What happened to Massey Ferguson?

[rockinbbar]

The vast majority of road-side mowers I see are New Holland. However, for the non-contracted portion of interstate mowing my state does (NH), they have been buying Kubota for 10 years now.

Kubota sells the most compact tractors in the US. In my opinion, the Deere compacts aren't that great, most are not made in the USA, and cost the most. Dealer support is probably the best though. I hate how all the independent JD dealers are gone now, and they are all some giant dealer (United Turf and Ag up here in New England).

I've also noticed Kubota is partnered with Versatile tractor of Canada now, so the Kubota M8 - really just a customized Versatile Nemesis - can be had with a 200HP 6.7L Cummins and a ZF made Powershift or a Kubota made KVT / CVT transmission. Kubota, through its purchase of Great Plains, is offering big tillage equipment and high quality hay equipment with its purchase of Kverneland, but needs a bigger tractor. The rumor is that Kubota will likely purchase Versatile in order to have exclusive access to its larger tractors, and the Cummins engines will be replaced with Kubota-made diesels and transmissions.

After doing some serious tractor shopping not long ago, I took serious looks and test drives in John Deere, Kubota, and New Holland, and even included Massey Ferguson, as they sell those at the New Holland place too.

JD was nice, and had the features and power I wanted, but was $27k more on one tractor comparison to the one I bought. Just could not justify the expense for my operation.

Kubota was okay, but they were more expensive as well, and the tractor was way more primitive as far as features and cab design. They need to seriously update and add some sophistication to their cab tractors in the large utility category.

MF has a good, heavy tractor. I would consider a MF again if the need arises.

 

[Dftodd]

Did you make a thread and I missed it?!

No, just posted in good morning about it.

 

[tacticalturnip]

No, just posted in good morning about it.

I'd argue such a purchase is thread-worthy, friend.

 

[Brendanspapa]

Greetings All!
Just a general topic question:
With all the tractor talk and newer brands, rebranding, emerging models and buyouts, where is Massey Ferguson in all this? I never see reviews, or comparisons including MF. Are they a "has been" brand now? Do they fail the current markets? Poor dealer support? Overpriced?

Just curious why I don't find any sizeable quantity of info about them.

I don't see the large network of dealers as the other brands have, especially in the areas with fewer agriculture operations. They are strong in some segments, particularly hay. I personally own one piece of MF equipment, which is a MF 1840 square baler. This is a great piece of equipment, having a simple, modern design, and made in GA, USA.

 

[rockinbbar]

I don't see the large network of dealers as the other brands have, especially in the areas with fewer agriculture operations. They are strong in some segments, particularly hay. I personally own one piece of MF equipment, which is a MF 1840 square baler. This is a great piece of equipment, having a simple, modern design, and made in GA, USA.

The trend of one dealer owning and operating ALL the dealerships within a certain geographic area is not in the consumer's favor.

There are several examples of that where I live. One company owns all the JD dealerships within 100 miles.

Another company owns all the Case dealerships in the same area. Still another is gearing towards owning all the Kubota dealerships.

You can't shop price at all. You can't go to another different place for service or repairs. Well, not without driving a 100 miles, that is.

The big manufacturers push that system on the dealers. It is simpler for the manufacturer's standpoint to only have to contend with one company in a large area, rather than have to deal with 10 companies who used to serve the area.

For my money, the dealership that stands alone, and isn't owned by a company that has 15 other locations in a protected area will get my business over the conglomerate system they have forced on us.

 

[stoyan79]

Massey makes some amazing tractors, I put them on the same level as JD and Kubota, as far as SCUTS go.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Massey makes some amazing tractors, I put them on the same level as JD and Kubota, as far as SCUTS go.

All day, every day.

 

[ray66v]

At least around here, the MF dealer has changed multiple times since I bought mine. Each time, it has moved further and further away.

The original dealer, minutes away, was a MF dealer for a very long time.

Each time the dealer changes, no one will say who dumped who.

It's clear though, there is an issue.

 

[TorinoGT]

My 1840M ready for winter duty! I love my Massey. 0% financing, great dealership within an hour of my house. I put 100 hours on it in the first year at my new house, moving dirt, trees, brush hogging, plowing snow and of course the occasional moving pallets and heavy objects!

 

[tacticalturnip]

Massey is big here in Maine, particularly in my area; of course I could take a long walk to my dealership if I were so inclined.

I suppose I'd rather a short drive though.