New 1643 on the farm. Couple questions/observations

[Wobblin-Goblin]

First off, this is the second Massey I've owned. The first was an '07 1540 Powershuttle. Loved that tractor. Had to sell it when the economy crapped the bed.

A few weeks ago, I purchased a new 1643 Hydro and have 11 hours on it so far, mostly loader work. While I'm a "gear" guy and miss the Powershuttle, I'm quickly adjusting to the Hydro and liking it a lot for loader work. It's very precise. If you need another inch, you can get one more inch. Having said that, it appears as though you really have to have the revs (throttle) up in order to get work done. Even so, with the 66" HD bucket and cutting edge, if you fill it the DL120 hydraulics sometimes really strains to lift it. I don't remember my 1540/1525 loader not wanting to lift a full bucket of earth. Anyone else have this issue?

Also, there is a vibration/rattle somewhere on or under the hood at 2,100 rpm. Can't find it yet. Seems to be near the fuel door.

Some things I think are better on the 1643 (vs. the 1540):

1. It's a better looking tractor, fwiw.
2. I like the one piece hood with no side panels.
3. The headlights are better, mostly due to them being placed higher.
4. The ROPS is better with no rattle like the 1540 had.
5. The seat might be better. The arm rests are nice, but useless while operating the loader joystick.

Some things that I think were better on the 1540:

1. The loader joystick. I could rest my arm (on the fender?) while using it. Not so much with the new joystick.
2. The 3cyl turbo on the 1540 was REAL quiet and good on fuel. Again, the Hydro might be part of the culprit here, with having to keep the revs up more. I've noticed that when I avoid the 2,100rpm rattle, the 1643 is pretty quiet, too, even at 2,200rpm.

Overall, given that we will use this tractor more for the loader than anything else, I'm pretty happy so far. It seems to be a well-designed, well-built tractor. I really like the size, too.

 

[TomSeller]

The 1643s are getting some good press, they must be nice.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

It is nice.

I looked at Deere (both the 3000 Twenty and 4000 Twenty series). The 3000s weren't quite enough tractor and the 4000s were too expensive. The 1643 fit right in between the two Deere models size-wise, and was cheaper than both. The 1643 also is more tractor than the 3000 series, which absolutely eliminated it (the 3000) from consideration. That left the 4000 Twenty series, and while it was more tractor than the 1643, is was far, far more expensive.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the amount of tractor and the size. We've got other pieces of equipment on the farm, too, but this new Massey has decent range to handle a fair amount of tasks.

I know it's subjective, but the 1600 series might be the best looking compact tractors out there.

 

[TomSeller]

Pictures?

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Give me a little time, I'll post a few (if I can figure out how).

 

[rope1250]

I have a 1660 with a cab, not sure if you have a cab or not, but I thought it was very quiet until I opened the door once at 21-2200 rpm. Sounded like the whole tractor was falling apart. Found that the loader stands were the main culprit, removed them and it was a lot better. Only other really annoying rattle is the level indicator on the loader.

 

[Mike476]

They are a nice tractor. The 1643, like all the 1600 series tractors, have obviously benefitted from consideration being given to style as well as performance. Also completely subjective, I found the ergonomics were among the best that I drove.

That said, there are a couple of things I would change. I think a nicer seat for the cabbed tractors would be a worthwhile investment, I'd be willing to pay an extra few hundred dollars for one. Will be looking to upgrade myself, and not because the seat sold with the tractor is unusable, just because I'm getting older and like being comfortable, especially with the heat on listening to my favorite music station and sipping hot cocoa in a blizzard.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Funny, the rattle only happens at 2,100rpm. Below and above that there are no vibrations or rattles. As I said, even at 2,200rpm the tractor is fairly quiet. I like that.

Per the seat, I think the 1540's seat was just slightly more comfortable (hard to tell, I sold it four years ago) than this one, but the new seat appears to be well-designed for outdoor use (no cab) and it has those arm rests.

 

[MIKE R]

Check the steel hydraulic lines on the loader, right after the bend on the arm. We had one that would vibrate at a certain rpm. Simple fix, I just cut a piece of old inner-tube and stuck it between the line and the frame.

 

[gharms]

Congratulations to your new tractor!! I agree, the MF 1600 series is a very nice looking tractor. And it is very well built and has a very ergonomic platform. I love my 1648!

 

[roger4400]

Hi. If you find what does the rattle near 2100 rpm, please tell me , my 1643 is just doing the same, I do not know what is doing that scrappy noise. Beside that I love my 1643 but the seat could be more rear end friendly and the angle of the back seat should be adjustable ( too way back, maybe good for a big man but not suitable for me). Beside that it is a very good tractor . Roger

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Yeah, that rattle is quite annoying. It's really the only gripe I have with the tractor. Aside from that, it's an outstanding machine.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

UPDATE:

It's been a few months now, so here are some recent thoughts.

This 1643 doesn't start as easily as my 1540 did. It's not a hard starter, but the 1540 shrugged off very cold temperatures more easily.

For what we do on the farm with this tractor, the Hydro was the way to go, bar none, and we are getting more efficient at operating it. We like how the throttle is linked to the pedals, too. Very good feature.

This 1643 isn't as good on fuel as the 1540 was. Part of that is the engine (4cyl vs. 3cyl turbo), and part of it must be the Hydro transmission.

While the 1540 had a rattle in the ROPS, the 1643 still has this rattle somewhere on the front of the tractor or loader. It only happens around 2,100rpm. Go under or over 2,100 and the rattle goes away.

Headlights are much better on the 1643.

We are picking up and moving large round bales wrapped in plastic and the loader is just...barely...able...to...do...it. But it does it, so we are happy. These things run about 1,100lbs or more, so they're pretty heavy.

Still prefer the joystick on the 1540 vs. the 1643, but we're getting used to it.

That's all for now.

 

[TSO]

UPDATE:

It's been a few months now, so here are some recent thoughts.

This 1643 doesn't start as easily as my 1540 did. It's not a hard starter, but the 1540 shrugged off very cold temperatures more easily.

For what we do on the farm with this tractor, the Hydro was the way to go, bar none, and we are getting more efficient at operating it. We like how the throttle is linked to the pedals, too. Very good feature.

This 1643 isn't as good on fuel as the 1540 was. Part of that is the engine (4cyl vs. 3cyl turbo), and part of it must be the Hydro transmission.

While the 1540 had a rattle in the ROPS, the 1643 still has this rattle somewhere on the front of the tractor or loader. It only happens around 2,100rpm. Go under or over 2,100 and the rattle goes away.

Headlights are much better on the 1643.

We are picking up and moving large round bales wrapped in plastic and the loader is just...barely...able...to...do...it. But it does it, so we are happy. These things run about 1,100lbs or more, so they're pretty heavy.

Still prefer the joystick on the 1540 vs. the 1643, but we're getting used to it.

That's all for now.

Does it get the bale up to full height? Or just high enough to travel?

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Does it get the bale up to full height? Or just high enough to travel?

LOL...no. We use pallet forks on the loader to move the bales and we're able to get the bale off the ground a few feet, just enough to move them around. Without weight on the hitch, we usually have to use 4x4 when it gets slippery.

Overall, this is a really nice machine (for a farm tractor). Very glad we purchased a MF and this model in particular.

 

[TSO]

LOL...no. We use pallet forks on the loader to move the bales and we're able to get the bale off the ground a few feet, just enough to move them around. Without weight on the hitch, we usually have to use 4x4 when it gets slippery.

Overall, this is a really nice machine (for a farm tractor). Very glad we purchased a MF and this model in particular.

Ok ... I'm considering the 1648 cab with the next size up loader. My main concern is the loader strength. I use my tractor as a loader 75% + of the time, so I'm hoping the 1648/DL130 will have a strong enough loader to keep me happy.

 

[rope1250]

I have a 1660 with the same loader and the same vibration at 2100 rpm. Fixed it last weekend. Run your tractor up to 2100 rpm, keep the loader just a little off the ground, then hop up on the drivers side front tire. Reach over the loader and touch the steel hydraulic line before it gets to the clamp. the line on mine was vibrating like crazy where it touched the loader. I took some old innertube and cut a small strip and wrapped the line where it was touching the loader and the problem was gone. I also put some small pieces of innertube behind the clamp to cut down on the number of metal on metal places where the line touched the loader. Hope it helps.

 

[TSO]

I have a 1660 with the same loader and the same vibration at 2100 rpm. Fixed it last weekend. Run your tractor up to 2100 rpm, keep the loader just a little off the ground, then hop up on the drivers side front tire. Reach over the loader and touch the steel hydraulic line before it gets to the clamp. the line on mine was vibrating like crazy where it touched the loader. I took some old innertube and cut a small strip and wrapped the line where it was touching the loader and the problem was gone. I also put some small pieces of innertube behind the clamp to cut down on the number of metal on metal places where the line touched the loader. Hope it helps.

Hey Rope ... could you take a moment to give me a little review on your tractor? Things you like, things you don't, things you wish it did better or areas where it came up short?

Thanks

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Thanks, Rope! I'll check it out.

BTW TSO, while I obviously don't know what you intend to use the loader for, given the performance of the DL120, I'm sure the 130 will be enough for your purposes.

I didn't want the cost and size of the larger chassis 1600 tractors, but a 1652 with the DL130 loader would have been more capable than I needed. We've got a CAT 262 skid steer that we use and a 70hp Belarus tractor/loader with a 1.25yd bucket. This new tractor didn't need to be bigger than a 1643, so that's what I bought.

The added features that I ordered with it are: rear work lights, cutting edge for the bucket, and rear hitch forks. All three were well worth the added expense.

 

[TSO]

Thanks, Rope! I'll check it out.

BTW TSO, while I obviously don't know what you intend to use the loader for, given the performance of the DL120, I'm sure the 130 will be enough for your purposes.

I didn't want the cost and size of the larger chassis 1600 tractors, but a 1652 with the DL130 loader would have been more capable than I needed. We've got a CAT 262 skid steer that we use and a 70hp Belarus tractor/loader with a 1.25yd bucket. This new tractor didn't need to be bigger than a 1643, so that's what I bought.

The added features that I ordered with it are: rear work lights, cutting edge for the bucket, and rear hitch forks. All three were well worth the added expense.

I typically use my loader for moving logs (grapple work), rocks, dirt/gravel, and crushed asphalt millings (making a driveway).

I really like the Massey 1600 series. Looks & feels like a great tractor. I'm only looking to upgrade for the purpose of getting a factory cab, and while I'm at it, more loader height (mine currently is rated @ 2500lbs to 96" max height). In comparing all the cabbed HST tractors around 50 HP, the Massey looks like a good buy.

Just want to make sure I'm not DOWN-GRADING on loader strength, as there's times I use every bit of loader strength I have as it is. The Massey loader looks stout, and has great hydraulics behind it.

Thanks for helping with the comments.