Massey hydro HST pedals

[thclimer]

That's precisely what I did yesterday. The greatest incline on the dealer lot was ~5% though and I couldn't create more than about an inch of travel.

I drove the power shuttle too which was surprisingly nice. Still want the HST though.

I'm glad you were able to test drive one, I'm only guessing but I would say the incline where I experienced the drift was 10-15%. When I get some time I'm going to look at the switch a little more.

 

[Wellarmedlamb]

Thank you ffterman!

I'm glad you were able to test drive one, I'm only guessing but I would say the incline where I experienced the drift was 10-15%. When I get some time I'm going to look at the switch a little more.

Yea, depending on the type of switch, I was thinking a momentary switch would be a good bypass. I wouldn't want to use a latching switch in fear of forgetting to revert to normal operation. A spring loaded momentary though would work well I think.

Foot on brake --> Hold down momentary switch defeating brake switch ---> release brake --> apply HST pedal and begin moving --> release momentary switch --> normal operation.

I was thinking the same exact method to temporarily defeat the seat switch for situations where you wanted to stand up just for a second or two.

 

[onionfmr]

It has less to do with "can't" and more to do with capability vs. cost. JD is just too expensive for lower capabilities. Which is why Kioti is also on the short list.

I'm sorry you're experience has been such and I'll definitely take your advice under advisement. Thank you

I've had my fair share of issues with the last two Massey tractors that I bought. You can check my threads for details. With that said, IMHO, MF1700 series tractors are far from a POS! They have a lot of options and capability for the price. I understand Phillip w with all your issues and why you feel the way you do. Trust me, I've been there, but not to your extent and level of problems. Locally, I've heard of several MF1500 series tractors with issues. Also locally, the MF1736 seems to be the most popular model. There are a couple of examples locally of MF1736s, farm use as supplemental equipment to big tractors, with over 2000 hours in a couple of years of use with zero issues. My local dealer has a MF1736 yard tractor with over 1500 hours on it that seems to be running fine. This tractor sits outside. It looks awful, but, appears to be running good.

One thing about sticking with a major brand is parts availability. Trust me, that has definitely come in handy on mine. I don't know what the situation with Kioti is for parts. Maybe, you get luck and never have to find out. With a Kioti or LS tractor, I would be looking at dealer history and service capability as well as part availability in going that route. I've looked at both brands in the past. They are definitely a lot of bang for the buck!

Would I personally buy another Massey tractor? I don't know. Knock on wood, I've run my MF1754 four times in a row now without an issue. I certainly wouldn't buy one without an extensive test drive. Both of my local dealers offer the option of letting you demonstrate a new tractor on your property for a couple of days prior to purchase. I definitely wouldn't buy a new Massey without taking them up on that offer!

 

[Wellarmedlamb]

Hmm I wonder if I can get mine to do a couple day test drive...

 

[onionfmr]

Hmm I wonder if I can get mine to do a couple day test drive...

Granted, my local dealers know me as I've done business with them for many years. They also know that if I'm looking at tractors, I'm serious about buying one and if I like the tractor, I'll end up buying it. When I was trying to decide between R4 and turf tires, a couple of years ago, one local dealer offered to drop off a tractor with R4 tires for a couple of days to test on my property. At that point, we hadn't even decided on hst or gear or what size. Hadn't even negotiated pricing yet. I think some of it has to do with how tractors are selling at the time. If tractors are flying off the lot, they probably wouldn't be as amiable about dropping off tractor.

I will also say this. If my MF1754 keeps working without issues it will be a great tractor!!!

As a side note, we now run Scag mowers on our property. Local Scag dealer knew I had a trailer. Offered to let me take a new Scag to test for a week. In one day, I knew we would buy it. Cut our mowing time in half vs. what we were previously using! Ended up buying two Scags. Ferris dealer offered the same test demo.

 

[thclimer]

I'm glad you were able to test drive one, I'm only guessing but I would say the incline where I experienced the drift was 10-15%. When I get some time I'm going to look at the switch a little more.

I spent a little more time looking at the brake pedals on my Massey 1736 yesterday. In the pictures you can see the light blue colored switches which when open disables the hydro from engaging.

Interestingly enough, I had never used only one brake pedal as you would if you wanted to steer the tractor by braking either the left or right rear wheel while still moving forward, thus my problem was solved.

By splitting the brake pedals, lifting the orange brace which interlocks both pedals and applying only one brake (either left or right) the hydro is allowed to be engaged while the pedal is applied.

 

[rjmack]

I have limited experience only between my New Holland TC33D and my Massey 1736. My preference is my New Holland with its rocker pedal.

First, you can not simultaneously go forward and backwards as there is only one pedal. Not that I have tried or accidently hit both pedals on my Massey but it seems like it could be done (if you did it, I wonder which direction you would go?)

Second, it is intuitive, to go forward you apply pressure with your toes. To go backwards you apply pressure with your heal. On my Massey the 2 pedals are side by side and until you learn which one is forward and which one is reverse mistakes can happen.

Third, and while I am guessing this not as much a pedal issue, but more in the design of the hydrostatic system. On my New Holland I can be on a hill facing down and take my foot off the brake and creep backwards at the slowest of speeds without ever moving forward. With my Massey, as soon as you remove your foot from the brake the tractor begins to roll forward down the hill. I've tried pushing down on the reverse pedal before I let my foot off the brake but there must be an interlock which does not allow the transmission to engage if the brake is on. While the delay is only a second or 2, you can roll forward almost half a foot before the reverse kicks in, which is not a comfortable feeling.

side by side hydro pedals on my massey, no issues. you must have had it in high range. rocker pedal on my husqvarna riding mower, the exact issue you noted.

 

[TSO]

After have two incredible 16xx series tractors, which don't have electronics managing the throttle, brakes, engine, etc... I suspect that most of the problems reported with the 17xx series machines are the new tech and programming characteristics. On my 16xx machines, for example, the foot pedals are on the floor and tie directly to the HST valve for operation... In contrast to the 17xx tractors, in which the foot pedals hang from the column and are tied to electronic inputs for throttle. Similarly, my foot pedals have a mechanical link to the throttle body, which can be easily adjusted, for increasing RPM's with throttle tip in.... Versus all electronic throttle control on the new 17xx units. There are other examples of course, but my point is... These may be growing pains with Iseki's new tech (and AGCO's programming) in these new gen machines.

Prior to this new series, there were very few negative reports on Iseki built Massey's. Phillips account seems to be a rarity... He claims that his tractor is so terrible, the radiator was even installed wrong from the factory. While I find that difficult to believe, i guess it could be possible. Though to me, it sounds more like the tractor fell off the shipping container at the docks and someone pieced it back together before it arrived on the dealers lot.

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Maybe it would be worth your time to shop for a clean, low-hour 16xx machine and skip the 17xx series until they finish working out the bugs.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I had a 1540 Powershuttle before this 1643 Hydro. Both tractors have been outstanding.

1540 Pros: best starting tractor I've ever seen. Quietest tractor ever. Floor mounted loader joystick worked great. Powershuttle was buttery smooth. Radiator guard was stout and did its job well. Fuel economy was pretty good as long as revs weren't high.

1540 Cons: lighting was poorly designed. The ROPS had a nasty rattle/vibration at a certain RPM. Shifting between ranges was difficult.

1643 Pros: Lighting is much better than the 1540. Seat was better. ROPS rattle eliminated. Servicing the tractor is a little easier.

1643 Cons: Hydro is a little loud, but not a deal breaker. Radiator guard isn't nearly as good as the one on the 1540. Loader joystick doesn't work nearly as well as the one on the 1540. Fuel economy isn't terrible until you have to raise the RPMs to do actual work, then it gets bad quick.