What's happened to TAFE?

[kevanos]

So, what has happened to TAFE in the USA??? I read that in 2006 or 2007 they purchased Robison & Grissom, the US distributor. They were at the 2007 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville with a nice selection of tractors, including tractors that go up to 90hp. I know they are supplying AGCO with the new 3600-series MF tractors, (and that AGCO ownse 24% of TAFE).

They have been expanding elsewhere, especially in India. They bought the Eicher tractor line in 2005, (which we saw in the USA for a short period before that). They are contemplating whether to purchase either or both of the IMT or IMR (Rakovica) tractor companies. (FYI, IMT was distributed in USA previously by Robinson & Grissom, and was a licensee of MF.)

Anyway, the US website appears to be gone. Dealers don't seem to be active. And I haven't found any information. Anyone know????

 

[Maka]

Kevanos. Over the years I have seen you posting in various places with lots of good info. I looked at lots of photos you posted in farm photo. Do you work for one of the companies? Are you here stateside? Since you were at the farm show I would think but you have photos posted from Korea and other places. This is all assuming you are the same person.

Thanks for the info.

Maka

 

[kevanos]

Maka, I don't work for any farm or ag-related company, but rather for a tech company, stateside. I was raised on a farm, and we farmed until I was 15. My brother-in-law farms, and I live in the country. I have a huge interest (obsession) in farming and tractors in particular.

I am the same person, (farmphoto, tractorbynet, yesterday's tractors...)


As for TAFE, Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the 2008 NFMS, but I didn't see TAFE or Robison & Grissom listed as exhibitors.

 

[Maka]

Cool. Thanks for all the info over time.

Maka

 

[tommybr]

TAFE USA is now gone......Massey Ferguson adopted them into their family as far as the US market is concerned. TAFE now builds the 2600 series for Massey Ferguson....2605 (38.5 hp), 2615 (49 hp), and the2625 (63 hp)

tommybr

 

[tommybr]

Let me also say that these are fine little tractors....and with a good , attractive price, too!!!!

 

[kevanos]

TAFE has been part of AGCO for a number of years and have been in the USA, so I don't know that I go with the statement that "Massey has adopted them...".

I have just never seen anything saying they were leaving the USA, who would handle warranties or anything.

Any former TAFE dealers out there?

 

[tommybr]

All I know is that I am a Massey Ferguson dealer and that TAFE has left as far as the US market and the new 2600 series Massey Fergusons are built by TAFE....they have been merged, adopted, or however one wishes to phrase it, with Massey Ferguson. TAFE gave up on trying to run their own distributorship and dealer network in the US. and have been blended in with MF.

 

[kevanos]

I contacted AGCO... TAFE has not been merged, adopted or anything else into AGCO in the US. They are gone, and there are sources for parts, but not through AGCO.

TAFE in India hasn't responded to any emails.

 

[grace browning]

Hi, I am a new member. TAFE or to give it its full name, is Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited is a India based tractor major. With an annual production and sale of 100.000 tractors , it is the third largest tractor manufacturer in the world.It has not been absorbed by AGCO. AGCO, who are its colloborators, and TAFE work together in global markets , leveraging individual strengths as appropriate to specific markets to tap the potential in each market.TAFE produces the 2600 range for AGCO under the Massey Ferguson brand for sale by AGCO through its distribution channels.

 

[keyser soze]

This explains why AGCO is having so much trouble with the 2600 Series of MF tractors. These are not very good tractors (by US standards).

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Last winter I bought a very low-hours 1995 TAFE 35DI from my local Massey Ferguson dealer. He assured me he could supply parts for it, and so far he has. It's listed in the Massey computer files with all cross-overs. At some point I may run into a thread problem (metric vs sae) but so far the thing hasn't needed anything but a ball joint for the power steering cylinder. Off a Massey 231, it threaded on 2/3 of the way before it jammed, but has worked fine that way.

Over 150 hours of use so far it's a great little tractor with outstanding fuel economy in the range of 2.5 litres per hour while mowing with a bush hog. It's an excellent cold-weather starter, as well.

 

[herndon42]

Purchased Tafe4010 about a year ago and it has done fine so far. I ordered manuals and parts lists from a dealer that was listed on the internet with good results. I will post the address next week. Looks like these may take a group effort to find parts.

 

[tbohman]

Anyone have any luck finding parts? I have a 95 Tafe 35 DI and have never needed parts before. I had a part of the hydrostatic steering break that I am told by Massey dealer is a specific Tafe product. The only place I found online was in KY and I ordered but it has been six months and counting.

 

[Al Barrs]

Hello TAFE owners, dealers and distributors... I am new to this forum. I own a TAFE 35DI that I use for light work and mowing that I traded in my old '50s MF 35 on some 15+ years ago. I have had very good service out of my ole TAFE. My TAFE dealer in Marianna, FL went out of business and I am trying to locate another parts and supplies dealer near my farm in Jackson County, FL (FL Panhandle). Anyone who has a suggestion can reach me at e-mail albarrs@wfeca.net. I have the owner's manual and also luckily bought a shop manual from the old distributor in Mississippi some years ago so do all my own work on my 35DI. Thanks...

 

[JayV6]

I have a pair of Tafe 35Di's. Have managed to find replacement starter. I also had one that the PS pump went out on and I could not get one reasonable from the Tafe network so I converted it to a Massey for about $300. I like the tractor much better than the comparable MF231 and hope that I can keep them going. If I can ever be of assistance to anyone my email is jay.v6carolina@gmail.com

 

[Al Barrs]

I have a pair of Tafe 35Di's. Have managed to find replacement starter. I also had one that the PS pump went out on and I could not get one reasonable from the Tafe network so I converted it to a Massey for about $300. I like the tractor much better than the comparable MF231 and hope that I can keep them going. If I can ever be of assistance to anyone my email is jay.v6carolina@gmail.com

Thanks Jay;

Although I have had very little problems with my TAFE 35SDI, I too have resorted to alternate parts for my TAFE, even when I had a TAFE dealer in town. My battery did blow up from overcharge once, but I was not hurt... I needed to rebuild my alternator and my dealer said they wouldn't sell the parts and wanted several hundred dollars for a new alternator. I took it to a local small electric motor refurbishing business and he completely rebuilt it for $180.00 vs. the $450+ the TAFE dealer wanted. Other parts have been replace, but by and large because of something I caused, not the tractor of TAFE's fault. The seats are the main problem, they aren't constructed with durable materials and they have to be replaced occasionally and aren't cheap. I have replaced them once already and keep the TAFE under a shed out of the weather also. Thanks for offering assistance. I have run into a problem with my TAFE shutting it off. I had to drain and clean out the sump and replace the oil. I used an oil with graphite and it works fine now. I am having a slight problem with my accelerator leaver. When I crank my TAFE up it wants to speed up and by moving the accelerator lever to high and low several time it calms down to idle. I have oiled all the linkage, but it appears to be something internal. Have any idea what it might be?

Thanks!

Al Barrs
Quail Ridge Farm
Jackson County, Florida
albarrs@wfeca.net

 

[eurobiketrash]

any idea where I might get a head for my DI35?

 

[Al Barrs]

I too own a 1995 TAFE 35DI, which I bought in 1995 trading in my old 50s Massey-Ferguson 35hp with Perkins engine, but my local dealer went out of business and I have been unable to find a dealer in my area that can supply parts. The corporate office in India has taken ALL dealers in the U.S.A. off their dealer location search on their main Website...disgusting me totally. I am thinking about trading for something else that I can get parts for like a Kubota. I have a Kubota 1800 garden size tractor with mower deck now and have less trouble finding parts for it than my TAFE.

 

[WilliamBos]

That tractor is literally a direct injected ( 135 engine) MF 35. Check your local MF dealer, parts should not be an issue at all.