OK just to ensure you understand what I mean and in keeping with Mattman's original question, for what I use a tractor for the Jinma outperforms the MF 135 at all levels, therefore, since I don't do everything that a tractor is used for, by default the Jinma might only outperform the 135 at "certain" levels. I am "uncertain" what those levels would be other than longevity and maybe some farming tasks that I don't do. I work the Jinma harder than I work the 135, partly cause I know what the 135 will take before it breaks having broken it on a number of occasions
. Some of my farming neighbours have MF100 series tractors that they use for a limited number of agricultural tasks -- like pulling wagons, moving bales etc. Like me, they put those tractors in the barn in the fall and don't use them in the bush ( course some have 8n's that they use for pulling floats in parades too
).
I guess I should have just said -- Mattman -- don't buy an agricultural two wheel drive semi antique to do the tasks you have outlined -- regardless of reputation -- buy an Asian made(cause you probably cannot buy anything else
) four wheel drive from 25 - 35 horsepower. -- JMHO
Ok now....I've read an occasional post on here that I thought was crammed full of inaccuracies, and maybe one or two with their fair share of BS, but we now have a new standard for both!
A little background; I own 3 relatively new tractors (2 years for one and 9 months for 2 others) , all cabbed, MFWD, loaded with options, and manufactured by 2 of the leading brands in the business. I own 4 older tractors. Oldest is 52 years old. "newest" of them is 31 years old. I farmed for 35+ years. I used everything from old delapidated junk to brand new. I now own a mowing business. We mow large acreage and highway right-of-ways. I've bought and re-sold tractors over the years as a supliment to my income. In those years, I've had well over 100 tractors pass through my hands. Due to the mowing business expanding, I'm shopping for new tractors constantly. I get demo's from various dealers to try. Some "name brand" and a few 2nd and 3rd tier brands. I'm purchasing 2 new 100hp tractors next month and have a need for a couple 50/60 hp smaller tractors. I'm currently awaiting the arrival of demos from a Mahindra dealer and a Deere dealer (The smaller tractors...). Long story short, I've logged a LOT of hours on a LOT of tractors from a LOT of brands. Enough to know my way around the subject.
"New" last's but a short while, then it's simply a late model USED tractor. New breaks occasionally. Used breaks occasionally. Old breaks occasionally. Buying a brand new, expensive tractor in no way, shape or form assures you of trouble free operation. Buying JUNK probably does assure you of having issues. Owning and operating OLD tractors is a totally different concept than owning JUNK. TWO entirely different subjects. If a tractor has made it 40+ years without any major inherent issues, It's PROBABLY a sound piece of machinery. With many 2nd tier imports, that's an unknown until they accumulate enough hours to tell the tale. Then and only the can you say for certain that $10,000 or $15,000 investment was any better than a $4000 investment in that older used tractor. If you're in a position to trade in on new every few years, by all means go with new. However, if you're buying long term, why not go with something PROVEN reliable?
One of my tractors is a 1971 MF150. It logged a little over 400 hours this past summer while bush hogging. ( The least hours of any of my tractors, since it was at my home farm quite a bit and not always on jobs. I keep it at home because it's the best, the most eficient, and the most reliable tractor I own IN SPITE OF IT'S AGE) It did so without the first single mechanical issue. A few oil changes, a couple flat tires, and a home made cup holder that came unbolted, but as far as the tractor itself goes, NOTHING went wrong. 3 NEW tractors I own (Deere 6430, 2 MF 583's) weren't quite so lucky. All three had mechanical issues at one time or another. Bottom line, the old Massey is FAR MORE reliable than any of the newer ones I own and operate.
MFWD/4WD vs. 2wd. I've owned MFWD tractors prior to the 3 I have now. First one was in 1983. It's handy SOMETIMES. But from literally THOUSANDS of hours of use, I'd say without reservation, it's used LESS THAN 5% of the operational hours on any of the tractors equipped so. And the four 2WD's I own? Never missed 4wd with them. It's USEFULL at times but not essential. Given a choice between a 2nd tier brand with MFWD and a name brand with 2wd, I'd most likely opt for the 2wd. Unless you simply HAVE to have 4wd, it's not the single factor that would rule my decision making.
2nd and 3rd tier brands. If your needs aren't such that you depend on the tractor, go for it. Nothing like cheap. But if you expect funcional operation without down time, get used to the FACT that these tractors don't have the parts and/or service backing that name brands carry. That's why you'll see brands such as Deere, Cat/Challenger, Massey Ferguson, CNH, and Kubota used for commercial and production agriculture applications. Reliability has a value.
HP is HP; There are a few occasional uses where MFWD will compensate for lower HP. Tillage in loose soils, loader work, and the occasional snow plowing. But for tasks like PTO work (ie MOWING) There is NO substitute for HP. I'd take a good 45 hp 45 year old tractor over a 35hp 1DAY old tractor in a NEw York minute.
The idea that a 100 series Massey Ferguson is apt to break at regular intervals is about as ridiculous as any statement I've ever heard. These are among the best tractors ever produced at any time in our history. Sure, one that's led a life of abuse or is in the hands of an abusive operator is subject to breakdowns. So is a new tractor. But I'd bet the ranch on quite a few older models staying on the job and being reliable tractors well beyond the days when a new Jimna is holding up weeds in a fencerow. There is a perfectly good reason why even a well worn 100 series Massey sells today for MORE THAN it's original purchase price and used Jimna's with a fair amount of hours are worth pennies on the dollar.
Nothing like new, for as long as new last's anyway. I buy new tractors for several reasons. Tax breaks, warranty service, and features required by my insurance carrier that aren't available on many older tractors. Otherwise, I'd be buying older tractors that are still in decent condition and saving substancial amounts of money.
There is NOTHING inherently wrong with "old". Quality of 30 or 40 years ago is in many cases better than todays "quality". There's a constant ongoing arguement about what'll happen in 50 years with todays tractors. I get a little insight into that with my operation. I have a tractor that's 2 years old and has over 4000 hours already. The new ones won't see 10,000 hours or 40 years of service, trust me on that one. The old ones will still be here and WORKING HARD when that new Jinma is long since melted and turned into the next techno-wonder tractor. Personally, I wouldn't own a Jimna if I was paid to own it. Just my opinion. And I DO own a Massey 100 series. I'd stack it up against even a NEW Jimna for reliability and economy of operation. And I'd win that bet.
As I've said, there are reasons for buying new. But they sure weren't addressed in the post I'm replying to. Those were simply rationalizations for buying new (albiet CHEAP new) . That's OK. It wasn't MY money that was spent. Every individual has his or her own right to spend as they see fit. But let's be honest about why we do it.
