1533/1540 draft control?

[timo]

Is draft control available as an option on the midsize 1500 series Massey Fergusons? It's listed as an option on the comparable AGCO and CAT Challenger models but I don't see it in the MF literature. Since it's a field installed option, could one get the kit from AGCO or CAT if so inclined?

 

[JerryG]

It is available. The dealer puts it on after you get the tractor.

 

[mark4Jesus]

What benefit does draft control have when plowing and disc-ing? I read what the manual says, but I'm not sure that I fully understand the benefit. I have thought about putting it on if the benefit would justify the cost. I'm going to call my dealer to find out how much it will cost.

 

[JerryG]

It is designed to keep a constant draft. Draft is the amount of pull on the tractor. If a hard spot in the soil is encountered, instead of the tractor spinning out, the draft control will raise the plow to the level that will maintain the same amount of pull as before the hard spot. After the hard spot is past it will lower the plow to the preset depth.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

In Harry Fergusons first designs, draft control was intended as a TRACTION AID. As the plow lift's upward through tough going, it pulls down on the rear wheels, giving the effect of a bigger, heavier tractor. The original Fords and Fergies with that as their selling point, put small tractors on farms that had previously been "horse powered". They were small, cheap, and got a fair bit of work done. Fergusons 3-point, and draft control happened along at just the right time. Plowing was still an ordinary part of farming. Those little 9N, and TO-20's were the original "compact tractor".