You will hear great things about pretty much all sub compacts. There are a lot of similarities between brands. Even Kubota BX has design features and actual parts (i.e. headlight switch, steering cylinder bracket design) that are identical to Massey GC. I was really impressed with the Bobcat and Kioti. Lots of options out there, but yeah definitely consider your proximity to a dealer. On the flip side, you shouldn't need to interact much with the dealer if you're doing your own regular maintenance which isn't difficult for these tractors. Not sure if you know, but the Massey GC is really an Iseki. I think Massey maybe does some final assembly in Georgia. you have to get into the larger Massey models to get one actually made by AGCO.
You told it like it is. I researched for a year before getting a GC1710TLB a couple of years ago, and couldn't be happier. Watched some people beat the heck out of theirs and pull off some amazing feats. So, 60 hrs. in, and I figure if I did all that work manually, it would take years, and most of it I would never have conceived, let alone dreamed of starting. I love the wee Massey beast and think it's the best bang for the buck. Next adventure. Post holes!
Good luck with the post holes. The tractors are expensive, but they make quick and easy work of what would otherwise be back breaking manual labor. Thanks for watching.
Good review. As a retired mechanical engineer I was disappointed in MF for that ignition switch location (poor design) and the twisted lift arms (poor QC). It seems they're being designed by people who have never been on a tractor. I agree with you on that fluid level sight glass. What about when the glass is dirty? Give me a dipstick every time.
The lift arms are kind of a big miss on the part of MF, but fortunately I haven't had any issues with them fitting or working on implements. Check out my 50 hour/1 year maintenance video. I feel a lot better about the sight glass now that I have changed the fluid and can see the bubble coloring with and without fluid. I thought about a dipstick and whether I could fit one in the fill spout, but have not investigated that yet.
Height of rops looked really good to me. Too tall rops catches on obstacles and keeps you from entering a 7 ft garage door without remembering to fold them down. Rops height is main reason I'm lokking at Massey. Thanks for video.
I have the backhoe attachment and my roll bar is high like you said. I hate it. I've trashed the opening of my shed a few times already, pain in the rear to keep dropping it down.
I've been watching your videos and wanted to thank you for the information you provide. I am taking delivery today of a GC1723TLB and my decision to buy a Massey was based partly on your videos. I also took into consideration the fact that I really like the dealer. Thanks.
That is so awesome. Thank you for the feedback, and best of luck on your purchase. I'd love to hear how it goes for you after you sink your teeth into a few projects.
@@tlm3574 The dealer actually said the additional cost of the 1725M, in his opinion was not worth it. I don't miss not having arm rests or the 12V outlet or the rear work light. I put an LED light bar on my ROPS and placed the on/off switch in the hole where the 12V outlet would have been. I also like the fact that the 1723 engine runs at a lower RPM than the 1725. The only reason the 1725 has a little more hp is due to the higher RPM's that it runs at.
On my GC1723 EB I have the same difficulty sometimes shifting from neutral to either fast or slow speed. It is quickly fixed by tapping either GO pedal (forward or reverse) then shifting. It slides in easily then. Just like a manual car transmission when it won't go into gear, just push the clutch in and out once and then shift.
Same here, but no one wants to be tapping forward or reverse just to get the thing into gear. There are too many other things to keep track of when running the tractor and as far as I know the Kubota and Deer don't have this issue. My friend said that as long as his e brake is on with his Kubota that he can hop off the seat with the tractor in gear. I'm pretty sure the Massey will shut off if you do that even with the e brake on. That's the really annoying time because you're on and off the seat messing with your load or lining up which isn't a good time to deal with the shifter issue.
Good video , I have the 1723e and liked the seat better on the M . I went on ebay and found arm rests for 80.00 and put them on the seat. I added the factory 12 volt outlet in the storage cubby. I mounted the taillights to the inside of the rope bar. Windshield washer fluid to the rear tires. And wheel spacers to the rear.
Sounds resourceful! Not sure what the spacers would do but will study on that. Have any trouble with the plastic tranny fan. Wish they had a better factory cover for that and hydro filter
Thanks for the comment Bill. My experience has been that the speed knob adjusts the drop of the 3 point arms but not the raise. This matches what the manual states as well which is that the "lower control knob adjusts the speed of drop of the 3-point linkage and implement." Honestly though, I haven't really given much attention to this knob recently as the raise function hasn't been a problem at all. I found an old video on the GC1705 by tractor mike where he states that the knob controls the speed of both raise and drop, so maybe it works differently for different models of GC. Not sure. Tractor Mike: th-cam.com/video/LLZbYnWx8iU/w-d-xo.html
Great video! I completely agree on value for your dollar. I have a GC1710 TLB with 500 hours and a pin on bucket, because I loved it so much, I bought a 1726e to help with our 8 acres of land. Both are incredible trouble free beasts. I mention both because my 1726e has the skid steer option and my GC1710 does not. That looseness or sloppiness you mentioned, I believe, is a skid steer characteristic. Scooping, carrying,and dumping, they both equal In performance with the difference being capacity. However, trying to dig into a hillside, breakup packed dirt and especially using the bucket backwards, the GC1710 with the pin on bucket is the best. I like having the skid steer option for the different accessories I have, but that creates sloppiness. I would suppose this issue is not a tractor brand issue, but the nature of the skid steer option as it cannot be as tight. In any case, if you keep the maintenance up, you will have years of reliable, amazing performance. Ask Grampie who has the generation before mine and does great videos. As for best brand(s) to buy, what you said is true, but if you watch enough videos, in my opinion, it absolutely is value for your dollar, but there are a couple brands that truly seem like trouble that I don’t feel qualified to identify accurately, try to watch out for those. The brands you mentioned and a few more, if maintained properly will keep their respective owners very happy. Good luck with your purchase, I see no regret in your future either. My motto; “stay safe....live to complain about it”. ;-)
Thank you for the comment. I think you nailed it on the SSQA slop. I'd like to do a video sometime showing the BX and GC side by side doing the functions you mentioned. I notice the slop the most when you reach that full dump position and when breaking up material.
Hey, me again. 5 year anniversary and well on my way to 600 hours of hard digging and land clearing, zero problems. Only change is I traded I. 1726 e for a 2850e. Wow! Massey hits it out of the park for this series as they have done with the GC series function/price. I believe Grampie has my hours beat by a factor of 2 or 3 and that tells the story about will it last. Since it gets dark early in the fall, If anyone is interested, I would be happy to share my LED upgrade and additions so I can work safely as late as necessary. Using factory supplied wiring no less. I hope you are having the same positive experience. Operate safely, good luck, and happy tractoring!
Very nice review! Very thorough. I spotted several differences between the GC1723 and my older GC2610. Some are an improvement, while some seem like a step back, or at least perhaps a cost-cutting measure. One improvement is the glow plug light. The GC2610 has no glow plug light, so I don't know if it is actually working. Well, I know because the tractor starts in the cold, but...... :-). Thanks for sharing. - Rick
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, those glow plugs are essential and the light is helpful. First time I started the tractor in the cold, I got confused between the clicking position which I guess is the fuel pump and the glow plug position, so I ended up killing the battery before I could get it started. Now that I'm a little wiser about how they work, it starts up pretty well down into the mid 20's F. I haven't tried starting in the teens yet though.
@@Redneck_Ed On the Toyota Hilux 2.4D's, we used to wait for the glow plug light to go out, then wait a few more seconds until the glow plug relay clicked off, before turning the key to start. They fired right up then. Impatience only made it take longer to start.
@@erik_dk842 The Massey glow plugs stay on a long as you hold tension on the key in that position. The user manual says no more than 5 to 7 seconds, but most GC users state that more time is needed in cold weather. 5 seconds is plenty in the summer. 10 seconds works ok in the 30 degree range. Longer is needed in the teens and 20s Fahrenheit. I've heard that holding them on tool long can burn them out or even heat them to the point where the tips mushroom, so you really just have too dial in the minimum glow plug time needed for your tractor given the outside temp. You're right, impatience means it's going to take you longer.
I have a brand new 1723. Just used it for the FIRST time yesterday to mow my 1 acre+ property. It took over an hour. Never had a complaint about the seat.
@@danielcarroll6010I don’t have this tractor, but I’ve mowed with a subcompact before, it’ll never be a fast mower unfortunately, it’s comparable to a rider, but not a zero turn, especially if you have obstacles
@@danielcarroll6010 I know it's the simple answer, but I just bought a 1725EB and specifically got the backhoe and no mower because I want the tractor to be a useful as possible, yet after owning a ZTM I realize that cutting my little acre would take 5 times as long with a belly mower. As I told the wife, I hate that the ZTM is a one trick pony, but that one trick is awesome!
I'd love to trade you my yanmar 226d, with no power steering and powershift trans, for a week. You'd declare your tractor as being flawless upon return ;) I'm picking up my 1723E this weekend
You mean for the hydrostat pedal? The issue isn't the angle for getting the grease gun on the fitting. It's that the part that threads in is so tight inside that no grease will go through.
They really are. Did you ever look into a bucket spade? I was thinking to go that route for digging out stumps and stuff, if I was to buy a loader only. But I stumbled on my tractor with the backhoe instead.
@@pondacres I thought about it but I don't think I'd use it enough to justify the cost. I've seen them used a bunch on TH-cam videos though and they seem to work pretty well.
Always when clearing snow with the bucket and always when moving dirt or pushing into piles of dirt or gravel with the bucket or pulling with the box blade. Also I always use it when carrying a heavy load or any load on a hill so that I have some control in case the rear wheels slide. Engaging 4WD in these situations gives you mechanical control since there are no brakes on the fronts. If I'm just moving little stuff or pulling the pine straw rake for leaves, I use 2WD so I don't rip the grass too bad. I also never use 4WD when on pavement since the 4WD gear ratio has a pull to it that will ruin the gears if used on pavement.
How's she goin'? Well first off Ed, I think you did great job on the 30 hour review!!! Very thorough and frank discussion on what was a + and what was a -. My GC2300 has many of the same +'s and -'s as your 1723. The hydraulic drive peddle for example. I still haven't been able to figure out how to get grease in that fitting!!! LOL Your thoughts on tractor brands is dead on too. For me, the dealer and the service were major contributors to why I bought a Massey Ferguson. But I truly believe all brands are decent. Great review and I'm glad you are liking your Massey!!! Take care!!!
Thanks for the comments and feedback. They really are amazing machines. I'm going to figure out that darn hydrostatic pedal grease fitting, mark my words! I didn't say this in the video, but a friend of mine just bought a Deere 1025R. I'm hoping to get over to his place in a few weeks to check it out on his 100+ acres. Should be another good point of comparison since so far I've only seen a 1025R in person once.
Have you ever tried to move the seat back a couple inches? Someone claimed he moved his seat b back by just moving a few bolts but didn't do it on film. If it's doable I'd love to see the video.
You mean a few inches more than it goes with the lever that moves it forward and back? I've never tried it, but I'll look at it tomorrow and see if it's possible. If so, I'll do a short video on it. UPDATE: I can confirm that for my GC1723 seat, moving a few bolts isn't gonna work. You could drill some new holes in the metal bracket and slide the seat back maybe another 3/4" inch. The TLB seat might be different though, but I don't have that model.
Does anyone know about the optional mower deck and how good or bad it is? Also I want to do some gardening and probably need those implements like a rotary tiller and such for a small garden. Is this kind of a tractor good for that?
I have seen the belly mower on the lot and it is a very well built unit, but I have never used the mower deck. Pretty much all of the subcompact belly mowers seem to operate great. It's really just a matter of how easy or difficult it is to remove the deck which is a question I can not answer. One thing to keep in mind though is that this tractor is a lot bigger than a riding mower, so a lot less maneuverable. If you have a big open lot to mow, great. If you have a lot with landscaping obstacles, I would say that the tractor/belly mower route is the wrong choice. Get a riding mower or zero turn. As for tilling, check out Tractor Time with Tim. He uses the tiller all the time on his 1025R.
Honestly, I am not your guy for that answer because I don't use the mid or rear PTO at all...but I'll still take a crack at answering The seat is better and there is a factory cig adapter on the 1725. Powertrain on the 1725 has different gearing so you end up with more power at the PTO at a higher engine RPM. Anyone who says you can just turn the throttle up on a 1723 and get the same PTO HP as you get on a 1725 is wrong. The internal 1725 gearing is what allows that higher engine HP to translate into more PTO HP. If you are just mowing, 1723 is probably fine. If you are brush hogging or tilling, I'd probably get a 1725 for that little bit of extra PTO HP. If all you want is seat arm rests, then get the 1723 and change the seat out to something better.
Thanks. They did tell me I could just bolt the armrests on. Mite be a moot point as I may not fit in between armrests(lol). Sure like the Massey looks.
I cannot find my owner's manual to save my life. I've owned mine for about a year and loved it but I do not know the correct tire pressure. Can someone help me with this please?
Why didn't you wait for the glow plug control lamp to go out, indicating that they are up to temperature? A pet peeve of mine, driving diesel cars for 20+ years. Just let the glow plugs do their thing.
I had just parked the tractor there about 30 minutes prior, so it was still pretty warm. The glow plug lamp on the Massey GC does not go out on its own like other larger diesels. The glow plugs stay on as long as you hold tension on the key and then the glow plugs are also on while the starter is engaged. It's up to the user to determine how long to hold them on. As I stated in my other comment, the manual calls for 5 to 7 seconds for a cold start, but more time is needed for a cold start in cold weather.
No. I have another video on my channel where I show what I did with magnets for the LED pods and for the side ROPS lights turned to the inside using spacers to route the wires without drilling holes.
It's just something I didn't know until I saw the first GC in person. You will find plenty of opinions out there in the forums. I never said anything was wrong with it, but wanted to mention it in the video so others know.
The issue is not angle of attack. The grease gun fits on the zerk just fine. The issue is that the internal grease cavity is very tight inside so it's hard to pump the grease gun.
I love the Massey products. I hear nothing but great things about them from people who own them. I wish there was a dealer closer.
You will hear great things about pretty much all sub compacts. There are a lot of similarities between brands. Even Kubota BX has design features and actual parts (i.e. headlight switch, steering cylinder bracket design) that are identical to Massey GC. I was really impressed with the Bobcat and Kioti. Lots of options out there, but yeah definitely consider your proximity to a dealer. On the flip side, you shouldn't need to interact much with the dealer if you're doing your own regular maintenance which isn't difficult for these tractors. Not sure if you know, but the Massey GC is really an Iseki. I think Massey maybe does some final assembly in Georgia. you have to get into the larger Massey models to get one actually made by AGCO.
240 hours on my 1723 with no problems at all. Love my Massey!
You told it like it is. I researched for a year before getting a GC1710TLB a couple of years ago, and couldn't be happier. Watched some people beat the heck out of theirs and pull off some amazing feats. So, 60 hrs. in, and I figure if I did all that work manually, it would take years, and most of it I would never have conceived, let alone dreamed of starting. I love the wee Massey beast and think it's the best bang for the buck. Next adventure. Post holes!
Good luck with the post holes. The tractors are expensive, but they make quick and easy work of what would otherwise be back breaking manual labor. Thanks for watching.
Very well done, comprehensive and to the point
I love my massey still Learning this little puppy
Me too. I have a feeling that the learning is going to continue on for a long time. Thanks for watching!
Great job. As a dealer, it’s helpful learning real customer experiences and opinions. It makes us better dealers.
Good review. As a retired mechanical engineer I was disappointed in MF for that ignition switch location (poor design) and the twisted lift arms (poor QC). It seems they're being designed by people who have never been on a tractor.
I agree with you on that fluid level sight glass. What about when the glass is dirty? Give me a dipstick every time.
The lift arms are kind of a big miss on the part of MF, but fortunately I haven't had any issues with them fitting or working on implements. Check out my 50 hour/1 year maintenance video. I feel a lot better about the sight glass now that I have changed the fluid and can see the bubble coloring with and without fluid. I thought about a dipstick and whether I could fit one in the fill spout, but have not investigated that yet.
Height of rops looked really good to me. Too tall rops catches on obstacles and keeps you from entering a 7 ft garage door without remembering to fold them down. Rops height is main reason I'm lokking at Massey. Thanks for video.
I have the backhoe attachment and my roll bar is high like you said. I hate it. I've trashed the opening of my shed a few times already, pain in the rear to keep dropping it down.
I have the low rops and love it. Perfect height and no annoying adjusting. One reason I chose Massey.
I've been watching your videos and wanted to thank you for the information you provide. I am taking delivery today of a GC1723TLB and my decision to buy a Massey was based partly on your videos. I also took into consideration the fact that I really like the dealer. Thanks.
That is so awesome. Thank you for the feedback, and best of luck on your purchase. I'd love to hear how it goes for you after you sink your teeth into a few projects.
Why didnt you go with 1725M?
@@tlm3574 The dealer actually said the additional cost of the 1725M, in his opinion was not worth it. I don't miss not having arm rests or the 12V outlet or the rear work light. I put an LED light bar on my ROPS and placed the on/off switch in the hole where the 12V outlet would have been. I also like the fact that the 1723 engine runs at a lower RPM than the 1725. The only reason the 1725 has a little more hp is due to the higher RPM's that it runs at.
On my GC1723 EB I have the same difficulty sometimes shifting from neutral to either fast or slow speed. It is quickly fixed by tapping either GO pedal (forward or reverse) then shifting. It slides in easily then. Just like a manual car transmission when it won't go into gear, just push the clutch in and out once and then shift.
Same here, but no one wants to be tapping forward or reverse just to get the thing into gear. There are too many other things to keep track of when running the tractor and as far as I know the Kubota and Deer don't have this issue. My friend said that as long as his e brake is on with his Kubota that he can hop off the seat with the tractor in gear. I'm pretty sure the Massey will shut off if you do that even with the e brake on. That's the really annoying time because you're on and off the seat messing with your load or lining up which isn't a good time to deal with the shifter issue.
I'm a machinist and I ran into that every day, no big deal to me.
Super helpful, I'm looking at the 1700 series.
Thank you
Good video , I have the 1723e and liked the seat better on the M . I went on ebay and found arm rests for 80.00 and put them on the seat. I added the factory 12 volt outlet in the storage cubby. I mounted the taillights to the inside of the rope bar. Windshield washer fluid to the rear tires. And wheel spacers to the rear.
Those rear wheel spacers seem to be pretty popular. That might be on my agenda one of these days too!
Can I ask whst wheel spacers you
went with?
Sounds resourceful! Not sure what the spacers would do but will study on that. Have any trouble with the plastic tranny fan. Wish they had a better factory cover for that and hydro filter
There’s a dial to adjust the speed if the 3pt hitch. Bought a 1725m with extras this spring for orchard work. Best value around!
Thanks for the comment Bill. My experience has been that the speed knob adjusts the drop of the 3 point arms but not the raise. This matches what the manual states as well which is that the "lower control knob adjusts the speed of drop of the 3-point linkage and implement." Honestly though, I haven't really given much attention to this knob recently as the raise function hasn't been a problem at all. I found an old video on the GC1705 by tractor mike where he states that the knob controls the speed of both raise and drop, so maybe it works differently for different models of GC. Not sure. Tractor Mike: th-cam.com/video/LLZbYnWx8iU/w-d-xo.html
Great video! I completely agree on value for your dollar. I have a GC1710 TLB with 500 hours and a pin on bucket, because I loved it so much, I bought a 1726e to help with our 8 acres of land. Both are incredible trouble free beasts. I mention both because my 1726e has the skid steer option and my GC1710 does not. That looseness or sloppiness you mentioned, I believe, is a skid steer characteristic. Scooping, carrying,and dumping, they both equal In performance with the difference being capacity. However, trying to dig into a hillside, breakup packed dirt and especially using the bucket backwards, the GC1710 with the pin on bucket is the best. I like having the skid steer option for the different accessories I have, but that creates sloppiness. I would suppose this issue is not a tractor brand issue, but the nature of the skid steer option as it cannot be as tight. In any case, if you keep the maintenance up, you will have years of reliable, amazing performance. Ask Grampie who has the generation before mine and does great videos. As for best brand(s) to buy, what you said is true, but if you watch enough videos, in my opinion, it absolutely is value for your dollar, but there are a couple brands that truly seem like trouble that I don’t feel qualified to identify accurately, try to watch out for those. The brands you mentioned and a few more, if maintained properly will keep their respective owners very happy. Good luck with your purchase, I see no regret in your future either. My motto; “stay safe....live to complain about it”. ;-)
Thank you for the comment. I think you nailed it on the SSQA slop. I'd like to do a video sometime showing the BX and GC side by side doing the functions you mentioned. I notice the slop the most when you reach that full dump position and when breaking up material.
Hey, me again. 5 year anniversary and well on my way to 600 hours of hard digging and land clearing, zero problems. Only change is I traded I. 1726 e for a 2850e. Wow! Massey hits it out of the park for this series as they have done with the GC series function/price. I believe Grampie has my hours beat by a factor of 2 or 3 and that tells the story about will it last. Since it gets dark early in the fall, If anyone is interested, I would be happy to share my LED upgrade and additions so I can work safely as late as necessary. Using factory supplied wiring no less. I hope you are having the same positive experience. Operate safely, good luck, and happy tractoring!
Very nice review! Very thorough. I spotted several differences between the GC1723 and my older GC2610. Some are an improvement, while some seem like a step back, or at least perhaps a cost-cutting measure. One improvement is the glow plug light. The GC2610 has no glow plug light, so I don't know if it is actually working. Well, I know because the tractor starts in the cold, but...... :-). Thanks for sharing. - Rick
Thanks for the comment. Yeah, those glow plugs are essential and the light is helpful. First time I started the tractor in the cold, I got confused between the clicking position which I guess is the fuel pump and the glow plug position, so I ended up killing the battery before I could get it started. Now that I'm a little wiser about how they work, it starts up pretty well down into the mid 20's F. I haven't tried starting in the teens yet though.
@@Redneck_Ed On the Toyota Hilux 2.4D's, we used to wait for the glow plug light to go out, then wait a few more seconds until the glow plug relay clicked off, before turning the key to start. They fired right up then. Impatience only made it take longer to start.
@@erik_dk842 The Massey glow plugs stay on a long as you hold tension on the key in that position. The user manual says no more than 5 to 7 seconds, but most GC users state that more time is needed in cold weather. 5 seconds is plenty in the summer. 10 seconds works ok in the 30 degree range. Longer is needed in the teens and 20s Fahrenheit. I've heard that holding them on tool long can burn them out or even heat them to the point where the tips mushroom, so you really just have too dial in the minimum glow plug time needed for your tractor given the outside temp. You're right, impatience means it's going to take you longer.
I have a brand new 1723. Just used it for the FIRST time yesterday to mow my 1 acre+ property. It took over an hour. Never had a complaint about the seat.
Get any quicker? I'm looking into this tractor but I can't take 1 hour per acre.
@@danielcarroll6010I don’t have this tractor, but I’ve mowed with a subcompact before, it’ll never be a fast mower unfortunately, it’s comparable to a rider, but not a zero turn, especially if you have obstacles
@@danielcarroll6010 I know it's the simple answer, but I just bought a 1725EB and specifically got the backhoe and no mower because I want the tractor to be a useful as possible, yet after owning a ZTM I realize that cutting my little acre would take 5 times as long with a belly mower. As I told the wife, I hate that the ZTM is a one trick pony, but that one trick is awesome!
@@danielcarroll6010 I had a lanscape company mow my lawn prior to getting the 1723E. It took them between 50 & 60 minutes to do the same job.
Good review. Thanks.
I'd love to trade you my yanmar 226d, with no power steering and powershift trans, for a week. You'd declare your tractor as being flawless upon return ;) I'm picking up my 1723E this weekend
No doubt. You're going to love the 1723E. Congrats on the purchase.
You can get a 22.5 degree or 45 degree grease fitting
You mean for the hydrostat pedal? The issue isn't the angle for getting the grease gun on the fitting. It's that the part that threads in is so tight inside that no grease will go through.
1600 views in 2 months. So far not a single comment on the "Ragrets" joke. Very disappointing, lol.
Hello, nice vid. I got the 1710, I'm very happy with mine.
I have yet to hear from an unhappy owner. The machines are so useful and are a great time saver.
They really are. Did you ever look into a bucket spade? I was thinking to go that route for digging out stumps and stuff, if I was to buy a loader only. But I stumbled on my tractor with the backhoe instead.
@@pondacres I thought about it but I don't think I'd use it enough to justify the cost. I've seen them used a bunch on TH-cam videos though and they seem to work pretty well.
So when do you use 4 wheel drive ? and do you use high or low speed when using the loader and implements ?
Always when clearing snow with the bucket and always when moving dirt or pushing into piles of dirt or gravel with the bucket or pulling with the box blade. Also I always use it when carrying a heavy load or any load on a hill so that I have some control in case the rear wheels slide. Engaging 4WD in these situations gives you mechanical control since there are no brakes on the fronts. If I'm just moving little stuff or pulling the pine straw rake for leaves, I use 2WD so I don't rip the grass too bad. I also never use 4WD when on pavement since the 4WD gear ratio has a pull to it that will ruin the gears if used on pavement.
How's she goin'? Well first off Ed, I think you did great job on the 30 hour review!!! Very thorough and frank discussion on what was a + and what was a -. My GC2300 has many of the same +'s and -'s as your 1723. The hydraulic drive peddle for example. I still haven't been able to figure out how to get grease in that fitting!!! LOL Your thoughts on tractor brands is dead on too. For me, the dealer and the service were major contributors to why I bought a Massey Ferguson. But I truly believe all brands are decent. Great review and I'm glad you are liking your Massey!!! Take care!!!
Thanks for the comments and feedback. They really are amazing machines. I'm going to figure out that darn hydrostatic pedal grease fitting, mark my words! I didn't say this in the video, but a friend of mine just bought a Deere 1025R. I'm hoping to get over to his place in a few weeks to check it out on his 100+ acres. Should be another good point of comparison since so far I've only seen a 1025R in person once.
Have you ever tried to move the seat back a couple inches? Someone claimed he moved his seat b back by just moving a few bolts but didn't do it on film. If it's doable I'd love to see the video.
You mean a few inches more than it goes with the lever that moves it forward and back? I've never tried it, but I'll look at it tomorrow and see if it's possible. If so, I'll do a short video on it. UPDATE: I can confirm that for my GC1723 seat, moving a few bolts isn't gonna work. You could drill some new holes in the metal bracket and slide the seat back maybe another 3/4" inch. The TLB seat might be different though, but I don't have that model.
Does anyone know about the optional mower deck and how good or bad it is? Also I want to do some gardening and probably need those implements like a rotary tiller and such for a small garden. Is this kind of a tractor good for that?
I have seen the belly mower on the lot and it is a very well built unit, but I have never used the mower deck. Pretty much all of the subcompact belly mowers seem to operate great. It's really just a matter of how easy or difficult it is to remove the deck which is a question I can not answer. One thing to keep in mind though is that this tractor is a lot bigger than a riding mower, so a lot less maneuverable. If you have a big open lot to mow, great. If you have a lot with landscaping obstacles, I would say that the tractor/belly mower route is the wrong choice. Get a riding mower or zero turn. As for tilling, check out Tractor Time with Tim. He uses the tiller all the time on his 1025R.
@@Redneck_Ed thanks x10
Having a tough time deciding 1723E or 1725M. What do you think now that you have had some houra under your belt.
Honestly, I am not your guy for that answer because I don't use the mid or rear PTO at all...but I'll still take a crack at answering The seat is better and there is a factory cig adapter on the 1725. Powertrain on the 1725 has different gearing so you end up with more power at the PTO at a higher engine RPM. Anyone who says you can just turn the throttle up on a 1723 and get the same PTO HP as you get on a 1725 is wrong. The internal 1725 gearing is what allows that higher engine HP to translate into more PTO HP. If you are just mowing, 1723 is probably fine. If you are brush hogging or tilling, I'd probably get a 1725 for that little bit of extra PTO HP. If all you want is seat arm rests, then get the 1723 and change the seat out to something better.
@@Redneck_Ed thanks RE.makes sense.
Thanks. They did tell me I could just bolt the armrests on. Mite be a moot point as I may not fit in between armrests(lol). Sure like the Massey looks.
I cannot find my owner's manual to save my life. I've owned mine for about a year and loved it but I do not know the correct tire pressure. Can someone help me with this please?
The manuals should be in the pocket behind the seat.
Why didn't you wait for the glow plug control lamp to go out, indicating that they are up to temperature? A pet peeve of mine, driving diesel cars for 20+ years. Just let the glow plugs do their thing.
I had just parked the tractor there about 30 minutes prior, so it was still pretty warm. The glow plug lamp on the Massey GC does not go out on its own like other larger diesels. The glow plugs stay on as long as you hold tension on the key and then the glow plugs are also on while the starter is engaged. It's up to the user to determine how long to hold them on. As I stated in my other comment, the manual calls for 5 to 7 seconds for a cold start, but more time is needed for a cold start in cold weather.
Are you using the clutch when shifting the Hi/Low ?
It's a hydrostatic transmission, so there is no clutch.
Did you drill holes in the roll bar.
No. I have another video on my channel where I show what I did with magnets for the LED pods and for the side ROPS lights turned to the inside using spacers to route the wires without drilling holes.
What tire ballast do you use
@@ThomasMiddleswart dealer filled them before delivery. I have never checked to see if it's beet juice or washer fluid.
Flex is good... keeps tire floating instead of sinking
That's a really good point. I wasn't really thinking about it that way when I made the video.
Whats wrong with plastic?
It's just something I didn't know until I saw the first GC in person. You will find plenty of opinions out there in the forums. I never said anything was wrong with it, but wanted to mention it in the video so others know.
Just replace with a 45* zerk fitting.
The issue is not angle of attack. The grease gun fits on the zerk just fine. The issue is that the internal grease cavity is very tight inside so it's hard to pump the grease gun.
There is a great explanation. Kubota is built better more heavier-duty connections parts and frame Exedra
Deere too. This MF looks flimsy and light everywhere.
Wrong
@@jlyn9047 don't be mad because you owe a Massey Ferguson LOL I have a Kubota it's much more quality made
@@jlyn9047 enjoy your plastic tractor LOL
@@jlyn9047 mine came with the backhoe so I'm not sure if that's why my frame looks way more beefier
The front tires are probably 2ply!
They are 4 ply. Carlisle 5743U11 , 18x8.5-10
I have a Massey Ferguson GC1710 with backhoe I have videos if you want to check it out.
I'll have to check it out. Thanks!
them are NOT bearings
02:54 Right, that's why I added the text in the top right corner when editing the video to correct what I said.