Interested in MF 1600 series...

[Dellinger]

Ok, long story short...

I just bought 13 acres and house/ large shop/ 2nd living quarters... (short sale).

The dwelling and property haven't been taken care of/ lived in for probably 12- 18 months.

10 acres is in agriculture.

It's a real mess (my wife thinks we bought a zoo/jungle) and my grandpa's (I inherited) Farmall 100 (with a 140 kit, 20 pto hp I think?) is struggling to bush-hog the now overgrown field(s) that are full of weeds and tall, thick grass.

I've done a bunch a research and the MF 1600 series seems to be the ticket. Was originally considering the 1635 but my uncle from N.C. said to buy two sizes bigger than you think you need. This would put me in a 1648 with the better FEL and weight.

I will be using the tractor for everything... lifting engine block off of trucks (I'm a machinist), field mowing, plowing, tilling, grading, etc...

I was considering the 2600 series but I've heard nothing but bad things from people that own them.

Now, back to tractor size... Am I being legitimate here regarding PTO hp? I know the Farmall is gasoline and lighter but would 27 PTO hp get me by or 30+?

I do have some hills and some small tree no larger than 1.5" in diameter to mow before Fall.

Regarding other makes... JD is too expensive, Kubota seems a bit unrefined, New Holland/Case...not really impressed. Kioti/Mahindra, I just can't but an Indian made tractor. So MF seems to be the happy medium.

I'm considering the following MF 1600 line... 1643,1648,1652.

Thanks for any guidance.

[Mike476]

I'd check the difference in price between the 1652 and the 1660, depending on your budget you might decide to go with the 1660 and get the max HP/PTO HP available in the series for the work you want to do.

[Dellinger]

Thanks... I like the idea of a 1660 but it's simply out of my price range. I guess the moral of the story is... buy the most PTO you can. But I always seem to be in the habbit of "bigger is better" and that's ok with stuff like weed wackers, leaf blowers, power washers, pneumatic impacts, etc... but the price of tractors is a bit steeper. I want to make sure that I'm not overbuying here, if you get my drift.

[Mud Mechanik]

You also want to be comfortable while using it, go sit on a few and try out the different transmissions... I love my 1660 and would not even consider a smaller one for my uses. PTO hp will differ between hydro and gear models of the same hp rating at the engine, consider what you will be using it for and if your cutter requires 40 pto hp, get 50.

[Mike476]

Thanks... I like the idea of a 1660 but it's simply out of my price range. I guess the moral of the story is... buy the most PTO you can. But I always seem to be in the habbit of "bigger is better" and that's ok with stuff like weed wackers, leaf blowers, power washers, pneumatic impacts, etc... but the price of tractors is a bit steeper. I want to make sure that I'm not overbuying here, if you get my drift.

You'll read several posts where people say a tractor on the lot that appears big shrinks when you get it home. Bigger is better is a good philosophy when it comes to buying but I certainly appreciate not many have a limitless budget, and even if we did it still needs to make sense.

As stated, definitely try the different trannies. You didn't say whether you're looking at open station or cab.

[WilliamBos]

For your uses, get either the Powershuttle or the DynaQPS. And if your MF dealer is an ALO dealer, look at a 160c/180c loader. They are self levelling.

Compact Series - quicke.nu

[Dellinger]

Many thanks for the feedback.

This will be an open platform and I'm quite interested in the 12x12.

"AOL" dealer is? (Not sure what this means? A aftermarket implement comany?)

Also, in my area, MF dealers are few and far between. My local one has been in business since 1889 and family owned throughout. His prices seem to be on the high side (when looking at Fastline.com and Tractorhouse.com) and he is about 40 miles away.

I also just read on here about a possible new 1700 series line... so I guess it will come down to how much I can afford at this point.
Which I guess it always does, lol.

[WilliamBos]

We have the Powershuttle and love it. ALO builds one of the finest loaders that money can buy. They pioneered the Quick attach loader. MF does not make their loaders. The smaller ones are built by Soo Sweeprake, and the Larger ones are ALO built. One advantage to Alo is that they are mechanically self levelling, 160c/180c. I think only JD offers that on their larger CUT loaders.

Many thanks for the feedback.

This will be an open platform and I'm quite interested in the 12x12.

"AOL" dealer is? (Not sure what this means? A aftermarket implement comany?)

Also, in my area, MF dealers are few and far between. My local one has been in business since 1889 and family owned throughout. His prices seem to be on the high side (when looking at Fastline.com and Tractorhouse.com) and he is about 40 miles away.

I also just read on here about a possible new 1700 series line... so I guess it will come down to how much I can afford at this point.
Which I guess it always does, lol.

[the6shooter]

I have the 1643, and use it comercially, can't ask for a better performer, you can go bigger, but the 1635 and 1643, can and will get the job done, and still get you in the house before dark. And go with the power shuttle.
Also with fall comming and after winter is on it's way, there will be some dealer insentives comming also.
I would never make a purchase during harvest season.
david