MF 178 - Yay or Nay?

[albatros]

Should I buy it for $5100 CDN?
This is a Massey 73hp diesel 2wd from 1969-1972 made in the UK.
It looks like its been repainted - gauge at 3390 hrs - but could be double... You never know.
The PTO works. The lift arms are slightly jerky as they go up. Rear tires at 50%.
The fan seems to fan some kinda oil all over the engine - small amount of it from a leak coming from the very front... a drop every minute or so... What could be on the front? Steering pump?
Looks to be in excellent shape... Lights are out...
The few times i tried to start it it was a hit and miss. New battery. Braking could use some work...

What do you think? Id like to make up my mind by tomorrow.
I am no mechanic - I can change the brakes and rotors on my truck and that's about it... But I got time and would not mind spending a few more grand to get it up to snuff... Perhaps 3-4k maybe 5K max. Got the tools and time.

 

[kthompson]

Not 100% sure a friend I helped one year had the 178 or not but he had two MF, I think the new one was a 178. It was a good handling tractor then, almost 50 years ago. One issue remember well was if you happen to lift up on gear shift lever changing gears you could end up with linkage jammed. Sorry have no idea the valve of the Canadian to US dollar but I have a 20 year old Kubota with less than 1500 hours on it. Much same in size and such. I would be pleased to sell it for $9,000 US. Not trying to sell you my tractor just to give you idea of my area.

There are those here who know that tractor well and I am sure on such as the brakes and starting and the leak they are much better at addressing it. But you are looking at almost 50 year old tractor, how easy is it to find parts? Some bet are easy but doubt all are. Based upon my brother's newer MF next size up the parts per him are costly and per shop who's owner is a good friend of mine the parts for intake system were. No idea in your area but here there are much better options most likely some higher price. This I believe, if the repairs were simple and not expensive for the oil leak, the hard starting, brakes, and lift they would have been made unless the owner did not care about the condition of the tractor in which case what has been the care of the tractor?

 

[albatros]

Thanks K.. I think your vote is leaning towards a no...?
The cost is about 3600 USD.
Plenty of parts I found on yesterday's tractors site... both repair kits and entire assemblies..
I will never be able to afford a new 70hp tractor... Is your Kubota in the 60-70hp range?

 

[BrokenTrack]

I would say no.

It depends on how bad it would be to get the 3 point hitch really working, but without a 3 point hitch, a person cannot do much with a tractor.

I am kind of jaded on that, only because we had a tractor that had a bad 3 point hitch and we were never able to get it working right. We ended up selling it like that. But maybe this tractor is just low on hydraulic oil?

 

[albatros]

Great. Thank you B. I did not even test the 3point if it can lift anything.
It's almost 4am and after a bunch of research its a bad hydro pump where the tractor has to be split open. Common on these models.
Thank you for the re-assurance. I think I need to be patient and save up.
In USD that would be 3600 for the tractor, + maybe 2-3000 for for a FEL (including freight to me), + maybe 2000 for repairs. thats 8600 USD.

On the other hand, this JD 55hp is 8800 usd with 4wd and FEL installed and a third of the hours. And no issues whatsoever.
1996 John Deere 53 4WD - heavy equipment - by dealer
Its good to run these ideas with others - sometimes we romanticise things to ourselves beyond sanity... Thank you.

 

[kthompson]

Did not give a vote only as have no idea what is available in your area. Here there are too many much better options. I would recommend not buying it. Think you will be very disappointed as the repairs build up on it.

My Kubota was telling you about is 68 hp. It does not have a fel on it. It is also two wheel drive. Look at your needs carefully and be sure you understand them. Keep them separate from your WANTS. Some task require a certain size tractor and some others just require doing the work. A smaller tractor can do it, just takes longer. If you have not search the big equipment sites like tractorhouse, machinefinder (own by JD) and there are others. Machinefinder seems to be up to date for JD dealerships not sure how up to date some other sites are.

For me, it is easy to get in too big a hurry and like a machine and on a second visit not believe I missed say the left rear wheel had fallen off so to speak. A seller will send you pictures if you ask them to or else they don't want to sell. You will pay more most likely buying from a dealer but if that dealer is a good one they have gone over it to some degree and may have a short limited warranty. If dealing with a person remember the tractor is used. It should reflect that in price and some wear and tear. However don't forget it is used, ask to run it and see it operate. Put a load on it if possible. Try all aspects of it.

Pray your hunt goes great.

 

[albatros]

Thank you, KT.
Good solid advice - I am just a bit anxious to get started. That's a big list of machines you have that I can only dream about.
Wife and I were able to save up and buy close to 80 acres in the Canadian Kootenays. Time to put the land to work...
Retire there one day... The closer we come to His handiwork the closer we will be drawn to Him! Amen? Amen!

 

[kthompson]

Totally agree. No where can I get closer to God than on tractor with engine humming shutting out the noises of distraction and looking at a star light night working a field. Oh and I sing real good with the diesel running. No idea why my singing is not so good with it off. lol

When I am anxious on a decision I am normally not making a good one, when I am at peace with it normally it is a good decision.