Both compact · Massey Ferguson against Kubota
Massey Ferguson 1825E vs Kubota B2401
| Spec | Massey Ferguson 1825E | Kubota B2401 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$16,455 | ~$15,230 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Gear |
| Engine hp | 24 hp | 21.9 hp |
| PTO hp | 19.2 hp | 19.2 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,047 lbsat max height | 1,175 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 1,598 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 1,290 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 10.9 GPM | 7.0 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Iseki | Kubota |
| Weight | 2,679 lbs | 1,521 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 10 gal | 6.1 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | No |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Massey Ferguson 1825E
What they like
- You get a genuine compact-frame tractor (2,668 lbs, bigger tires, more clearance) for roughly what a loaded Kubota BX sub-compact costs
- The Iseki-built 1.5L diesel is a proven, quiet powerplant - Iseki has supplied engines to multiple compact tractor brands for decades
- 1,598 lb three-point lift at 24 inches doubles what a BX or Deere 1025R can pick up, so box blades and tillers that stall sub-compacts are no problem
- 10-gallon fuel tank is nearly double a sub-compact's, so you work all day without refueling
- Higher ground clearance and larger rear tires handle rough pasture and rutted trails that beach a BX-class machine
- Simple economy spec means less to break - owners like that there's no fragile trim or extra electronics
- The FLx2407 loader lifts 1,437 lbs, real loader capability for firewood, gravel, and pallet work
What they complain about
- It's an economy model and feels like it - flat sheet-metal fenders, basic seat, and none of the refinement of a Kubota B or Deere 2-series
- The E-series parts-bin ergonomics draw complaints - control placement is functional but awkward compared to Kubota's layout
- AGCO/Massey compact dealers are sparser than Kubota and Deere in much of the US, so check local support first
- Resale value is soft - Masseys in this class sell used at bigger discounts than the equivalent orange or green tractor
- No mid-PTO on the base configuration means belly mower options are limited versus a 1025R or BX
- 24 engine HP is modest for a 2,700 lb tractor - it works, but it's leisurely with heavy loads compared to a 25+ HP Kubota L
Kubota B2401
What they like
- More power than the hydrostatic B2301 above it, 21.9 gross and 19.2 PTO hp against 20.9 and 17.4, for roughly $3,600 less
- Gear drive puts more of the engine's output at the wheels than a hydrostatic does on sustained PTO work
- Takes the same LA435 Swift-Tach loader as the rest of the range, rated 1,175 lb at the pivot pin
- 68.5 cu in E-TVCS three-cylinder, the same displacement Kubota uses in the B2601
- A narrow B2401DTN variant is offered at 35.6 in overall width for orchard and vineyard rows
What they complain about
- 7.0 gpm of total pump output against 8.3 gpm on the hydrostatic B01 models, so the loader cycles noticeably slower
- 1,290 lb measured 24 in behind the lift points is the lowest hitch rating in the B01 range
- Nine forward speeds but only three reverse, and no shuttle, so loader work means the clutch on every direction change
- At 1,521 lb it is the lightest full B-series, and a loaded bucket lightens the back end before the loader runs out of lift