Both sub-compact · Massey Ferguson against Kubota
Massey Ferguson GC1725M vs Kubota BX1880
| Spec | Massey Ferguson GC1725M | Kubota BX1880 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$12,987 | ~$12,798 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 24.5 hp | 16.6 hp |
| PTO hp | 18.5 hp | 13.7 hp |
| Loader lift | 922 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | not published |
| Three-point lift | 661 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 680 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 6.9 GPM | 6.2 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Iseki | Kubota |
| Weight | 1,532 lbs | 1,336 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 7.9 gal | 6.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr 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 GC1725M
What they like
- The Iseki-built 1.1L diesel is a well-regarded Japanese engine and gives it a strong 24.5 HP, matching or beating the Kubota BX
- 922 lb loader lift edges out the Kubota BX2380 and is more than enough for typical homeowner material handling
- The dual-pedal HST and hydrostatic steering are smooth and refined, feeling like a premium machine
- 6-year powertrain warranty is competitive with the best in the sub-compact segment
- Larger 7.9-gallon fuel tank means longer stints between refills than the BX or 1025R
- Cast front axle and stout construction give it good stability for loader work
What they complain about
- Massey's compact-tractor dealer network is thinner than Kubota's and Deere's, so support depends heavily on your local dealer
- The 660 lb 3-point lift is the lowest in this sub-compact group, limiting heavier rear implements
- Resale value doesn't match Kubota or Deere in the sub-compact segment where those two dominate
- No drive-over mower deck system, so installing the mid-mount deck is a more manual process
- Parts pricing through AGCO can be higher than expected for a small tractor
- It's often priced close to a Kubota BX2380 without the same resale or dealer density advantages
- Attachment selection tailored specifically for the GC series is narrower than for Kubota and Deere
Kubota BX1880
What they like
- It's the cheapest way into a genuine Kubota diesel 4WD tractor, often thousands under a BX2380 while sharing the same frame
- The D722 is the same engine family Kubota fits across its own equipment line, so it is not a one-model orphan for parts
- It takes the same LA344 loader and RCK mower decks as the rest of the BX80 series, so you give up no attachment compatibility
- The full-frame BX chassis with cast axles feels like a shrunken real tractor, not a beefed-up lawn mower
- The drive-over RCK60 mower deck makes it a legitimate lawn tractor replacement that also does loader work
- Cross-drilled rear axles allow independent brake steering for tight maneuvering
- For mowing, light gravel work, and snow duty on a small property, the missing horsepower versus a BX2380 rarely matters
What they complain about
- At 16.6 HP it's the least powerful tractor in the class, and hills, thick grass, or a full bucket will find its limits fast
- The 13.7 PTO HP restricts it to a 54-60 inch deck and the lightest PTO implements
- Most shoppers conclude the extra ~$2,000 for the BX2380's 22 HP is money well spent, making the 1880 a narrow value case
- The 680 lb loader and 3-point capacities are modest even by sub-compact standards
- The low-slung BX chassis has limited ground clearance for rough or rutted ground
- Exposed steering tie rods sit low and are known to bend on stumps and rocks
- Loaded with a deck and loader it crosses $17K, close enough to bigger machines to trigger buyer's remorse