Massey compact tractors?

[jyoutz]

I'm not looking to buy another tractor. I'm happy with my JD4100. But today, I happened to see a new Massey Ferguson compact for sale and stopped to look. I was quite impressed with the engineering and obvious quality of construction. I test drove it and it operated quietly and smoothly. Ergonomics seemed better than the big three brands. And the price was less than a comparable model in one of the big three brands. So now I'm curious, why don't we hear from many MF owners here on the forum, and why are they not more popular? Dealer network?

 

[JerryG]

Jim,
I am an owner of a MF 1250. The reason that the tractors aren’t any more popular than what they are is that most people don’t know that there is MF compacts. Massey (AGCO) does a really bad job of advertising they. From what I understand, they have seen the errors of their ways and are now ready to start pushing there compacts (finally).
As for dealer support, I have good support in my area. There are two dealers within 40 miles of me and they both sell compacts.
I would recommend Massey compacts. I have had good luck with mine and I work it pretty hard. I have 726 hours on it in a year and nine months. Needless to say that I would buy Massey again.

 

[Knight9]

I looked at Massey when I was "tractor shopping". There were two reasons I didn't carry them into the "serious contender round". 1) The dealer knew very little about the compacts and it took two visits and three phone calls to even establish the hp of the model that I was looking at. They had two versions of literature there that listed the same tractor with two different hp ratings. 2) In our area here the Massey was the most expensive tractor on a cost/hp basis.

I never did end up test driving one.

Kevin

 

[cowboydoc]

That was my findings too Kevin. The dealers were not knowledgeable at all about the tractors, they didn't know models, prices, or anything. It took me a week, no kidding, just to get a price on one. I asked about dealing on one and they said no dealing at all because they didn't even know what they had in them so they were selling at mfg. sugg. retail. It was pretty much a joke. I did like the looks of the tractor but the dealers I talked to didn't know anything.

 

[kcook]

jyoutz,
I have looked at Massey as well, the dealer close to me was very upon compact tractors and there prices were along line with other comparable tractors but it is the only dealer for hundreds of miles!
Just my two cents worth!

 

[fishman]

Just curious, who is supplying the engine for the MF compacts? Perkins, Mitsubishi, Yanmar?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My 231s has a 3 cylinder Perkins.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Iseki manufactures everything… engine, tractor…
{Isuzu was the primary engine mfr. up til a few years ago, now Iseki mfr. under license}

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Kevin,

That Perkins is one of the best, fuel efficient, and bullet-proof engines ever made...{I've got your predecessor; MF-135} /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

However, the 231S is considered a Utility size, not a compact...

 

[caddison]

I looked hard at the Massey's when I was shopping around. Had my sights set on a 1235. Great machine and was well in line on price. Would have went that route if I hadn't found such a deal on my NH!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I too looked at Massey's before buying NH. I have one dealer @ 10 miles and another about 50 miles away.
The closest dealer would not negotiate on clean deal price even though he wanted more for a 28hp 1240 with FEL than another dealer wanted for a JD 4300/shuttle shift with FEL. To complicate matters, I had a Kubota L245DT to trade. The Massey dealer never did come up with a value for my old tractor, although he did sound like a used car salesman by asking "what's it take to do this deal?"

I did demo a 1240. The dealer sent it up to my property without loaded tires (R4s), without FEL and without a top link. The machine appeared to do everything that was required, although it is difficult to determine how well it really pulls a two bottom plow when the machine lacks front weight.

In my case, the dealer took the Massey out of contention with the big three.

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya
yep iseki did use to make them but i think there is a tie up with same-duetz group and did read some where that the trans was now built by them also AGCO is the USA dealer for same-duetz group i'll have to look at some books to find where i read it tho
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[JerryG]

My Massey Ferguson 1250 was made by Iseki. All 1200 series and also the 1100 series compacts are made by Iseki. The motor also has the Iseki name cast into almost every part on it.

 

[jdkid]

Hi ya
i found what i was after it's the MF 3300 not the smaller tractors that has same-deutz trans but i also found out more info on same-deutz /agco SDF (SAME-DEUTZ FAHR) make vineyard/orchard MF's instead of landini (is there a tie with iseki??)AGCO make SDF combines and they are 50-50 (AGCO-SDF) in joint venture selling same,lamborhini and soon deutz in USA
catch ya
JD Kid

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I found a used '94 model 1260 compact w/loader and bought it immediately. I was very surprised that I had never before heard of a M.F. compact.

I have rented many Kubota's and really found no major difference between Kubotas in the same size. It handles great has plenty of power and good ergonomics.