Keep/Sell MF 1045 ??

[sunnyside360]

Hello all. I recently inherited a Massey Ferguson 1045 with turf tires with a little less than 500 hrs on the meter. My wife's father bought it new around 1990 and used it mainly for cutting/making hay on the old farm. Anyways, I'm not sure whether to keep it or sell it. Someone told me that MF only made this model for two years and that the company that made the engine is no longer in business. I would be inclined to keep it if it has a decent reputation for reliability/durability.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[scott_vt]

Hello all. I recently inherited a Massey Ferguson 1045 with turf tires with a little less than 500 hrs on the meter. My wife's father bought it new around 1990 and used it mainly for cutting/making hay on the old farm. Anyways, I'm not sure whether to keep it or sell it. Someone told me that MF only made this model for two years and that the company that made the engine is no longer in business. I would be inclined to keep it if it has a decent reputation for reliability/durability.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mornin sunnyside360,
The 1045 is the brother to my tractor the 1040. I believe the 1045 is the newer version to my machine. My tractor was built in 1986. I believe the same Toyosha motor in both tractors. My machine is rated at 32 engine hp and 28 pto hp. I purchased my tractor with 1300 hrs and know have about 1500 hrs. Knock on wood no major problems. I use it to maintain my property and drive. Mostly mowing ,moving cord wood and grading 800 ft drive. I have only had to make some minor repairs on this tractor and it has treated me quite well. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them if I can !

TractorData.com - Massey Ferguson 1045

 

[Nasty135]

Go with your inclination, My vote is keep!! Low hrs...good shape,always there when you need it...Plus if it has the rounded radius fenders like scotts 1040 it looks cool!

But what do I know...

 

[sunnyside360]

Mornin sunnyside360,
The 1045 is the brother to my tractor the 1040. I believe the 1045 is the newer version to my machine. My tractor was built in 1986. I believe the same Toyosha motor in both tractors. My machine is rated at 32 engine hp and 28 pto hp. I purchased my tractor with 1300 hrs and know have about 1500 hrs. Knock on wood no major problems. I use it to maintain my property and drive. Mostly mowing ,moving cord wood and grading 800 ft drive. I have only had to make some minor repairs on this tractor and it has treated me quite well. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them if I can !

TractorData.com - Massey Ferguson 1045

Hello Scotty,
Your 1040 looks identical to my 1045 except for tires -- yours has ag tread and mine has wide turf. I love the sound of the engine especially under load when the governor kicks in to maintain rpm's. Also, it uses very little fuel.
Do you know if Toyosha Motors is still in business, and are parts readily available (my neighbor told me Toyosha Motors no longer exists). This is my biggest concern on keeping the tractor. Otherwise, I really do like the tractor and I think I will pursue getting ag tires if I keep it.
Thanks for your feedback. Sunny

 

[sunnyside360]

Go with your inclination, My vote is keep!! Low hrs...good shape,always there when you need it...Plus if it has the rounded radius fenders like scotts 1040 it looks cool!

But what do I know...

Nasty,
Thanks for your input/opinion. I really do like the tractor but my biggest concern is parts availability as I've been told Toyosha Motors is no longer in business. Do you have experience with parts availibility?
Thanks, Sunny

 

[JerryG]

One of the dealers (Leonard Sheaffer) that is a member here has said that he can get parts for them.
Sheaffer's Town & Country Tractor
Sheaffer's Town & Country Tractors Inc.
320 Palmyra Road
Dixon, Illinois 61021
Telephone: 815-284-3226
Fax: 815-284-5050
sheaftractor@grics.net

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Sunnyside,
Looks like Jerry gave you a good link ! I have looked into availability of certain parts, such clutch etc and they are available, although on the expensive side ! Like I said in a previous post, I have 1500 hrs on it and it runs strong ! The service manual is available through SSB Tractors and could prove invaluable for any serious repairs ! Is your machine a geared machine ?


Hey Mark, thanks for the plug !

BTW, post some pics when you can !

 

[sunnyside360]

One of the dealers (Leonard Sheaffer) that is a member here has said that he can get parts for them.
Sheaffer's Town & Country Tractor
Sheaffer's Town & Country Tractors Inc.
320 Palmyra Road
Dixon, Illinois 61021
Telephone: 815-284-3226
Fax: 815-284-5050
sheaftractor@grics.net

Jerry,
Many thanks for the info...... will keep it handy just in case as you never know. Other than normal maintenance, the only thing that's ever failed and had to be replaced is the key/switch and that was about 10 years ago when parts were readily available at the Massey dealer. I changed all the fluids and filters last week and the one hydraulic filter (it takes two) took a while to get but I got it from Napa. Napa had to order it -- took a week.
Thanks again.

PS: And the battery was replaced once (2 yrs ago). That darn battery lasted longer than any I ever saw. But, of course no problem getting that.

 

[sunnyside360]

Mornin Sunnyside,
Looks like Jerry gave you a good link ! I have looked into availability of certain parts, such clutch etc and they are available, although on the expensive side ! Like I said in a previous post, I have 1500 hrs on it and it runs strong ! The service manual is available through SSB Tractors and could prove invaluable for any serious repairs ! Is your machine a geared machine ?


Hey Mark, thanks for the plug !

BTW, post some pics when you can !

Morning Scott,

My wife just asked me this morning what we are going to do with the Massey (she is aware of model/parts situation). I think she is leaning towards selling it but letting it up to me to decide. I'll get the service manual if we keep it. It has a 3 speed geared transmission with 3 ranges (L, M, H). So, it has 9 forward and 3 reverse speeds.
I loaned my digital camera to a neighbor who has a mother bear with 5 cubs coming in around his house, but I will post pictures later.

 

[ae_ted]

Keep!
I really like my 1040(2WD) I inherited from my Mom who bought it new in 1986.
Mine now has almost 500hr. Reason I bought it for my mom in 86 was that it was heaver built that the JD's and Kubota's and others at the time. it had many features the other brands did not at the time such as wet disk brakes, draft control, massive steering components, etc.

 

[sunnyside360]

Keep!
I really like my 1040(2WD) I inherited from my Mom who bought it new in 1986.
Mine now has almost 500hr. Reason I bought it for my mom in 86 was that it was heaver built that the JD's and Kubota's and others at the time. it had many features the other brands did not at the time such as wet disk brakes, draft control, massive steering components, etc.

Hello Ted,

Your 1040 looks like new and almost identical to my 1045 except you have ag tread and 2 wheel drive. I have to agree with you regarding how stout the tractor is built. The MFWD front axle housing, steering components and 3 PH are all much heavier than any comparable cut. I'm still nervous about parts availability for the Toyosho diesel engine. The tractor has never been abused or worked hard but it's just my luck that something will break.
Do you have any knowledge of parts availability?

 

[ae_ted]

I have the shop manual for the 1010,1020,1030,1040,1045 series and have contacted a MF dealer and most everything is available. You never know what a dealer might have in way of parts. In 1977 i ordered a bumper part for a 1957 chev and wonder of wonders they had it. I am not to worried about parts from what i have encountered so far. hehe I figure my 1040 will still be running when some of the comparable "other" brands are being read about in books. I have and use a 5' rotary cuter, 6' finish mower, 5' box blade, 2 bottom plow, disk, and lifter. I filled the tires with methanol/water mixture 3 yrs ago and that was amazing difference. Used to the box blade when starting to get full would spin the wheels but now it does not hesitate even when gravel is running over the top of the blade; the tire fill made huge difference! I believe you will enjoy the 1045. I don't think you can fiind another CUT that is as heavy built; if so let me know.

 

[tim9572]

Keep it

 

[kensnelling]

Keep it

LOL, on threads like this it helps to look at the posting dates. I'm pretty sure the original poster decided to keep or sell around four and a half years ago.

Ken

 

[dajudge43]

i just sold my 1045...got $3000...did I sell too cheap