My New MF1533

[mtg65]

Thanks to everyone in this forum for your insight. It helped me decide on MF1533 PowerShuttle with FEL and quick detach bucket.I've had the tractor for only a week and I am extremely pleased with the power and performance.

I am looking for some additional information and advice...

1) Are the FEL controls adjustable? The controls seem very sensitive

2) I have not yet added any additional weight for counterbalance. The dealer offered me the choice of loading the tires or wheel weights and was looking for any imput.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

 

[LoneCowboy]

FILL THE TIRES
Makes a huge difference, almost no downside and lots cheaper than weights.
Better for doing ground work too and more stable (weight down low)

Congrats, we need pics.

 

[firejake]

I agree with Lone Cowboy, fill the tires. You won't have to worry about adding weight later and is a necessary item with your FEL. I have a 1528 and the hydraulic controls i don't think are adjustable. The more I use them the better it seems. Good Luck!

 

[JerryG]

It if was an older two wheel drive with a loader, fluid and cast. On your tractor, wheel weights. With wheel weights, you can take them off yourself. You don't have leaks that can damage your lawn, field or eat your wheels. You don't have to jockey a 5-600 pound wheel if you need to change widths or if you take your flats in to the shop to fix. With weights, they can't damage rims, they can be removed if you don't want the weight or to work on the tire or other parts of the tractor. If you have a flat there isn't a chance of losing your weight and having to buy it again. Cast weights give you better traction for the same weight so you don't have to have as much. The reason that the cast gives better traction is because the tire can flex the way it was designed to. You still need quite a bit for loader ballast. If you buy the weights at the dealer they may be more expensive initially but they don't have to ever be replaced. If you make your own weights they are much less expensive than the dealer.
Home made. http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/65/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

 

[Nasty135]

mtg65, Whe I got my 1433v w/fel my dealer told me anything that goes out of his place with a loader on it gets the rears filled unless requested to not fill simply because of the counter balance issue... Get them filled you won't be sorry , nowadays you can use non-corrosive ballast in the wheels...

On the otherhand: Jerry does bring up a very good solution for your application with practical reasoning Like when my 135 had a rear flat (non-loaded), I jacked it up took the wheel off and put it in my truck (by myself)and off I went to the tractor tire fix-it shop....If it was loaded and not totally empty I might need another tractor to get it loaded on the truck...

 

[jacobweaver32]

Grats! on the new ride.... post some pics...

To address your 2nd question...
If I ever need weights on mine I am going to get the wheel weights for two reasons.
One I can take them off so when I am rolling my lawn I wont make larger ruts then the roller can take out. (I have R4s) Also, when mowing I dont want them on either.

Two because if I plan on trailering it somewhere with my fel & BH on I won't increase the load weight of my truck/trailer with it. (already pushing the limit of a 7k car hauler).

This situation is hypothetical because I don't have a roller, a trailer or a truck yet. But I plan on it...

 

[mtg65]

Great feedback! There are strong reasons for both methods. Like everything else, the final choice boils down to what the tractor is primarily going to be used for.

Thanks again for the experienced input..I will post pics as soon as I can.