New to me MF 255: Best place to buy manuals?

[canoetrpr]

Hi there:

I have a nice MF 255 diesel that is being prepared to be sent to me. It has the larger Perkins diesel engine. It has ~2500 hours and seems to be in excellent shape! Can't wait! It's going to be a second tractor on my hobby farm and will primarily be used to pull a manure spreader the few days a year that I do that - and the other odd thing just to ensure it gets started and worked a bit.

Thanks to Farmwithjunk for his advice as I have been considering different models.

While I wait for it to arrive, I thought I would order an owners manual, parts manual and service manual. What is the best place to order these? I'm guessing there must be at least two versions of the manual from before the new diesel engine and after - any idea how to ensure that I am getting a manual that will have the information for the larger engine?

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have bought manuals for equipment here. They list MF. They are not usually cheap but to me a good manual is priceless

Discount Tractor Parts and Manuals for Older and Antique Tractors

good luck with your new tractor :thumbsup:

 

[flusher]

I got the factory manuals for my 1964 MF135 diesel from Jensales.

Tractor Manuals, Tractor Data, Tractor Parts and More - Jensales

I've also found manuals on CD at eBay for some of my other vintage tractors.

 

[WilliamBos]

Congrats on the new tractor. MF manuals are the best route. The manuals for the older tractors (35,135, etc,) are not too expensive, cost under $09 when u bought them for the 35.

DS (Connect) Can get them for you.

Did you buy it privately??

 

[canoetrpr]

I found the machine on a consignment sale at a MF dealer around Sarnia. I was able to talk to the current owner by phone. He is the second owner and gave me all the details of it's old life. Has not had a hard life at all at his place or owners before him who he knew and he was upfront about any repairs done and small things that need addressing.

I'm paying the dealer it is at for an inspection and oil change.

In the past dealers have wanted ridiculous money for a service and parts manual so I wanted to get an idea where to get one before asking them what it would cost.

 

[WilliamBos]

I found the machine on a consignment sale at a MF dealer around Sarnia. I was able to talk to the current owner by phone. He is the second owner and gave me all the details of it's old life. Has not had a hard life at all at his place or owners before him who he knew and he was upfront about any repairs done and small things that need addressing.

I'm paying the dealer it is at for an inspection and oil change.

In the past dealers have wanted ridiculous money for a service and parts manual so I wanted to get an idea where to get one before asking them what it would cost.

Tha is good to hear. So, you did the entire deal over the phone?? I see more dealers are becoming opento this each day.

Yeah, less that $100 got the parts and service/engine manual for the 35, can't really see the manuals for that tractor being all that much more.

The manual for the 1635/1643 (Same tractor, just 4 cyl on the 1643... was $275 for a 5"+ thick binder. Can't really complain, with all the info in it. All genuine MF manuals of course.

Glad to hear you found a good solid tractor.

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm definitely taking some risk here but I guess you always do when you buy used. The whole deal is over the phone.

I feel pretty good after talking to the previous owner and since it is being handled via. consignment by a well known MF dealer.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well now....From all I saw on the tractor you bought, you got yourself a good one.

On the manuals....Avoid I&T manuals. ESPECIALLY the I&T Massey Ferguson manuals. There is a lack of important info, as well as several instances of incorrect info.

I'd suggest getting the OWNERS manual, SERVICE manual, and a PARTS manual. Service has just the basics. Service goes in depth. Parts, in addition to listing part numbers, shows exploded views of most major components. Very handy when working on things you aren't familiar with.

I've gone beyond those 3 with regards to my MF150. I also found a dealer supplement manual. (updated info covering service procedures changed over the years) Dealer Prep (when it was new!) an engine manual (specific to the Perkins AD3-152 3-cylinder diesel) ans a hydraulic service manual. I managed to fill three 4" ring binders with Massey Ferguson issued manuals just on the '64/'75 MF150 diesel. The irony is, I never have to work on the tractor, it's that reliable....!

You can still get 'em through AGCO/MF dealers. Not cheap, but readily available.

Feebay....They're all over Ebay.