why no MF recommendations?

[bandit67]

Although Case IH machines under 25hp come in with a Farmall badge, and are marketed as a "Farmall", they still have Case IH decals plastered all over the machine and implements. The brochures also are Case IH Farmall. In fact, all the Case IH subs and CUTs up to 55hp are marketed as Case IH Farmall machines. There is no distinction between the under 25 hp machines and the 25-55 hp machines as far as the brand and name go - they are all Case IH Farmall.

 

[Varmintmist]

The only reason I havent looked at Massey, is I cant find one to look at. There is a Massey dealer that I stopped at, he deals in commericial road brushing, articulated brushog, county DOT stuff, ONLY. The only 2 other Massey dealers even close are still a long way off and have a total of 1 under 70 hp tractor between them according to their sites.

I would have no problem looking at Massey, if I could locate a CUT Massey dealer. Hmm, maybe I'll open a dealership /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( OK, John. Let us in on some of the places if any are where we can read them. )</font>
I think it's a little hard to go over about 15 years of things I've read and give you names. I doubt you or anyone else would do that easily.
Since the original poster was wondering why there wasn't much about MF in this forum, I was offering up a possible reason that came from YEARS of reading.
My brother has an Iseki Massey that is pretty good. The ergonomics leave something to be desired, but it's a strong and reliable tractor, 25HP if I remember right.
I'm actually surprised that more Masseys are not seen around as I grew up having a healthy respect for them, and thought they were probably right up there with John Deere in most areas. I guess all things change. John

 

[DaveinVa]

GaryS,

Nice looking tractor you have. The bush hog did a good job on the field behind it.

I had a Massey 240S for many years. Bought it brand new from a local dealer. Great tractor. Very dependable and heavily built. Perkins engine was very strong. Always had enough torque to overcome the emergency brake that I would leave on because of no idiot light on dash! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif First tractor I had with a horn. Great safety device. I traded because I needed a larger capacity hydraulic pump to run a 4 in 1 bucket.

Dave

 

[gsganzer]

I think the other posters have covered most of the points. I think MF has mostly focused it's marketing on the agricultural industry. Most of their tractors seem to be geared towards the needs of farming, orchards etc. I think they've realized (as have many other manufacturers) that they've been missing out on the market that Kubota cornered, weekend farmers with disposable income and compact utility tractors. It'll take awhile before the new marketing efforts show results and the MF trademark becomes associated with "non-ag" product lines.

Before I bought my Kubota sub-compact, I tried finding a MF GC2300 for comparison. They were tough to find and when I finally did find one, the dealer wasn't very knowledgeable about it. I felt more comfortable going with the Kubota proven sub-compact versus a new entry into the market.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> The ergonomics leave something to be desired </font>
What is it that you don't like?

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The ergonomics leave something to be desired
What is it that you don't like? )</font>
Didn't like the location of things. It felt as though I were closed in. The seat was just so so as well and I didn't feel all that comfortable on it, but I'd probably get used to it if I had to use it all the time. Probably a minor issue really as we all seem to adjust to these things. It's a good puller and handles 5' implements well. There is no loader for it, so I couldn't comment on how it would handle one, but 3pt. stuff is good. John

 

[MicroPilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> The ergonomics leave something to be desired </font>
What is it that you don't like? )</font>

On the 1250 I've used the range and gear shift levers are too short, and too low. Because of this when the levers are in their lower inboard positions they interefere with my legs when using the throttle peddle and clutch. Don't like the fuel fill being high and between the SMV and seat.

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> Don't like the fuel fill being high and between the SMV and seat.</font>
That is one of the things that I like the best. I fuel up using a overhead fuel tank. I don't have to even get off the tractor to fuel it up.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I fuel up using a overhead fuel tank. I don't have to even get off the tractor to fuel it up. )</font>
That's a cool idea. I have to lift up and hold to fill my CK20 tank which is fairly high behind the seat as well.
Maybe I should build a drum holder and make a setup to do the same thing you do. I could then just move a hose over and deliver through my Mr. Funnel to make sure it's clean and water free. John

 

[mwood]

How exactly would one go about making an overhead tank? I'm assuming it would be gravity feed, but do you need a vent at the top?

Also, I"ve looked at harbor freight and other like places and have found only very expensive fuel handling nozzles, pumps and hoses. What is a good supply source for these?

 

[JDFANATIC]

Hi all!

Just back from a trip to the UK, and though this is a limited perspective to what I saw, England and Scotland were JD territory. When we got into Ireland, Dublin seemed to be also JD territory, but when we got into the S.W. counties, Limerick etc, Massey Fergusson was the king. Further to this, we stayed at a castle between Drumcollier and Broadford (where the M-F dealer was) and on the farm there, they had a 590. I spent some time with the farmhands, and ended up being very impressed with the marque--though I'm sure the dealer being 4 km from the castle didn't hurt with the owners decision.

 

[Woodbeef]

Don't flatter yourself. What I'm looking for is exactly what I asked. Take it or leave it,but at least back up your comments.........that is if you can. Never seen any bad press on the Iseki built Masseys myself. So I'm wondering where you did and if it is credible or not.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Don't flatter yourself. What I'm looking for is exactly what I asked. Take it or leave it,but at least back up your comments.........that is if you can. Never seen any bad press on the Iseki built Masseys myself. So I'm wondering where you did and if it is credible or not )</font>
Flatter myself? No, it's not a matter of that at all. It's a matter that you have repeatedly stated opinions that you've seen as truth. You have always stated that they came from other people on chat boards, and then you present them as though there can be no other side to it. I, at least, state that I don't know if it's true or not.
If you had bothered to read my first post, I never mentioned that it was the Iseki models, or any other model by name, you just grabbed onto that and ran with it. I also said, quite clearly, that I had read this stuff over a period of years. I have no idea at this time exactly which magazines those articles were in due to the amount of time that has gone by.
Just because you have never read anything about any problems with any brand, I'm supposed to all of a sudden question everything I've read? What makes you flatter yourself so? What an attitude you have. Only your words hold truth, everyone else is just grinding axes. John

 

[IMCA38]

I've had my MF 1225 (Iseki built) for about a year now and overall, I'm pretty satisfied. I bought it used with a Westendorf TA55 FEL attached. I also bought a new Rhino RFM with it at the same time. It came from a NH/Agco dealer who took it in on trade for a larger NH unit. For me the selling point was price. I looked at new Kioti's, a used Kubota with a MMM and FEL, and a nearly identical MF 1225 with a MF FEL (different dealer though) The dealer where I bouught mine was great to deal with! I tested it on his lot and expressed interest. Without my asking, he suggested that I should take it home for a week and try it out. That was nice, because I could try it out in my environment. I liked it and we struck a deal. It pulls the 5' RFM with little effort and only bogs down if it stick the blades in dirt.
However, I do agree with some issues of convenience. The PTO setup is odd. The rear PTO is a two control setup. A lever below the front of the seat makes the gear engagement, and then an electric toggle swith on the right fender is used to actually turn it on. The toggle is nice for the most part except that wayward tree limbs can hit it and kill the mower. I leave the lower lever engaged most of the time, except for when I connect and disconnect the mower. It has no effect on the safety switch, just the toggle does. It is also a little awkward to service. The dipstick for the hydro is a very small thing buried under the seat, and the engine oil fill requires a funnel with a hose in order to reach via the small trap door in the middle of the hood. However, since I only have to deal with that every 50 hours, it isn't too much of an issue. I really liked the Kioti's a lot, but couldn't justify spending more for a smaller tractor without a loader to go new vs used.
Overall, I'm pretty happy.

 

[JerryG]

I'm very satisfied with mine. Everything from the seat, to the layout of the controls are with in easy reach. The hood tilts up and clears everything in the engine compartment. All service points are easy to see and service. The MF 1433-1440's are even easier to get at for some major services because the floor is easily removed with only 3 pins on each side. That also makes it easier to install or service remote hydraulics.
IMCA,
The reason for the gear lever and also a toggle for the PTO is for the independent use of either mid and / or rear PTO's. BTW, The toggle has now been up graded to a large round knob that you twist on and tap to turn off. After owning both styles, I didn't have any problem with the toggle but do like the knob better. I think that the knob switch is a direct replacement for the toggle, if you would every need to change it.

 

[Woodbeef]

Hahahahaha...........you must either be a lawyer or a politician. Very good at dodging the question!! Go back yourself and re-read your posts and the timeline you presented. This is what I used in questioning your statements. Still waiting though for an answer about these tractors. You might have time to tilt at make believe wind mills,I don't and could care less about what was said before in other threads. I want to see more about these problems with the Iseki built CUTs. Still have never seen or heard that many complaints from anywhere in the world about them,yet you've seen enough to taint the whole brand.........and your's were in print you say!!

 

[KiotiJohn]

I tell you what Woodbeef. I'm going to give you the same answer that you gave me before. Take it or leave it. I, once again, unlike you DO qualify my statement by saying that I have no idea how true what I read was as I was not involved in the use of any of those tractors. You have stated on many occasions that what you say about tractors was gleaned from chat rooms "from around the world" and post it as fact. The only fact in that is that the people you chatted with had opinions. I have answered your question, you just don't get it.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( yet you've seen enough to taint the whole brand.. )</font>
If you think the little bit that I said could taint a whole brand, you not only flatter yourself too much, you flatter me too much. John

 

[NSBound]

OK kids, isn't that enough slamming each other??? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( OK kids, isn't that enough slamming each other??? )</font>

I think so, too. I guess it's time to close this thread.