Massey Ferguson 1431 4.00 star(s) (3)

Disappointed
Model Year: 2004

This being the first compact tractor that I have owned I must say that I am disappointed in the MF. The tractor has had several problems that in my opinion I should not have to deal with. A lot of the bolts on the tractor just loosen up and fall out; I check as many as I can and use loctite when replacing them, but the manufacturer should loctite them to start. It is hard to start in the cold even when using the glow plugs. I had to buy a block heater to help. The hydrostatic has creeped since day one and dealer assistance was of no use. There is times when this can be dangerous; hooking up implements. The front loader hydraulic lines are mounted on top of the loader frame and can get damaged easily if you are not paying attention and material spills over the bucket. The split folding ROPS is a plus; my brother in law has a tractor where the entire ROPS folds down it's heavy and cumbersome. I have had problems with the loader control valve breaking and I have had the hydraulic system give me fits when the lower filter slimmed over with something that was inside the gear case from the factory. The differential lock is a lever and is inconvenient to use, a foot actuated one on the left side would be much better. The steering wheel froze up at the top below the steering wheel; a dis-assembly and modification with a zerk fitting solved that. The gear selection lever had an engagement issue that was a recall item but I never found out from the dealer or Massey until after I modified it and then I couldn't get the fix because I had modified the tractor; poor customer support if you ask me. I hate to sound completely negative but some good points are the original price was good and the fuel usage is pretty good and control placement is good except the diff lock.

Pros: Initial price, fuel usage
Cons: Durability, parts cost, availabilty of options, short model production

Good overall tractor
Model Year: 2003

Use this machine for grading and mowing, plus misc loader work. Would buy another massey if I needed it. Local dealer does a good job. Thinking about getting a canopy for it also.

Pros: Good build quality and power for the price
Cons: Could use a slightly larger fuel tank

New Used tractor
Model Year: 2005

Not enough time with it to make any judgments, other than as a used piece of equipment, everything works but with some understanding of its individual quirks; e.g. the shifter gets stuck sometimes requiring a nudge of the rear wheel and the kill switch on the seat sometimes requires my bouncing up and down a couple of times to engage it, which would not be necessary if I put on another 10 - 20 pounds.

Pros: Enough power for my needs.
Cons: Looks like some of the servicing needs are in difficult places to access.