Back with more questions - much thanks everyone's help with my other equipment posts!
A local fellow has a Massey Ferguson sickle bar mower and has offered me what I think is a very good deal - but I'm weary of this mower, parts and most importantly internet support via forums like this, just due to the lack of info I can find about the mower online and the shear number sold vs a New Holland.
The mower is a pitman type vs a dynabalance. The model number is washed from the id tag, but the owner (not the original) has a manual for it and that manual says MF model 42. Pics I've found on the internet that make me think it is a model 32.
While the mower is old and used, it looks like it's in pretty good shape. Doesn't look weathered or otherwise abused, has never been repainted as best as I can tell. The "Massey Ferguson" decal on one of the frame crossbars is unscathed, readable and intact. The pitman mechanism is driven by two short belts to a pulley with an offset attachment point to drive the pitman back and forth. It is a 7 foot mower. The pitman arm and their attachment point appear undamaged.
I see a lot of posts for the MF Dynabalance mowers, very few for the model 32 and none for the model 42.
What do you know about these model 32 and 42 mowers? Mechanically this mower looks pretty simple. Are any parts still available? Did someone like Vermeer make this mower for MF and if so, was it also sold under another name/model?
Any info on the good, bad and ugly of the MF 32 or 42 and how to tell them apart would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for everyone's help!
Bill
A local fellow has a Massey Ferguson sickle bar mower and has offered me what I think is a very good deal - but I'm weary of this mower, parts and most importantly internet support via forums like this, just due to the lack of info I can find about the mower online and the shear number sold vs a New Holland.
The mower is a pitman type vs a dynabalance. The model number is washed from the id tag, but the owner (not the original) has a manual for it and that manual says MF model 42. Pics I've found on the internet that make me think it is a model 32.
While the mower is old and used, it looks like it's in pretty good shape. Doesn't look weathered or otherwise abused, has never been repainted as best as I can tell. The "Massey Ferguson" decal on one of the frame crossbars is unscathed, readable and intact. The pitman mechanism is driven by two short belts to a pulley with an offset attachment point to drive the pitman back and forth. It is a 7 foot mower. The pitman arm and their attachment point appear undamaged.
I see a lot of posts for the MF Dynabalance mowers, very few for the model 32 and none for the model 42.
What do you know about these model 32 and 42 mowers? Mechanically this mower looks pretty simple. Are any parts still available? Did someone like Vermeer make this mower for MF and if so, was it also sold under another name/model?
Any info on the good, bad and ugly of the MF 32 or 42 and how to tell them apart would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for everyone's help!
Bill