Considering a GC1705

[rossn]

Hi,

Second post here on tractorbynet - what a great site!

I'm considering buying a used 2013 GC1705 with 70 hours. It has the 60" mowing deck, DL100 FEL, and Joystick.

We purchased a 1 acre property, and have a number of gardening, landscaping, and other projects. Additionally, we have about a 200' drive with an additional space to park 6 vehicles that would require snow removal. I'd love to have a backhoe for the various digging needs we will have, and unfortunately, this model doesn't support the factory one (subframe model required). Perhaps a DIY version will be in the works, though that sounds like quite the project.

A few questions I'm hoping to answer:

- What would be a 'good price' on this tractor?
- Does MF allow transfer of the drivetrain warranty?
- How difficult is it to find used front accessories/implements for this tractor (blade, broom, snow blower)? I'm assuming no aftermarket front accessories are available.
- Will standard/aftermarket rear implements work with this tractor, or is there something proprietary about the 3-pt hitch?
- Do you know how well the 'dozer' blade works for snow clearing?
- Any 'gotchas' I should consider for this tractor or things I should check before purchasing?
- How is MF, as a manufacturer and for service?

Thanks in advance!

Ross

 

[cglaser104]

I'll answer this in order the best I can.

1) you can add a backhoe to a 1705, you need to buy and install the subframe, plumb in the hydraulics and then obviously the backhoe.
2) price is dependent on your area and the demand. A 1705 with 70 hrs is virtually brand new and as long as it's been well kept I would imagine it'll fetch no less than $10k
3)it's out of warranty based on year I believe. MF didn't offer the 5yr/2000hr warranty at that time. Is there a purchased extended warranty?
4) accessories are a phone call away for that model to your local MF dealer. Used implements are extremely rare to see for sale where I live (I check daily in case i can add to my collection) I've never seen an aftermarket front implement for these.
5) the rear 3pt system is a standard cat1 hookup with limited travel. You can run PTO tillers, bush hogs, back blades, yada yada yada....no problem.
6) not sure I've sent dozerblade snow removal. I've seen front snowblower, FEL, rear blade. Bottom line is the tractor has the power, it's traction that comes into question
7) the only gotcha is making sure it's been properly cleaned and serviced. Beyond that, a well cared for MF GC1705 will last a lifetime. The biggest complaint I've ever seen is that the seat could be more comfortable.
8) Massey Ferguson the brand is an extremely old brand. It's part of a larger group called AGCO which has a number of brands under its umbrella. As for support, that's as good as your local dealer makes it. A good dealership is key, getting parts is difficult through the internet. A good dealership, however, can help you with your needs.

 

[AxleHub]

I'd like to add or correct a few things:

A. The 5 year powertrain warranty took effect with the gc1700 series so the gc1705 IS PART OF THAT.

B. There are many implements available for the GC1700 series from your dealer AND from 3rd party vendors. As an example: MyTractorTools.Com offers a bucket quick attach for the fel as well as other unique buckets, multiple fork choices and several sizes of grapples for the DL100 fel. I have the quick attach and a set of forks from them and this year I will get a mini grapple for my needs as well.

C. Lets be clear . . A tractor's age is based on when it is sold. That GC1705 most likely iwas sold n 2014 or 2015 (I saw many 2013s with dl100 fel units available in april and may of 2015 yet. If you run a serial number check . . you may find the unit is just a little over 1 year old or 2 at most and not 3 years old. The only differences between a 2013 midel year and a 2015 or 2016 model year is they now gave a dl95 model fel instead of the dl100.

D. I wouldn't plan on adding a backhow to the unit. A genuine MF cb05 or cb65 backhoe might run you more than 6000 dollars plus labor costs and subframe and that would be alot of money in my thinking. If you really want a backhoe . . then buy a gc1710 or gc1720 imo. Also a number of 3rd party options offer SOME capabilities of a backhoe at only hundreds of dollars instead of many thousands. (Mini trenchers and ripper tooth or "shovel/scoop" etc.).
The GC1705 is made by Iseki and they have a great reputation for 3 decades (engine andvtractor). And with only 70 hours on it . . It may or may not even have had its 50 hour service yet. I took delivery of my GC1715 in early June of 2015 and with 80 hours on it . . . its like new and just getting the 50 hr services done to it.

E. Is it private party or from a dealer. From a dealer you might be able to get the MF insurance too. Its very reasonable.

F. 3ph implements are everywhere to fit the unit. And you can get a snow edge from Racket Rake to plow snow with your bucket (like I did this winter) or get a MF front plow or a front snowblower or broom for it. .

G. You can also get wheel spacers and skid plate protectors from 3rd parties or a 3ph sprayer like I did or and and and. Lots of options.

H. Pricing . . . the best way to know "what is avgood price?" is to know what is a good NEW price in your area. Note I said "good new price" because just getting a new product price quote is not necessarily "a good" quote.

Find out when the unit was sold . . you may be surprised how young this unit is

 

[rossn]

cglaser104 & Axlehub -- awesome information! Thanks so much for your reply. Seems my notifications on updates for this thread from tractorbynet went to my spam folder, but I have that fixed now.

Good information on the warranty. Hopefully it is transferable. I'll receive the serial number today and contact MF to confirm it is not a stolen.

Yes, adding the backhoe seems to be an expensive option. It's good to know that it is possible, especially if a CB65 could be found used. I've seen a couple MF notes that conflict about whether the factory backhoe could be added. The backhoe description lists it only compatible with the 1710 and 1720, there is a warranty comment that the warranty will be voided if a 3-pt vs subframe backhoe is mounted, and then there was another comment on the 2300 series mower (text) pdf that said "Compatible with MF CB65 Backhoe on GC1705/1715 and GC1710/1720. 3-Point linkage must be removed"

I could only find a front blade labeled as 'Dozer Blade'. Is there a separate snow blade? How do you like your Racket Rake, and how much did it run you? I'm surprised someone doesn't make a plow blade attachment that mounts to the front of the FEL.

I stand corrected... it is a 2014 model.

Do you happen know where the serial number is located on the tractor?

Also, if you happen to know of 3rd parties that make backhoes and subframes that may fit this tractor that would be great to know. I'll post up a separate thread.

Thanks again!