which new tractor

[nightscape]

Hi I am new here...we are going to be buying a new tractor within the next couple of weeks or so. We have narrowed our search to two local dealers.One handles Massey Ferguson and the other carries Kubota... We are interested in one of the following tractors, unless I get a lot of advice to do otherwise. The two that interest us are the Massey Ferguson(GC2300) and Kubota(BX1850).
I am looking for opinions on both of these tractors to help us decide which way to go.

 

[daTeacha]

How do you define "local"? I ask because I ended up getting mine from a dealer 20 miles away, which a number of guys here consider local, but I have a same brand dealer closer.

Unless you have a really long distance to other dealers or have some strong likes for the two tractors you mentioned, you might want to spend some time and at least look at and sit on others. There are many small differences from one to another which only make themselves apparent after a lot of loooking and reading.

On the other hand, maybe you're in a bit of a hurry, in which case both of those machines are very good. That's the problem I faced. Lot's of very tractors out there, all capable of doing what I wanted to do. I spent a lot of time deciding which one had the combination of features and fit that I liked best. Any one of many would have worked -- Deere, Mahindra, Agco, Massey, Case, Kubota, Kioti, New Holland, etc. I ended up with a Case for a number of small things I liked better on them.

My use is running around in the woods, no mowing, no dirt plowing, mostly loader stuff. I eliminated several contenders because they had what I considered vulnerable parts hanging down low where a branch or rock could cause damage. I eliminated others because they were too tall, others because the seats and controls didn't fit my body as well as the Case. Lastly, I went with the suggestions of the salesman, who also sold two other brands at the same family owned store.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

nightscape,

Did you see this recent discussion, which includes your two choices, along with several other models?

By the way, how about going to "My Home" and filling in your profile? Youre likely to get more specific and better advice.

 

[kozak]

Welcome to TBN nightscape, (Almost sounds like a show) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

We need to know what your going to use the tractor for !!

Vic

 

[KiotiJohn]

I agree that we don't have enough information on your tasks to give good answers. They're both good tractors, but I tend to favor the Kubota in this instance.

Tell us what you need to do with them, and then we'll help you spend lots of money.

Go to My Home at the top of the page, then choose personal settings to fill in your profile. People will then be able to know if they live close, and may be better able to help you.

John

 

[nightscape]

Hi Gentlemen...have filled out some information on "my home".
The tractor will mostly be used for mowing. I only have 3/4 acre, but it is not level, with hills and a couple of ditches and narrow spots. We will also be ordering it with a loader and a snowblower later in the fall. There will undoubtedly be a couple of 3 point hitch attachments to come later as well.
I have about a 150' driveway (gravel) that is three car wide at the front. We will be getting a whole dump truck load of mulch, soon after the tractor. The loader will be a lot easier than pitch fork and wheel barrow.
We have been offered the Kubota BX1850/ 48" deck for $11,900(Canadian). The Massey GC2300/54" is going for $12,500. The wider deck, for us, is not a bonus, it may prevent us from getting through a couple of narrow areas.
I have read that we should consider the BX2350. Is it a bigger tractor? Is the extra HP necessary? What else is different?
A friend has the Massey and thinks it is great. It only comes with the 54"or 60" deck though. The Massey motor sounded more like a "diesel". The Kubota diesel is higher revving and sounds more like a gas engine. Noisier too I think. Which I don't like.
I have tried to put dealer against dealer for pricing...one is going along, one is not.

 

[aesanders]

Either is a good choice. The Massey is more in line with the bx2350 in size and power. For your size lot the bx1850 is plenty tractor. Although, I think you are getting a better price on the Massey. If you can flip up the grass deflector and still make it through your gates than I would not worry about the deck being to large. I've seen many people attach a pull rope to get through gates that work well. The advantage to a larger deck is two fold. First, you get done quicker. Second, and in my opinion more imprtantly, it makes trimming easier. The deck will stick out further from the tractor allowing you to get closer to flower beds etc.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Huh, I had just the opposite impression (about engine noise) in comparing the MF GC 2300 to the Kubota BX 2230 (same engine as 2350). I went with the 2230 in part because I didn't like how loud the GC 2300 was (other things I didn't like about too).

Comparing apples to apples, the GC2300 should really be compared to the Kubota 2350.

If you're interested, I just did a review of my thoughts comparing the GC 2300 to the Kubota 2230 and JD 2305.

 

[aesanders]

I've never really compared the engine noise between the two machines. But take a look a the specs:

BX 1850 engine displacement: 43.19, PTo power 13.7. horsepower 18 at 3200 rpm.

BX 2350 displacement: 54.8, PTO power 17.7, horsepower 17.7 at 3200 rpm

GC 2300 displacement: 68.5, PTO power 18.7, horsepower 22.5 at 2600 rpm.


Clearly, the Massey has a much larger engine and runs at considerably lower RPM. One would think it would be a more natural sounding Diesel as most larger tractors run at around the same rpm as it. It also should in theory be a longer lived engine as it gets it's power easier than the smaller higher reving engines.

 

[aesanders]

I've never really compared the engine noise between the two machines. But take a look a the specs:

BX 1850 engine displacement: 43.19, PTo power 13.7. horsepower 18 at 3200 rpm.

BX 2350 displacement: 54.8, PTO power 17.7, horsepower 17.7 at 3200 rpm

GC 2300 displacement: 68.5, PTO power 18.7, horsepower 22.5 at 2600 rpm.


Clearly, the Massey has a much larger engine and runs at considerably lower RPM. One would think it would be a more natural sounding Diesel as most larger tractors run at around the same rpm as it. It also should in theory be a longer lived engine as it gets it's power easier than the smaller higher reving engines.

 

[commkam]

Yep agreed with several other posters. If you want to compare apples to apples you should be comparing a MF GC2300 to a Kubota BX2350 and/or JD 2305. To be honest, a couple of weeks ago I was exactly where you are right now but I have done A LOT of research so am a couple weeks "ahead of you" (and still a newbie, btw). However, I can tell you based on my research that the MF appears to be approx $1000-1200 cheaper than the Kubota (at least here in Alabama). The MF also appears to have more power at the lower RPMs which I hope translates to longer engine life. To be honest, I have already pretty much made up my mind on the MF and plan on "pulling the trigger" at the end of this month.

That said, if you plan on getting the MF I'd recommend sorting thru the MF forum of this site as there is LOTS of helpful info there (such as the 05 models having a tach and other features but you need to make sure and ask about up front as the production line wasn't updated till Sep/Oct 05 -- so just because it was manufactured in 05 doesn't mean it has those extras). I would recommend the same for the Kubota forum should you be leaning towards an orange tractor.

Regardless, you are in good hands here as all the folks will pretty much give you the straight scoop so you can make an educated/informed decision.

Good luck!

 

[proudestmonkey]

Here in Minn. the MF I looked at was going to cost roughly $1,000 more and the one I had on my property had 20 hours on it. I call that (slightly) "used." If I had been able to get it for $1,000 cheaper than the 2230, I might have gone for it (mostly cause the dealer is a few hundred feet from my property).