Buying Advice Pretty Sure I have Narrowed It down to Two: Massey 2706e or Kubota MX5800

[AuburnAlum]

Ok, so I believe that I have narrowed it down to two machines for my first tractor. Massey Ferguson 2706e or Kubota MX5800. Here are the details on both:

Massey 2706e => TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 2706E tractor information

Kubota MX5800 => TractorData.com Kubota MX5800 tractor information

Both are pretty much identical when it comes to features. But there are differences. I would love the input from the folks.

Common Options Picked for both

• HST
• Third Function (installed by dealer)
• R4 Tires
• Loader

Overall Price is almost identical between the two.

Massey
Pros

• Longer Warranty (5 year)
• Great Local Dealer
• Just a little more 'comfortable' station
• Steering rods behind front axle
• No DPF filter to change - automatic regen

Cons

• Not as good of resale if wanting to sell
• New model - Not many out there for experience reference

Kubota
Pros

• Lots of them out there with happy customers
• Good resale
• Many dealers close by for service

Cons

• None that I can think of

What I would be doing with my tractor:
1-Using a grapple to clear brush, trees. (80% of time)
2-Loader work (15% of time)
3-Box blade work (5% of time)

That about covers it all. Thank you in advance for all the help!

 

[TSO]

I vote for the Massey... Built in Japan by Iseki, I've had great experience with my Massey/Iseki units. They've been extremely reliable and rugged. My local Massey dealer has been fantastic also.

Both good machines though.

 

[jenkinsph]

They appear to be very close in specifications from what I see. They both appear to be light for utility tractors, very close to the compact tractors (within 100 lbs.) I have currently. Did you price these tractors with rear hydraulic options and 3rd outlet for mid hydraulics? Also did not see pressure rating for hydraulics or loader specifications, did you research all of this?

 

[RollingsFarms]

Is this an iseki model for sure? MF has several suppliers that build their tractors and I know not all of them are Iseki I just don't know which models. It gets confusing. Just make sure you know exactly what you're buying.

 

[TSO]

Is this an Iseke model for sure? MF had several suppliers that build their tractors and I know not all of them are Iseke I just don't know which models. It gets confusing. Just make sure you know exactly what you're buying.

Yes it is absolutely an Iseki build. All of the sub compacts, compacts, 1700 series, 2700 series, and 4600 series are Iseki.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Yes it is absolutely an Iseki build. Currently everything sold in North America below 100 HP is Iseki, with the exception of the Tafe built utility machines, 26xx models if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the clarification. I read somewhere that some of the 1700E series were a mix of Shiabura and Iseki, just depended on what model you got. Something about Iseki didn't have tier 4 engines for certain hp models and Shiabaura did. They might have caught up by now though.

 

[TSO]

Thanks for the clarification. I read somewhere that some of the 1700E series were a mix of Shiabura and Iseki, just depended on what model you got. Something about Iseki didn't have tier 4 engines for certain hp models and Shiabaura did. They might have caught up by now though.

No that's not quite correct...

Iseki always used their own engines (like the engine in my 1652), however didn't have a tier 4 engine certified for the new tractors. So AGCO ordered them with either Shibaura or Mitsubishi engines, depending on the tractor series. Additionally, they use the AGCO Power engines in the larger units, 4600....

So besides the engines, they are all still Iseki builds

 

[murphy1244]

There is 4k price difference between the two. The Massey being cheaper at 25 to Kubota's 29k.

 

[AuburnAlum]

Is this an iseki model for sure? MF has several suppliers that build their tractors and I know not all of them are Iseki I just don't know which models. It gets confusing. Just make sure you know exactly what you're buying.

Shibaura Is the engine on the 2705e and 2706e. 2.2L turbo 4 cylinder

 

[AuburnAlum]

There is 4k price difference between the two. The Massey being cheaper at 25 to Kubota's 29k.

Both are about the same price. Kubota slightly more from what I have been quoted. Have not had final negotiations. May be that the Kubota is a better deal with price in consideration.

 

[AuburnAlum]

They appear to be very close in specifications from what I see. They both appear to be light for utility tractors, very close to the compact tractors (within 100 lbs.) I have currently. Did you price these tractors with rear hydraulic options and 3rd outlet for mid hydraulics? Also did not see pressure rating for hydraulics or loader specifications, did you research all of this?

I have done a lot of comparison and has lead me to the conclusion of these two. Here is a spreadsheet of some of the details on your questions.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have done a lot of comparison and has lead me to the conclusion of these two. Here is a spreadsheet of some of the details on your questions.

View attachment 453007

Both of these tractors should be able to physically handle a grapple and trees in your other thread. I would recommend you have at least two rear remotes for later use on the tractor you choose.

I would be interested in how the controls are set up for the third fel function on these tractors. It would be beneficial to have a rocker switch or similar arrangement on the joystick. I would find it very irritating to have to operate a separate lever on the side console if the grapple is 80% of your work. That would be a bigger concern to me than which brand of tractor.

 

[TSO]

Regarding your stats... Look further into the hydraulics. Massey typically has the best hydraulics. That number you posted for the Massey should be "implement" flow (loader and remotes) while the number you posted for the Kubota I believe is total flow (implement plus power steering) ... The Massey total flow may be closer to 17 total.

Another number to consider is that the Kubota will have slightly higher PTO HP.

BUT in truth, you probably won't notice much, if any, difference, between all of the numbers in real life use.

 

[TSO]

Both of these tractors should be able to physically handle a grapple and trees in your other thread. I would recommend you have at least two rear remotes for later use on the tractor you choose.

I would be interested in how the controls are set up for the third fel function on these tractors. It would be beneficial to have a rocker switch or similar arrangement on the joystick. I would find it very irritating to have to operate a separate lever on the side console if the grapple is 80% of your work. That would be a bigger concern to me than which brand of tractor.

Good advice. I know that the remotes on my Massey 1652 all offer Detent and Float, while none of the rear remotes on my buddies Kubota L5240 have that option. Also, I believe that factory loader on the Massey has a factory 3rd function option built right into the loader and joystick. Not sure on that Kubota

 

[GManBart]

There are two important considerations (for me) that you've mentioned.

One is that you've already said the Massey is slightly more comfortable. It's not likely you spent hours on the machine, so if you noticed it in a few minutes, you're really going to notice it after a couple of hours.

Second, the cheesy FEL control mounted to the loader frame on the MX is a lot less comfortable to use...your arm is hanging in the breeze. Mounting the loader control on the fender is much more comfortable, makes it easier to be precise because your arm is braced (enter someone who will argue they can be just as precise with their MX loader) and isn't in the way if you need to get on/off from the right side of the tractor (not generally what you will be doing). Some folks have said that the longer loader control arm is more prone to snagging by branches etc, but that might be picking knits.

Both are good machines that should do what you want, and having good dealers nearby, and similar price points really narrows it down to which one feels better (or it would for me).

 

[TripleR]

Good advice. I know that the remotes on my Massey 1652 all offer Detent and Float, while none of the rear remotes on my buddies Kubota L5240 have that option. Also, I believe that factory loader on the Massey has a factory 3rd function option built right into the loader and joystick. Not sure on that Kubota

When ordering remotes on the Kubota, you can get float and detent, I was too stupid/inexperienced/clueless to get them on mine, but they were an option. My third function is located in the FEL handle, but I'm not sure about the MX.

I have no input into which is best as both are good machines.

 

[AuburnAlum]

When ordering remotes on the Kubota, you can get float and detent, I was too stupid/inexperienced/clueless to get them on mine, but they were an option. My third function is located in the FEL handle, but I'm not sure about the MX.

I have no input into which is best as both are good machines.

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

 

[TSO]

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

The very first thing you'll want to do is add a hydraulic top link (they are priceless) so you'll have 1 set taken up with that. I would say 2 is a must, then 3 is a bonus.

Also, if you ever need to run an implement that needs constant flow (like a brush/sweeper, log splitter, etc) you'll need Detent.

 

[TripleR]

I would like to say I am on the positive side of clueless/inexperienced. So is float and detent worth the investment? I was going to only add the 3rd function for the grapple and one remote? Why more than one remote?

I ordered mine with Top and Tilt as I have a Land Pride HR3584 which requires three. Here is a video of a setup similar to mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3bOCFXeLec

The float allows your equipment to better follow uneven ground, detent is handy, but I don't miss it like I do the float.

Buying remotes at the time of purchase is much cheaper than later. Some save money by buying aftermarket kits, but I don't have the skill to do a good looking installation.

As TSO said, you will really want a hydraulic top-link, I didn't have one for many years now we put them on all our tractors with the capability. I've found it prudent to buy with future as well as present needs in mind.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suggested three rear remotes earlier because you mentioned box blade work. I use two remotes for top link and tilt link then the third is for the hydraulic scarifiers. A rear blade fully hydraulic has offset (one circuit) blade angle(one circuit), blade tilt or hitch tilt (one circuit) and the top link (one crcuit) so 4 circuits total.