Massey 1528 vs. 1531

DTSith · Mar 20, 2007

I am considering either a front blade or a front snowthrower for my 1528 hydro. I am leaning towards the blade (because of the price of the snowthrower). Anyone have the snow blade? How does it work? I have the FEL and have been using it for snow.

mchasal · Mar 20, 2007

I have the front blade, there are some pics in my gallery. After using it this winter, I will say I am very happy with it. It had no trouble pushing the snow that we had. The only problem I did run into was that the front end is a bit light and when plowing a heavy snowfall, it would tend to push the front to the side. Reducing the blade angle helped with this, and I wouldn't count this against the blade as it's just physics.
I was debating between the tractor mounted blade and a loader mounted one. After mounting the blade this fall, I was convinced that I wanted to convert it to a loader mount. It's not particularly easy to get that subframe mounted up and it does interfere with the loader, even with the blade itself removed.
After plowing with it, I have changed my mind. The tractor mount makes for a nice short rig that I can get nearly sideways in my driveway when the banks need to be pushed back. I also think the front end deflection would be worse with a loader mount since it has a longer lever.
I know folks are going to jump all over me, but I am a convert to a tractor mounted blade. I intend to look at making the front part of the subframe easily removeable so the loader can be swapped back on.

Mike

the6shooter · Mar 22, 2007

hey guys my dealer told me the 1528 and 1531 , there's no differance the 1531 with the hydro trany , the extra 5 hp was to increase the pto hp.
I did look at the stats and the 1528 has 24.5 hp. to the pto and so does the 1531. I myself prefered the 1528, but I would have liked the hydro for the fel.
my 1528 can and does handle the 5' king kutter tiller just fine,

jbrumberg · Mar 23, 2007

jmauss:

Welcome to TBN

! My property profile very closely approximates yours as well as uses for the tractor. I was in a similar position with NH TC29 and 31DA's. I went with the "29" and I am very satisfied with this tractor

. Jay

firejake · Mar 23, 2007

Hi everyone! I just jumped on board with a Massey 1528 and can't say enough how pleased I am. A lot of comparison with the competition and though all are good, the size, price and abilities won me over. Never even considered a 1531, won't need the extra hp. Looking forward to using it and communicating with all the Massey owners out there.

Firejake
P.S. It is a gear job rather than a hydro. Guess I am old fashioned.

DuaneW · Mar 23, 2007

Congrts on the new tractor..! After hooking up some heavy items on my 3pt to see how it did, I would say these are some very well balenced little tractors. Problem I'm having is it wont quit raining around here and I've got the itch real bad to get out and play ( mines a 1428 ).

DuaneW.

mchasal · Mar 23, 2007

the6shooter said:
hey guys my dealer told me the 1528 and 1531 , there's no differance the 1531 with the hydro trany , the extra 5 hp was to increase the pto hp.
I did look at the stats and the 1528 has 24.5 hp. to the pto and so does the 1531. I myself prefered the 1528, but I would have liked the hydro for the fel.
my 1528 can and does handle the 5' king kutter tiller just fine,

Right, so the 1531 gives you the hydro without losing any hp. Basically, if you want a gear get the 1528, if you want a hydro get the 1531. The price diff was only $600 for me, and it was more than worth it for me. I had to plow a friend out the other day with his tractor, which is a JD with a shuttle, and hydro is so much easier for plowing. Not that I'm trying to turn this into a hydro/gear war. I think they both have their advantages, you just have to look at what you are going to do with it.

praha · Mar 24, 2007

hi all,
does 1528 have a mid pto? and if a grapple hydraulics are needed, can that be done by the dealer,too?

thanks, joe

the6shooter · Mar 25, 2007

MF1528 mid pto was/is an option your dealer can get it for you

mchasal · Mar 26, 2007

praha said:
hi all,
does 1528 have a mid pto? and if a grapple hydraulics are needed, can that be done by the dealer,too?

thanks, joe

Not sure about the 1528, but the 1531 does have a mid-pto. I also asked about aux hydraulics and they are available, I think it was $1200 for 2 rear remotes. Then you'd need to either re-route one of them, or run hoses from the back to the front.