it in 2016 and I have modified it as follows: knocked off the left side light against a tree so removed them both; I don't road my tractor. Replaced the headlights with LED. Installed a 36 inch lightbar on the top underside of ROPS (secured via magnets - no drilling). I have Bro-tek spacers and a 60-inch 2326 drive over MMM. I did develop a small weep in one of my quick connectors, but that was remedied. I chafed the neutral safety switch wiring (also remedied after some consternation). I also have a pair of Ken's Bolt-On Grab hooks. I most recently broke one of my stabilizer adjusters by backing into a ditch (oops). This tractor has never needed any warranty work and I perform the maintenance by the book.

Yes precsiely the type of response that is common to the subcompact Masseys. They seem to be fairly bullet proof. Yes I agree, the lights on the outside of the ROPS are asking to be removed by local forces but I am also pretty sure the safety folks would frown on anything inside the ROPS other than the operator but it does seem like a good place to put the light bar you are talking about. Grab hooks are a must.