Massey compact tractors

GaryG · May 8, 2003

I like Massey and it was my first choice, mainly because the dealer is less than a mile from me. He is old and stodgy, set in his ways. Just not interested in selling MF compacts. My only choice was to search out other compacts. I found a good dealer 25 miles away that sells Kubota & NH. I can't emphasize enough that the dealer is more important than the brand or color..

Woodbeef · May 8, 2003

Over the years Massey has sold economy utility tractors in North America made by their licensees in other countries. Ursus of Poland,Uzel of Turkey,and recently from Massey of Brazil have been available here.

SteveM · May 8, 2003

I am a gentleman farmer/hobby tractor seller. Or something like that, and I currently have an older massey compact. I really like the tractor, and my dealer has been supportive. But he is not in the league of the big three in terms of inventory or marketing. Most people dont even know his dealership exists....yikes! He does run a few ads, and does the local garden/farm shows - but that is about it. I think Agco does not provide enough marketing support for him, mainly. Anyhow, the long and the short of it is that I have a much harder time selling a Massey used than a deere or kubota, and for me it is a lesson learned.

Soundguy · May 8, 2003

In the old days, MF was a slightly economy style tractor dealer. ( No boo's yet from the gallery.. I'll explain myself ). The MF is a time tested design.. up untill a few years ago, when they started playing the same game as everybody else, and re-badging overseas units, the MF was essentially using the same designs it had been for the last 40 years.
Think of them as a worker tractor as opposed to a luxory tractor.. not all the bell's and whistles, etc.

Around here, orange and green are sky high.. blue and red are close.

Soundguy

JerryG · May 8, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( They tried the rebadged Isekis, but kept getting things hung up.)</font>

rockyridgefarm,
What did you mean by kept getting things hung up? What problem did they have? What models was the problem with?

Curt · May 8, 2003

Profits have been pretty scarce in the global farm equipment market for a while. AGCO made a profit last quarter and predict modest profits for the year. Their stock symbol is AG, in case you want to follow it.

I bought a MF 1215 in 2000, and have been very happy with it. While NH and 'bota dealers seemed indifferent, a phone call to the MF dealer got me a demo for the weekend - and lessons! My only advice is to carefully check features and construction - things like PTO operation, position control, etc.
Make sure you like the dealer! Good luck looking.

Curt

MF1455v · May 14, 2003

Just spent 3 weeks shopping for new tractor and bought a MF 1455v. JD and Kubota out of my price range. Almost bought a Case/NH TC45. Last stop was MF and got a 55hp tractor instead of 45hp that is 500+ lbs heaver for same price. Have now had tractor 2 weeks and have more power than I will ever need. Great tractor.

Stonewall · May 20, 2003

I will second Kurts' comments on the 1215. I have one as well and it is a great little tractor. It has done everything I have asked of it and got me and my neighbors dug out of the blizzard of '03 with out a hick up. I did stop in at the dealer the other day to see if they had any 1400s on the lot. It seems that the 142X and smaller models are rebadged 1200s. BUT the 143X and up have features like shuttle shifts, more gears, telescoping lower links, tilt steering, full lift hoods - etc. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I will take a closer look when I am ready to upgrade from the 1215.

Anonymous Poster · May 26, 2003

I looked at the MFs, but went with a Kubota. I visited the MF dealer on a cold 5F day. The MF on the lot would not start. A farmer neighbor told me this is a quirk of the Perkins Diesel engine they use. Only have that info to share. The Bota engine is used widely by many, so I went with the rep of the Bota.

LOL Frank