Buying Advice Looking at the MF GC1720

Langanobob · Dec 1, 2017

Thanks for the feedback on Bruno’s.

plowhog · Dec 1, 2017

Spent many hours digging a new trench for electrical to an out building. My GC1710 rocks.

Langanobob · Dec 2, 2017

Plowhog, I’m in Northern NV too. Where did you end up buying your GC1710? Thanks.

plowhog · Dec 2, 2017

I bought my GC1710 from Brian at Sierra Tractor in Shingle Springs, CA. Near Placerville. Brian has provided better service than you can find or even expect anymore. Came to my house in Reno to fix something when he could have said "bring it in." 100% recommended.

I bought the MF 1758 from Dave Ott at Ott's Farm Equipment in Fallon, NV. Top notch dealer. 100% recommended.

Langanobob · Dec 3, 2017

Thanks. I've been to Ott's and talked to Dave's assistant. Probably be back out there in a week or two. I'm an incorrigible buyer and fixer of old stuff, hard to change a lifelong habit and buy something new.

plowhog · Dec 5, 2017

Last time I was at Brian's place, he had some used stuff on his lot. What tasks do you want the tractor for, and for what type of property?

Langanobob · Dec 7, 2017

Plan on using it for moving gravel and composted manure, occasional trenching and snow removal (blower) and transplanting small trees once in awhile. We have a few mining claims where a small easily transportable and maneuverable tractor would be useful. If it was only going to be used at home I would consider going to the next bigger model. I will try calling Brian - thanks!

Langanobob · Dec 21, 2017

Well, I ended up buying a GC1720 from Dave Ott and a slightly used 2360 blower from Brian. We're driving over to Shingle Springs today to pick up the blower.

I got a tour of Dave's fabrication shop in Fallon. Quite a place and I think he has close to the best equipped shop around. Everything from a horizontal mill, large slip roll and enough machine tools to build just about everything.

About the GC1720, don't have many hours on it but I think it's going to be a very useful machine. Kind of a slippery slope because now I want a hydraulic thumb, tooth bar, a grapple and a chipper.

So far the only negative that I found only after I got it home is the Made in China stickers on the loader bucket and the backhoe subframe. If I'd known that before we closed the deal I would have tried to use it as a bargaining lever. But, as they say, it is what it is. Disappointing that it's evidently cheaper to have something like a fabricated steel bucket and subframe made in China and shipped all the way over here.

plowhog · Dec 21, 2017

Never saw such stickers on my unit ... not sure if something has changed. Congrats on the GC1720. Let's see some pictures of it in action ...

AxleHub · Dec 21, 2017

I'm a little confused because the dl95 fel is made by a company in the U. S. Unless you have an after market bucket.

And the surface (cb05) is not Chinese either. . .

Fiziksgeek · Dec 21, 2017

Interesting on the China stickers, I'll have to look at mine, but don't recall mine having them. I was pretty sure the new DL95 loaders were built by Alo which took over a Brush Hog Factory in Tennessee.

Langanobob · Dec 21, 2017

The loader arms are stickered Made in USA. It’s just the loader bucket that has the China sticker, along with the plate steel backhoe subframe.

Langanobob · Dec 21, 2017

plowhog said:
Never saw such stickers on my unit ... not sure if something has changed. Congrats on the GC1720. Let's see some pictures of it in action ...

I will post some pictures as soon as it is doing something more photogenic and impressive than scooping a manure pile

Fiziksgeek · Dec 21, 2017

Where on the bucket is the sticker? I took a quick look at mine and didn't see anything, though I have the front blower on the tractor, so the loader is parked in the corner, so I didn't look on the bottom. Although, with a couple years of use, if the sticker is in a wear area, its probably wouldn't be there any more. I forgot to look at the backhoe sub frame....and now I'm too lazy to go back out there....

Snobdds · Dec 21, 2017

I don't remember seeing any made in china stickers either. I also think the loader is made by Alo.

Langanobob · Dec 22, 2017

Fiziksgeek said:
Where on the bucket is the sticker? I took a quick look at mine and didn't see anything, though I have the front blower on the tractor, so the loader is parked in the corner, so I didn't look on the bottom. Although, with a couple years of use, if the sticker is in a wear area, its probably wouldn't be there any more. I forgot to look at the backhoe sub frame....and now I'm too lazy to go back out there....

I'll see if I can post pictures of the stickers. It could be that they've recently switched suppliers since I just got my tractor a week ago and it was a new delivery to the dealer.

Langanobob · Dec 23, 2017

Here is a picture of the loader bucket sticker. The loader arms have a Made in USA sticker, it's just the bucket itself that's made in China. Same with the backhoe, the backhoe mechanism is Made in USA, just the backhoe bucket is made in China. The backhoe subframe also carries a made in China sticker.

Langanobob · Dec 24, 2017

Snobdds said:
I don't remember seeing any made in china stickers either. I also think the loader is made by Alo.

Yes, the sticker says Alo, but it also says made in PRC so Alo is evidently subcontracting the buckets to China, or own a Chinese factory. Maybe this just started with the new series of backhoes and loaders? After the holiday I will see if I can find anyone at MF who will give me the straight scoop on what's going on.