1600 series buying questions

[Gio]

As some of you may know be my posts I am thinking about trading my GC for a 1600 series. Most likely a 1635 or 1643.

I am pretty sure I am going with the 1643 because I always regret not buying what I really want and I often spend more money down the road getting it anyway.

I am working on pricing with my dealer and I had a few option questions.

1. Is the Skid Steer bucket worth the extra money over the Pin-on bucket? I am not sure what I may do with FEL attachments in the future but I will mostly use a bucket or forks.

2. Power Shuttle or Hydro? I am leaning towards Hydro unless there is a compelling reason someone can convey.

3. Rear remotes? Haven't checked on pricing but looking for opinions.

As always, Thanks for your input !

 

[MF 1532]

1. Is the Skid Steer bucket worth the extra money over the Pin-on bucket? I am not sure what I may do with FEL attachments in the future but I will mostly use a bucket or forks.

2. Power Shuttle or Hydro? I am leaning towards Hydro unless there is a compelling reason someone can convey.

3. Rear remotes? Haven't checked on pricing but looking for opinions.

The quick attach is nice , I'm constantly switching back and forth , bucket and pallet forks . Most like hydro , but , I get along really well with my Power Shuttle . With this tractor I don't need the rear hydraulics .

 

[Kal130]

Have you drove both drives? I drove 4 hours to drive a hydro. Loved the way they tied the hydro to the throttle.

Think of it this way, if you snag something with the bucket and bend it, would it be better to go to your Massey dealer and order a new one, or go to an auction and pick up any skid steer bucket for next to nothing? Look in a rental book too and see the plethora of doo dads you can hang in the QA setup. Think it may be worth the cost in my opinion.

Rear remotes are very pricy, but probably worth it.

 

[ff1221]

I like the hydro for it's ease of use for myself and anybody else who uses it, my wife drives it all the time, and go the quick attach, first time you have to knock out and line up pins, you'll lose your mind, besides if you are ever thinking resale it's a must, also the extra set of remotes adds there too, I have 2 sets just for my snowblower, almost wish I'd have gotten the third set.

 

[jtheise4]

I have a 1643 and I highly recommend it. Great tractor. I have the universal quick attach and like it. If you're going to be changing attachments, its fantastic. If you never plan on switching buckets, then its probably not worth the money.

I have a hydro transmission and its so nice for loader work. No throwing levers or shifting, just push the pedal and away you go. Really nice.

As for rear remotes, it depends on what you plan on doing with the tractor. If you want to use a grapple, then get them now. I didn't get rear remotes when I bought my tractor and I regret it. I am taking it back to my dealer soon to have one rear remote added. Its costing me about $2K to have it done now. I believe its cheaper straight from the factory.

 

[bigbull338]

you want the skid quick attach,or else youll be trying to get everything lined up so you can put the pins in.i love my hydro tranny it takes alot stress off of you doing any kind of work.

 

[MF1652]

The quick attach is a must for the bucket. There are so many after market options available. Even if you don't need it now, you'll be kicking yourself later for not doing it. The QA is so much easier than the pin type.

I have the shuttle shift and love it. I have never driven a hydro, so I can't recomend one way or the other.

As for rear remotes, get as many as you can afford at the time of purchase. I just settled for one set on my 1652 and wish I got more at that time. You never know what you might need in the future and it's cheaper and easier to get it done at the time of purchase.

Get your rear tires loaded at the dealer also. I had to go back almost a year later to get the tires done once I realized I needed it. I'm really ticked at myself for not getting that one done at the time of purchase because the dealer was offering to do it for free. Like a moron, I said no and assumed I wouldn't need it.

 

[Gio]

Thank you for the great advice! My dealer came up with a pretty good trade offer on my GC so I may pull the trigger.

Have most of you gone with the 3pt mower or MMM? The MMM on my GC was a big pain in the butt (not many level surfaces on my land to pull it on and off). I was thinking rear discharge 3pt finish.

Thanks again,

GIO

 

[Woodcanoeguy]

I have 4 different kinds of mowers and love my 3 pt rear discharge finish mower for work around the yard and farmyard. Of course nothing beats a rotary for heavy work. Am actually disappointed with my new Caroni Flail....my 30 yr old Mott backward rotating flail was far superior.

 

[StevenL]

Ultimately you need to decide based on your needs, here are my thoughts and reasons when I was faced with these options:

Quick attach because I switch between a bucket and forks frequently. Bucket for moving the obvious loose stuff and pallets (some with sides) for other materials. As already mentioned, there are many other attachments.

I went with a Hydro so my wife (and kids) would have an easier time. Found that it's very handy for front work, bucket and forks, as well rotary cutter tasks in tighter spots. As you probably know, the 1600 does have a "cruise control" which locks the Hydro pedal in any position, simple and functional.

Remotes will depend entirely on planned usage. I didn't get any and still don't have a need for the foreseeable future -- although a hydraulic top-link for my box blade would be nice . I'm sure my dealer can add them should I change my mind.

Lastly, my rears are filled with Rimguard as I have a bunch of hills and I like my loader (also use my box blade for rear weight).