Massey Ferguson 231 4.90 star(s) (9)

Massey Ferguson 231
Model Year: 1993

Overall it's a good tractor with enough horsepower for its size and great on fuel.

Pros: Starts really good, power steering, differential lock
Cons: Its difficult to get on and worse to get off, you kind of get your feet tangled in the levers, the brake lock is horrible

Work Horse
Model Year: 1996

This is my second Massey and it has been a real wok horse. It has a few issues, which are mostly electrical. Right now I'm guessing it is bad switches. I have not taken time to evaluate it closely. Sometimes the starter won't engage. It is not the starter, battery or connections. Maybe the safety switch sticks (it's worse in cold weather). Maybe the ignition switch is bad... Also, the headlights quit working. I think that's the switch also.

Pros: Runs good.
Cons: Electrical...

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Massey Ferguson 231
Model Year: 1999

The story on this tractor is that my father bought new in 1999 and sold it in 2001. I found it and bought it back from the guy in 2012. With all of the attachments, this has been a great investment. The tractor has worked its tail off on my property, digging through rocks and some very hard sediments in the area. I love this thing. The only thing I wish it had would be a turbo.

Pros: Great all around machine for a small farm
Cons: Could use a turbo for higher altitude

My 231 is Tough As An Oak Stump
Model Year: 1989

I have had 20 years of reliable service. It is the little giant of the tractor industry.

Pros: Small but tough, burns one gallon per hour.
Cons: None that I can think of.

Massey Ferguson 231 is Great Tractor
Model Year: 1995

I have owned a Massey Ferguson for 17 years and have not had any major trouble. Have done routine maintenance as recommended. Tractor used to mow and bush hog as well as some disc and pasture work without a single problem. The tractor has been under a shed all the time when not used and the paint is faded.

Pros: Great reliability.
Cons: Paint has faded despite being under shed when not in use.

231 Massey Ferguson
Model Year: 1998

Built by U-R-S-U-S in Poland, and a tractor made out of Heavy iron, this machine was selling for $13,000 NEW in the United States back in 1999. It weighs 4,065 lbs. and has a 38 hp engine, and 34 PTO hp with the 3-cylinder Perkins AD3-152 diesel engine that is very strong and powerful that absolutely sips fuel! I bought this tractor used in August of 2007 for $8,000. It had 480 hours on it. It now has 901 hours as of today, 12/31/10. This has been a "bullet proof" tractor in the almost 3 years that I've owned it. Some of the electrical stuff is kinda "cheap", like the fuses and fuse box for the headlights and flashers. The brakes are a little tough to operate, and it doesn't have a completely "live" hydraulic system (hence only 4 stars in the "features" section). What I mean by this is if the clutch is pressed all the way through the second stage - to the floorboard - the 3 pt. hitch will not go up. But it's normal for this tractor and it's no problem getting used to the way it functions. Also, the hydraulic system is very Sensitive, which is a big plus. The draft control works really well also. I absolutely love how the 3 cylinder Perkins engine "lopes" and how the tractor rides with the "low profile feeling" with the "kickback" foot rests. The tractor can handle 5 ft. to 6.5 ft. attachments with ease: It pulls a 5.5' box blade w/ teeth, a 6' landscape rake, and a 6.5' heavy duty gang disk (lift type with 20-18" blades), all very well. I have the Bush Hog model 285 medium duty rotary cutter (785 lbs. w/ 110 hp gearbox) for my Massey 231. This cutter is a beast! But, it's all the 231 wants for a medium duty cutter. Down here in the South, the Bahaia grass is very thick and tough on equipment. A 5 ft. rotary cutter is just the right size for the MF231 in this part of the country. In the Northern grasses, a 6ft. cutter may be okay. I'm not sure, but not for the South. I have put a 6 ft. cutter on my 231 and sold it because it was too much for it. I used a neighbor's very heavy duty old Servis-Rhino 7 ft. rear blade and the 231 performed really well with it. But if I had to buy a HD rear blade, it would be a 6 ft. The previous tractors I've owned are a Ford 8N, a Mahindra 485 DI, a Yanmar YM2000, and a Yanmar YM2500. Even though the Mahindra was an Excellent tractor too, the Massey Ferguson 231 is by far it feels, rides, sounds, performs, the outstanding reliability, and I could go on and on! I can't comment on how the tractor performs with a loader because I do not have one, but the MF231 does have an excellent power to weight ratio. I've heard people comment on the 231 saying "You either love it or hate it". Now although this may be a true statement, I am definitely one that loves it! If you are considering a Massey Ferguson 231 tractor for bush hogging, box blading, skidding logs for firewood, or any other reason for that matter, then look no further.

Pros: Outstanding Massey Ferguson and Perkins reliability, power to weight ratio, and the way it "looks and feels"!
Cons: Not a completely "live" hydraulic system, a few parts of the electrical system are "cheap", brakes aren't the best, and it's kind of difficult to get on and off off.

Bought private sale MF 2310 loader/backhoe.
Model Year: 2007

So far I love the machine.

Pros: Good strong machine.
Cons: None yet.

1995 TAFE 35 DI It's not really a Massey, TAFE needs own category!
Model Year: 0

I bought this tractor because it was as close as I could get to my beloved MF 35 but with power steering, a good loader, and most importantly, a cab for winter snow removal. My Massey dealer started it up for me on a bitterly cold morning and the mechanic commented that it was "a good starter". It has worked very well for me on my tree farm. I removed the crude cab and substituted a plastic canopy for summer use. Parts have been no problem through my clever Massey dealer. He just matches them to comparable Massey models. Metric threads could be a problem at some point, but not so far. One power steering ball joint broke and the replacement threaded on 2/3 of the way before it jammed, but that works fine.

Pros: Excellent starting, power and fuel efficiency. Dealer's good.
Cons: Like an early Massey, it uses a diverter valve for the loader.

MF231
Model Year: 1998

Other than some minor electrical connection problems, I have had the following other problems: 1. 3-point stopped lifting. Dealer repaired. A mechanical part came loose. Nothing had to be replaced, just fixed. 2. Oil leak. About a quart per 10 hours. Probably rear engine seal. Not repaired as it is too expensive a repair compared to the price of oil.

Pros: Smooth and easy to operate
Cons: Engine oil leak.

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