MF Suggestions/Information

[RFB]

Sirs,

I am drilling down to a decision and seriously considering a MF5465.

I posted my first questions here to get to where I am: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/189995-want-another-2.html#post2173623

Can any of you folks provide further insight regarding my questions or other comments on the tractor itself?

 

[MFRED]

I won't admit I'm biased, but, I think they are THE best mid chassis tractor on the market.
The DYNA-4 can not be beat in a tractor that size.
The 5400 series have the least amount of warranty claims against them in the MF line.
I just crested 750 hours on mine, but have serviced them with over 3500 and no problems. ( that were'nt operator issues anyway)
MF is always shy on the hp ratings as well. My 5435 Dynoed at 75hp when I did the 300 hour service. It's rated at 65 PTO.
I saw a tier 3-5455 on the dyno for pre sale delivery that was pushing 115 at the pto. Granted it wasn't moving so the tranny takes some hp, but thats pretty good hp gain. Tech said he wasn't pushing it either.
Now you can get air ride on the cab.
Just thinking about it again makes me wanna go trade in or just get another!

The 900 series loader will have the Euro-style quick attach. AKA-Alo style. Alo builds loaders for all the bigger tractors, thats what you'll fin on NH, Deere, McCormick, MF, Fendt Case-IH. Kind of like a payloader. Hooks on the top, quick pins on the bottom.

 

[RFB]

MFRED,

Thank you for the reply. As I study that size/genre, I keep coming back to it. All of the numbers seem to add up to a well thought combination. I am doubly thankful for your reply because you are the only person that has responded with any experience with one.

Some of the difficulties I am having:

The closest dealers are not close at all (5 hour round trip)

No dealers have any to examine

The first dealer I talked to was unfamiliar with engine issues and Tier 3 changes. I am invariably dismayed when someone selling a product does not stay informed about the product.

Second dealer I requested an "itemized" quote from gave me an obvious 100% MSRP quote with nothing itemized, "yep, its all in there".

Green and Orange at least have a way to configure a tractor so as to determine what options are available and the MSRP.
MF unfortunately does not have that provision. I even asked for a form from both dealers where I could see all available options to pick and choose. I was told that they would have to do that for me.

I really do not like buying a product wearing a blindfold.

 

[MFRED]

It's too bad they can't do a good job selling you a tractor. If they don't have one, they should be able to pull out the price book & go over the options with you. The sales literature isn't the best at describing all of them.
If you're in a time frame where you can't wait to order one, they should be able to find one with close to all the options you want. Then you can go from there. It is tough to have all the tractors, everyone wants, all the time, but they should be able to work with you. It's a shame some dealers still employ "order takers".

The tier 3 engines are going to run common rail fuel systems. Either the Perkins or SISU are great engines. Clean fuel is going to be key in either, nothing new there. I do like the 6cyl over the 4 for field work, but the 4 is nicer for loader work. (little shorter) We don't have enough around here for a fuel consumption comparison, but I would think in the "real world" they would be pretty close.

What area are you from? Must be mid-west to have to drive 2.5hrs to a dealer. I could cross 3 states in that time.

Any of the 5400 series would have the same back half to it, so you could see the build. The engine & tire choices would differ between the models.

 

[RFB]

MFRED,

We are in the intermountain west, the north western portion of the Rockies. Our county is 1400 square miles, 3600 pop, not even one traffic light in the entire county. I have to drive 75 miles just to get to Walmart.

The principal uses for the tractor are ranch duties summer and winter, and lots of snow plowing/blowing in the winter.

After examining (online) the specifications, I think that the 5475 might even be the better choice for me. 10 more HP than the 5465 and still keeps the weight up. I noticed that the 5460 and 5480 use the 4 cylinder and drops the overall weight of the tractor by 1700 pounds.

I also need the supercreep option for keeping blower speed up and travel speed low.

I will probably wind up ordering to get exactly what I want.

I appreciate all the information, please feel free to continue.

 

[MFRED]

Ordering would be the best way to get what you really want. Might be the only way to get the creeper anyhow.

When you say ranch duties, do you mean making hay? Field work? Just trying to get an idea on what you're doing.

The 5460 would have a 4cyl perkins, the 5470 & 5480 would use the SISU 4cyl.
I would be sure to get the 900 series loader over a DL270 or DL 280, Personally, I would add the Softride kit to the loader as well. I think it was around $650 last I checked. Well worth it during transport tohelp smooth out the bumps.
I would also get the combining valve, not that you need it with the loader, it's quick enough without it. Just gets more flow out the back for other tasks.

Oh, and you'll need to get the buddy seat. You're deffinately going to need somewhere to sit when I come out & decide in reward for my advice I'm going to drive around in your tractor all day!

 

[RFB]

MFRED,

Ranch duties are feeding cows, moving hay, (I usually use at minimum the 750 lb bales, and sometimes the 1600 lb ones. I don't grow it, I buy it.), disking or pulling a cultivator. Planning on getting a hydraulic auger for fence posts, so the flow on the MF will help. Winter is still feeding cows and plowing snow on about 4 miles of private road.

I think that I have tentatively decided upon the 5475 and the 66CTA Sisu engine (Same engine as the 5465 with 10 more hp). The 6 cylinder comes in almost 2,000 pound heavier than the 4 cylinder in the 5470 and 5480. I am specifying the 955 loader with soft ride and third function as well.

Drive around all day...heh! The biggest "city" in the county is about 700 people and that's the county seat. I laugh when folks say they grew up in a small town of 10,000 people. I don't think I could get 10,000 people counting us and the 2 bordering counties.