MF-135 for $5000 or a new Chinese for $6000?

[joerocker]

Ok, dealers are sparce here in SE Alabama. So, my options are a little limited.

I can get a 1968 MF-135 for $5000 with 2150hrs. It has a PTO that stops when it gets warm that the dealer will fix.

Or, I could go for a Chinese (Nortrac) for about $6000 that is new.

So, seriously, what would you do?

 

[JerryG]

I haven't priced a 135 in along time, so I can't tell you if the price is good or not. It it was my choice between a $5k 135 and a $6k Chinese tractor, I would not even think about it. I would just get the 135. No comparison.

 

[oldgoat2]

The MF135 has always been a good tractor and the Perkins engine is a bonus as well. Make sure to get earplugs to go with 135. The hydraulic pumps on those usually scream mercilessly.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> The hydraulic pumps on those usually scream mercilessly.
</font>
That is amazing. I have drove dozens of 135s and have never heard a pump scream.

 

[geneP]

IF the 135 is a diesel, has power steering, live pto, and checks out reasonably good, I'd take it hands down over the Chinese tractor. If not, I'd keep looking. I think the price is on the high side of reasonable, and would take a nice one to be worth it. From reading posts over on the Chinese tractor board, if you're not mechanically inclined I'd pass on athe Chinese tractor.

 

[oldgoat2]

My comment was in reference to the three MF135's owned by farmers in my area over the years. With a cab, the noise is not as bad. Must be a regional thing as dozens trumps 3 any day /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've owned 2 MF-135's, bought and re-sold several more, and my father had a couple. I can't recall EVER hearing the hydraulic pump even a scant bit. I don't recall ever seeing the little buggers with a cab either.

The 135 Massey is the finest example of a small utility tractor ever made by anyone. If there's one to be had at a fair price, I'd opt for it over Chinese ANY day.

The PTO shutting down when warn alarms me though. With a 2-stage (dry) clutch, about the only explaination would be the PTO clutch failing. That requires splitting the tractor to fix. If the dealer does that, I'd say you have yourself a good one!

MF-135's sell here for a low of $3000 (for almost junk) to a high of $5000 (highest I've personally observed one selling for. Rumor has it that one sold at a dealer near here for $7500 last summer. Less than 1000 hrs. perfect condition)

Buy the Massey, keep it 10 years, and sell it for more than you paid. Buy the Chinese, keep it 10 years, spend more than the original purchase price on parts, work on it constantly, and then sell it for pennies on the dollar of what you originally paid. JMHO, and worth exactly what you paid for it..........

 

[JerryG]

Just a thought, someone maybe selling them junk oil for the hydraulics. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[n4807g]

the Chinese tractor....good tough tractors.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just a thought, someone maybe selling them junk oil for the hydraulics. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif )</font>

I've bought a couple Masseys over the years that had 90WT. gear oil in the rear ends. Massey specs a different type of oil. (The type they recommend isn't storming to the front of my brain like I'd hoped) The 90WT. will kill MF hydraulic pumps (in addition to making the 3-point lift work very sluggish)