MF1540 or MF431

[stump54]

I still need help. I was just about set on the MF1540 for my small farm but can' help wonder if I'd be just as well off with a much less expensive MF431. I don't need a lot of extras; just something strong enough to lift round bales of hay, and small enough to work around the barn/house. My dealer talked me out of the 431 the first day telling me it was made overseas and had problems. The "problems" didn't sound as bad (weak brakes) after talking with his mechanic. Has anyone else compared the two? I can get the 431 and loader for a little more than the 1540 alone.

Gary

 

[gamble77]

Well all Massey's are made "overseas" and all tractors have "problems"!! I would go for the 1540 if I were you, I think the comfort it provides as compared to the 431 is the deciding factor.

 

[stump54]

No doubt about the comfort difference; I was just test driving again today. However, it's hard to get around a $3K price difference for a tractor I'll only use occasionally. It makes the choice even harder with the 431's additional horsepower, which is something that concerned me about the 1540. Of course to further confuse the issue I find out that adding a loader to the 431 is not as simple; something about the pump not being able to power both the FEL and the 3pt? Anyone have any experience with this setup? I may not have to carry two round bales at the same time, but I can see wanting a box blade attached at the same time as the loader.

Gary

 

[gamble77]

Yeah, thats a huge problem with the Massey utility tractors. There hydraulics work in such a way that when adding a loader you must use a "diverter" switch to change hydraulic flow from either the loader or to the 3-point hitch. If you really want a straight up utility tractor that can run a FEL and not have to switch a valve to do so then I would suggest either Mahindra or FarmTrac. I know me being a FarmTrac dealer it might sound a little bias but I think both Mahindra and FarmTrac offer some really honest-to-goodness farm tractors and that sounds like what you might be looking for.

Good luck and keep us posted whatever you do! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[spb1971]

The 431 comes standard with an engine mounted pump. This has nothing to do with your 3-point hitch. Your dealer can install a joystick valve and it will operated independent of the 3-point hitch. Older models acted as you have stated above (231, 231S).

 

[gamble77]

I stand corrected, sorry for the confusion. I don't know why but I had the 231S in my head...makes you wonder about his dealer though is his dealer didn't know the difference!! Just food for thought.

 

[stump54]

I've been to two MF dealers and they told be the same thing. If the "stock" 431 setup is used, then a "diverter" switch is needed and you can use the FEL or 3 pt, but not both. However, if auxiliary hydraulics w/ controls are added (which are on the one I've tried), then lines can run from the FEL back to the auxiliary connectors, and both front and rear can be used together.
Has anyone seen or tried that setup yet?

Gary

 

[spb1971]

If you get the loader mounted joystick (MF Brand loader and valve), the dealer can plumb it off the engine mounted pump. You will not need to add rear remotes. You can do as they are saying and add rear remotes off of a circuit that uses a diverter valve but it is not necessary.

 

[stump54]

When run off the "engine mounted pump" does everything work as it should? Will I get full capacity from my loader and hitch?
How is it that two separate dealers and their mechanics are unaware of the setup you've described?

Gary

 

[spb1971]

The systems are independent of each other. On older models that only had the internal 3-point belly pump, you could remove a cover and attach a diverter valve on the standpipe that comes out of the top of the pump. You could only operate one function since there was one supply of flow. The 431's come standard with the engine mounted pump less the plumbing for remotes. MF offers a loader valve package used with a 1040 loader that will plumb into this pump and you can operate the loader independent of the 3-point. Why the two dealers do not know this, good question?