I did a lot of comparisons; data sheets, test drives, digging holes on dealer properties, etc. BX25D-1 vs 1025R is 6 vs 1/2 dozen. You just have to decide what is most important, to you.
I ended up with the Kubota BX25D, a 60" MMM, and a 60" Land Pride rear blade (cost me $48). The John Deere was really its only contender. The biggest problem with the 1025R TLB was the price ($5,000 more than I paid for BX). The second biggest was the single function hydraulics. The third was the seat.
The $5,000 pretty well explains itself. The single function hydraulics are a big deal, to me. Yes, the JD specs higher, on paper, but at the cost of going two directions, at once. I was able to pop a >4" root with the BX25D backhoe, but had to torque it two ways. I doubt the extra umph of the JD would have been enough. The BX25D seat is better than the 1025R seat, for my butt. The JD bounced too much.
Of course, the JD has some great advantages, too. From the seat ergonomics are superior on the JD, without a doubt. The location of the loader controller, auxiliary plug, and the addition of a storage compartment and tilt steering wheel trump the BX by a long shot. The bucket level indicator of the JD is functional, the BX is stupid (or I am, but no one can really seem to make it work); actually, the JD buckets are more functional, in pretty much every way: the flat top beats the rolled top, so much easier to weld on hooks or accessories.
Removing the JD FEL is cake. The BX required more steps, but is not taxing or labor intensive. Obvious benefit to JD, but not a game changer, to me. I prefer where the FEL hydraulic hookups are, on the BX, as they seem safer.
The BX cooling fan is often shown as a weak link. It's not a plus, as the transmission cooler on the JD is superior, unless it has an issue. A new fan is only $20, but a huge PITA to replace. The tranny cooler would be big money, and a PITA; though, it is unlikely to be damaged.
The hood on the JD is one piece and moves enough for service. The BX shroud has to be moved forward, after taking off the front guard. It's a few extra steps and the one piece would be nice to have.
They are more alike, or personal preference, than anything:
Pedals: The JD is more efficient, but I've never had a problem with he heel-toe design. There have been times, working around delicate things, where I preferred the heel-toe, so I didn't accidentally go the wrong direction. This is my first tractor and heel-toe is more idiot-proof.
Mower: (comparing 60") Both cut great. The BX rides higher, which is a plus. It's safer for it and you can cut up to 6", if you need to. The JD's drive over is infinitely better than the BX drive over. JD has a cool Autoconnect, but it's only cool when it works. Crawling under the tractor to connect the mid-PTO sucks, big ones. Having problems with the JD Autoconnect would probably suck bigger ones, but it's not likely you'll have a problem, either.
Size: It's so close, it probably doesn't matter. I know I got a job with my BX the JD would have been too wide for, so that's a plus. The JD is wider, so it's more stable, that's a plus. You can buy spacers for the BX, so it can be even, but you have to factor that cost into the $5K savings. The BX has higher ground clearance, according to Kubota, but the JD lifts more, with a comparable footprint.
Implements: JD and Kubota offer a fair amount of accessories and implements made for these tractors. JD has Frontier and Kubota has a dealer arrangement with Land Pride. I don't know much about Frontier, other than to say they appear to be quality and expensive. The Land Pride stuff is quality and expensive. It is made in Salina, KS, wich is cool.
I'm sure there's more, but I have to get the kid to school. In the end, I doubt you'll find too many jobs one can do that the other can't. Both run out of traction and weight before horsepower. Both are much more capable than they look. Here's a review I did of two used units, when I was shopping, keep in mind this was an older BX25, not the one with the nicer seat and dash: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/328518-2012-kubota-bx25-tlb-vs.html
For the most part, these comparisons ring true on the current models.
As far as the Massey Fergusons, I wasn't able to find a newer one to look at (with the TLB) with 200 miles of my house, in the two years I looked. There is one in town, but it's the first model they made, in the subcompact TLB and the guy has TRASHED it. I don't think it's a reflection of the machine, more the man.
The MF seems to offer a lot, on paper. I did sit on the GC1715, but didn't get to run it, at all. I find the MF GC line to be a strange middle ground, even blend of the benefits the JD and BX compete over. To get a MF, with the same setup I got in the BX was going to cost around $2,000 more. If I could have actually used one, to try out, I think it would have been a very tough choice between it and the BX.
No matter what you read, there's a lot of fanboys.
I ended up with the Kubota BX25D, a 60" MMM, and a 60" Land Pride rear blade (cost me $48). The John Deere was really its only contender. The biggest problem with the 1025R TLB was the price ($5,000 more than I paid for BX). The second biggest was the single function hydraulics. The third was the seat.
The $5,000 pretty well explains itself. The single function hydraulics are a big deal, to me. Yes, the JD specs higher, on paper, but at the cost of going two directions, at once. I was able to pop a >4" root with the BX25D backhoe, but had to torque it two ways. I doubt the extra umph of the JD would have been enough. The BX25D seat is better than the 1025R seat, for my butt. The JD bounced too much.
Of course, the JD has some great advantages, too. From the seat ergonomics are superior on the JD, without a doubt. The location of the loader controller, auxiliary plug, and the addition of a storage compartment and tilt steering wheel trump the BX by a long shot. The bucket level indicator of the JD is functional, the BX is stupid (or I am, but no one can really seem to make it work); actually, the JD buckets are more functional, in pretty much every way: the flat top beats the rolled top, so much easier to weld on hooks or accessories.
Removing the JD FEL is cake. The BX required more steps, but is not taxing or labor intensive. Obvious benefit to JD, but not a game changer, to me. I prefer where the FEL hydraulic hookups are, on the BX, as they seem safer.
The BX cooling fan is often shown as a weak link. It's not a plus, as the transmission cooler on the JD is superior, unless it has an issue. A new fan is only $20, but a huge PITA to replace. The tranny cooler would be big money, and a PITA; though, it is unlikely to be damaged.
The hood on the JD is one piece and moves enough for service. The BX shroud has to be moved forward, after taking off the front guard. It's a few extra steps and the one piece would be nice to have.
They are more alike, or personal preference, than anything:
Pedals: The JD is more efficient, but I've never had a problem with he heel-toe design. There have been times, working around delicate things, where I preferred the heel-toe, so I didn't accidentally go the wrong direction. This is my first tractor and heel-toe is more idiot-proof.
Mower: (comparing 60") Both cut great. The BX rides higher, which is a plus. It's safer for it and you can cut up to 6", if you need to. The JD's drive over is infinitely better than the BX drive over. JD has a cool Autoconnect, but it's only cool when it works. Crawling under the tractor to connect the mid-PTO sucks, big ones. Having problems with the JD Autoconnect would probably suck bigger ones, but it's not likely you'll have a problem, either.
Size: It's so close, it probably doesn't matter. I know I got a job with my BX the JD would have been too wide for, so that's a plus. The JD is wider, so it's more stable, that's a plus. You can buy spacers for the BX, so it can be even, but you have to factor that cost into the $5K savings. The BX has higher ground clearance, according to Kubota, but the JD lifts more, with a comparable footprint.
Implements: JD and Kubota offer a fair amount of accessories and implements made for these tractors. JD has Frontier and Kubota has a dealer arrangement with Land Pride. I don't know much about Frontier, other than to say they appear to be quality and expensive. The Land Pride stuff is quality and expensive. It is made in Salina, KS, wich is cool.
I'm sure there's more, but I have to get the kid to school. In the end, I doubt you'll find too many jobs one can do that the other can't. Both run out of traction and weight before horsepower. Both are much more capable than they look. Here's a review I did of two used units, when I was shopping, keep in mind this was an older BX25, not the one with the nicer seat and dash: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/328518-2012-kubota-bx25-tlb-vs.html
For the most part, these comparisons ring true on the current models.
As far as the Massey Fergusons, I wasn't able to find a newer one to look at (with the TLB) with 200 miles of my house, in the two years I looked. There is one in town, but it's the first model they made, in the subcompact TLB and the guy has TRASHED it. I don't think it's a reflection of the machine, more the man.
The MF seems to offer a lot, on paper. I did sit on the GC1715, but didn't get to run it, at all. I find the MF GC line to be a strange middle ground, even blend of the benefits the JD and BX compete over. To get a MF, with the same setup I got in the BX was going to cost around $2,000 more. If I could have actually used one, to try out, I think it would have been a very tough choice between it and the BX.
No matter what you read, there's a lot of fanboys.
