Tractor shopping!!!

[scumfrog]

I'm looking at Massey 1736 and Kubota 3901 really can't decide. Both are sold locally. Thought I had my mind made up on Massey but, keep going back and forth. Should I just flip a coin?:confused3:

 

[AuburnAlum]

Im in the same boat as you. The 1736 is a 'premium' tractor over the L3901. It has a number of features over the 3901 and cost increase accordingly. I like the 1736 and Massey personally. It seems that the Kubota has better short term resell value over the Massey. Here is a comparison I put together for your education. It is the 1736 versus the Kubota L3560 Grand which is more of a apples to apples comparison.

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm looking at Massey 1736 and Kubota 3901 really can't decide. Both are sold locally. Thought I had my mind made up on Massey but, keep going back and forth. Should I just flip a coin?:confused3:

Keep going back and forth until you are sure which one you want. Take all the time you need.

 

[joeyd]

Don't forget to take dealer support into consideration. I've read too many times on this site that poor dealer performance ruined someone's tractor experience. Both of the tractors are similar so you have to use something to swing your vote. Good luck!!!!

 

[GManBart]

It seems that the Kubota has better short term resell value over the Massey.

I've seen that posted many times, but I don't agree. Kubota resale prices don't appear to be any better than any other major brand, and often no better than even the smaller brands. I sold my LS (smaller brand, not well known) for $2K less than I paid for it, after putting 215 hours and 15 months on it. I've yet to see people post anything significantly better for a Kubota. $10/hr depreciation is pretty respectable from the standpoint of holding value. There have been many other similar deals posted here that suggest the same thing.

The one difference is that name recognition to the average Joe is probably better for Kubota right now, but it's not like MF is unknown (far from it).

 

[jibe717]

scumfrog, I have bought tractors from both of these local dealers. Tuesday I just bought a 1726E from the MF dealer. I have become sold more on the MF's than the Kubotas as the sizes that I have bought they just feel like more of a tractor than the Kubota. Last year I also bought a 4610 with an FEL and a 2615, trading in a L3800 Kubota on that one. I very much prefer the general staff at the MF dealership over the Kubota one and I think that this counts for a ton. imo they have more knowledge there and I'm not complaining about Kubota as they were right out on my farm when I had problems.

These are my impressions between the two brands but only you can decide what will be the best fit for you.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I've seen that posted many times, but I don't agree. Kubota resale prices don't appear to be any better than any other major brand, and often no better than even the smaller brands. I sold my LS (smaller brand, not well known) for $2K less than I paid for it, after putting 215 hours and 15 months on it. I've yet to see people post anything significantly better for a Kubota. $10/hr depreciation is pretty respectable from the standpoint of holding value. There have been many other similar deals posted here that suggest the same thing. The one difference is that name recognition to the average Joe is probably better for Kubota right now, but it's not like MF is unknown (far from it).

I think it depends on the area you live in. Here, you couldn't give away an LS or a Kioti or even a Mahindra simply because there's not a dealer close by and many aren't familiar with them. There's one MF dealer that I know of within 2 hours of my farm that sells any compacts, the only other MF dealer is lumped in with NH and Kubota and I've only seen him have two new tractors that were MF on his lot at any given time. I'm sure you'd eventually sell one of the makes I mentioned but you wouldnt have the phone ringing off the hook. With that said I'm seeing a good many Kubotas for sale but they're also priced too close to new for me. Makes no sense to buy a slightly used tractor right now unless you find someone who really needs to unload it.

 

[scumfrog]

scumfrog, I have bought tractors from both of these local dealers. Tuesday I just bought a 1726E from the MF dealer. I have become sold more on the MF's than the Kubotas as the sizes that I have bought they just feel like more of a tractor than the Kubota. Last year I also bought a 4610 with an FEL and a 2615, trading in a L3800 Kubota on that one. I very much prefer the general staff at the MF dealership over the Kubota one and I think that this counts for a ton. imo they have more knowledge there and I'm not complaining about Kubota as they were right out on my farm when I had problems.

These are my impressions between the two brands but only you can decide what will be the best fit for you.[/QUOTE

Jibe 717 , The Massey was my fist choice partly because they have been around for a long time. I've rented stuff from them about once a year and have liked the way they operate. The Kubota dealer makes me a little nervous as far as the service department goes. Have you had any problems with service after the sale at the Massey place?

 

[jibe717]

scumfrog, I have bought tractors from both of these local dealers. Tuesday I just bought a 1726E from the MF dealer. I have become sold more on the MF's than the Kubotas as the sizes that I have bought they just feel like more of a tractor than the Kubota. Last year I also bought a 4610 with an FEL and a 2615, trading in a L3800 Kubota on that one. I very much prefer the general staff at the MF dealership over the Kubota one and I think that this counts for a ton. imo they have more knowledge there and I'm not complaining about Kubota as they were right out on my farm when I had problems.

These are my impressions between the two brands but only you can decide what will be the best fit for you.[/QUOTE

Jibe 717 , The Massey was my fist choice partly because they have been around for a long time. I've rented stuff from them about once a year and have liked the way they operate. The Kubota dealer makes me a little nervous as far as the service department goes. Have you had any problems with service after the sale at the Massey place?

I have had no issues with my 4610 which was brand new. The 2615 had 35 hours on it. I bought both of these at the same time in June. In August I had a minor problem with the shift linkage on the 2615. I called them and within a week they had guys out and had it fixed. Had I pressured them they would have likely gotten out sooner but I had no need for the tractor in that time. The warranty which went along with the tractor only covered parts and labor but not coming out to the farm to fix it which they did at no cost to me. This is huge to me since I don't have a trailer to haul my tractors with. I may have to become resourceful when the warranties expire or pay for time and mileage. About a month later I noticed a drop in oil pressure and it was basically a wash, rinse, repeat of the first time. I have zero complaints of the service of the local MF dealer. The MF dealership I also find better to deal with in negotiating as this week I got a very fair deal on my yet to be delivered 1726E MF. The salesman at Kubota is very customer good but I agree the service department imo isn't the greatest. The MF dealership has been around a long time for good reason I believe. The guys at the parts desk are also very knowledgable and helpful. Again the Kubota guys though helpful lack some of that same knowledge and savvy.

 

[jibe717]

Update to the OP:

I called my MF rep this AM to get a ETA on my 1726E. He told me he had just recently checked on the situation. The paperwork he received on the order had told him the ETA would be May 26. Since he knew that I would be needing this machine for cutting grass before that he nixed that arrival date and was able to get one coming for me within the next week to 10 days. I don't need this machine before mid April at the earliest but I find this to be great service and the dealership looking out for the interest of its customers.