MF 1526 with belly mower

The kid · Mar 1, 2013

Anyone here using this tractor with a belly mower?

mguitas · Mar 2, 2013

Radrock might have one with his 1526. Maybe he will read this thread.

radrock · Mar 2, 2013

No. Sorry. I have a three point finish mower. What did you want to know?

The kid · Mar 2, 2013

radrock said:
No. Sorry. I have a three point finish mower. What did you want to know?

Does the belly mower have swivel wheels so it can be easily slid out from under it when not needed?

WilliamBos · Mar 2, 2013

The kid said:
Does the belly mower have swivel wheels so it can be easily slid out from under it when not needed?

If it is the 1505 like we had on our 1523, then yes it has them. I will attatch some pics later, ok?Two are stationary, but you pull pins and rotate them, the other two swivel.

radrock · Mar 2, 2013

I am sure WilliamBos is correct. I remember looking at these when I bought my tractor and decided on a rear mower instead. If you are thinking about getting this tractor and mid mount mower. Be Aware that when I bought mine, there was an additional $850 charge for the mower because these tractors now come without a midmount PTO and you have to purchase the kit as well. Make sure you try to bargin with them to include that or make sure it is included in the price of that mower.

The kid · Mar 2, 2013

WilliamBos said:
If it is the 1505 like we had on our 1523, then yes it has them. I will attatch some pics later, ok?Two are stationary, but you pull pins and rotate them, the other two swivel.

The reason I ask. I have a zero turn and it's a b!tch to pull it out from under it to service the deck. If the wheels swiveled it would be just a matter of unpinning it and rolling it out from under it on concrete. If two are stationary. What do you mean by pulling the pins. One the stationary ones? They will swivel after that? From pictures it looked like they might. Thanks. -robert

radrock · Mar 2, 2013

I have a zero turn too, I just lift the front up with my loader now and service it. Easy as pie. On that 1505 mower the two rollers on the rear of the mower deck is pinned stationary (pointed forward). The two front ones swivel all of the time. All you do is pull the pins from the two back rollers and then they all four will swivel. Here is a link to tractorhouse http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7008093 it will show you a little bit. Not a great picture. I could not find any information on the Massey Web site about that mower. I wonder if they still offer it?

WilliamBos · Mar 2, 2013

The kid said:
The reason I ask. I have a zero turn and it's a b!tch to pull it out from under it to service the deck. If the wheels swiveled it would be just a matter of unpinning it and rolling it out from under it on concrete. If two are stationary. What do you mean by pulling the pins. One the stationary ones? They will swivel after that? From pictures it looked like they might. Thanks. -robert

And disconnecting the PTO. Best to have it sitting on concrete or patio slabs, rolls much easier that way.

We are much happier with the RFM, faster to hook up/remove, and no crawling under to hook the PTO

radrock · Mar 2, 2013

Yup. Me too, after much deliberation, I saved the $850 for the mid mout kit, paid about $500 less for a rear 60" finish mower and I have ballast for when using the loader. I very seldom take off the mower. With a midmount mower I would think you would be taking it off all the time when using the loader.

WilliamBos · Mar 2, 2013

The kid · Mar 2, 2013

Nice tractor William. I've been doing some research on the MF mini tractors. I like the idea you can slide the deck out from under it. I would want the FEL too. There is a dealership inClarksville, Tennessee and the next time we go to the Cracker Barrel I'm going to drop by to look ay them. I'm a shrewd negotiator so I'llbe looking for the best deal either locally or out of state. I'd buy a 2012 to saves several grand as well. Will the deck still run if in reverse.

I backup using a bush hog a lot trying to push into heavy brush. Some of the newer mowers won't cut running in reverse. Safety feature I guess. I was wondering if that same approach effects the mini tractors. -kid

WilliamBos · Mar 3, 2013

Thankfully, we get to cut backing up

,so you have no worries there. I checked over a 1526 at my local dealet, snd was impressed with all the improvements they made over our 1523. I would not hesitate to buy a 1526, they are a nice tractor!!

Good luck with your purchase, you will be happy. Oh, block heaters are a dealer add on, if it gets cool where you are, haggle that in the deal too.

The kid said:
Nice tractor William. I've been doing some research on the MF mini tractors. I like the idea you can slide the deck out from under it. I would want the FEL too. There is a dealership inClarksville, Tennessee and the next time we go to the Cracker Barrel I'm going to drop by to look ay them. I'm a shrewd negotiator so I'llbe looking for the best deal either locally or out of state. I'd buy a 2012 to saves several grand as well. Will the deck still run if in reverse.

I backup using a bush hog a lot trying to push into heavy brush. Some of the newer mowers won't cut running in reverse. Safety feature I guess. I was wondering if that same approach effects the mini tractors. -kid

radrock · Mar 3, 2013

Let use know what you come up with kid and send some pictures.

Do you ever miss the 1523 William? Was that pictures of yours? I was curios on how the belly mower works with all of the frameworks for the loader??

WilliamBos · Mar 3, 2013

radrock said:
Let use know what you come up with kid and send some pictures.

Do you ever miss the 1523 William? Was that pictures of yours? I was curios on how the belly mower works with all of the frameworks for the loader??

Yupp, that was ours, traded in at 200 hours and got close to what we paid for it. It was a good little tractor, but too light for oue uses. It was a tad too short, chassis seemed stiff, compared to our 1635, did not flex as much as this one does.

I like the improvements on the 1526. The MF MMM QA system is slick, however, we are much happier with the RFM.

Always take the MMM off when doing field/ garden work, because if it ever bottoms out, that could get pricey.

The kid · Mar 3, 2013

radrock said:
Let use know what you come up with kid and send some pictures.

Do you ever miss the 1523 William? Was that pictures of yours? I was curios on how the belly mower works with all of the frameworks for the loader??

One more question Rad. Does yours have power steering. I would think so since you have a FEL. Are the rear and front wheels fluid filled for ballast. If not can they be?

radrock · Mar 3, 2013

WilliamBos said:
Yupp, that was ours, traded in at 200 hours and got close to what we paid for it. It was a good little tractor, but too light for oue uses. It was a tad too short, chassis seemed stiff, compared to our 1635, did not flex as much as this one does.

I like the improvements on the 1526. The MF MMM QA system is slick, however, we are much happier with the RFM.

Always take the MMM off when doing field/ garden work, because if it ever bottoms out, that could get pricey.

Yeah it would be pricey if you tore it up. So did you have a loader with it too? I remember looking at some pictures of it some time ago but can't remember. The 1526 has rubber mounted platform so it is not as rough riding as my old tractor. It is been a great tractor so far. I bought some clamp on bucket forks recently. They sure are handy. I sort of wish I had skid steer QA but I don't use that kind of stuff too often. The clamp on does good enough for what I use them for.

I remember when I first started looking for a new tractor they still had the 1523 up on their web page and I loved that picture that they had of it. I was a little concerned that they were not going to keep making the 1526 as I could never hardly find any of them any where else after I bought mine. They are showing up a lot not though.

Well you have a good day!

radrock · Mar 3, 2013

The kid said:
One more question Rad. Does yours have power steering. I would think so since you have a FEL. Are the rear and front wheels fluid filled for ballast. If not can they be?

Oh yes Kid, It has power steering and another feature I like it that the throttle will work with the Hydrostat pedals. My wheels are not filled with fluid but I am sure that you can. It sure is a bear if you ever have a flat though. That can make them pretty heavy. I live on kind of hilly ground so I didn't want to put fluid in them bacause it can also rob your power when going uphill. I mow with this most all of the time in Medium Speed without any problem. When in low speed it has plenty of power. You need to test drive one, you will love it for sure. But driving any nice red tractor is great.

radrock · Mar 3, 2013

William, I am gonna have to figure out how you did your picture. It sure works better the way you did it. If I remember it is just a link to photobucket??

The kid · Mar 3, 2013

radrock said:
Here is a picture of mine Kid, I know you have probably seen several already..View attachment 306233

That's a nice setup. Although the turf tires are nice. I feel I would get the traction tread because I'd mostly be using it to clear brush and bushhog. Do you use your FEL as a balast while you got the hog on the back?