Buying Advice JD 1025R or MF 1725M

51Howard · Aug 19, 2019

New here, but looking for some advice on a tractor for my new house I’m building. I’m very familiar with heavy equipment as that’s what I do for work, but not familiar with these small tractors. The main use will be mowing and snow blowing with some yard work with the FEL. I was looking at 3 tractors, jd1025r, mf1725m and Kubota bx2680. The BX got ruled out due to the treadle peadle or what ever itç—´ called, and lack of lifting compacity. My JD1025R quote came in at $22,725 with fel, 60 inch mower, 54 snowblower, and weight box delivered. I got the same price for the 1725m with same attachments but a 50 snowblower.

JD pros
Great reputation
Very easy fel on and off
Very easy mower deck on and off
Great lifting capacity
Tight turning radius
3 point adjustments

JD cons
No skid steer fel, only there own set up
Plastic hood and side panels
Odd ROPs and tall
Fuel gauge on side
One operation fel

MF pros
New 1805 fel with skid steer bucket
Great lifting capacity
6 year 0% interest
Great gauge cluster
Can do two movements at same time with fel
Can run both pto at same time

MF cons
Not as easy fel on off as JD
Not as easy on off mower
Seat wasn’t as comfy
Tilt wheel was awkward to use

So both have good and bad, so I’m sure either would make me happy. I’m leaning a little towards the MF for the skid steer bucket and 0% for 72 months. But the JD fel and mower on and off were very easy to do compared to the MF. I know the 1725m is new and not much feedback, and that also concerns me. Issues on forest year models is common. So just looking for some honest feedback.

By the way, love the site. Good info here.

Diggin It · Aug 19, 2019

I have a sneaking suspicion you could cut a few thousand off that price by going blue as I did (and several others here).

51Howard · Aug 19, 2019

It was on list, but nearest LS dealer is 1.5hrs away. The MF is 10 min away and JD I’d 15 min.

atsah · Aug 19, 2019

I had the 1705 for four years, I liked it very much with that said personally I like the Deere a bit better because of ease of use and comfort compared to my 1705, have never sat on the new Massey..

Slowpoke Slim · Aug 19, 2019

I'm pretty sure you could get the SSQA as an added (for $) option on the Deere.

KennyG · Aug 19, 2019

You can get a SSQA conversion for the JD, but consider the logic of why JD has their own system. Tractors in this class have limited lifting capacity and SSQA systems and accessories are quite heavy, because they are designed for much heavier machines. You will lose much of the lifting capacity with an SSQA. There are many accessories available for the JD system and I have built a number for myself because the system is so simple.

The SSQA is a consideration but it's not automatic that having SSQA is an advantage.

Diggin It · Aug 19, 2019

51Howard said:
It was on list, but nearest LS dealer is 1.5hrs away. The MF is 10 min away and JD I’d 15 min.

I don't plan on making enough trips to my dealer for that to matter. The $5,000 or so lower price would far outweigh a few minutes of driving.

51Howard · Aug 20, 2019

KennyG said:
You can get a SSQA conversion for the JD, but consider the logic of why JD has their own system. Tractors in this class have limited lifting capacity and SSQA systems and accessories are quite heavy, because they are designed for much heavier machines. You will lose much of the lifting capacity with an SSQA. There are many accessories available for the JD system and I have built a number for myself because the system is so simple.

The SSQA is a consideration but it's not automatic that having SSQA is an advantage.

Nice points and never thought about that. Is the $22,725 for the JD a good price. It was close to $4000 off msrp.

dodge man · Aug 20, 2019

I can not comment on the MF but I own a JD2025R which is a larger version of the 1025. A couple of things I like is the easy off and on mower deck and the quick attach for the bucket. Unless you have a lot of skid steer attachments laying around it should not be an issue. The JD system is so simple and adds no weight.