Just can't make my mind up....Ugh

[12Bravo]

It amazes me how close of a call this is comparing tractors. I have looked at a few and have some that I like, some that I don't. Right now for varies reason I am at a cross road with BX25D-1 and GC1720. Just can't seem to find anything that pushed me one way or the other. Price point on both is where I want it to be, after talking to a couple dealers. I am waiting on Barlows to contact and on two other M-F dealers and one other Kubota dealers to reply. But I don't see a huge difference in price from either machine. All prices so far a have been 10-12% off MSRP, so I am fine there.

Personally, I get a better "Feeling" talking to and dealing with the local Kubota Dealer. The were great when I came in and asked a few questions and OFFERED for me to operate it. I didn't get the same feeling from M-F, almost like I was putting them out. So I asked twice if I could take it around the lot and if they had some dirt I could move and feel the backhoe under a little pressure. Kubota, no issue, actually said they have some one that cleans then regularly.

Tractor for tractor, I just don't see a huge difference. Just a few small things and a couple bigger things, like parts availability and add-ons. I can't find "jack" on M-F, like only place to get parts is a dealership. Might just be me as a newbie to the tractor world and I'm not looking in the right places.

Either way, just throwing this out here. Had some replies in the other post I made and am thankful for that.

~Over~

 

[riseandgrind]

I think your gut feeling is already pointing you in the right direction. With that being said, I am a total noob when it comes to tractors and just recently acquired my first used tractor. I initially was looking at the BX25 as well, but realized I don't need a new tractor and could get by with a used machine. Im sure others who have more tractor experience will help point you in the right direction. Me personally I refuse to give my business to a place that makes me feel like I am putting them out. Family owned and operated business for years, guess I am a little more sensitive when it comes to good customer service!

 

[sweettractors]

It amazes me how close of a call this is comparing tractors. I have looked at a few and have some that I like, some that I don't. Right now for varies reason I am at a cross road with BX25D-1 and GC1720. Just can't seem to find anything that pushed me one way or the other. Price point on both is where I want it to be, after talking to a couple dealers. I am waiting on Barlows to contact and on two other M-F dealers and one other Kubota dealers to reply. But I don't see a huge difference in price from either machine. All prices so far a have been 10-12% off MSRP, so I am fine there.

Personally, I get a better "Feeling" talking to and dealing with the local Kubota Dealer. The were great when I came in and asked a few questions and OFFERED for me to operate it. I didn't get the same feeling from M-F, almost like I was putting them out. So I asked twice if I could take it around the lot and if they had some dirt I could move and feel the backhoe under a little pressure. Kubota, no issue, actually said they have some one that cleans then regularly.

Tractor for tractor, I just don't see a huge difference. Just a few small things and a couple bigger things, like parts availability and add-ons. I can't find "jack" on M-F, like only place to get parts is a dealership. Might just be me as a newbie to the tractor world and I'm not looking in the right places.

Either way, just throwing this out here. Had some replies in the other post I made and am thankful for that.

~Over~

If all else seems equal, I tell my customers to purchase a brand the hold its value the best over time. In the event you die, which unit would have the best resell value at auction to settle your estate or provide income for your family. Ken Sweet

 

[Grandad4]

Both good little units with happy owners. There is plenty of obsessive talk about having the most power, lifting capacity, weight, etc., but really, in ordinary day-to-day use, either one of the tractors you mentioned will happily do the work it was designed for. So find the one you prefer, considering cost, dealer and your seat-of-the-pants judgement about the equipment.

 

[Wagtail]

Have you talked with your neighbours as to who, dealership-wise, has the best reputation of looking after their customers?

Yes, some will be 'colour-blind' but most should give you an up front answer. If your decision is close, go for the best service provider... that's the place you'll be dealing with long after you've bought.

 

[sixdogs]

Sometimes when we give ourselves too many choices it unnecessarily muddles the process. Just buy the Kubota and get on to using it. There are legions of satisfied owners around. Handles lots of tasks, great resale and a good dealer. What's not to like?

 

[AxleHub]

Sometimes a lack of experience focuses a person on a brochure or a bid price or other's choices or advertising too much. When I chose a GC1700 series product over a kubota bx product . . It was for specifics. In fact the dealer I ended up with sells both Kubota and Massey.

Both are fine choices: but specifics made a big difference.

1. I didn't want a "mulching deck" . . I wanted a "mulcher". Why? I either want rear discharge or no discharge and Masey had a mulcher deck with 6 blades and no discharge.

2. Comfort. I wanted a seat that had both coil and spring suspension and a non-mushy construction because I wanted a smooth ride and firm support under less than perfect conditions.

3. I wanted dual pumps becsuse I didn't want to always do everything at full rpms.

4. I wanted "forward flow" radiator design which both brands do but most others don't.

5. I wanted the best stability for steep or side slopes . . so I tested each on inclines at dealers.

6. I wanted separate pedals because its much better for my knee.

7. I wanted a differential lock . . no ifs, ands, or buts.

8. I wanted easy access to the engine compartment to do some of my own service. I also watched comparison videos on access.

9. I wanted as much room in the seat area from levers because of big coats and physical comfort.

10 I wanted a flat floor because in snow or ice weather with boots . . its safer. And easy access will helpbas I age.

11. I wanted a fully "engineered" unit by an engine maker (yammar, kubota, or Iseki) - not just a bunch of parts put together.

12. I wanted a growing brand for good resale and a long warranty.

13. I don't want a "lone wolf". I looked for a good dealer and backup dealers in case of problems. A single dealer dependence was not acceptable to me because anyone can have a fire or a heart attack or financial problems. I know too many who ranked the dealer 1st and then the dealer got sold or had to change brands.

14. How do you get to know what is important (like my 13 )? You study, you read, you visit, you ask, you test drive, you find multiple opinions. And then . . you hope to find luck . . . that your specifics list was a good and thorough list lol.

Is a Kubota brochure and website better than a Massey brochure and website? Absolutely . . because they've had a lot longer to redo it over and over . . but that doesn't mean a good brochure is a better tractor. Same for a website.

Both brands are very good. For my needs, uses, body design, and wallet . . I picked what would be best for me. By the way . . I also looked at several other brands too. It is my 1st tractor . . but the goal was and is . . To be happy with it for more years than my list is long

 

[GManBart]

Is a Kubota brochure and website better than a Massey brochure and website? Absolutely . . because they've had a lot longer to redo it over and over . . but that doesn't mean a good brochure is a better tractor. Same for a website.

Why would Kubota have a lot longer to redo it over and over, or have more time to develop their website? Both have been selling tractors for many decades, and the internet showed up at the same time for both. Yes, the BX has been around a lot longer than the GC, but you'd think any modern company could put together a pretty polished brochure and website without much trouble....although many are pretty lacking.

I tend to sense that most tractor buyers aren't spending much time on the internet looking at specs, brochures or videos. They go to the dealer, look at some machines, and often buy from that very dealer, and most companies know (assume?) this? I think that may be why they don't put much effort into their websites. The other thing that sort of fits with this is that Kubota has gone out of their way to target new tractor buyers as a core market, while most of the other tractor companies are really focusing on much bigger, more expensive machines. That means Kubota would be smart to have a better website, with more information readily available for those folks who don't really know much/anything about tractors...and generally they do.

Then again, I could be completely wrong :confused3:

 

[JMER817]

It amazes me how close of a call this is comparing tractors. I have looked at a few and have some that I like, some that I don't. Right now for varies reason I am at a cross road with BX25D-1 and GC1720. Just can't seem to find anything that pushed me one way or the other. Price point on both is where I want it to be, after talking to a couple dealers. I am waiting on Barlows to contact and on two other M-F dealers and one other Kubota dealers to reply. But I don't see a huge difference in price from either machine. All prices so far a have been 10-12% off MSRP, so I am fine there. Personally, I get a better "Feeling" talking to and dealing with the local Kubota Dealer. The were great when I came in and asked a few questions and OFFERED for me to operate it. I didn't get the same feeling from M-F, almost like I was putting them out. So I asked twice if I could take it around the lot and if they had some dirt I could move and feel the backhoe under a little pressure. Kubota, no issue, actually said they have some one that cleans then regularly. Tractor for tractor, I just don't see a huge difference. Just a few small things and a couple bigger things, like parts availability and add-ons. I can't find "jack" on M-F, like only place to get parts is a dealership. Might just be me as a newbie to the tractor world and I'm not looking in the right places. Either way, just throwing this out here. Had some replies in the other post I made and am thankful for that. ~Over~

Sounds like you already made your decision...

 

[Tomtint]

I don't think I would have any concerns buying either one. What I can say is that in my area a Kubota has crazy good resale and customer awareness. My dealer is decent and when I need something ( very rare ) they either have the part in stock or its there the next day. I also have a MF dealer about the same distance away who I buy mowers from and who services one of them, who has had a few MF tractors that have had birthdays on his lot.