Buying Advice Case IH MX series

[OHyoungfarmer]

I'm considering a MX series Magnum tractor for my next tractor purchase. I'm, looking at a MX 240 or 270 and have found a couple that i'm interested in buying. However, I keep hearing about all the electrical problems the early versions had when they first came out in 1999 and now I'm getting cold feet. I see some of these tractors with 4,000 or more hours on them already, so I can't imagine all of these tractors were that bad if they have hours like that put on them. I have been told to stick with a 71, 72 or 89 series magnum if I can find one with low hours on it. Does anyone have any experience with the early MX series? Should all the "bugs" be worked out by now?

 

[CBox]

OHyoungfarmer,

We have an MX270 that my father-in-law purchased brand new in 1998. As you can imagine, it was one of the first MX tractors in our area for 1998. In fact, it was so new at the time, the dealer asked to demo the machine at a local NTPA tractor pull as a 都pot tractor prior to delivery to us.

This has been our primary tractor for planting (1000 acres) in the spring and operating the grain buggy at harvest since, it was new. It is pushing 3000 hours now and is still our primary tractor. I can only speak from personal experience, but we have not had electrical problems with it. We have had to replace hydraulic remotes and now the operator痴 seatback is broken, but it still runs strong and operates well. Again, I can only speak as an operator of just one machine, I知 not a mechanic. I hope this helps.

CBox

 

[radman1]

We have a 2008 Magnum 245. Has been good tractor. Has had a few minor issues under warranty. Front tire popped off rim going straight down the field. Dealer recommended keeping it them at max or slightly over max pressure. Sensor in the suspension front end went bad this year. Had an O-ring go bad on the hydraulics at 15 hours in the field. Front windshield was loose and had to be reglued.

I also have heard about the electrical problems with the early machines. Some guys have traded them in because of the issues. There was also an issue with a hydraulic leak under the cab. The leak was minor but required removal of the cab to get to it. This has been corrected on later models. Mechanically, they have been very good tractors.

 

[art]

We have a few out but I'm not familiar with any wiring problems.

 

[KWentling]

I hear you want to steer clear (or at least be aware of) of the ones with the CAPS fuel system. Not sure of the years made or the model numbers but they are expensive to fix when they fail and the failures are common. The older magnums are great tractors.

Kim

 

[radman1]

I hear you want to steer clear (or at least be aware of) of the ones with the CAPS fuel system. Not sure of the years made or the model numbers but they are expensive to fix when they fail and the failures are common. The older magnums are great tractors.

Kim

I forgot about the CAPS fuel injection on the early models. Yes, expensive to fix. Some problems occured due to changing the fuel filter incorrectly. Replaced by common rail injection which has worked well. Go to Ag Talk and you can find a lot more info.