Mike, Can't speak as to the pricing on a 1433 as I'm waiting on a quote in Maryland now. I'll try and get back on that later. Having looked at the Massey against the Deere 4310 I'd agree the visual is that the 1433 is bigger but when you get down to specs the 4310 is closest and vice versa. The 1431 (haven't seen) may be the closest in physical appearance to the 4310 but Deere and the Boomer tractors seem to be more compact in apperance than the Massey's and some others. Doesn't count for much either way. The 4310 (don't list trans type in catalog) is 2900 lbs vs. 2,810 for the Massey PS. 4310 has 68" wheelbase vs. 68.5" but is listed as 5.5" more narrow at only 50" to 1433 at 55.5. 4310 has same power (1 less) and Deere 430 loader lifts 1,261 lbs vs 1,200 for the 1466 loader. Effectively the same but the small Deere 420 loader available on 4310 is less at 1,003 lbs. lift. The 1431 Massey tractor weight is listed at 2,356 so it's less machine than either in most minds.
The new 1533 and 1540 models are out now but not available in Hydro models until spring. Both are the same frame at 70" wheelbase and 2,844 and 2,888 lbs. respectively.
On a far side note.....I keep hearing from the dealers it's the HP not the weight that counts (3 of them). I take some issue. Don't know tractors yet, maybe they are notably different with the attachment PTO requirements and such, but that couldn't be farther from the truth on larger earth moving equipment. It's both in my experience and weight usually wins out over minor HP shifts for most applications in the real world. Gearing beats them both hands down so long as there is enough weight and traction sufrace (friction) to get the power down. The HP issue as I see it on compact tractors is more related to hydraulics and PTO. So I'd agree on a HST drive tractor the HP is important in the forward bite (hp at the wheels) translation. Wish the manufacturers would list wheel HP!! But even gross HP gets skewed a little (forgetting all else) when you look at the implement pump capacities on the following 30 HP tractors:
Cub Cadet 7530 30/7.2 (small frame)
Cub Cadet 7532 32/7.5 (small frame)
NH TC30 (old style) 30/6.1 (small frame)
NH TC33 Boomer 33/7.6
Massey 1433 33/7.7
Deere 4310 32/8.6
This may translate to the observation I've gotten from several Deere owners that their equipment generally has more guts, all other things equal. I can't personally speak to that although one salesman, who's opinion I actually trust, who field tested the new 20 series at Deere advised the "Load Match" equipped hydros (on 10 series too) made the competition look weak when working the FEL hard into a pile of dirt. They were testing against comparable size NH models and others. He said you had to have a larger frame tractor with about 15 or 20% more HP to equal the Deere in those conditions. Back to the gearing thing. That's what Load Match is doing. That said; Deere is nuts in my locale in their pricing. The competition levels out rather well at that point because you can buy the competitors larger frame and motor and get the cascading benefits in larger pump flows (at least equal to Deere) etc. and the bigger weight which will show up an asset somewhere. Definitely at backhoe time.
Having looked at Massey, New Holland, Case Farmall (same tractors as NH), and Kubota I'd say they are all good tractors. I'd own any of them. For me Massey is the worst on operator ergonomics topside (hands) and Kubota is the worst downside (feet), but they all appear a notable improvement from the old models.
This tractor buying/research gives me a headache. The wife may have it right. Just buy one. Hope this is of some use to you. Writing it at least helps me get it closer to sorted.
Good Luck on the decision!!
