MF165- Too much tractor?

NorthCountry · Mar 1, 2009

I am seriously considering a 165 for my first tractor. The dealer who has it says it is an industrial model- it certainly has a large, heavy FEL, heavy duty rear axle. It seems to be in good shape and runs great. Had someone who is more familiar with tractors come with me to look at it, who recognized it as an industrial model. He thought it was a good value ($5500.00 asking price) but thought that it would be clumsy and too heavy in the woods.

I was under the impression that the extra weight would be a plus, with it being 2wd. My budget (about $8000.00 tops) doesn't allow purchase of a 4wd unless it is very small.

I intend it for general use- scraping manure out of the paddock, skidding out 6cords of firewood a year, disking the garden, snow removal and such. I guess my question is whether or not this would be a recommended machine.

Any opinions?

dking · Mar 2, 2009

I have an MF165 and it's a great old tractor. You can't kill them. Without having seen it and without knowing the hours - the price sounds good. Don't worry about using it the woods, I know several guys with the same tractor and we all skid logs with them. I only have one suggestion - get yourself a real good set of studded chains. That's the only way to go with a 2-wheel drive tractor.

NorthCountry · Mar 2, 2009

Some further info on the 165:

3100 hours
Perkins diesel
Ag tires

My biggest quandary has been how useful a 2wd tractor is going to be. However I have been reminded by a couple of old-timers of how much work they have done over the years- in the woods, on the farm, etc. I agree that good chains are a must, even though an expensive must!

dking · Mar 2, 2009

3100 on a Perkins is ok. I've seen them with a whole lot more than that. Chains are expensive but you'll need them. Don't get cheap ones either, fork out the $700 or more and get a good set. You'll be glad you did.

tmiller · Mar 4, 2009

a 2wd with chains will do just as good as a 4wd i think. we have no trouble with our 2wd when it has chains on it.
--taylor

GaryCrowell · Mar 6, 2009

No, it's not too much tractor. There's really no such thing as too much tractor within reason. Most of the guys jawing about what they do with their little tractors have never been on a real full sized tractor and seen the work that can be accomplished with a machine that's big enough for the job. As a general rule of thumb I figure that by doubling the size of a tractor you'll be able to do about four times the work with it. A 60 HP will do about four times what a 30 HP will, etc.

FenderBender711 · Mar 8, 2009

I have always been around larger tractors on my father in law's farm, so when I got mine recently, I was surprised when just about everyone told me I got a "big" tractor! These are all people with 30 HP tractors.

It looks normal size to me

texasjohn · Mar 8, 2009

I had a MF 165 for several years.... no FEL...it was too little tractor for me... front end was too light, added weight and still not enouch...insufficient power for serious plow work. I got it done, but it took numerous passes, rather narrow equipment or tractor would bog down, took extra time, etc. I had problems with the electrical system. all in all, it worked, and I got lots of jobs done... but, should have moved up MUCH sooner to what I now have. I found the effort to change gears, forward and reverse, to get terribly tiring after being on the tractor all day. I used the tractor a lot when I was in my 40's... it's a younger man's tractor, IMHO.

I paid $5000 for mine 20 years ago.... and they are still in that ball park today.

since this is your first tractor, be SURE and read up about where you MUST attach things to make sure you DON'T pull the tractor over on yourself. See the safety area of TBN... I found that the front end would rear up EASILY... mine had no ROPS or seat belt... I've learned via the TBN safety folks that it's a miracle that I'm still alive.

Overall, it'll work but you must undestand its limitations and will be operating at the limits of its safety/capability much of the time... thus, the safety factor MUST be what you supply... it is like many of the older tractors..unforgiving when overloaded or improperly used.

NorthCountry · Mar 9, 2009

I appreciate all the input! I went ahead and bought the Massey. I am still trying to definitively determine the model. I believe it is a 3165, which is the industrial version of the 165. It has a Massey MF34 FEL, which adds some good weight on the front end. So good, in fact, that my first project is going to be building a ballast box for the 3pt hitch.

I created a new category in my checkbook for "tractor stuff" and I have started keeping an eye open for good deals on implements. I look forward to getting to know the machine. I sure am grateful for this forum! What a wealth of knowledge (and opinion) there is here. It is probably the best forum I've visited, regardless of the subject matter.

texasjohn · Mar 9, 2009

A rear ballast is fine.... but unless you need a short tractor.... consider that the following make a good rear ballast.. and you may well purchase one of these along the way:

disk harrow
shredder
carryall... you can make your own... totally handy... and it can hold weight on occasion as needed.