Tell me about the 1734E

Ox 77 · Mar 21, 2017

Hi, new to TBN. Grew up farming in south Texas. Looking at doing some land management on our family's property. Been researching all sorts of compact tractors, package deals, etc. The 1734E has really gotten my attention. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the machine. A few questions:

- Tier 4 is a new thing to me. Do I understand correctly that the regen will take place during operation, no requirement to stop the tractor?

- Does anyone have a review of this model pulling a 6 foot cutter? Can it handle it?

- The maintenance looks pretty simple. Any surprises on the maintenance?

I'm also considering a Kubota L3301, although the dealer is an hour away (vs 30 minutes to the MF dealer) and their package deal isn't quite as nice as the MF package I'm looking at. I know very little about Kubota, so I'd appreciate any thoughts on that machine.

Thanks!

George2615 · Mar 21, 2017

Welcome to TBN.....

My neighbor bought his 1734E last year. I do his service / maintenance for him. I like the tractor. His is an open station and has the Shibaura engine. The engine is the same one that is in my LS XR3037HC just detuned a couple HP from mine. Its a very capable tractor and could pull / operate a 6' cutter. My neighbor mostly runs 5' equipment with his because that's what he used on his previous tractor. Most all my 3pt stuff is 6' except for my snow blower which is 7'.

The Tier 4 regen runs seamlessly in the background while you continue to use the tractor. It is recommended to keep the RPM's up during regen. I find it takes less time to regen at PTO speed.

The only surprises I found on maintenance are you have to remove a loader sub frame bracket to pull the screen strainer out for cleaning when doing the hydraulic fluid change (fortunately you don't have to pull it each time) and I don't like how the fuel pre-filter hangs down a little below a shield plate and could get caught and ripped off driving over heavy brush. The shield plate is easily damaged and bent driving over things as I had to remove, straighten and reinstall his.

ROPS mounted lights are also easily broken off driving in wooded areas. I moved his to the inside of the ROPS and he hasn't broken one off since.

I also think all of the above things could be true with many brands of tractors and not limited to MF.

I only have limited experience operating a friends L3800 with aftermarket cab. Seems like a nice tractor but cab is small.