Are the REALLY OK or are they crap?

Soundguy · Oct 29, 2005

Johnk.. and Jinma... that massey135 will go down as one of the better tractors in history.

I restore antiques, and am fairly sure that many of my antiques will still be operable decades after other newer ( big 3 and chinese alike ) are on the scrap heap.

I can see you guys are down on old stuff.. but.. there is something comforting in looking at a tractor that is 50 years old, and in good shape. Ell things considered.. I'd put an old 'good' tractor head up with a new one, and expect the oldy to be more durable.

I remember when i got my NH 1920.. was a big 4cyl, and 30ish hp.. then I looke dover at the 'new' boomers.. small 3 cyl jobs... almost same hp numbers... lighter tractor.... I have no doubt whatsoever that the 1920 would outperform in every way a tc30 / 33 with similar options... hard to beat proven design and technology.. And that mf135 is both... not to mention that it has excelent parts support.. from the dealer.. at 40-50 years old.

I'd like to look ahead in time and see how much parts support there is for the common chinese tractors we see now, in half a century... My guess is parts availability will be 'good'.. if you have a template and a cnc machine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy

JerryG · Oct 29, 2005

Well said Chris. There is hardly anything that ever needs changing on a 135 other than routine maintenance items, they were well thought out and designed. If they are well cared for they will last another 40 years. Nothing needs to be changed to make them field ready.

joerocker · Oct 29, 2005

Well now I'm REALLY confused!

I found a dealer of EVERYTHING about 30 miles away. He's got used everything, including a couple of MF-135s and a bunch of everything else. He's also got a bunch of the greys and some new Chinese tractors too.

Well, the greys, the small ones anyway (Mitsubishi, Zen-Noh, etc.), are REALLY small. Lawn tractors with big wheels is the best way to describe them. Don't think I'll go in that direction. I'm glad I kept looking!

The used ones...well they LOOK used. Old tires, old paint, rust here and there, dirty engines, missing lights, etc.

Now, I finally got to see a Chinese up close and personal. They look good! He's got Farm pro, made by Jimna. Looks like a substantial tractor. They have a 2420 (20hp) new, 2 year warranty, with rotary cutter that I could get delivered to my house for a total price of $5600. I think I can get a few hundred knocked off or maybe a free box blade.

So, now I'm REALLY confused. What to do, what to do...

You ALL have very good points. The Massey is a proven performer with a ready supply of parts and a dealer who has been in town over 30 years to fix it. The Farm pro has a 2 year warranty and a dealer who may not be around after it runs out. And parts MAY not be available down the road.

I just don't want to get stuck with someone elses problem. Why would someone trade in a perfectly good old tractor? Usually it's because it's starting to have more and more problems they don't want to throw money at. With the Massey the tires are old, cracked, worn. With the FP they're brand new.

What should I do?!?!

JerryG · Oct 29, 2005

Joe,
Do what ever you feel comfortable with. Yes, the Massey is a proven performer and the parts are very easily obtained, but some have been well taken care of and some have not. If you are comfortable with the Chinese tractor by all means buy it. A lot of the problems with the Chinese tractors have been fly by night dealers and I use the term dealer very loosely here. If they are prepared right, that will take care of a lot of the problems that you could have. They are not for everyone, but they may be for you.

JINMA224XR · Oct 29, 2005

Well now I'm REALLY confused!

I found a dealer of EVERYTHING about 30 miles away. He's got used everything, including a couple of MF-135s and a bunch of everything else. He's also got a bunch of the greys and some new Chinese tractors too.

Well, the greys, the small ones anyway (Mitsubishi, Zen-Noh, etc.), are REALLY small. Lawn tractors with big wheels is the best way to describe them.

I'm glad I kept looking!

The used ones...well they LOOK used. Old tires, old paint, rust here and there, dirty engines, missing lights, etc.

Now, I finally got to see a Chinese up close and personal. They look good! He's got Farm pro, made by Jimna. Looks like a substantial tractor. They have a 2420 (20hp) new, 2 year warranty, with rotary cutter that I could get delivered to my house for a total price of $5600. I think I can get a few hundred knocked off or maybe a free box blade.

So, now I'm REALLY confused. What to do, what to do...

I just don't want to get stuck with someone elses problem. Why would someone trade in a perfectly good old tractor? With the Massey the tires are old, cracked, worn. With the FP they're brand new.

What should I do?!?!


Hey Joe,

You did good. Just about all of us that have been in search of a tractor on a low budget, has been in this same situation.

The tractor forums, will help you, whichever way that you decide to go.

But in the end, it is really just a crap shoot.

You won't be without your little problems with the Chinese Tractors, but at least, you will have a warranty, and you get to start out with a brand new tractor, with a lot of modern features. 4wd, PS, Canopy(Helps prevent skin cancer), new tires, wheel weights, front end weights. It's all just a very hard combination to pass up, when buying on a very strict budget.

If that 2420, is 2wd, you can get a 3 cylinder, 20hp, 224, 4wd, with a Suspension Seat, in Pensacola, for about the same money. But you may have to wait about 2 months for your tractor to come in from the Jinma Tractor Plant in China, if he doesn't have one in stock.

If you go Chinese, just make absolutely, and I mean ABSOLUTELY SURE , That there is oil and grease in all of the places and reservoirs, where it is supposed to be, for the gears and bearings, and Fuel Injector Pump. Get the dealer to do all of this for you, but YOU, have to go behind the dealer to make sure that it has been done, after you get the tractor home.

You did good Joe, now, you can make a proper decision, as to which is the best way to go for you.

It's your turn now at the table Joe, Roll The Dice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And may good Fortune go your way.

Get your tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

johnk · Oct 29, 2005

Soundguy,
I took great pleasure in restoring my 70 SS Chevelle Big block but it wasn't an every day driver. For the price I paid for my tractor I look at it as a throw away after so many years or hours or whatever. It already paid for itself and I only have 250 hours on it. I'm sure there are many more jobs it will perform also and I don't mind working it to death because it isn't a Pristine limo just I tractor I bought to do a lot of work. I like old stuff also but if I put a lot of work into restoring something, I wouldn't beat up on it as I do my Cheap tractor. If I retored a Nice Ford Jubilee or whatever, I wouldn't go bowl trees over with it as I can with my Chinese tractor. All tractors are good as long as they do the jobs they were built for.

John

kenmac · Oct 29, 2005

Hey Joecrocker, Why not buy the book at the top of the page ? The ultimate compact tractor tractor buying guide. This may help you make your decision.

n4807g · Oct 30, 2005

On your other board you said that "you were convinced"? I assumed you didn't want a Chinese tractor. I guess you are confused. If you like the price and your near a dealer that'll support the machine, what's to be confused about? I also have a FarmPro 8240. It's a very nice tractor. I had one minor problem with the high beam switch (it wouldn't stay in it's position). Homier sent me a new switch and since this tractor uses standard automotive electrical components I had it replaced in less than 5 minutes. I've bought two large "no brand" tractors and haven't had any serious problems....maybe I'm lucky. But I do know that I've saved over $22K over buying "name" brand tractors. Now $22,000 will buy a lot of cake. Some smart person suggested that in his opinion most problems with tractors are operator errors. It's a machine, you treat it well it'll treat you well.

Good luck......

JINMA224XR · Oct 30, 2005

I can see you guys are down on old stuff.. but.. there is something comforting in looking at a tractor that is 50 years old, and in good shape. Ell things considered.. I'd put an old 'good' tractor head up with a new one, and expect the oldy to be more durable.


Hey Chris,

On the Contrary, I love old stuff, and a tear comes to my eye, when I see the old tractors sitting in the fields, Rusting the rest of their lives away.

I Like the old tractors, but only from a Nostalgic Perspective, and unless, they have modern features, such as PS, 4WD, Suspension Seat, Canopy, Etc., I will leave the actual operation of those tractors to others.

Old is one thing, but Old, WornOut, and Broken is another.

Get your Tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Soundguy · Nov 1, 2005

( odern features, such as PS, 4WD, Suspension Seat, Canopy, )

IO can assure you.. PS, canopy, and Suspension seat are not modern. My 1955 ford 660 could have had dealer optional power steering.. sme with a rest-o-ride seat.. or a monroe.. or a half dozen other 'comfort' seats.. Same with canopies.. they existed 'way back then'. Also.. some other niceities.. like live pto... my 1955 660 has that..

( Old is one thing, but Old, WornOut, and Broken is another )

Yep.. as with any used purchase.. you have to go in with both eyes.

Soundguy