which one, JD 1025R or MF GC1720 or MF 1526 with woods backhoe or NH25s

[bfloyd4445]

I got a quote for the NH workmaster 25sTLB of 17,500 last week, same as the MF GC1720 TLB almost 18,000. The green 1025r TLB was 20,800 Tried to get one on an LS but none are available in central ca. going to have to wait till i get back to Oregon

 

[bfloyd4445]

Thanks very much for the input. I bought a new jeep last year that is plagued with issues that jeep won't and can't fix. Lemon law was no help

 

[Langanobob]

You mentioned that you’re looking for a trencher. Maybe you have experience operating these little TLB’s. They are very versatile and useful but the backhoes are a bit of a compromise when compared to a mini excavator. If you’re going to be mainly trenching I suggest looking at one of the small tracked excavators.

About the swivel sests vs a dedicated backhoe seat, yes I find the swivel seat to be a nuisance but the other side of the coin is I think the backhoes with dedicated seats are longer which affects the maneuverability of an already long machine.

 

[bfloyd4445]

You mentioned that you’re looking for a trencher. Maybe you have experience operating these little TLB’s. They are very versatile and useful but the backhoes are a bit of a compromise when compared to a mini excavator. If you’re going to be mainly trenching I suggest looking at one of the small tracked excavators.

About the swivel sests vs a dedicated backhoe seat, yes I find the swivel seat to be a nuisance but the other side of the coin is I think the backhoes with dedicated seats are longer which affects the maneuverability of an already long machine.

Good point thanks. I have no plans on using the backhoe lots but you never can tell. I will use it mostly with a brush hog rear blade and grapple if i can find one that will fit. The JD has after market grapples available but not the MF that i am aware of. Tge MF 1526 TLB does have a grapple available. And your right if i don't use the BH much the swivel seat thing is a mute point.

 

[daugen]

Worry not about Iseki engines. They have been around a very long time, one of the original Japanese manufacturers, and the 20+ year old Iseki engine in my MF runs flawlessly, though cold hearted, likes lots of glow plug before starting.
I believe Iseki supplies most of the engines for Massey Ferguson under 100hp.

Unless you are going to leave the backhoe off and operate mostly without it, I'd suggest you consider renting a mini excavator or trencher when you need it. Backhoes add a lot of weight and length to a machine and are often difficult to install. I considered one and then realized that cost would rent a lot of very fancy small excavators that would work better and still keep
lots of money in the bank. I think most backhoes should be avoided when they are only nice to haves, plus digging in the ground and hitting very expensive things is sometimes best left to the experts. Having said that, as an extra tractor, yeah a TLB would be great to have around. My ditches would never be so nice...

grapples and implements can be bought anywhere. Likely you'll get a better grapple for less money at Everything Attachments.
Good luck and have fun with this.
Get some seat time, make sure the ergonomics really work for you.

 

[bfloyd4445]

Worry not about Iseki engines. They have been around a very long time, one of the original Japanese manufacturers, and the 20+ year old Iseki engine in my MF runs flawlessly, though cold hearted, likes lots of glow plug before starting.
I believe Iseki supplies most of the engines for Massey Ferguson under 100hp.

Unless you are going to leave the backhoe off and operate mostly without it, I'd suggest you consider renting a mini excavator or trencher when you need it. Backhoes add a lot of weight and length to a machine and are often difficult to install. I considered one and then realized that cost would rent a lot of very fancy small excavators that would work better and still keep
lots of money in the bank. I think most backhoes should be avoided when they are only nice to haves, plus digging in the ground and hitting very expensive things is sometimes best left to the experts. Having said that, as an extra tractor, yeah a TLB would be great to have around. My ditches would never be so nice...

grapples and implements can be bought anywhere. Likely you'll get a better grapple for less money at Everything Attachments.
Good luck and have fun with this.
Get some seat time, make sure the ergonomics really work for you.

Seat time....something i have failed to do. But i have examined JD MF NH Kubota very closely and the MF always leaves me with the impression it is built far stronger than the others, built like a tank. If you take a look at the subframe assembly on the little MF's you will notice it is much more robust and better secured than on the competition. That what i did today after work went and got under all three after reading of NH's breaking in half at the motor transmission mounting point. Kubotas are the only little guys that don't need a third funtion valve added for front loader hydraulic accessories lie aa grapple according to the MF Kubota dealer i was at today.

 

[AxleHub]

Was looking for a trencher and saw a small kubota tractor backhoe anbd thought how handy the little guy would be so started shopping. Cant make up my mind, the NH 25s is a dandy little guy as well.
Please help, which would you buy

Bfloyd,

There are many advantages to the Massey GC series. The gc1700 series is not just an Iseki engine, it is an Iseki tractor too except the fel and backhoe which are made in the U. S.. A tractor made by an engine builder is an advantage. Kubota and Iseki both have excellent long term histories as engine builders but they also share several design advantages too. Forward engine compartment cooling is a big benefit for several reasons..

The Massey GC products allows 3pt hitch to be on unit with backhoe on. So when you take the backhoe off you don't have to install the 3pt hitch.

The Massey has dual hydro pumps instead of a single pump and also operates dual fel pistons instead of a single center.

As far as grapple choices. . Or forks or buckets. . Call mytractortools.com to see unique advantages of quality implements.

Kubota is good product but I ended up getting a gc1715.

I don't know where you live. . . But my dealer is a full kubota and Massey dealer with complete displays inside. Size of dealership is amazing. And they have a large j. D. Dealer in the same small town too. McFarlanes is in Sauk City WI. Call them to get pricing but do not be surprised if you go there and your jaw drops open. . . It is bigger than big just like the service area is too.

 

[bfloyd4445]

I'm in Drain Oregon.

Thats what i didnt like about the kubota was the single center mount loader hydraulic cylinder, the competition all have two. The Massey's loader bucket is not designed to be removed like the competition making it more difficult to add front attachments. Also you need to add a third function hydraulic valve on all of them except for kubota it comes with one already. If I move up to the 1526 Massey it has a quick attach bucket on the loader and other features of a real tractor. Drawback is the 1526 is a lot larger and my reason for getting a little tractor is the small size would be handy. Your gc1715 is identical to the gc1720 except for 1 hp and it is my favorite tractor of the little guys. I have a dealer now that is looking up what it would take to put a grapple on the gc1720 and the cost. as for Ku vs. MF MF is a north
American company that sells tractors in over 140 countries world wide and has made quality tractors for over 100 years. kubota is japanese and i prefer to buy from local companies. I have many friends with MF's and i don't recall any of them ever mentioning issues with them and they all use them HARD. JD's are supposed to be very well build but has had some issues and if you examine the jd1025R closely and compare to the gc1720-15-05-10 you will see the little MF's appear much stronger especially the subframe. The LS and NH kinda are much lighter in build.

Anyway I really appreciate the time you guys are taking to help me decide. Thanks everyone

 

[AxleHub]

bfloyd,

you are in error on several things:

1 my gc1715 is the same as a gc1720 except I don't have the backhoe and the reversable seat.

2. I have a quick attach on my fel that I switch back and forth between a full fork set and the bucket and someday late this year I'll add 1 of 5 possible grapple choices. All from that vendor I prior mentioned in my last post.

3. the gc2300/2400/2600 and the. gc1700s are all iseki tractors/engines and built in japan just like kubota, yanmar, and iseki. If you've researched the best engine and tractor builders . . . You will find those 3 names involved with building for 3 decades for small and mid sized Diesel engines .

 

[atsah]

If I was to do it again I would buy the 1526, it’s more capable and has a three range hydro with auto throttle which is a nice feature for doing lots of things. My GC is a good rugged little tractor. The 1526 is on my list of things to buy in the near future.