Why choose DX33/34/35?

[jacobweaver32]

This question comes in hindsight as I am a new MF 1533 owner (at least gonna be.. haven't taken shipment).... but those of you DX33/34/35 owners... why did you choose the Case IH over the Massey F?

I am not looking for a debate on which compact is better here really (maybe a little)... im just wondering because they were my second choice verses the MF. Maybe i just like red i dunno.....

Thanks

 

[jbrumberg]

jacobweaver32:

I did not go with either Case IH or MF due to lack of dealerships in my area. The dealerships in my area included JD, Kubota, and NH. All 5 brands are solid tractors and very competitive size for size. I went with NH. Jay

 

[jk96]

Jacob,

I have a DX33 but my first purchase was the DX24. I went with Case when I purchased my my first tractor, DX24 mainly due to a few factors. The visiblity of the curved hood and loader, dealer support and interest in my purchase, and location and ease of use of controls. (Massey kinda treated me like I was just another Joe blow off the street who was wasting their time).

As for the DX33 I currently own, after the abuse I put my DX24 through without a single problem (ok - one blown hydrolic hose) I didn't even shop around. Just went back to my Case dealer and ordered my DX33. Can't say much for or against Massey as I've never done more than sit on one.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

Dealer is two miles away. Great shop. THe owner is a customer of mine. The salesman is my neighbor. Also I like the tractor. Well it's not here yet.

What really made up my mind was an elderly man could'nt get his tractor started, found out the starter was toast. He wanted to get his garden tilled. The dealership droped off thier demo dx34 for the weekend to keep him going. Also they sell ATV snowmobiles and lawn care equipment as well as the full CSE IH line.

THis is a fun place to hang out at. I just won some kind of prize at the open house, a blanket or something.

In short, it is the delaership.

 

[jacobweaver32]

aye jk... I feel you on the loader visibility... that was a consideration of mine... but since I won't be using the loader all that much... I sortta lost that thought in the mist of all the others...

Honestly, I agree with you too.. that the DX has a newer fresher look.... but for some reason I found the MF big farmer look attractive to me.... I don't know guess I'm a wannabe. I don't know why though... cause in high school I was one of those pricks who picked on all the guys coming to school with doodoo on their boots from chores that morning....(I was a pretty boy).

Anyone else?

 

[jk96]

Jacob,

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the new tractor. All of the major brands seem to be pretty close in capabilities. As for the loader, I bet you'll be surprised at how much you actually use it. Seems like I've found a hundred different uses that I never thought of. I've got a set of forks that come in real handy and just took delivery of a Markhem toothbucket today. If you plan on digging you've gotta get teeth. I read a few posts about how much they help but couldn't believe the difference. Got to use it this afternoon as I'm in the process of leveling for concrete. I leveled off the second section in a fourth of the time it took me yesterday using my standard bucket on the same size area. Anyway, have fun.

jk

 

[richtidebruin]

Jacob,


Couple of reasons I went with the TC 34 (DX34): I like the width compared to the MF (MF felt more narrow), like the 1.65L engine vs. 1.5L. Yes, the curved loader is nicer, IMO the Case/NH just feels more plush...(nicer lever layout, tilt, swivel seat etc.)

The Massey dealer (though closer) had a lot of what seemed to be "older" new inventory and only had gear transmission tractors in stock, so they had incentive to sell what they had rather than order a hydro. The dealer facility was a little on the weak side, so in conjuction with the fact that they had old inventory - lets just say it raised a red flag.

Have to say if I had decided on a larger tractor, the 1547 was among my favorites -- I think the MF red does have more of a larger farm feel...

Ultimately it came down to the dealer and I have 3 NH dealers in my area, not many Case... Maybe the competition's the reason the price and service is so good. Either way the blue is growing on me....

Rich

 

[daTeacha]

Jacob:

I looked hard at the MF, Agco, Kubota, Deere, Mahindra, etc. I finally decided on the DX series Case. Reasons include: Dealership attitude, amount of breakable stuff hanging underneath the tractor since I'm in the woods a lot, price, seat, ergonomics of the controls, overall height with ROPS up and Ag tires on since I have an overhead door it must fit through, width, and loader reach and lift height as well as strength.

I basically got the biggest tractor I could that would fit where I wanted to take or put it. It seems huge compared to my old B7100. I got the Case over the NH due to the dealer, and chose a dealer in the next town over instead of the "local" one due to the attitude of the sales guy at the local store. I got A-plan pricing on CNH tractors, which made it tough for the others to compete. This dealer (Ashland Implement) offered me 50% more for my old tractor than the Mahindra guy did, too.

 

[jacobweaver32]

I just took delivery last night. Pretty exciting... and honestly nervious (I'm a new operator.) But I got the basic training from the guys at the dealership so I felt confident enough to go for a ride.
They delivered it with the BH attached not the deck so I got to try that first.
Everything went great and I am very satisfied. see my post for pictures http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson/97256-took-delivery-woot.html

I have to be honest though, I thought I did alot of research and investigating of the different man'fers but you guys seemed to go beyond what I did....I guess I was concentrating mostly on specs, dealer and price.... not so much the finer things such as levers, seats and visibility.

I guess now that I think of it I have one complaint and one concern. 1. I wish I would have got a 24in bucket because the tractor & BH can definately handle it. 2. I am concerned that maybe the weight of the tractor might crush my yard when I finally get it in..... I guess we'll see.

Thanks for the different perspectives

 

[daTeacha]

Soil compaction is a concern for anyone with heavy machinery, whether farming or mowing lawn. That's why there is a lot of discussion about tire types and pressures here -- lower pressures and less agressive tires are easier on the lawns.

 

[Chuckatuck]

Jacob:

Congratulations on your new MF! I had the luxury of trying a MF1533 vs. TC29DA (vs. TC/DX35). Once I decided on the 29-33hp range, price was one concern. I went with a DX33 (based on my TC29 experience). The local MF can be high (and they were pushing gear tractors too). The biggest selling point for me on the DX33 was the operator layout. I found the MF to be more cramped. I am still not sold on the "rocker" pedal, but have learned to deal with it.

I also went with the DX33 because weight vs. soil issues. I have become a pro at getting the tractor unstuck (or is that getting stuck?) I have wasted a lot of time buried to the chassis. I have a new found respect for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps!

P.S. I didn't clean my tractor after my first BH outing either!

Chuckatuck

 

[jacobweaver32]

So here in Ohio it went from 76 degrees on tuesday to like 30 degrees today w/ like 4 inches of snow up here in the cleveland snow belt. Luckily I live about 50 miles south of my work so the snow prolly isnt as bad there, but I doubt Ill get any work in this weekend (being Easter and all too).

But, last night although the temp dropped down to bout 40, I took the mower out for it's first spin.... (took me 2-2.5hrs to swap the BH to the deck on Tuesday night). I lasted about 2 loops around my yard before I was frozen solid... and I could see the neighbors chuckling in the windows as they knew I just had to be on the thing cause I just got it...

Deck worked great; i just need to figure out how to get it leveled from front to rear.. it seemed that my top link (or whatever its called) couldn't tighten anymore to bring the back up....I'll figure it out

I have another (slight) complaint though on the MF... I don't know what is typically on these tractors for decals... but I don't understand some of the lever decals on my tractor.... Like the four wheel drive lever could just say 4x4... rather then some weird square with an arrow in it??? what gives on that? Multi-lingual technique I guess?

What do the cases have?

 

[daTeacha]

The cryptic signs make sense once someone points out what each symbol means. Mine are similar on the Case. A box is the tractor, the line with the star end is a drive shaft, etc. Makes you wonder how effective the things are at being a multi-lingual communication device.

It sounds like you need a shorter top link. Your tractor might have different holes for the top link to connect to the tractor, too. There are also often different holes for setting up your lower lift arms, which might change things for you, too. You can go to Tractor Supply, Rural King, or a tractor dealership for a new and shorter top link. Just take yours with you for comparison.

Spring should be back by the weekend, but look for rain on Saturday with the temperatures near 60.

 

[jacobweaver32]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson/97256-took-delivery-woot.html

See link above for some pics I added. I'll take some close ups of the top link and show you what I mean. You can let me know if I am doing anything stupid... However, I think I will have to buy a shorter one like you said.

 

[daTeacha]

Those pics are kind of big -- I need to scroll around to see the entire picture.

Can you post some here instead of with a link?

 

[jacobweaver32]

 

[richtidebruin]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson/97256-took-delivery-woot.html

See link above for some pics I added. I'll take some close ups of the top link and show you what I mean. You can let me know if I am doing anything stupid... However, I think I will have to buy a shorter one like you said.

NICE pics, Really like the hoe. Had my eye on a blue version of that one... If I can be nosey, what is the price range on that?

Good choice on the 84" cutter also... You would know the difference on your place compared to a 72"

Looks like you are getting plenty of "work" done already... Congrats.

Rich

 

[Ford850]

Jacob,
Just a quick tip on the deck - you want the leading edge slightly lower (1/2") than the trailing edge. This will let the blades make the full cut at the leading edge and then can shred the cut grass as the rest of the mower passes over. You won't notice a difference in the dried weeds this time of year, but in a couple of months it makes a tremendous difference. It wastes a lot of HP with the deck level or lower in the rear.

 

[jk96]

Just a quick tip on the deck - you want the leading edge slightly lower (1/2") than the trailing edge. This will let the blades make the full cut at the leading edge and then can shred the cut grass as the rest of the mower passes over.

Ford,

Never heard this suggested before. Any idea if this would help on a mid-mount mower? I've got a DX33 with a 72" rear discharge MMM. Really works the tractor when cutting very thick full grass. I've been using the factory settings on the diagram which I'm assuming is level front to rear.

jk

 

[jacobweaver32]

I will get that picture of the top link this weekend... been kindda busy all week.

About having the "leading edge lower", Thanks for the tip course as you may or may not be able to tell from the pics at times I had the deck pretty high to keep from hitting some mounds of dirt where it wasnt level. But when I did have it down to the deck wheels I couldnt bring up the back if I wanted without a shorter top link ..... or adjusting the wheels in the rear.(Which I tried to do but the bolts holding on the wheels are two tight to loosen.) It said in the manual to adjust the wheel you need to take off the bolt and move the spacers around... BUT I CANT GET THE BOLT OFF. Maybe the old wrench in the pipe trick might work!

Rich, its funny you mention about the 72 vs. 84.... because I am so glad as well. Here is why....

The first dealership I ever stopped at to get pricing and information from ... was in fact a case dealer... I was looking at the dx33 at the time. I told him i wanted the FEL a backhoe and a 84" cut rear mower. He told me that the 33 wouldnt be able to handle an 84" cut.....At the time I really knew nothing about tractors so I just ate it up.....He actually ended up suggesting that I go with the belly mower instead of the rear mount. He said it would be easier to manage on the lawn (I guess I didnt give a good representation of my lot condition).
Later.... at the MF dealer he told me I would be nuts to go with a belly mower if I was getting a backhoe..... Again, ignorant... I says "why"? He went on to discribe about the need of a subframe addition when putting on a large BH attachment and with that subframe in place a Midmount would not be able to be connected. (In fact, since the midmount was a option on the MF I saved some dough cause I had it omitted). Then the MF dealer went on to tell me how a 84" would be no problem with the 33.

With that said, I am quite happy with the 84" and I have not had any troubles caused by underpowering..... only stalled once and that was when I hit a large mound of dirt. (after that I wised up to start lifting over those or dropping the FEL to scrap it flat.)

The hoe was 6k with subframe and assembly. Everyone told me I was nuts buying it... but by the time I am done with all the field tile, create a walkin basement, and put some culverts in for my drive... I would have spent at least 3-5k having someone else to it.... So I am happy with my decision. (and it is by far the funest implement..... well the FEL is fun too, but a little more difficult to operate because of the visibility issue).