Ford 201 Flex-O-hitch vs Massey 25 Disk Harrow

Christos · Mar 18, 2010

I have a question for you all.

A local used implement dealer has both a Massey 25 and Ford 201 Flex-O-Hitch disk. I know people love the Massey 25 but bearning parts are hard to find/expensive and these disks were contemporary to the MF 35/50/65 and probably early 100 series.

he wants last time I asked 500 bucks for the 25 and it"s gotten a "rattle can paint job"

Then he has a ford 201 roughly 7 feet wide. I"ve never seen one of these before and it looks heavier than the massey. Also most of the parts I"d need are still available from NH from I saw on the parts website. He wants 600 for that. It"s not been given a new paint job but there is no serial tag on the unit nor could I find where one was.

Any ideas? The prices seem a bit steep (to me at least) for both of them given their age but with hobby farmers and the scrappers buying up the old stuff I"m not sure what to think price wise.

Thanks

Christos

forddoc · Mar 18, 2010

remember most used implement dealers raise prices when a certain piece is in season, spring tillage, summer mowing, winter blades and chains. I like the 201. but I would have him pick em both up to check the gangs, are they tight and do they roll freely?

Christos · Mar 19, 2010

I'll have him do that. These prices have been since last fall...Im leery of the Massey not just because of the paint job but because of parts availbity otherwise I'd get it. I might go back and ask him to lift them like you say.

Is there anything I should look for in particular?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

I've had both... Still have the #25 MF disc. The Ford was a "good" disc, but the MF#25 is quite a bit better. (Speaking of in the field performance) I'd go as far as to say the #25 is the best example of a 3-point disc ever built. They get outstanding results without excessive weight. As for their production life, the #25 evolved from an earlier model that went all the way back to the TO30. They stayed in production into the 1980's. The iron "boxings" (bearings) will do just fine with what some would say is significant wear. Just keep 'em greased. There are many examples around without much wear. The bearings in mine are like new. (disc was originally purchased in 1965)

Again, not slamming the Ford disc, but after owning each, I'd shop around and find a good MF#25 if I had the choice.

Ultradog MN · Mar 19, 2010

Can't tell you anything about the Massey.
I have a 201 a little wider than that.
With any disc check your bearings. Bring along a 2 X 4 for a lever and a block of wood for the fulcrum and lift the gangs up and down to check for slop/looseness in each bearing. Ford put two different types of bearings in those 201s. Some had the old cast iron type and some had the newer roller bearings. If cast iron type, up to 3/16" of slop is probably ok. If roller bearings, there should be no slop.
Both type bearings are available from Shoup Parts and similar places.
If all the bearings are in acceptable condition and no broken discs $600 is not out of line pricewise.
Mine was a 10' when I bought it but I cut it down to 8'

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

Here's my #25. It was a wider disc when I found it. (8'-10") I've since reduced it to a 7'-6" model for ease of transporting (on trailer) This picture is right after a paint job. It's since been used quite a bit.

showcrop · Mar 19, 2010

Looking at the pictures of Ultradog's Ford, I have to say that it looks flexible kind of like my JD KBA which doesn't dig well because it flexes instead of digging. On soft ground that flexing Ford would work OK but if you want it to penetrate in any kind of roots or vegetation you would probably have to weight it pretty heavy.

Ultradog MN · Mar 19, 2010

Looks like a real good heavy disc. Mine is a bit light for deer plots but does finish gardens real nice. Want to trade?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

I'll hang on to what I have, thankya! That's always been the knock on 3-point disc's, they just don't pack a lot of weight. The MF25 is built shorter over-all length than most. That allows it to carry some extra weight without making the front end of the tractor reach for the sky.

MF sold a weight bracket for the #25. It fit betwen the lower link arms and put all the weight on the front gangs.

Art Massing · Mar 19, 2010

Poor,
That"s a great looking piece. You did a fine looking job on the restoration.
I"ve got an 8" 25. One of the best disk harrows I"ve ever used.
Did you have to replace the bearings? If so, where did you get them?

Art

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

This one was well maintained and didn't need ANY parts other than a few blades. The bearings are still as snug as when new. I've seen these disc's go a lifetime with what some would consider "sloppy" bearings. So I'm betting this one will outlast me.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

Here's what I started with. No paint, but all the iron was in great shape. Paid $320 (auction)

Stephen in SoKY · Mar 19, 2010

I've never been particularly impressed with my 201. As someone else noted, it floats instead of cutting. Personally I'd never buy another.

<a href="http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x105/StepheninSOKY/?action=view&current=201KBABrillion246planter001.jpg" target="_blank">

201KBABrillion246planter001.jpg" border="0" alt="Ford 201 Flex-O-Hitch

</a>

<a href="http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x105/StepheninSOKY/?action=view&current=201KBABrillion246planter002.jpg" target="_blank">

201KBABrillion246planter002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

<a href="http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x105/StepheninSOKY/?action=view&current=201KBABrillion246planter003.jpg" target="_blank">

201KBABrillion246planter003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

Christos · Mar 19, 2010

MFPoor, let me ask you this how do you tell the boxing/bearings are worn without taking it apart? Since I have my 135 I"d like to stick with Massey and I like the levers that adjust the gangs from the seat. I guess from appearances the MF 25 looked lighter than the Ford 201 right next to it.

I thought the Ford was broken at first because of how the hitch moved but after researching it Im obviously wrong.

Christos

Anonymous-0 · Mar 19, 2010

On the bearings....It's best if you can raise the disc off the ground. Check for excessive movement in the bearing area. SOME is ok. When they're really worn out, you'll find movement end to end as much as up and down.

The MF disc is built with thick, heavy iron. I never weighed either, but when I had my Ford disc, and used it on a Ford 3000 I had at the time, the front end would stay firmly planted on the ground. The same tractor with the MF25 disc tended to get a little "light" on the front end with the disc raised.

All things equal, from my experiences with both, you'd be much more satisfied with the results of the MF25.

Fordfarmer · Mar 20, 2010

Have you tried adjusting the cutting angle? In your pics, I can see there is at least one steeper angle setting. That makes them cut better.

Leroy · Mar 21, 2010

The ones that complain about not cutting are trying to use them in a way they are not designed for. They are strictly a finnishing type of disk for use after plowing, OK after bean stuble or after wintering corn stalks but not good for cutting sod or heavy straw. For what those are wanting they need a plowing type of disk.

Ford 201 Flex-O-hitch vs Massey 25 Disk Harrow

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