Massey 540-Should I Save It?

Josh4520 · Feb 1, 2015

All, here is the situation.

I currently run a 540 Massey but have run into
some trouble this year on the ol girl. Some
lovely little mice decided to chew through some
some wires (lights, fan, and acc.) and I lost
the main bearing in the variable speed. The
variable speed will be around $500 and the
wiring....I have no idea.

Anyway, where this is going is I am kicking
around the idea of a Gleaner. Yes, a grey
ghost. I have seen complete packages of F2s
sell for $3,000 and the local salvage yard is
willing to give me $2,800 for mine. No brainer,
right? Well, this is where the sentimental
value comes in. I bought the 540 from a retired
Massey salesmen who was marketing it as a derby
machine. Well, I got it running and had him
come out to give me some pointers on set-up. He
ended up taking one last ride on the ol girl. I
will never forget his face.

So, I guess what i am asking is that is there
any market for these machines? Anyone restoring
them? Or am I just crazy in not sending it to
the "furnaces of China".

RGMartin · Feb 1, 2015

I am struggling with how the salvage yard is going to make any money at $2800... Is that with the heads? Is one of them an 1143? Where are you at?

A 540 isn't a terrible machine, it just isn't the high speed, low drag, wonder machine that all the "operators" want. Capacity wise an F2 or 3 is in the ballpark. You have to remember it is just an updated 300, then you realize how good it is.

Josh4520 · Feb 1, 2015

Its not a bad machine, it runs my 94 acres in NW
Ohio quite well. A pain to service though. Yes
that is with both heads (a 13' U2 grain head & a
43, practically new, corn head. I haven't found a
replacement yet so I'm not ready to sell...just
was wondering if their was a market for them
outside of junk. Everywhere I look, everyone hates
them.

RGMartin · Feb 1, 2015

Practically new 43? A 43 is gonna be 40 years old, have any pictures? Around here the 13' 1859 would be $1000-1500 or a little better, a 43 isn't worth much unless someone really needs a head, maybe $1000.

Brian806 · Feb 1, 2015

Fix it! Gonna cost you less than a grand you know the combine you know how to set it up! Everything else seems fine! If you do 94 acres again next year and at 25 bucks a acer that combine will gross 2350! But that's what I would do! If you wanta switch and drag home another 40 year old combine and play with it go for it! Or go buy a nwe one and make big payments most people around me think that's the smart thing to do and laugh at my old payed for gleaner k2!

notjustair · Feb 1, 2015

I would work on it over the winter and keep using it. That being said, fixing mice damaged wiring can be a long and frustrating process. The neighbor finally gave up and traded one in because of that. Luckily there aren't all THAT many wires on it. I'm not sure I can be objective - I have a spot in my heart for old Masseys.

gbs · Feb 1, 2015

if its' in good shape the repairs you mentioned aren't even a payment on another machine,i've got nothing against MF's I've owned a couple and ran a several from a 300 to 510's,we bought an F3 hydro diesel several years back with a 438 and 313 headers it would be hard to go back to the old MF's as none of them mentioned can hold a candle to the little F3,the ones at the salvage yard could be a good buy if not worn out as they all do and if not kept in good repair,it can be costly especially if you have to hire the repairs done

01gentdc · Feb 1, 2015

yes fix it and run it ,, you are better off than downgradeing to a more modern aged machine with all the modern b/sit.. that is sure to fail ....those mice will have a field day in a more modern machine loaded with electronic genius toys that are absolute useless when they fail ,, ,, my 750 mf has electronic hydraulics on the head ,, and I think the varmints have got into the wiring ,,. very frustrating when it is dark , cant raise the head , to come out of the muddy field and it is about to rain and the bin is full of beans ... at times like that I would trade the 750 for a good ol 300 massey any day ..

Brokengun · Feb 1, 2015

I own a Tired 550 and I am planning on keeping it until it falls apart. Bearings and Belts used on masseys are common.

I have thought about buying another machine but any way i figure it the Massey becomes the bargin machine for a small farmer.

The highest prices belt for a that type of Massey is the main drive belt and its around $200 if you look hard enough. Bearing can be bought from Shoup for half of dealer price. I keep bearings and belts on hand for most average repairs.

Both line is repaur what you have heads that work are heads that work. Whaere i live A like New 43 head is hard to find so is a good grain head.

Keep what you have even if it needs additional repair.

The repairs you listed are not that bad. Yes its $500 or more but you know what you have

Massey 540-Should I Save It?

Josh4520

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RGMartin

Well-known Member

Josh4520

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RGMartin

Well-known Member

Brian806

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notjustair

Well-known Member

gbs

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01gentdc

Well-known Member

Brokengun

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