Kubota or Massey

[burkehill]

I am wringing my hands over whether to buy a Kubota L5040, or a Massey Ferguson 1552. Does anyone have any information that might sway me one way or the other? Price is the same, and both dealers are very helpful.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Kubota has always gotten good marks for reliability and durability. I can't say the same for the other make.

 

[wallace]

If financing is involved how can you beat the Massey 0% for 72 months
What trans are you looking at?

 

[shakin]

which bota dealer are you talking with union farm from what i have heard of is easier to get along with. is the massey dealer in bangor. have you talked to bruce at bruce's tractor sales in old town. he dosen't have those brands but he does have some good one's. remember bota's are good but they are not the only good and reliable one's on the market. i have a montana great little machine no issues as of yet. snoop around on all of the brand specific forums and read up lots of god stuff here. just remember to filter out the posts that are just people letting off steam and rarely hold little value.

 

[burkehill]

Looking at the GST transmission in the Kubota, and the 12x12 in the Massey. Union is by far the best value and service around here. They are further away, but worth the drive to avoid Dorrs. And Northwood in Bangor is the Massey dealer. I have always had good experiences with them.

 

[shakin]

massey's are iseki's right. i personally have heard nothing bad about them. on a second note a friend bought a l3240 from union and they are great to deal with both in price and customer support. sounds like you have a tought decision to make. obvisouly the massey is probably cheaper.

 

[burkehill]

Massey is a little bit cheaper, but not by a whole lot. Mainly, the Kubota has more PTO Hp, and the Massey has more hydraulic ability. Both dealers are nice to deal with, and they both deliver. I trust the Kubota more in terms of them standing behind the machine. But the MF dealer is closer, and has been very helpful, both now and in the past, even when I wasn't buying anything from them.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Massey is a little bit cheaper, but not by a whole lot. Mainly, the Kubota has more PTO Hp, and the Massey has more hydraulic ability. Both dealers are nice to deal with, and they both deliver. I trust the Kubota more in terms of them standing behind the machine. But the MF dealer is closer, and has been very helpful, both now and in the past, even when I wasn't buying anything from them.

Just wondering why you think that Kubota is going to stand behind their product any better than Massey? If it were me, I would get the one that fit me (comfort & ergonomics) the best.

 

[burkehill]

Well, for a few reasons. First off, because Kubota manufactures their own machines, and MF has Iseki make quite a bit of them. Also there are many more Kubotas on (off) the road here, so it seems that there is more chance of future support. And, I just sold my last tractor, a MF 1045. It was a great machine, but I had to get rid of it because MF had them made by Toyosha at that point, and Toyosha is no longer supplying parts for them. The last time that I needed to replace a wheel seal, it took me 7 months to get the seal, and it was one of two left in the country. Then something went out in the transmission, and I lost low range. It wasn't even worth breaking the tractor to find out exactly what it was, because none of the transmission parts are available at all. I managed to find one of the transmission gears leftover on the shelf at a dealer in Texas, and that was it. So that has left a little bit of a bitter taste in my wallet, and makes me wonder if twenty years down the line there will be the same problem between Iseki and MF. Or some variant thereof.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Kubota hands down. I've owned two of them and still have an 80's model. These things are built like tanks. I needed a part for my 80's Kubota and they said no problem when do you want it. That impressed me. I can't get that service from Ford.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, for a few reasons. First off, because Kubota manufactures their own machines, and MF has Iseki make quite a bit of them. Also there are many more Kubotas on (off) the road here, so it seems that there is more chance of future support. And, I just sold my last tractor, a MF 1045. It was a great machine, but I had to get rid of it because MF had them made by Toyosha at that point, and Toyosha is no longer supplying parts for them. The last time that I needed to replace a wheel seal, it took me 7 months to get the seal, and it was one of two left in the country. Then something went out in the transmission, and I lost low range. It wasn't even worth breaking the tractor to find out exactly what it was, because none of the transmission parts are available at all. I managed to find one of the transmission gears leftover on the shelf at a dealer in Texas, and that was it. So that has left a little bit of a bitter taste in my wallet, and makes me wonder if twenty years down the line there will be the same problem between Iseki and MF. Or some variant thereof.

Ok, thanks for your answer, I was just wondering what the reasoning was.

 

[WilliamBos]

Well, for a few reasons. First off, because Kubota manufactures their own machines, and MF has Iseki make quite a bit of them. Also there are many more Kubotas on (off) the road here, so it seems that there is more chance of future support. And, I just sold my last tractor, a MF 1045. It was a great machine, but I had to get rid of it because MF had them made by Toyosha at that point, and Toyosha is no longer supplying parts for them. The last time that I needed to replace a wheel seal, it took me 7 months to get the seal, and it was one of two left in the country. Then something went out in the transmission, and I lost low range. It wasn't even worth breaking the tractor to find out exactly what it was, because none of the transmission parts are available at all. I managed to find one of the transmission gears leftover on the shelf at a dealer in Texas, and that was it. So that has left a little bit of a bitter taste in my wallet, and makes me wonder if twenty years down the line there will be the same problem between Iseki and MF. Or some variant thereof.

Hinimoto (Toyosha) went bankrupt, hence the reason why they are now built by Iseki, every SCUT/CUT from 1100 series up have been. I would not worry about the same problem from Iseki. Parts support will not be an issue.

I vote MF.

 

[jaybrad]

burkehill, now did you really think that you would get an objective response from people who are passionate about their tractors?

I have a Massey (purchased from Waterman's in Sabattus), but others in my neighborhood have Kubota - and we are all very pleased with our purchases.

I don't think that reliability or service/parts availability will be an issue with either machine - and you seem comfortable with both dealers who have good reputations. You're in a very good position.

So, all things being equal, I would echo the advice of MtnViewRanch and get some seat time with both machines - then go with the one that fits and feels best to you.

If you're still undecided, just remember that red is a primary color, and orange is really just a watered down red.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Jay

 

[art]

Well, for a few reasons. First off, because Kubota manufactures their own machines, and MF has Iseki make quite a bit of them. Also there are many more Kubotas on (off) the road here, so it seems that there is more chance of future support. And, I just sold my last tractor, a MF 1045. It was a great machine, but I had to get rid of it because MF had them made by Toyosha at that point, and Toyosha is no longer supplying parts for them. The last time that I needed to replace a wheel seal, it took me 7 months to get the seal, and it was one of two left in the country. Then something went out in the transmission, and I lost low range. It wasn't even worth breaking the tractor to find out exactly what it was, because none of the transmission parts are available at all. I managed to find one of the transmission gears leftover on the shelf at a dealer in Texas, and that was it. So that has left a little bit of a bitter taste in my wallet, and makes me wonder if twenty years down the line there will be the same problem between Iseki and MF. Or some variant thereof.

We ran into the problem back in the early 80's with a couple of brands for different reasons. Thats why we took on Kubota, we deal directly with them!

 

[flusher]

I am wringing my hands over whether to buy a Kubota L5040, or a Massey Ferguson 1552. Does anyone have any information that might sway me one way or the other? Price is the same, and both dealers are very helpful.

The specs look pretty similar. I've owned a 2005 Kubota B7510HST/LA302 FEL (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto) and liked it a lot. Traded it in last year for a much larger Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, 2WD, partial constant mesh tranny) with the ML250 FEL. My 5525 has similar specs to the tractors you're eyeballing, except it's much heavier (5370 lb without FEL vs about 3900 lb for the Bota and MF).

My only experience with MF is via my 1964 MF-135 diesel. Nice old tractor.

My neighbor has a Kubota L4400 that's a very impressive machine.

 

[jwillett]

I was in the same boat as you last month. My dealer sells both Kubota and MF so I could check them both out side by side. Called and ask my brother-in-law about his M5040 Kubota and it was in the shop split in half with trans problems so I went with the MF and the 0% for 72 months, so far so good.
My brother-in-law's Kubota was fixed and was covered but he had to do without it for a month. I guess timing is everthing but I do like red better than orange. LOL My MF does what I want it to do and that is all you can ask.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[burkehill]

Thanks for all of the responses, although it doesn't seem like we have a clear winner. And, for the record, this MF is yellow, not red. It seems that Iseki makes the identical tractor for Cat as the Challenger, but there was some mix up. So the MF dealer has red ones and yellow ones, but they are otherwise the same tractor. The yellow ones are being sold as limited edition yellow tractors, but they are just MF tractors, painted yellow to be sold as Cats, and then rebranded as MF. And they are $1500 dollars cheaper (so the dealer says) than the identical red version. So if red is a primary color, and orange is watered down red, then I suppose yellow would be ok, as it is a primary color as well. But blue is my favorite color, and I grow blueberries for a living. But I used to work for Ford, and I refuse to own one, even if it is branded as New Holland. Just too much bad blood and inside knowledge....
I am leaning towards the MF for non-color reasons. For one, the hydraulics are a bit stronger on them, as opposed to the PTO being stronger on the Kubota. I have rarely had a problem with too little power from the PTO, but I always want more hydraulic power. Also, I like the way that MF puts the steering cylinder tucked up out of the way above and beyond the front axle, unlike the Kubota which is right in front of the axle, and JD, who put it behind the axle, but lower, with the fittings pointed down.

 

[jaybrad]

I seriously considered several Kubota models and filtered down to the BX24. Did the same thing with Deere and got to the 2305. Then I went shopping and encountered a salesman who was arrogant and condescending, and tractors that had a lot more plastic than I was used to seeing.

So back here I came for suggestions and learned about the MF 2310, so I made some calls and took a drive - and liked what I saw; more PTO hp, more hydraulic power at lower RPMs, dual hydraulic cylinders on the FEL, metal deck, and a dealer that was competitive in price, responsive to questions, and acted like they wanted my business.

I'm coming up on my first anniversary with this machine and looking forward to a summer full of projects that will involve digging, chipping, moving, dragging, and lots of smiling.

 

[GreenWannabe]

Thanks for all of the responses, although it doesn't seem like we have a clear winner. And, for the record, this MF is yellow, not red. It seems that Iseki makes the identical tractor for Cat as the Challenger, but there was some mix up. So the MF dealer has red ones and yellow ones, but they are otherwise the same tractor. The yellow ones are being sold as limited edition yellow tractors, but they are just MF tractors, painted yellow to be sold as Cats, and then rebranded as MF. And they are $1500 dollars cheaper (so the dealer says) than the identical red version. So if red is a primary color, and orange is watered down red, then I suppose yellow would be ok, as it is a primary color as well. But blue is my favorite color, and I grow blueberries for a living. But I used to work for Ford, and I refuse to own one, even if it is branded as New Holland. Just too much bad blood and inside knowledge....
I am leaning towards the MF for non-color reasons. For one, the hydraulics are a bit stronger on them, as opposed to the PTO being stronger on the Kubota. I have rarely had a problem with too little power from the PTO, but I always want more hydraulic power. Also, I like the way that MF puts the steering cylinder tucked up out of the way above and beyond the front axle, unlike the Kubota which is right in front of the axle, and JD, who put it behind the axle, but lower, with the fittings pointed down.

Agco, which owns both the Challenger and Massey Ferguson brands, decided to discontinue the Challenger MT200B compact tractor series last year. The remaining stock they rebranded Massey Ferguson 1500 series limited edition models, and sent to Massey dealers. They are the same Iseki tractors under the skin. The only differences are the hood styling and the color, The other Challenger models are sold through participating Caterpillar dealers; the dealer here in Alabama is not a participating dealer.

 

[SouthernX]

I seriously considered several Kubota models and filtered down to the BX24. Did the same thing with Deere and got to the 2305. Then I went shopping and encountered a salesman who was arrogant and condescending, and tractors that had a lot more plastic than I was used to seeing. [ snip... ]

I'm kind of a metal guy myself. But... When I was in the market for a tractor last year I went to a dealer who sold both Kubota (metal body) and New Holland (plastic body). The thought of a tractor with plastic body parts was a negative in my mind. But when I compared the Kubota body to the New Holland body I found that the plastic New Holland was sturdier. In addition, plastic doesn't rust, which is a big plus in my book. It is easier to buff out scratches than paint scratches. The plastic body will deflect a rock that will cause the metal body to dent and ding.

Just my $.02 worth.