why no MF recommendations?

[GaryS]

I've followed several of the X vs Y threads and have wondered why no one recommends Massey Ferguson tractors.

After a long search last spring that included JD & NH, & Kubota, I bought a MF 1428v hydro. I'm a color blind newbie and this tractor was inexpensive and is a bloody tank! It brush hogs like a champ on my very hilly 7 acres and I've recently been doing more loader work. The only think I really don't like is that there's no "emergency brake" light on the dashboard -- more than once I've wondered why it was running slow only to discover that emergency brake was still engaged.

I'm really happy with what I bought but wonder why others may have looked at but then passed on MF machines.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hi,

Awesome choice!! i plan on buyiung a 1440V within a year or so!! You mane an excellent choice and wont regret it!!

Take care

Will

 

[Mark4510]

GaryS,
Good looking tractor.

I can tell you why I did not look at them seriously when I was making my decision......there were no dealers in the area. Actually, the first good MF dealer was at least a 2 hour drive. Within that distance I found a number of good Green and Blue dealers as well as some good orange.

In the end the dealer was good, the price was the best around(still too much) and I could get a reasonable delivery time. If there had been an MF dealer in the area I certainly would have seriously looked at those as well.

Mark

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> it was running slow only to discover that emergency brake was still engaged. </font>

I think I've only used the emergency brake twice -- EVER! Are you parking your tractor on a steep slope?

I just keep mine in gear when I'm finished, even though I'm parked on a level surface. So, do hydro's act like neutral when the engine is off?

 

[Glenn9643]

I didn't pass on MF, but I don't pay much attention to those who are set on one color, whichever it is. The primary concern should be having a tractor that will suit your needs and a dealer that will help with service if necessary. Just about all the major players in the industry manufacture excellent equipment, and some of them have occasional problems. If I'm asked my opinion of MY tractor I'll be happy to oblige but don't feel that I need to constantly sing the praises of the brand just because I drive red.

 

[crread]

We're still looking, but the only reason we decided to pass on MF was because we didn't like the operator set-up (ergonomics) as well. Got good pricing, though.

 

[Soundguy]

MF is a great "#4" brand. I considered on when I was tractor shopping a few years ago. In general they offer decent proven technology for a price just under the big three.. minus a few bells and whistle. As of late though.. there have been plenty of B&W on the MF's.

My local MF dealer is a bit of a scoundrel.. so I can't use him as a 'good' reference.

Soundguy

 

[8561]

I think the 1428 is a great tractor. It was a little larger than I wanted so I didn't pursue it. I've often wondered why they don't get more attention here as well. It's funny, some have posted that the MF dealer in their area isn't that good or too far away. Around here, the MF dealers are by far the best I have visited. The standard "big 3" dealers are not good at all. I travelled a long way to buy my Kubota, wish I didn't have to, would have preferred to deal locally.

 

[rlk]

Gary, I have a MF 35 that I bought in 1985. It was 20+ years old when I got it and had close to 4000 hours. I ran it for 6 years then had the engine rebuilt in 1991. Been running like a top ever since, except for some minor problems. If the new ones are as well made as the older ones, I think they are top notch.

I also have a BX2200 that I really like. It is like night and day between the two. The BX2200 is great for light duty chores and mowing. The MF is outstanding for bush hogging, dragging really big logs after a storm (huricane Charley). I have a 6 foot finish mower on the MF and had rather mow with that than the BX2200 because the area around my pond is kinda rough and the MF just rides better.

Bob

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I think MF's aren't discussed as much because not as many people own one. It's hard to reccomend a tractor that you've never seen. I didn't have an MF dealer near me, so I didn't consider it and never investigated the models and capabilities as I did for JD, K, and NH. Those were the dealers near me. I can't talk knowledgeably about MF, so I don't talk about MF. I suspect there a a lot of others in the same situation as already pointed out in this thread.

Cliff