Massey-Ferguson 251

cowboydoc · Jul 12, 2001

You're exactly right about pulling power Bird. I've heard the same #'s for extra pulling.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 12, 2001

I just love a mf 263 with 4wd. it has indpendent pto, syco transmission. if all possible available the mf with sliding gear transmissin. I cant understand whey anyone would buy a tractor with sliding gear transmissin. spent to much time on them. the mf 263 is the best sitting tractor around.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 12, 2001

Jason,
I was gonna mention to take a look at the 200 3-series, like his 263 with the Turbo Perkins!

I would definitely want the independent PTO, not only for baling but for everything. I've used the live pto/2 stage clutch for years... just didn't know any better... one day I fell out of bed, smashed my head and discovered... Independent PTO...{my MF165} now that's tractoring.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

unaka · Jul 13, 2001

Yes I am going back to the dealer soon and will look at those 3 series models. I'm thinking hard about the 4wd, but still am not sure.

I don't understand the difference between synco transmission and sliding gear. What's the difference? Also, I did notice that 4th gear on the 251 was where I thought 2nd should be. Has anyone had a problem with that at all?

Also, I doubt I could get a 263 and stay under 20k, but if the dealer will deal, I might bite.

Another question, has anyone out there ever experienced a rollover? I was working with a JD 855, 4wd with FEL yesterday and while I did not rollover, I came close and it seemed I would have been better off to jump off the high side rather than stay strapped in and roll with the tractor. Any opinions?

Thanks to all for all the helpful info.

Jason

Bird · Jul 13, 2001

<font color=blue>it seemed I would have been better off to jump off the high side rather than stay strapped in and roll with the tractor.</font color=blue>

Jason, the theory's good; the reality is you'll never make it.

Bird

unaka · Jul 13, 2001

Bird,

So I take it you are always strapped in? That's always been my policy, too, but it seems that I would get crushed, and yesterday all I could think about was how to get away from the tractor if it started to roll. I assume the tractor companies test these things with test dummies but I don't really know.
So far I can't seem to find anyone that has ever been in a rollover that could tell me about the experience.

Jason

Knight9 · Jul 13, 2001

I was always under the impression that the safety rule is "If there is a ROPS and a seatbelt, always wear the seatbelt. If there is NO ROPS, never wear a seatbelt."

Kevin

Bird · Jul 13, 2001

Yep, Jason, been wearing seatbelts all the time in cars and trucks since '62 (undoubtedly saved my life on 12/29/65) and I wear mine on the tractor, too.

Bird

unaka · Jul 13, 2001

Yes,
Amen to seatbelts in cars and trucks. As a teenager they undoubtedly saved my life two times.
I never go anywhere without strapping in.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 13, 2001

sliding gear transmission you will be constantly grinding your gears. You have to come to a complete sttop before you can shift. a syco is like a manual transmission car. You can shift on the roll without coming to a complete stop. a 263 with 4wd should be gotten for around 22,000. I hope you arent paying retail price on this tractor. Most dealer should give 10-15 percent off price without trade. good to fastlinefinder.com and it will give you what dealers are selling their machine for.