Oppinions on MF 1533 & 1540

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I have a 2007 1540 8x8 w/ 1525 loader.

Compare specs carefully before making your purchacing decision.
With Deere and Kubota, you will have to purchace an upgraded loader and PAY EXTRA to get the capacity of the 1525.
Then test drive the ones you are interested in.
I've never driven anything that handles as smooth as the 1540.
And the steering is simply the best that exists.

Very happy with our 1540!

Harry, I agree with you that the 1540 is one smooth tractor. We are more than pleased with ours and we also use the 1525 loader as a forklift quite a bit.

However, your comment about paying extra for the capacity of the 1525 on a JD seems a little off. Best as I can tell, any green tractor in the same class as the 1540 will have a loader with better performance specs than a 1525, whether it's a 3000 Twenty series JD or a 4000 Twenty series. In addition to the better specs, JD offers self-leveling options, too, whereas MF does not.

Don't get me wrong, our 1540 is a high-quality tractor and appears to be well-designed from stem to stern, but the 1525 loader isn't as good as the 300 or 400 series loaders from JD.

 

[EMS503]

Thanks for the added information. The exhaust pipe and bracket that the muffler bracket hooks to on top of the engine broke today. This is a nice little tractor but I really need something heavier duty. I will be going to the Massey dealer tommorow and start doing my home work. I talked to the boss/banker/wife and we agree need a new tractor but not this year. If the economy improves we will do it next year early. So this gives me plenty of time to do more research and get the tractor I really need. Hopefully they will have some good deals when I am ready to buy.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Harry, I agree with you that the 1540 is one smooth tractor. We are more than pleased with ours and we also use the 1525 loader as a forklift quite a bit.

However, your comment about paying extra for the capacity of the 1525 on a JD seems a little off. Best as I can tell, any green tractor in the same class as the 1540 will have a loader with better performance specs than a 1525, whether it's a 3000 Twenty series JD or a 4000 Twenty series. In addition to the better specs, JD offers self-leveling options, too, whereas MF does not.

Don't get me wrong, our 1540 is a high-quality tractor and appears to be well-designed from stem to stern, but the 1525 loader isn't as good as the 300 or 400 series loaders from JD.

Well, maybe I should have been more specific.
I was very close to purchacing a JD 990.
The standard loader for it was very weak compared to the 1525.
I had to pay extra for an upgraded loader on that model.
Also, the standard bucket was a piece of junk IMHO and they offered one just like the one that came with the 1525 , again for MORE MONEY.

Wobblin-Goblin, I no longer have the brochures and quotes that I compared, but in my best recollection, the MF exceeded the JD in almost every category.

But I have no brand loyalty. I have 2 Fords, one International,, and the Massey. When I go shopping again, I'll start the research from scratch.

Didn't mean to knock JD.
Also, there is always that tiny, miniscule, percentage of a chance that I could be wrong.

Harry

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

The MF 1525 loader is rated for 1,900lbs at the pins and 1,314lbs at the cutting edge of the bucket.

If you buy a JD 3X20 series tractor with the standard 300X loader, the ratings are 1,670lbs and 1,132lbs. If you buy the optional 300CX loader, the ratings bump up to 2,030lbs and 1,572lbs.

If you buy a JD 4X20 series tractor with the standard 400X loader, the ratings are 2,695lbs and 2,149lbs. If you buy the optional 400CX loader (which is self-leveling), the ratings bump up to 2,691lbs and 2,633lbs.

The 3X20 series tractors are slightly smaller than a MF 1540, while the 4X20 series tractors are slightly bigger.

Again, I am quite satisfied with our 1540 and am actually impressed with it. However, MF (IMO) should work on improving the performance of their loaders. On an interesting note, I am happy to see that my 1525 loader was "Made in USA."

Lastly, I believe MF has a winner with the 1500 series (especially the 1540), but with just a few easy design changes (or options), these tractors could be "out of the ballpark" homeruns:

A. Have a height adjustable seat for better visibility with loader/fork work.
B. Slope the hood just a little bit more at the front, which helps with loader/fork work too.
C. Add a few hundred pounds more performance to both the 1525 and 1530 loaders. If the 1525 was 2,100lbs and 1,600lbs it'd be perfect.
D. Add an optional light package.

With these easy-to-do improvements, I do believe MF will transform "very good" tractors into "outstanding" ones.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

O.K. And while we're on the topic of loaders here is my suggestion for improvement:
In the 40HP and below, NONE of the brands offered a self leveling loader.
WHY?
I wold have gladly paid extra for that option, but exactly zero manufacturers offered that unless I wanted to get into a tractor WAY TOO HEAVY for my use.
Is there no market for a "smart loader"?

 

[tornadowatchranch]

don't want to hijack but am also considering these two tractors in both the red and yellow versions. I want to run a 7 foot rear finish through flat lawn. Will the 33 handle it?

 

[EMS503]

Started my window shopping. I went to two different dealers, they both deal with MF & Kubota. The first one had no 1540's and said he would have to look around for one. He showed me what he said was the 1540 equal in Kubota L3940 2008 model, this thing had more bells and whistle then you can shake a stick at. I had him write up a price sheet while I was playing with this in the parking lot. I know its orange but this was a very nice tractor. He came back with these prices, Tractor L3940HST w loaded R-4 tires $19,500, LA724 QA loader $4,500, 6' box blade BH SBX72 $690, GDT72 rotor tiller &1,610, Woods RD7200 finish mower $1,850 Total $28,150 and would give me $8,500 for my GC2300 with out seeing it

The second dealer not really up on his tractors had a 1540 kind of plain compared to the Kubota but im sure that is just more to go wrong.
I had him write up a price sheet also while I was playing with this tractor.
MF 1540 2008 model, small R4s loaded, Synchroshuttle SSQA $22,600 (loader included), same rear finish mower $1,800, woods BB GB72 $1,050, woods tiller GTC60-2 $1,650, toothbar $375, Total $27,475 Trade in $ on my GC2300 $8,750 but wants to see it before giving me a firm price.
Next to the rear PTO control was a yellow push button he did not know what it was for,I still dont know either.
Both of these tractors are very close in all of there specs and handled very well. But I really dont know much about Kubota. What do you guys think the boss says with the monthly prices at 0% intrest I can get it now instead of next year

 

[tornadowatchranch]

here in kansas I was just quoted 23,800 HST ssqa r4 for a 3540 (kinda between the 1533 and 1640). They want 1,200 for 2 rear remotes

At another dealer I got 23,000 for a 1540 ssqa with tooth bar, large r4, rear work light, hst. They want 2,050 for the rear remotes!!!!

same dealer gave me 20,800 for same options on a 1533.

Massey financing just got alot better this week!

I am awaiting a quote on the challenger version and have yet to visit another massey dealer.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Used our 1540 for a good portion of the day today picking logs with the forks. I must say this tractor is a nice piece of equipment. Quiet, comfortable, smooth.

MF did it right with this tractor. Can't comment on the 1533 or 1552 (or the other 1500 series tractors), but the 1540 is a winner.

 

[MrSteve]

EMS503... The only thing I can help you with on your last post... "The Yellow Button", that button is pushed in for "slow" engagement of the PTO. I only use it for the Mower (bush hog), it seems to make the "snap" of the blades a bit less.