Which engine would you choose?

[slowzuki]

The model is was looking at was the mark 3 agrotron, water cooled engine. From what I understand those first series were the problem childs of the series. It does scare me a bit, the computer controled powershift. I'm not sure how far away a tech would have to come from to diagnose a problem. Doubt they'd give an owner a copy of the software they use.

 

[art]

Your 7710 is a perfect example of a 100 horsepower four cylinder tractor engine that gives good power and longeveity.

 

[Renze]

The Sisu engines were notorious for fuel consumption, as well as the Ford 7710 engines. They do provide good torque backup.
The Perkins 100 hp 6 cylinder in the 3080 was known to be extremely gutless and outperformed in the field by a Zetor 6340 non-turbocharged 4 cylinder.
I'm talking about 5 to 10 year old models. Today it might be different.

A modern 4 cylinder turbo, can get the same results as a 6 cylinder engine, untill about 1000 rpm. that's where the turbo quits and the engine stalls. So what ?

 

[radman1]

As some of you know I just ordered a Case-IH Maxuum 125 PRO. The MF 54xx series is similar to the Maxuum line. The PRO has a few more amenities then the MF but MF is very similar to the nonpro or value Maxuum line. The Maxuum 110 (90 pto hp) uses a 2 valve, 4 cyl 273 cu diesel. The Maxuum 115 (95 pto hp) and 125 (105 pto hp) uses a 2 valve, 6 cyl 411 cu diesel.
The Maxuum 110 Pro and 130 Pro (110 pto hp) use a 4 valve high pressure common rail, 4 cyl 273 cu diesel. But the Maxuum 125 Pro and 140 Pro (120 pto hp) use a 4 valve high pressure common rail injection, 6 cyl 411 cu motor.
Like you guys noticed earlier with MF, there are displacement jumps between hp models. Why does the 125 Pro have a bigger displacement (411) than the 130 Pro with 273 cu?
The 411 cu motor is also carried into the Case-IH Puma line which is 135-180 pto hp and same injection system and 4 valve/cyl motor. The 411 motor in the 125 Pro I bought seems to having an easy life for the hp production. More longevity?
JD does the same thing. Most manufactures use about 3-4 engine displacements for most of their models. It appears that a single motor displacement can cover up to a 50hp range with modifications to injection system, turbo and aftercoolers.

 

[art]

Thats one nice sounding engine in the 125 pro's!

 

[slowzuki]

I'll steal Roberts thread a bit, I'm expanding my search into the MF42xx and 43xx models with the his-vis sloped hood option. The visibility is on par with the Deutz Agrotrons and they have an instructor seat option.

Lot of 2wd's on the market but I need a 4wd and hope to nab at least the 12x12 version if not the 24x24.

 

[chh]

I've had a MF 4243 for about 10 years now. It is an open station 2 wheel drive. It is the most fuel efficient and reliable tractor I have ever owned. Right after I bought the MF 596 I ran across a 4253 with cab/air ect. and just over 1000 hrs. I wish I had seen it first, because I have been very impressed with that series of tractors.

 

[Trac-Tech]

Hi Guys
I went to the original release downunder region for the 4200 series tractors in Alce Springs. The tractor with dry clutch was basically the same internally as the old 300 series from Coventry. When they released the hyd power-shuttle version, there were some problems with electronic controllers and I think lubrication issues with the clutch as well. I did not have much to do with it in the latter stages when I presume it was all fixed. The only issue with the early ones we started to see was with the odd 1 or 2 hydraulic pumps and there was a wheel on the gear for the speed sensor for the PTO to read from that would come loose occassionally. But, most of the issues from the 300 series were tidied up. The larger 6 cylinder 4270 had a reasonable lift capacity and tie rods over the top of the chassis to hold it all together when transporting up to 6 tonnes. All in all, not bad tractors.
Depeneding on your climate, you will need to watch the cooling of the hi vis models in hotter areas.
Hope this helps.

 

[slowzuki]

Not too hot here, we have about 30 days a year over 30 C, most of summer is 25-29 C. Winter is very cold though!

Have started searching around, there were a lot of 4200's and 4300's sold but very few for sale it seems. I have only found a half dozen for sale within 8 hours drive from here.

 

[slowzuki]

As a follow up, I've now driven a few MF 4245/4255's and have the following notes. The mech reverser is ok but seems to get clunky on the high hours units. The 12x12 tranny is nice but the range change off to the side of the normal pattern gets clunky around 2000 hours and hangs in the neutrals between ranges.

Great visibility, nicely laid out controls. Hood access isn't great, twist lock side panels.