Looking to purchase a MF, which one is enough?

[nalle]

Hi, well got my Truck back and headed south to the Big City. Had to get some stuff for the kids. Called the Massey Dealer, but they where closing and I couldn't make it in time. So on a whim I went over to TYM, arrived 10 Mins before closing. Family Biz and they where all already sitting around having a beer and calling it Friday night. As soon as we walked in they where very helpful, apologized for having the beer and took the time to show us new and used machines.
We where not expecting anything like that, so big Thumbs up for the Dealer. They did have a T353HST (35HP) on the lot that fit me nicely, also had a T254HST which worked but a bit tight. I'll be back to look them over some more. All came with the Quick attach Buckets. Both used ones had extra Hydraulic lines (front & Back) put in.
Looking forward to see the Massey Tractors, but I think the Bar just got set to a Level.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I have a little TYM. It's a 23hp Mitsubishi engine powering it. Nice little tractor. The only things I can complain about it are it's a little crude (not bad, though), and it is VERY cold blooded. It balks at starting around 40 degrees and WON'T start below 30.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Hi, well got my Truck back and headed south to the Big City. Had to get some stuff for the kids. Called the Massey Dealer, but they where closing and I couldn't make it in time. So on a whim I went over to TYM, arrived 10 Mins before closing. Family Biz and they where all already sitting around having a beer and calling it Friday night. As soon as we walked in they where very helpful, apologized for having the beer and took the time to show us new and used machines.
We where not expecting anything like that, so big Thumbs up for the Dealer. They did have a T353HST (35HP) on the lot that fit me nicely, also had a T254HST which worked but a bit tight. I'll be back to look them over some more. All came with the Quick attach Buckets. Both used ones had extra Hydraulic lines (front & Back) put in.
Looking forward to see the Massey Tractors, but I think the Bar just got set to a Level.

I think everyone will agree that dealer is as, or more important, than brand. Sometimes its hard to tell how the service department will treat you from the sales experience, but if the sales experience is bad, the service probably will be too...not always true the other way around. The only advice I can give you, is to not buy just because one dealer made you feel special. Get your butt into all the tractors you are considering! You might like the next one better....or you might come back to the first!

 

[jcmaurice6]

For the difference I have choose the 1734E over the 1726E because the extra hp worth it for the difference of price for the same size tractor. And after 2year I知 very satisfy. Good size and power for going in the wood and working all over my propriety.

 

[nalle]

Yeah we still have a couple colors to visit, before we go a revisit the Top runners.
One will be Massey (dealer also carries LS & Branson) & Kubota
For me room for the operator will play a role, since I ain't small. Got to fit those size 14 shoes somewhere.

 

[nalle]

Thought give you guys a update. Well we visited the "Local" Massey Dealer, we called ahead and he said he didn't have any 1526 on the lot, but serval 1700's.
So when we arrived, we looked at a small LS inside and then I ask about the Massey line. Well he pretty much told me that they are overpriced Tractors, just built by someone else with the Massey Logo and Color. Well he had 1 MF on the Lot 1734E, which I looked at (he was trying to get me to look at others). I didn't care for the Heel to toe pedal, so that would push us into the 1736. He explained to me, that he would probally never sell this Tractor, since it is just a rebadged, not as good a qualityTractor and MF doesn't stand behind their warranty.
I believe he only had this one on the Lot to get People like me in the door and then try to get them to buy the LS or Branson.
He showed us some Branson and LS, which are both the best ever Tractors in his opinion.
So we left, with a very bitter taste of MF in our mouth. I do believe the MF Tractor was build very well, but the Dealership was F-.
I did talk to Massy about this and of course they couldn't change the Situation, but where very nice and friendly about it. Explained to me where the other dealers where (now we would be into a 3-4 hours trip one way). Which really doesn't tickle me, since if we ever needed the Warranty we are getting into long hauls. Basically 2 Days to drop off/Pick up the Tractor for Warranty. Then we can buy from the AR dealer that offers free shipping and has a lower price and hoping that dealer is better.
So unfortunately MF has slipped way down on the List, due to this experience, other then a "killer" deal pops up, we will probably go with a different Brand. I kind of think this is sad for Massey itself, since we had a "warm" Spot for Massey in our hearts, due to our neighbor having a Old, old Massey (don't ask me why), The Reviews are positive, the feedback on forums supported MF as a good Tractor and then MF has a dealer like this representing them.
On the positive note, MF has coloring books for the KIDS, which mine really liked.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Massey Ferguson is not a re-badged anything. There is no competing tractor that is a copy of a MF but with different paint/stickers. Massey has Iseki (spelling?) build most (maybe all) of them. I believe that before 2013 or2014 they used Mitsubishi? But it's not like New Holland/LS where it's essentially the same tractor with different badging/sheet tin. While that dealer blows goat balls, the MF product in most folks opinions is as fine a product as any that you wish to compare with. You were fed some bad information by a bad dealer.

 

[mapper]

Nalle, sorry you had such a crappy experience with that dealer. The dealership was the deciding factor for me when I bought my tractor. The 17xxE series tractors are built by Iseki but powered by Shibura engines. I have been quite happy with mine so far, the tier 4 DPF regenerationhas not been an issue at all, it does happen a bit more frequently with these models than a lot of others but has not been an issue.
A good dealer is important, but with a new tractor I have not needed anything from them so far. The only issue I have had was an omission in the owners manual about the required RPM during DPF regeneration.

 

[NewLight]

For the most part all brands are going to have a reasonably good tractors. They are all going to be a little different in fit, finish, ergonomics, and layout. In the end it comes down to personal preferences, dealer location, and quality of treatment from said dealer. I agree with others that the dealer is likely more important than the tractor itself. The best tractor from the worst dealer will be a nightmare to deal with when you need them. And I implore you don't just buy enough tractor, buy at least one size bigger than you absolutely need. You will never regret having more power/weight than you needed, and like most of us you will quickly find the limits of your tractor and if it's too small you will quickly come to regret it. And a smaller tractor can't do everything a bigger one can more slowly, I know personally and am now able to do a LOT of work I never could before. Another thing I considered and you may want to as well is do you need the torque you'll get with a 4 cyl. engine or will the smaller 3 cyl. provide enough.

 

[jeff9366]

Do you need the torque you'll get with a 4 cyl. engine or will the smaller 3 cyl. provide enough?

My first new Kubota was a B3300SU tractor-loader with Kubota's four (4) cylinder, 91.4 cubic inch diesel engine with 25 gross horsepower.

My current Kubota is a L3560 tractor-loader with Kubota's three (3) cylinder, 111.4 cubic inch diesel engine with 37 gross horsepower.

The L3560's three cylinder engine has more torque and is considerably quieter, though powering a much heavier tractor, than the four cylinder engine in the B3300SU.


Tier iV emission control changes, while increasing the cost of the L3560 over its predecessor L3540 by $4,000+, do yield a more efficient engine.