Buying Advice Massey gc1715 or 1526

[KYThunder]

New here but been lurking a long time. I am looking at the 1715 and the 1526 masseys. I am 6'-4 and 235lbs and I really like the size and comfort of the 1526. Only thing holding me back is the belly mower. Any one here with first hand knowledge on cut quality or issues? Also I would like to know if there are anti scalp rollers on the back of the deck (hidden), they didnt have it mounted to the tractor at the time. The dealer is pushing me towards the gc1715 because it has a suspended deck and height control versus the ground engaging of the 1526 but I feel confined on it. I want the 1526 as long as it cuts grass decent and wont rut my yard horribly. Thanks!

 

[radrock]

New here but been lurking a long time. I am looking at the 1715 and the 1526 masseys. I am 6'-4 and 235lbs and I really like the size and comfort of the 1526. Only thing holding me back is the belly mower. Any one here with first hand knowledge on cut quality or issues? Also I would like to know if there are anti scalp rollers on the back of the deck (hidden), they didnt have it mounted to the tractor at the time. The dealer is pushing me towards the gc1715 because it has a suspended deck and height control versus the ground engaging of the 1526 but I feel confined on it. I want the 1526 as long as it cuts grass decent and wont rut my yard horribly. Thanks!

Hi Thunder, welcome to TBN I think they are both good tractors but I'm a big guy like you and felt so much more comfortable on my 1526. I have had it for almost two years now with not too many problems. I have a five foot rear finish mower. It has worked great for me and I can't really tell you anything on a belly mower. I think another question is how much grass are you going to be mowing and what other uses do you need the tractor for?

 

[KYThunder]

[SUP][/SUP]Thanks for the response. I will be mowing 3 acres of yard. I have a 75hp 4wd New Holland with loader but its really too big for some small stuff around the house. I used both models at the dealer and I felt cramped on the 1715, not that it won't do what I want, just like the comfort, position lift and 3 range of the 1526. Like I said, it will be mostly for mowing so the belly mower is very important in my decision. I considered the rear finish mower because really its the same set up as the belly mower just relocated but wondered about cut quality especially with running over the grass with 4 wheels before it gets to the rear mower. I dont expect my yard to be a golf course, I just want it cut every 5 days or so.

 

[radrock]

I demo'd masseys sub compact too and decided to go with comfort. I have tree acres to and have no problems with scalping with a rear mower so I can't see that it would happen with a belly mower. I use a zero turn on trim work around the trees and stuff. There is a guy here on TBN that used to have a 1523 with a belly mower that might be able to answer your question better. A lot of mowers also come with an option to the middle roller too. Mine rear finish mower had one for the front.

His user name is Williambos

 

[KYThunder]

From what Im seeing on the 1505 deck, there is 4 corner, greasable wheels that carry the deck, 1 nongreasable anti scalp roller in the front and 2 non greasable anti scalp rollers in the back underneath the deck (out of site), I guess I need to call the dealer snd make him dig it out and verify that I am correct. Thanks for your help radrock.

 

[radrock]

Your welcome. Keep me posted what you do. Are you getting a loader with it?

 

[KYThunder]

Yes, I got the equine savings and he quoted me $17,700, R4 tires, loader and MMM.

 

[Shooty220]

I run a 1526 with a 6 foot rear Woods deck and the finish is almost as good as my z-turn. If you already have a tractor with an fel and this is just gonna be a lawnmower, though, I'd suggest just getting a z-turn.
Last month my dealer offered a mmm package for 1500, including the mid pto parts, so make sure you're getting the latest incentive or deal. I'm pretty sure the mmm is usually more than that.
As for size, I've already been in a number of places where I'm pretty sure those smaller subcompact tires would have spun up a mess, whereas the larger 1526 tires just rolled over the top.

 

[radrock]

I run a 1526 with a 6 foot rear Woods deck and the finish is almost as good as my z-turn. If you already have a tractor with an fel and this is just gonna be a lawnmower, though, I'd suggest just getting a z-turn. Last month my dealer offered a mmm package for 1500, including the mid pto parts, so make sure you're getting the latest incentive or deal. I'm pretty sure the mmm is usually more than that. As for size, I've already been in a number of places where I'm pretty sure those smaller subcompact tires would have spun up a mess, whereas the larger 1526 tires just rolled over the top.

I'm with you Shooty the finish mower is great. It also serves as ballast when you use the loader. When I mow I do take the loader off. Very simple to do.

 

[KYThunder]

Shooty, I have a bank in front of my yard that is about 300' long and 20' high thats very steep, guessing 60 degrees or more. That zero turn wont even think about and I dont want to push mow it. I use to have a john deere 2305 that I mowed it with (straight up and down not sideways). The drawback of the finish mower is the constant turning around and manueverability issues. That 1505 deck is $2800, I have checked with other dealers and they all are within $100 of each other on price. As for the other tractor, yeah it has an FEL but you better not get it in the yard to do anything unless you want some major damage, I think its right at 10,000lbs as it sets, thats the reason I want a smaller tractor that can do landscape and mow and not tear the yard all to ****. I leave the big boy for the field work.

Curious if either of you have the rear tires loaded? Im trying to keep the weight down as a mower but if it is pretty much a necessity for the loader use on this small a tractor?