kubota v. massey

[frankroberts]

I currently have a Massey Ferguson 50. It's an old tractor. Made in 1958 I think. I few years ago I took it apart, cleaned it, painted it and put on new tires $$$.

Now I am thinking of modernizing a bit. I found a Massey 135 with less than 1000 hours. Also nearby I found a L3130 Kubota. The Massey is $8,000 and the Kubota is $13,000.

I can afford either one. I mainly use the tractor for a 5' mower and pulling a trailer for hauling firewood and brush.

Thing is the Massey LOOKS like a tractor to me and the Kubota looks like a toy.

Any advise on which way to go? Thanks.

 

[Martian]

The Massey would be much older. That said from what I saw looking at Used Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, tractors for sale, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Kubota that $8k is too high. A 3130 is much newer, probably has 4x4 as well. Just that alone I would want to go toward the Kubota. I would look at some comparable models too the 3130 though. Such as a Deere 4310. You will find them to be much more comfortable machines.

 

[WilliamBos]

I currently have a Massey Ferguson 50. It's an old tractor. Made in 1958 I think. I few years ago I took it apart, cleaned it, painted it and put on new tires $$$.

Now I am thinking of modernizing a bit. I found a Massey 135 with less than 1000 hours. Also nearby I found a L3130 Kubota. The Massey is $8,000 and the Kubota is $13,000.

I can afford either one. I mainly use the tractor for a 5' mower and pulling a trailer for hauling firewood and brush.

Thing is the Massey LOOKS like a tractor to me and the Kubota looks like a toy.

Any advise on which way to go? Thanks.

I vote for the 135! Amazing on fuel, will start no matter how cold, and it is a utility tractor, not a compact!

 

[D7E]

A MF135 with 1000 hrs is a real tractor ..money is high though .

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The Massey would be much older. That said from what I saw looking at Used Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, tractors for sale, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Kubota that $8k is too high. A 3130 is much newer, probably has 4x4 as well. Just that alone I would want to go toward the Kubota. I would look at some comparable models too the 3130 though. Such as a Deere 4310. You will find them to be much more comfortable machines.

You got close, really close but still no cigar.
If you'll always add to your posts that your a JD (
Tractor Make & Model owned be MartianTractorMan2008 JD 3120, 2001 JD 5410, 2006 JD Gator HPX Diesel) dealer or owner or supporter over here trolling the Kubota site for some strange reason, maybe not strange always taking any opportunity to push a JD even though it's not a part of the question. If you had gotten past hating the Kubota dealer and bought a Kubota or ever owned a Kubota then maybe, just maybe your opinions concerning Kubota may be relevant or based on some actual experience. Evaluating Tractors on paper is poor, really poor all it beats is nothing. This specific site is even headed Buying and Pricing under the KUBOTA Heading. There are other forums on TBN, several that are not Brand specific for you to provide experience and insight. Do you visit the JD site that is specific to JD Owning and Operating or Buying and Pricing? I never go there to see since I don't have a JD. Anyway I'll copy this response and always add it to yours over here across the fence where the grass is greener (Kubota Land) if you don't add your disclaimer that your a JD man with NO KUBOTA ownership experience when you give your words of advise.

 

[wcampbell47]

TractorData.com lists the MF 1975 as the last year of production. Same site lists 2007 as the last year of production for the Kubota. If the Kubota has a FEL and is 4WD don't discount what it will do - regardless of looks.

You cite mowing and pulling a trailer as the primary uses. The Kubota will handle the 5' mower and tow the trailer - especially if you have 4 wheels pulling instead of 2. If you have soft ground conditions the Kubota will more than likely go where the MF will not.

I'm not knocking the MF. Tried to get my Dad to buy me one when I was doing his plowing for him.

I have a friend that has a 10 year old MF 231 or 241. While it is a powerful tractor it is not nearly as nimble or versatile as my B7510 or B3200.

If the 'bota has a FEL you will never regret the money spent on it.

 

[Volfandt]

The L3130 is a Grand L and has a few more bells & whistles over the 135. The 3130 came w/an hST, Glide Shift or Shuttle Shift tranny. Either of the 3 would be better than the std shift MF.
The L3130 also comes w/3PH position control. This is useful for precise control of the 3PH. The MF has the std up/down 3PH but it does have draft control. Your intended uses indicate a rear mower, posiion control would be better. Draft control is a huge benefit for plowing & discing.

The L3130 came in 2wd & 4wd. If the model your looking at is 4wd, advantage Kubota.

If you think the Kubota looks like a toy, check out the modern plastic bodied JD's

Both tractors are tried and true and for your intended uses, you can't go wrong w/either.
Make sure you test drive both then go w/the one that "fits" best.
Dave

 

[RDrancher]

You got close, really close but still no cigar.
If you'll always add to your posts that your a JD (
Tractor Make & Model owned be MartianTractorMan2008 JD 3120, 2001 JD 5410, 2006 JD Gator HPX Diesel) dealer or owner or supporter over here trolling the Kubota site for some strange reason, maybe not strange always taking any opportunity to push a JD even though it's not a part of the question. If you had gotten past hating the Kubota dealer and bought a Kubota or ever owned a Kubota then maybe, just maybe your opinions concerning Kubota may be relevant or based on some actual experience. Evaluating Tractors on paper is poor, really poor all it beats is nothing. This specific site is even headed Buying and Pricing under the KUBOTA Heading. There are other forums on TBN, several that are not Brand specific for you to provide experience and insight. Do you visit the JD site that is specific to JD Owning and Operating or Buying and Pricing? I never go there to see since I don't have a JD. Anyway I'll copy this response and always add it to yours over here across the fence where the grass is greener (Kubota Land) if you don't add your disclaimer that your a JD man with NO KUBOTA ownership experience when you give your words of advise.

Wow..wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? I don't own a Kubota (or a JD) and I visit this forum often. Might even comment once in awhile. Since I use my tractor to make a living everyday I like to get as much information about every brand for a future purchase. Who's to say the op might not want to look at comparable brands in other "colors"?...You?

Oh ya...I'd get the Kubota. Comparing yesterday's models that "look" more like a tractor to modern examples is like comparing trucks. The old trucks "felt" like a truck, but the newer trucks will do the same and in most cases a better job, and be a heck of a lot more comfortable doing it.

 

[Martian]

You got close, really close but still no cigar.
If you'll always add to your posts that your a JD (
Tractor Make & Model owned be MartianTractorMan2008 JD 3120, 2001 JD 5410, 2006 JD Gator HPX Diesel) dealer or owner or supporter over here trolling the Kubota site for some strange reason, maybe not strange always taking any opportunity to push a JD even though it's not a part of the question. If you had gotten past hating the Kubota dealer and bought a Kubota or ever owned a Kubota then maybe, just maybe your opinions concerning Kubota may be relevant or based on some actual experience. Evaluating Tractors on paper is poor, really poor all it beats is nothing. This specific site is even headed Buying and Pricing under the KUBOTA Heading. There are other forums on TBN, several that are not Brand specific for you to provide experience and insight. Do you visit the JD site that is specific to JD Owning and Operating or Buying and Pricing? I never go there to see since I don't have a JD. Anyway I'll copy this response and always add it to yours over here across the fence where the grass is greener (Kubota Land) if you don't add your disclaimer that your a JD man with NO KUBOTA ownership experience when you give your words of advise.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm the only person who does any due diligence before I buy (shopping different makes/models and comparing). Yes I have Deere, but that's because I have 20 Deere dealers within 50 miles of my home in the same distance I have 3 Kubota and they are much farther spread out, I've found that to be quite valuable as I travel with my machines. Right now I'm looking for a used compact TLB, my ideal machine would be an M59, but they came out too recently and the prices even for a L45 are much higher than a JD 110 and I don't like the older models at all.

I feel that all tractor makes make tractors relatively the same - see my posts in this discussion, I feel the difference is in personal preference and in dealer support. Obviously you feel that with Kubota and I do with Deere. (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...29434-recent-conversations-bota-vs-deere.html)

And, no I don't usually go too any, I go to "TODAY'S POSTS" and I see what people are doing today instead of looking at 6 year old stuff in the sub forums.

I thought the point of this forum was to get people best advised of what tractor they should purchase, that usually means EXPANDING upon all brands too suit what they need best :thumbsup:

 

[murphy1244]

Personally I see the biggest difference in dealer network. I have 5 JD dealers within 50 miles of me, all except one owned by the same company that went on a buying spree and owns 9 dealers in my area, and I only have one Kubota dealer that is just over 50 miles. For me that is a huge plus for JD..
They build more JD dealers by you???? 5 to20????Now thats a stretch :confused2:

 

[DK35vince]

This specific site is even headed Buying and Pricing under the KUBOTA Heading. There are other forums on TBN, several that are not Brand specific for you to provide experience and insight. Do you visit the JD site that is specific to JD Owning and Operating or Buying and Pricing? I never go there to see since I don't have a JD.

I never understand this.
I go to "Since my last visit" to read all the posts.
When I reply to a post, most of the time I don't know what section of the forum I'm in when I send a reply.
Although I do agree that any poster (reguardless of what forum section they are on) should have actual experiance with a certain brand/make/model before making the claim that their brand/make/model is better.

 

[Martian]

Personally I see the biggest difference in dealer network. I have 5 JD dealers within 50 miles of me, all except one owned by the same company that went on a buying spree and owns 9 dealers in my area, and I only have one Kubota dealer that is just over 50 miles. For me that is a huge plus for JD..
They build more JD dealers by you???? 5 to50????Now thats a stretch :confused2:

No. That's all I knew of before. Go too jds dealer search and go from 48438 and count. 20. Go to Kubotas and count. 3.

 

[murphy1244]

Okaydokay...:laughing:

 

[Martian]

Back to the op's question... I would go with a newer tractor, whether it be a Kubota, a Deere, newer Massey and do forth they will be a more comfortable tractor to operate. 4x4 is a good thing as well:thumbsup:

 

[frankroberts]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still trying to decide. May take an upclose look tomorrow. I do think the Massey 135 is overpriced. It does come with a FEL but for me that doesn't seem like a plus. I have never really needed one tho I guess if I had one I would find uses for it.

How much do you guys think my MF50 would be worth in trade on either the Massey 135 or the Kubota 3130. The Kubota has no FEL. Will try to post a pic. Thanks again.

 

[Martian]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still trying to decide. May take an upclose look tomorrow. I do think the Massey 135 is overpriced. It does come with a FEL but for me that doesn't seem like a plus. I have never really needed one tho I guess if I had one I would find uses for it.

How much do you guys think my MF50 would be worth in trade on either the Massey 135 or the Kubota 3130. The Kubota has no FEL. Will try to post a pic. Thanks again.

That is a good looking tractor, but unfortunately it is worth next to nothing. Go to www.tractorhouse.com to see what others are selling for - from what I see it's in the $2-3k range and that wouldn't allow much for a trade in. I would try to get the 135 down to $5-6k range and keep the 50 as well. It's always nice to have 2 machines. if you really want only one though, go with the Kubota. A fel is very handy and once you have one you'll wonder how you went without.

 

[crazyal]

I kind of skipped over a bunch of the nonsense posts so maybe someone else has posted this but I think the 3130 is wider than 5'. I'm sure someone else here can confirm it.

 

[teg]

I kind of skipped over a bunch of the nonsense posts...

Me, too Can we get more information about what each tractor has? The Massey 135 has a FEL and the kubota doesn't... what about the transmission, tire type, hour meter, 2 wheel drive vs. 4x4???

I think your MF50 would get a much better price if you sell it yourself... since you worked on it and know what was done to it. Since I think the kubota is also over priced, at $13k without a FEL... You should be able to get $5k for the MF50 - in your area :cool2::tractor::laughing:

 

[kuboman]

A FEL would be a big selling point for me. I am not that familiar with the massey.
Does it have power steering, kind of tranny etc. Creature comforts are nice. They are both capable tractors.:thumbsup:

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for all the replies.
How much do you guys think my MF50 would be worth in trade on either the Massey 135 or the Kubota 3130. The Kubota has no FEL. Will try to post a pic. Thanks again.

I have several tractors and tractored for half a century now. I own several compact 4x4s, but I'd go for the Massey. Once you try a loader it will be hard to go back to living without one. If the loader is decent then it is actually quite a fair price....with those hours a very fair price. Of course you may expect to replace any rubber fuel lines, old water hoses and after that it should last a long, long time. There are just too many advantages to a heavy utility tractor over a compact for the kind of work you do. Plus, half the fun is the pride of ownership. Those Masseys are a handsome tractor; a classic. If it looks like a "real tractor" to you then shouldn't that count the most?
rScotty.