Comparison Went to dealers, asked a LOT of questions...think my list is down to 2

[Sapper50]

Massey vs Kubota -> Went to dealers, asked a LOT of questions

Follow up to my first post on tractors and what I am looking to do and need - settling in the 50-55hp target (mostly dirt work)

Got out and checked the dealers I have available in my area (within an hour of the house)
Mahindra 2555 HST
Kubota MX5200 HST
Massey 2706E HST

Asked a TON of questions at each.
Looked at how they were built, how wires/hoses etc were routed, what was exposed, what was protected from brush and use, ground clearance and what could get snagged, how fitting were set, controls, welds, axle sizes, grease fittings and locations, oil change ease, service ease, common part access ....all that stuff, manufacturing shortcuts visible etc.
Long day but a good day.

All good rigs, no question or they wouldn't be in the market.
All that said, if Im looking at $35k+ for a rig, I will set my personal 'qualifications' for a rig and go with that, not my first rodeo.

The Mahindra IMO was not at the same quality of build, assembly, components etc as the other two. VERY clear.
Was that bad?
Not necessarily (so no Im not bashing Mahindra) and I KNOW that owners love em, but in my comparison and reading 'issues' here on this great forum and my 'gut' today in direct comparison to what I saw and touched (after 30+ years around heavy junk) the Mahindra was removed from my list.

Left me with the MF and the Kubota
Both builds and quality were IMO pretty equal, very high quality and attention to manufacturing and assembling detail and the component quality used.

The Massey on paper has a leg up on some of the performance measures, hyd flow, lift capability on both ends, already set with a single Hyd set to the rear at the 3-point, no DPF on the engine and while its not a deal killer the regen frequency with the DPF (depends on your usage) is something that would be nice to avoid. Yes Understand its only 15 min when it kicks in...still, a consideration with the rigs being so close.
I do like the hydraulic line routing on the Massey up front inside the bucket arms.
The flat deck on the Massey was nice, Im tall at 6'3" so getting up into it was a bit slicker without the bump, not a deal killer, but something on the list.

We have two personal friends that own Kubota's and have nothing but praise (which confirms what I read here on these forums)
I don't know anyone with the Massey, but I have read the reviews and complaints and complaints are VERY low and no systemic issues that I can find anywhere, on any forum or post.

Kubota, very strong dealer network locally, didn't have a chance to talk to the MF maintenance folks on parts availability, lead time etc, I know the Kubota's are lock solid in that arena, but I have not read anything anywhere that Massey parts are an issue.

Price is within $500-1000 max between the two with the implements I want OTD (PTO tiller and box blade), not enough honestly to quibble over with either rigs.

Now with the initial cut list done with my regional availability, next is tighter price checks then set up times for saddle rub test drives and see if one pushes me over the fence there.

Wish there was a 'Red Pill / Orange Pill' I could take to help me decide!! good thing is I don't think I would or could be unhappy with EITHER rig at the fort.

Any Massey owners still awake after this gum bumping want to tell me to run or you would buy it again??
Kubota owners want to let me go to school on your shot?

Thanx all, great forum and people that make it what it is!

Scott

 

[Citydude]

Well for starters, this is the best example of someone "kicking the tires" while shopping for a new rig. Which dealer did you feel most comfortable with as far as being part of the "team"? You have nailed everything else.

 

[Code54]

Dealer would make a difference for sure. I ran MF for a bunch of years at work and liked the machines and had few problems. I personally own 3 Kubota's and they all have been excellent. I have the MX5100 (no emission stuff) and have been impressed with its abilities. Also have found they seem to underrate their machines a bit.
Either I would expect to be good machines. Also check for online availability of parts as it can be very handy. I rebuilt an older Kubota a few years ago and some parts online were a good deal cheaper for some reason....

Good luck on your decision

 

[Goose69]

I have the MF 2706e and would absolutely buy it again.. in my case it was $1000s less than the comparable Kubota ( which is a fine tractor as well, )
The cost savings, no DPF, and the fact that my local MF dealer is awesome is what led me to buying mine.. I've been using it hard since I bought it, land clearing, haying, food plotting, lots of dirt and rock work. Etc. has been flawless so far.

 

[oosik]

Honestly - I don't think you would ever be unhappy with the Kubota. I have no knowledge of Massey.

I think you should give strong consideration to the strengths of the dealership and their service folks. Its a good feeling to know that they have the knowledge, the ability and will back you up - should you ever need service.

 

[2458n]

Okay the only area you have not mentioned Is how much value does each tractor keep at trade in time? I would look at tractor house to see what used are worth.

 

[kthompson]

What you will be using them for may come into my point: My brother has a MF not sure the model but about 80 hp tractor and I have Kubota with 27 and another with 68 all engine hp. My 27 hp Kubota has been great. Had very little issue with is in the about 13 years have owned it. Used mostly with sprayer, rear mower both finish and rough cut and landscaping rake. My 68 hp has lost a gear in the transmission twice, both times following hours of disking with a disk it could pulled with no problem in second gear high range. Have had discussion with a used tractor dealer who without knowing my experience brought up the transmission on at least some Kubota's were not as strong as they needed to be, which I agree. But no other issue with the tractor with right at 1200 hours on it bought new in 1999. Well other than turn signals and flashers have stopped and have failed to find that issue. My brother's MF I have used some and it is more HP than my Kubota by about 15 and much heavier. He bought it used from a friend and has had a couple of issues with it, one running hot but think that was due to maintenance of cooling system my guess and now it looks like real issues with the clutch and probably has to be replaced. It was slipping some last time I used it which was a few years back. What am I saying, consider what you will be using it for, check out their weakness and strengths there.

I do like 2468n suggestion.

 

[pburchett]

You are in the same boat I was in. I looked at all three of those tractors and the NewHolland. My dealer did not have a hydrostatic Massey so I went with the Kubota. My MX5200HST has been good so far. 200 hours on it as of today and no problems. You will just have to go and drive them both around to choose.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

You indicated that you would be doing a lot of loader work. I assume you are looking at HST models then? Remember on the Kubota that your heel and toe don't both sit on the treadle pedal at the same time. The treadle really shines ergonomically when reversing and you are twisted in the seat.

Another hard to define features is front end loader valve FEEL and function. Not all loader valve are created equal. The ability of the valve(s) to variably 'multifunction' (e.g. lift and dump) varies. I recently tried to use a friends 2series John Deere that IMO felt like clunky junk and seemed to be less time efficient. (IMO, but you probably get used to anything).

I have 450hrs of mostly hard loader work on my MX4800 (same tractor frame and loader/3pt capacity as the mx5200). I could not be more pleased. I have really asked a lot of this machine.

I bought Kubota because of the dealer so I don't know much about the Massy to compare but it would be on my radar if the dealer was really good. I do know from reading this forum that I would not buy a Mahindra.

:2cents:

 

[plowhog]

My Massey GC1710 is excellent, doing everything I want and expected on my small property. For a larger property I bought a MF 1758 cab model and am equally pleased. I considered a Kubota BX25 before buying the GC1710, and considered a Kubota L6060 before buying the MF 1758. I'm sure either would have been fine choices also.

If you use your tractor for profit making activities, then nearby dealer support is more important than if you do not. In that case, if the tractor is down needing repair, you are losing money from the interruption of a profit making business. I don't use mine for that-- personal or hobby use only. I have two Massey dealers within an hour or two drive and each has been great.

I was new to tractors when I bought these two, and in many ways I am still new. I wound up matching machine performance to my needs, which has worked out for me.