451 and 573, what do think?

[GaryCrowell]

I have a 4wd MF471, which is the predecessor of the 573. It's been a great tractor, there were a couple of issues straightened out under warranty but since then it's been rock solid. The 573 is a whole different class of tractor than the 451, quite a bit bigger and more capable machine. My 471 has a loader, but it's 4wd which means a lot. Both of those machines are 2wd and I personally wouldn't put a loader on a 2wd tractor. There are lots of them running around but the lack of front wheel assist really limits their ability. From your description of the 451 it'd have to be a lot cheaper than that for me to buy it, it sounds like it's been beaten on pretty hard.

 

[MrSteve]

Thank you for the input Gary and again to you William.

Oh by the way William, the 573 for sure comes standard with the Combining Valve, the smaller models (533, 543 and 563) can have it for an option.

Lots of searching, but I found the 500 sales brochure pdf, so now I know what it has and doesn't for standard specs. I have to say, the LP models are just "cool" looking machines sitting that low in 4x4.

 

[jeepcj7]

The 451 was was a good tractor. The larger 400 series had some hydraulic system design issues which was resolved near the end of production and the design change was incorporated into producution on the 500 series. 451 and 573 are different sized chassises - be sure to select the one that baest fits your needs.

 

[MrSteve]

Thanks for the info... Problem with the choice. Talked to the dealer yesterday to get a total price for the 573 (was ready to get the deal done) and he informed me after he told the bank he had a buyer (me) that the bank (AGCO) decided they were going to jack up the prices on all the repo equipment that they had gotten from this one person and the 573 went up another $800, so that kind of peed me off to be honest.

I know the dealer is being truthful on the info and not jacking the price up himself, because he knew I was going to get a "new" Bush hog 3545 loader and a Bush Hog SQ172 mower with the 573, even knowing that info, he said "It's up to you if you want the 573, but after the bank pulling that stunt I would pass". Sure it's possible he has another buyer, but I would wonder if that other buyer is going to add another $7,000 or so to the over all price like I was going to do with the loader and mower.

So at this point not sure what to do, that 451 isn't for me... I just can't put my finger on it. I don't know, looking at the 500hrs on the clock, I think I am looking at a 2000hr tractor. What I see on the outside is a beat up tractor, I just wonder what is going on with the inside, I mean even all the switches on the dash have lost their black color. I know this Florida, the Sun can kill anything, but to me, if you can't protect the tractor from the environment what else can't you do?

 

[Classic Massey]

Dont know what you intend to use the tractor for but hydraulic flow was the biggest change between the 400 and 500 series, if you are going to do a lot of loader work find a 500. if you will be working in mud find a 500 with fwd, with shuttle shift