1540 arrived!

[ratter]

Took delivery of my 1540 Powershuttle, FEL, box blade and 72" rotary cutter yesterday. There were a couple of snags...the factory sent it with R4's instead of the Ag tires that I ordered, and the dealer sent me the wrong rotary cutter (sent the Heritage model Woods instead of the BB72 that I ordered.) They've handled the issues well though, so I have no worries. Basically I'm using the cutter they brought until they bring the right one over, and I'm trying out the R4's. They'll swap them with ags if I decide I don't like the R4's (same price). I was a bit on the fence about the tires anyway, so I didn't mind giving the R4's a shot.

So far, I'm VERY pleased. I'm extremely happy that I decided to go with the PS transmission over a standard gear drive. I still like the "feel" of a regular transmission, so I get that, but not having to clutch for direction changes and starts and stops just makes the overall driving experience a lot nicer, a lot easier. I still clutch sometimes even when I don't need to - it's a tough habit to break!

I've got about 8 hours in so far, mostly cutting. Cutting through tall grass and weeds is a breeze. You barely even notice that you've got the cutter back there. I took down some heavy stuff...heavy brush and saplings. The engine would lug a bit in the real tough stuff, but only drop a hundred or two hundred RPM's, a quick tug on the hand throttle brings it right back. I'm looking forward to getting the BB72 delivered, but even the Heritage cutter isn't bad. I've avoided real nasty stuff, since it's essentially a borrowed cutter, but everything I have thrown at it, it has handled fine.

Great tractor!

 

[mark4Jesus]

Congratulations Ratter! I was on my 1433v today and like it the more I play, uh, I mean work with it! I'm sure everyone will be looking forward to pictures as soon as you can get them. I wanted Ag tires when I got mine, but so far the R4's have done great, no traction problems at all.

 

[JerryG]

ratter,
Congratulations on the new addition. The turbo and the PowerShuttle work great together. I'm sure that you will enjoy the many uses that you will get from your new MF1540.
Did you get a loader?

 

[jamath]

Congratulations on your new 1540. That seems like a pretty good turn time from your order placement to the delivery of the tractor.
and now for the questions.............Are your rear tires set at the standard width and how much does the 6' rotary mower cover outside the tire width?
What size box blade did you get?
Did your dealer go over a break in time or procedure for the tractor? I've only had used farm equipment an am making assumptions that it would be similar to a new breaking in an automobile....vary rpm's and do not exceed certain rpm ranges until a specified time.

Again Congrats

 

[CDsdad]

Congrats. Post some pictures when you can.

 

[ratter]

I've got a couple of pictures I'll post here in a minute. To answer the questions, I believe the tires are set at the standard width, yes. And the mower covers the tracks...I'll see if I can get a tape out there and see exactly how much. Box blade is also 72" but I haven't really used it yet. I need to till or disc the area that I'm planning on using it before it will be effective, I think.

I did get the loader, 1525 with 66" HD bucket, standard bucket connection (ie no quick-attach). The bucket has been great and I don't even have my toothbar on it yet. I've distributed some dirt piles, ripped down some brush/branches, and used it to carry my chainsaw up the hill today.

Now that you mention the tire width, if it is possible to set the tires wider, I might do that as I have some pretty hairy hills here. Even if that means that the mower won't cover my tracks anymore...

The driver wasn't all that knowledgeable about tractors - I didn't infer that, he came right out and said it. So there wasn't much in the way of an "orientation" period. But I pick up tips from my neighbor (who owns 7 Masseys!), and I've read most of the manual. There's some information in there about break-in, ie don't run at full RPM's, don't load the engine at low RPM's....things like that.

The turnaround time getting the order in from the factory was just about exactly two weeks, I think. Not bad. And my dealer (Lincoln Supply and Equipment in Somerset PA) has been very good. They have a local roving sales rep, which is handy, and I'll probably get to see him fairly often thanks to my neighbor! For the first year, they do on-site service with their service trucks, where possible. Fluid filling of the tires and delivery were both free, etc. etc.

 

[ratter]

I went into an area that looked like this...

 

[ratter]

And used this to tame it...

 

[ratter]

Now it looks more like this...

 

[ratter]

And this guy isn't the least bit worried about tractors, apparently...