BrokeFarmerJohn
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2016
- Messages
- 2,233
- Location
- Columbus Ohio
- Tractor
- 2017 Mahindra 5555, John Blue G-1000, Massey Ferguson 98, John Deere GP
My grandpa died earlier this year. He owned two tractors when he died, a 1929 John Deere GP Standard, which needs a rebuild and a 1960 (I believe) MF 98. I was able to acquire both tractors after he passed.
I thought I would share the MF here. I just got it home a few days ago, it needs gone threw before I attempt to start it. The Detroit’s after sitting awhile are prone to stuck injectors resulting in run aways.
Info: Massey Ferguson did not have the ability to build a big tractor in the late 50s and early 60s so in order to compete in the larger tractor market they bought tractors from other companies, tweaked them to fit the Massey styling and painted them red.
The MF 98 was made by Oliver, Tractor Data says it’s based off a Oliver 990, but I think it looks more like the older model Oliver Super 99.
FYI: The MF 97 and 95 tractors were both built by Minneapolis Moline.
The MF 98 is powered by a 2 stroke, 3.5L, 213cu in, 3-71 Detroit Diesel. It’s the same engine in the Oliver Super 99 and Oliver 990. They were rated at 61HP at the drawbar according to Tractor Data.
The Oliver 1900 and 1950 was powered by the more powerful 2 stroke, 3.5L, 212cu in, 4-53 Detroit Diesel. They were rated for 88hp at the drawbar according to Tractor Data.
Note* How to read Detroit Diesel model numbers? First number is the number of cylinders, second number is the Cubic Inch per cylinder. Example 3-71 is a 3 cylinder 213 cubic inch engine, 4-53 is 4 cylinder, 212 cu in. engine.
From my research, I found that 2 MF 98’s were made as a prototype to test the model and 500 were made and sold to the public. They weren’t a popular tractor due to the much higher price tag. They also were very loud like all 2 stroke Detroit’s (Screaming Jimmy). It’s said a farmer running one could be heard two miles away.
My Grandpa owned and farmed with a MF 98 in the 60s. His brother, my Great Uncle recently said, my grandpa pulled a 3 bottom moldboard trailer plow. On parts of the farm he had to pull in 1st gear, the front of the tractor would be up in the air and my grandpa had to steer with the brakes until the plow found softer ground. They farmed in Ohio, my great uncle has since abandoned the moldboard plow and now use chisel plows.
My Great Uncle and Grandpa were the first generation to farm with tractors. My dad tells a story that my Great Great Grandpa, John Baker used to get mad at my grandpa and great uncle, saying they weren’t farming right using tractors, how they were gonna fail if they didn’t go back to horses. The original Baker farm was around 150 acres, now it’s around 600 acres owned and more ground leased. A small farm by today’s standards.
My Grandpa, over his lifetime owned 4 different MF 98s, he valued the last 98 very highly. I was fortunate to get both tractors and can share the story’s.
Both the GP and MF 98 have been sitting for over 20 years, not sure exactly how long.
I thought I would share the MF here. I just got it home a few days ago, it needs gone threw before I attempt to start it. The Detroit’s after sitting awhile are prone to stuck injectors resulting in run aways.
Info: Massey Ferguson did not have the ability to build a big tractor in the late 50s and early 60s so in order to compete in the larger tractor market they bought tractors from other companies, tweaked them to fit the Massey styling and painted them red.
The MF 98 was made by Oliver, Tractor Data says it’s based off a Oliver 990, but I think it looks more like the older model Oliver Super 99.
FYI: The MF 97 and 95 tractors were both built by Minneapolis Moline.
The MF 98 is powered by a 2 stroke, 3.5L, 213cu in, 3-71 Detroit Diesel. It’s the same engine in the Oliver Super 99 and Oliver 990. They were rated at 61HP at the drawbar according to Tractor Data.
The Oliver 1900 and 1950 was powered by the more powerful 2 stroke, 3.5L, 212cu in, 4-53 Detroit Diesel. They were rated for 88hp at the drawbar according to Tractor Data.
Note* How to read Detroit Diesel model numbers? First number is the number of cylinders, second number is the Cubic Inch per cylinder. Example 3-71 is a 3 cylinder 213 cubic inch engine, 4-53 is 4 cylinder, 212 cu in. engine.
From my research, I found that 2 MF 98’s were made as a prototype to test the model and 500 were made and sold to the public. They weren’t a popular tractor due to the much higher price tag. They also were very loud like all 2 stroke Detroit’s (Screaming Jimmy). It’s said a farmer running one could be heard two miles away.
My Grandpa owned and farmed with a MF 98 in the 60s. His brother, my Great Uncle recently said, my grandpa pulled a 3 bottom moldboard trailer plow. On parts of the farm he had to pull in 1st gear, the front of the tractor would be up in the air and my grandpa had to steer with the brakes until the plow found softer ground. They farmed in Ohio, my great uncle has since abandoned the moldboard plow and now use chisel plows.
My Great Uncle and Grandpa were the first generation to farm with tractors. My dad tells a story that my Great Great Grandpa, John Baker used to get mad at my grandpa and great uncle, saying they weren’t farming right using tractors, how they were gonna fail if they didn’t go back to horses. The original Baker farm was around 150 acres, now it’s around 600 acres owned and more ground leased. A small farm by today’s standards.
My Grandpa, over his lifetime owned 4 different MF 98s, he valued the last 98 very highly. I was fortunate to get both tractors and can share the story’s.
Both the GP and MF 98 have been sitting for over 20 years, not sure exactly how long.
Last edited:
