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OT- Massey-Ferguson or Kubota ?

B

Bruce (VA)

Well-known Member
When the wife suggests that she thinks we need a tractor she can drive, a wise man asks no further questions.

We're down to making a choice between a Kubota L3400 w/ a loader & a M-F 1532, also w/ a loader. Both are diesel, 4wd, PS, hydro transmissions. Both dealers are local. Both loaders can be detached in 5 minutes. We've driven both & I can't see a bit of difference in performance or ease of use.

The biggest difference I can see is the Kubota is $18,600 & the M-F is $15,315.

I'm having a hard time seeing the difference that $3k gets me.

Your thoughts & comments are welcome!

(no, I'm not selling any of the N's!)
 
Bruce,

I have looked at the MF ....nice machines....
I would go with it - think of it this way, for $3000, you can buy OTHER implements that you might not have , :)

And if you get your wife on the machine......
P R I C E L E S S !!!!! God forbid if she LIKES it ....you may never get it back!

What are the two warranties like?
 
Bruce-
I would also suggest the MF but would go with gas instead of diesel. New gas engines are so much more fuel efficient than in the past and with diesel fuel and PARTS being so expensive the gas makes more sense.

Tim Daley(MI)
 
Tim,

Not wanting to bust your bubble, I would rather have the diesel....Did a study in College ( VT ) that showed the diesel cost sooo much less to operate than gas. True, the newest gas engines are better all the time and getting gas is still easier than Diesel, I am not sure you can go by OFF ROAD GAS.....OFF ROAD diesel will be cheaper than gas....the internals are much cheaper too. Diesels have less moving parts, no point, plugs - non of the other stuff....True when a diesel goes down, it is more expensive, much more. But most all big rigs are diesel, most larger tractors are diesel, there is so much more torque with a diesel than gas, also the engine turns a lot slower, a high reving diesel is 3+ grand....Diesels also have better fuel filtration, usally two filters and a water trap. Diesels cost more in the short run, but after 20 years, the savings would pay for the the tractor, just my 2 cents.
 
get the mf'er and save the 3000$ to buy a couple more N's.. or a good 00/01 series. you NEED one of those.. :)

soundguy
 

I'd vote for the MF-Gasser. (no points in modern engines, and platinum plugs are cheap, last as long as the pyramids, and can be installed by the owner (much cheaper than fuel pump and injectors), add any filters you wish if you think fuel needs more filters.)

Let the Koreans and Chinese and Indians keep their stuff.
 
I'll bet you money that none of the compact utilities are made in the US so that a bunch of bull!

I'd go diesel, in the long run it will be cheaper.

I'd go with Kubota, they have along proven tract record. Remember you can get a Yugo or a Caddy. Resale value down the road should be looked at too. In my area MF just don't hold the value of other brands in big tractors.

Rick
 
(quoted from post at 13:51:49 05/12/10)
I'd vote for the MF-Gasser. (no points in modern engines, and platinum plugs are cheap, last as long as the pyramids, and can be installed by the owner (much cheaper than fuel pump and injectors), add any filters you wish if you think fuel needs more filters.)

Let the Koreans and Chinese and Indians keep their stuff.
Click to expand...

You guys are living in the past - neither of these tractors are made in the USA or available with a gas engine. Diesels are the defacto engine across the board for modern tractors.

The Kubota is made in Japan and Kubota is widely considered to make some of the best if not the best diesel motors going. I have an older Kubby diesel and I consider it to be one of the best made and supported machines I have ever owned.

The MF diesel motor is made in Japan by Iseki - another well regarded line of diesels - I have no idea where the remainder of the tractor is made or assembled but outside the USA wouldn't surprise me.

I would think either one is an excellent choice and despite my prejudice in favor of Kubota I would be hard pressed to pony up an additionakl $3k all other things being equal.

TOH
 
While the majority of all mechanized equipment is now made of components mfr'd overseas by multinational co's., the MF brand is primarily US/Canadian and their hdqtrs/banking is US and therefore better for the US economy.
They make many items right here in the USA:
AGCO Corp, 202 Industrial Park, [b:4c6e75ea06]Jackson, Minnesota, USA [/b:4c6e75ea06]- Assembles the Challenger track and articulated [b:4c6e75ea06]4WD tractors[/b:4c6e75ea06] at this location.
AGCO Corp 420 W Lincoln Blvd. [b:4c6e75ea06]Hesston, Kansas, USA [/b:4c6e75ea06]- Assembles balers, combines, forage harvesters, manure spreaders, planters and haying machines
 
Which one weighs more? When we bought our first "compact" tractor I looked at many things but, one of the most considered was weight. We ended up with a Kioti DK-45(5000lbs w/ldr) as it was 1000-1500lbs more than everyone else, (JD, NH, M-F, Kub., Cub-Cad.,) for a 45hp tractor. To me that is alot of steel, meaning bigger axles, trans case, etc. It also has a 4-cylinder engine not a 3-cyl. The price was also much better than most. Hope this helps and best of luck with what you buy.
 
I say go with the Massey-Ferguson, as well. I don't know where the money ends up, but $3k of it will end up in your pocket if you go with M-F.

Plus: arm rests! Not available on the competition! Who's arms couldn't use a little rest, eh? You know your arms will be worn out countin' the extra coin in your pocket! Win-win!

Besides, when a Massey-Ferguson breaks down, you get to call it "that M-F tractor"!
My 8N
 

Given what you've said about each, I'd go with the Massey, put the 3K in the tractor fund, and never look back.

Wish I could get my wife on my 8N: she finally admitted a few months ago that she's afraid of it. I think it's the noise and clatter of the mower 'cause when I shut off the pto, the N just purrs. Did get her on the 1210 to mow once, but that whole outfit was quieter. Had to sell it, though...too light for the slopes.

JK
 
(quoted from post at 15:09:28 05/12/10) Which one weighs more? ....
Click to expand...
If you look at the chart which Jubilee pointed us to, you'll see the MF weighs more.
http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/MF/NA/Tractors/MF1500/MF08415_152932_comparV8.pdf
 
I looked at both tractors last summer.The MF was the winner.My 640 will be shot one day.Id go for the MF.
 
(quoted from post at 16:59:22 05/12/10)
(quoted from post at 15:09:28 05/12/10) Which one weighs more? ....
Click to expand...
If you look at the chart which Jubilee pointed us to, you'll see the MF weighs more.
http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/MF/NA/Tractors/MF1500/MF08415_152932_comparV8.pdf
Click to expand...

Huh? According to that chart they weigh the same - MF 1532 is 2590#, L3400 is 2580#. I tred to talk him into moving up to the Kubota Grand L34 - very nearly the same price and 1000# heavier.

TOH
 
Bruce,

I do not know any details about either of these tractors, you will have to be the judge of that. But I have found it interesting to walk into the dealer's shop and ask some general questions to the mechanic who does the most work on the model I'm considering. Occasionally, I have been steered away from a bad purchase by a POed mechanic. But let's assume that both models are rock solid. Then my decision would be made by significant price differences and heritage of the brand. I earned my life's income by working for American workers (as a science teacher) and have always bought American products to the best of my ability. There has never been a Jap car, truck, or tractor parked in my garage or shed. The Kubby may be a good tractor, but its bright orange paint says something about "me" that I do not want said. My wife dearly wanted a new Toyota a couple of years ago... my reply "over my dead body". Well, that's me, and I don't judge others harshly by what they drive, but I sure wish they would wake up to our own economic needs.

Take your best shot and enjoy your new tractor!!

Wow, I wish my wife wanted a new tractor!!

Paul in MN
 
Bruce, I have a Kubota L3410 with a front loader. Great tractor. Has Hydrostatic trans. I've had it for 11 years. Only thing I've done is change the fluids and filters per the book. Original battery laster till last year!
 
Thanks much for your comments & advice.

Both of these tractors will do all I need then to do & are really nice. They clearly outclass the CNH & JD in the same range. Around here, both the Kubota & M-F dealerships have good reputations. All things being equal, I'd give the advantage to the Kubota, but rarely are things ever equal. I honestly can't see any appreciable difference between the two as to performance or ease of operation. So it comes down to price. A $200 or $300 difference would be one thing....but $3k is a no-brainer.

Next month (or next week for all I know) Kubota may decide to offer a better deal. And, if they did, I would in all likelihood say go w/ the Kubota!

Tnx again!
 
Bruce:

Though not intimately familiar with the specific models mentioned, I have late model machines built by both Kubota and MF.

Both of the models that you mention are Japanese built and either will be fine. Save the $3000.

Dean
 
In my area off road diesel is over 20 cents more per gallon than is unleaded regular and diesel engines do have more moving parts than gasoline engines with the same number of cylinders and similar HP rating. Still, I would not buy a new gasoline powered farm tractor even if I could, which I cannot.

Dean
 
(quoted from post at 17:44:17 05/12/10) When the wife suggests that she thinks we need a tractor she can drive, a wise man asks no further questions.

We're down to making a choice between a Kubota L3400 w/ a loader & a M-F 1532, also w/ a loader. Both are diesel, 4wd, PS, hydro transmissions. Both dealers are local. Both loaders can be detached in 5 minutes. We've driven both & I can't see a bit of difference in performance or ease of use.

The biggest difference I can see is the Kubota is $18,600 & the M-F is $15,315.

I'm having a hard time seeing the difference that $3k gets me.

Your thoughts & comments are welcome!

(no, I'm not selling any of the N's!)
Click to expand...

6 are 12V,,, front are side mount...

If 12V go with the MF,,, you will need 3K to convert it to 6V,,, sorry but that's the way it tis....

I have worked on both,,, neither are worth the money but if,,, its burn'n a hole in yer pocket spend it... You will luv the foot throttle...

Neither is a tank and break into EZ,,, sure nuff makes a mess....

Never thought about the weigt but make sence,,,,
 
For about 1/3 the cost of the Kubby you could buy a really nice Ford 3600 Diesel. PS, LPTO, Flow Control, differential lock, PS, 8.4 gpm live hids, dual remote hyd outlets, factory 12V alternator. An entirely modern, bullet proof, easy to work on tractor that would not be unfamiliar to an N owner. Plus She would love to drive it.
 
[b:c8cf6ccf3a][color=darkred:c8cf6ccf3a]Paul in MN wrote: "I earned my life's income by working for American workers (as a science teacher) and have always bought American products to the best of my ability. There has never been a Jap car, truck, or tractor parked in my garage or shed. The Kubby may be a good tractor, but its bright orange paint says something about "me" that I do not want said. My wife dearly wanted a new Toyota a couple of years ago... my reply "over my dead body". Well, that's me, and I don't judge others harshly by what they drive, but I sure wish they would wake up to our own economic needs."[/color:c8cf6ccf3a] [/b:c8cf6ccf3a]

Spoken like a true American - We need more people who feel this way!!
 
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