Massey Ferguson 243 opinions

[geneP]

I have had a Case-IH 385 for 10 years. I like the weight (about 5000#), easy steering, and especially the synchronized speed transmission. It is a little underpowered for my needs as I have to gear down when cutting thick bihaya grass. I have the itch to upgrade and have seen a MF 243 2 WD for sale with 600+ hours, synchro shuttle, remote hydraulics, and "4X" hydraulics (explain that to me, please). This is also a 5000# tractor. From what I read on TractorData it is not a synchronized speed transmission. I think with so many Massey Ferguson tractors out there, the parts should be available for many years. FWD or bucket are not necessary for what I use it for.

The asking price is $7650, he says loan is $8600. Are there any serious defects with this model tractor? Any comments are appreciated.

 

[Farmer495]

My understanding is the 8x8 MF tractors are syncronized, the 8x2 is NOT. I drive an 8x2 MF 240, must be double clutched to shift on the fly. Crappy trans compared to the IH 8x4

Does it have 2 stage clutch? Not as nice to engage PTO as IPTO (can't shift PTO into gear on the move with 2-stage)

I personally would hold out for a bigger CIH 85/95 series. The 385 is "underpowered" but is still a full featured utility tractor and a much "nicer" tractor than the 243 in my opinion, especially if 2 stage clutch on the MF. We had a 385 brand new in 1985 and traded it after 2 years since it lacked power for what we needed it to do, was replaced with a 485 which while similar size, had a lot more power.

243 does have more PTO HP then 385 and the 8x8 offers LH shuttle and more usable reverse speeds.

4X hydraulics might mean it has dual remotes? (2 remotes, 4 couplers???)

Price seems ok.

 

[geneP]

Thanks Farmer for your comments. The 385 IS a nice tractor and will do what I need if I just slow down. There just isn't a Case IH dealer close, and not many tractors around. I just thought that a newer MF might be just the ticket. Maybe I need to re-think it. I wish the MF would hurry up and sell and I could stop fretting over it. I just don't see very many MF available in that weight and horsepower range.

 

[spb1971]

The MF243 is a solid tractor. I have used both tractors and I used to sell both in my previous life. The MF is a better unit. The 8x8 is synchronized.

 

[geneP]

I have an appointment to look at the tractor this afternoon. I hope to be able to hook a rotary cutter up to it and try it for a while.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

I second the hold out for a bigger 85/95 series. I personally dislike the 243 style MF. The case is just so much more user friendly in my opinion.

 

[geneP]

Well, I drove it for a while this afternoon. It runs and operates well and the transmission is a joy. I was disappointed with it over all, though. The ad said it had 680 hours, but the tack/hour meter is non-op. It has set out in the weather and the sheet metal is rusting, seat deteriorating, the ball connections in the lower links are chewed up. The sheet metal isn't beat up, though. The brakes and clutch seem fine, lift works good. I figure a thousand to fifteen hundred would put it back in good shape. What is the going price for a 243 in this shape? In good shape?? He says $7000 is bottom dollar.

 

[Farmer495]

Did the pedal wear and other stuff line up with low hours? I'd question how long the tach was broke...How were the lower links chewed up? Must of done a lot of 3pt work with no lube on the link balls.

I looked at a 5200 Deere on time, was show room perfect, was advertised as 6000 hours, you could see the wear in the shifter gates. That particular tractor would have easily sold as a 1000 hour tractor to an unsuspecting buyer.

Don't worry too much on the cosmetics if everything it straight and there. Nothing some paint and time won't fix.

I'd also be worried on the loan part....he's asking less than what is owed..how do you guarantee he'll pay the loan off and not leave you stuck with a repoed tractor...

 

[geneP]

The loan value is what he says the bank will loan to purchase the tractor.

The pedals, floorboards don't look like it has a lot of hours on it. The man is working off shore and I'm talking to him through his wife. He won't be back for about 8 days.

He has the category II ends in use at the implement end. The cat II balls are loose on the cat I pins and the click pins have worn into the sides of the balls. I would turn them so the cat II end would be at the pivot under the tractor and would be hidden.

Still wondering what an average tractor would sell for. There is not a lot of info on them on the web.
.

 

[Farmer495]

If the ends are like a 240, the balls easily swap out for category 1 ends. you may have to buy the balls, but they are about $18 a piece IIRC last time I got some.

Sounds like the cosmetics are the only thing "wrong" right now assuming the hours are way off the tach.

$7000k does sound steep if it needs a bunch of cosmetics and hours can not be verified.