MF 1533...1st tractor??

[CentralNC]

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice and comments. I checked with the Sales Mgr at the dealership and he told me that a 1540 is typically $1700 more than a 1533. The person who quoted me the much higher price ran the maintenance/repair portion of the business. The dealership actually has a 1540 on the floor that he offered for $19,700 (12x12, quick detach for the FEL, 66" bucket and R4 tires). I really need to wait until mid-July for the purchase, but that price sounds really good.

I think I would prefer the 12x12 vs. the hydro as it is closer to the older tractors that I grew-up on. The shuttle should allow for easily changing directions when using the FEL. Riding the clutch with the FEL seems like a good way to burn up a clutch. I think the 12x12 with the synchro is a good option.

MrSteve....that is a beautiful place that you have. It looks like you have put your 1533 to work.

I will check back in about a month when I get ready to pull the trigger. I appreciate all of the advice and comments.

 

[MrSteve]

Thanks on the comment about the land... Here is a fast story for you. When we got this place I used a 1960s something to do the first hogging of the land (from a friend), then (hold on to your hat) I got a Sears lawn tractor with a 48" deck to cut ALL 11ac of this place (she still runs great with 400+hrs on it, but me not so sure), all the fencing was put in with using a "small" hand held power POD, THEN we got the 1533 with all the cool stuff to do everything I did the hard way. Soooo now the 1533 is taking care of the easy stuff, like, trimming, dragging, filling the holes that the horses like making by laying down in one place, so on and so on.

The Sears lawn tractor now only dose the trimming and I use the 1533 with the bush hog to do all the grass now. Believe it or not, I can set my hog up to cut almost as good as a finish mower (well for place it looks good).

Ok story wasn't so "fast", lol.

Good luck on what ever you get, but from me, you are 100% right on by going with the 12x12, even if you never use that low range.

 

[LoneCowboy]

you will use the low range. (tilling, anything soil moving)
12x12 is perfect
that's a good price it sounds like to me
get it and enjoy it
remember not to just shut the turbo off, but let it cool down.