Massy Harris Pacer or John Deere M?

Hi, I am looking at these two tractors. Both of them are in very good condition with original loader. Any thoughts on the best choice? They seem to have roughly the same hp. I plan to use the tractor, as opposed to restoring it, so while collectibility is a factor I want something that will be a hard worker (considering it's size and vintage of course), and availability of parts and attachments (a concern with the Pacer). Thanks in advance.
 
Didn't you ask about a Ford N Series VS a Hundred Series the other day?
Whatever you do, absolutely, positively buy a tractor with factory 3 point hitch.
 
Hah, you are on to me. I've been looking at a lot of tractors. The loader is pretty compelling. So you are not a proponent of the various 3 point conversions out there? That would rule out the Farmall as well. Loaders are pretty common on the SuperC, which seems to be pretty similar to these two.
 
Well in my opinion loaders on these old tractors are just kind of hard to work with. Yeah you can get some stuff done,but you better not be in a hurry. Nothing will beat the newer stuff when it comes to loader work. Anyway the Pacer is a nice tractor and its not too common so you would have something a little special. As far as parts go you shouldnt be to bad. They are the same as the Pony from the bell housing back and there are A lot of them around. As far as the engine its a Contintal one and you can find places that care parts. heck even NAPA could probably get stuff for you. I know I got some stuff there for my Pony.. I really cant speak too much about the M,but when I think about it both of these tractors are pretty hard to get off and on of so If that could be a problem for you you may want to look at something else
 
A loader on a John Deere M? That would be about as worthless as putting one on a riding lawn mower wouldn't it? I can't even imagine. If you're going to use it and those are the choices,I'd have to take the Massey Harris hands down going away.
 
Front end of either is just not heavy enough for the loader. Massy would be my choice but I sure would not give much for either. Be more something to collect than use.
 
Forget both and buy an old skid loader.It will outwork both those tractors combined.
 
Old tractors are neat. But I have a WD 45 AC. With a loader. Used it for 25 yes. A 50 JD and loader before that. My brother has it now. But have a front wheel pull compact JD. Now. Hard to use the WD with no power steering. Just a thought.
 
If your going to use it you want a Ford. When my next door neighbor first moved in. He started looking for a tractor. I told him right off to get a Ford.

For some reason he found a farmall cub with single point fast hitch.he paid over $3000.

I told him for that much you could have bought a Ford and had a tractor you could use. He kept watching for implements. All he had was made over garden tractor implements that half way worked.

About four years later he bought a smoking Ford 2n for $2200. He couldn't find any implements that would work with the cub.

For the Ford he bought a dirt scoop,plow, blade, 4ft oneway plow, two row cultivator.

The cub could only pull his wagon.

between the massey and the Deere. I would go with the massey. Deeres are way over rated and over priced.
 
We Had a JD M, and I was warned about the weak front axle before I bought it. Bought it anyhow, repaired the front axle, it was a good sound tractor, but not a loader tractor! But, they do have live hydraulics!
 
Thanks for all your replies, I have a lot to chew on. In your opinions, would all of the same arguments apply to the Farmall, say a Super C for example?

Without a doubt neither would hold a candle to Ford with 3 point for heavier work, but the Massey with loader is pretty sweet, much lighter than the JD M.

I need to do a little more research on this, but it would seem that a 3 point conversion on the Massey would be do-able? Any thoughts?
 
Jason1PA, with so many similarities then it follows that the Pony and Pacer implements are interchangeable also? I have seen a number of ads recently for Pony implements. Thanks for your input.
 
(quoted from post at 15:05:36 10/18/14) Hi, I am looking at these two tractors. Both of them are in very good condition with original loader. Any thoughts on the best choice? They seem to have roughly the same hp. I plan to use the tractor, as opposed to restoring it, so while collectibility is a factor I want something that will be a hard worker (considering it's size and vintage of course), and availability of parts and attachments (a concern with the Pacer). Thanks in advance.

Collectibility means it has to have value to somebody. Both tractors are too old to have anybody interested in nostalgia. The collectors of 2014 are interested in something in the 1960's as the far end of the "old" scale.
Neither tractor are particularly useable. Look at the tractor, loader, mower and backhoe that 5-7yrs of low monthly payments will bring home . All new, no abuse, full warranty, no surprise parts and labour bills.
Unless the tractor has a real drawbar, a true three point hitch, live pto, good brakes, 12V lighting with an alternator, power steering and the ability to operate a beefy loader. What hobby farmer or horse rancher would be interested?
 
Buy a live hydraulics, 3-point hitch, Ford.
I have pretty much all brands here.
They all are useful.
But the Fords do most of the actual work.
Some tractors do this or that better, but the Fords
will do it all within reason.

Loader needed for the bulk of your work?
buy a modern/new tractor.
Most offer 0%, which I consider just 'forced savings'
and I get to have it while 'saving' for it.........
 
As far as loaders by todays standards a shovel would be better than either. They would both be good for light work Small truck garden, hay etc. I was never a Deere m fan
 
To be honist I'm not sure.. I would assume some implements would have to be,BUT the Pacer is around 6 inches longer so I'm sure it could be a issue with some implements such as a front mount snow plow the plow I would think be too close to the grill unless there is some kind of an extension of the plow frame. What do you plan on using this tractor for anyway?
 
Actually I have a loader on a 445 JD garden tractor and its very handy will go into buildings,stalls,lots etc and get places a large tractor would be worthless has
2 pedal hydro that's very quick, lifts and carries 400 lbs easily.It'll outwork either the M or the Pacer as it also has great power steering.
 
Don't know much about a Pacer. I have a JD M. Can't imagine a loader on it. It is one awkward, uncomfortable, under powered tractor to operate without a loader. It does look and sound nice.
 
for those so quick to down the capability of an M jd with a loader, it's not a modern set up but I've loaded a many a ton of silage with one, even with the arm strong steering it sure beat a pitch fork also cleaned out and loaded a lot of manure with one,it was a breeze to operate compared to a 70 jd with a loader you needed a least 3 hands and 3 feet to operate it
 
Well I own a J/D M, runs great I don't have
a Loader nor would I consider a loader for
it. But I've loaded tons of manure with a
Model 40 with a loader. Sure it steered hard
but much easier than a shovel. I've run a Pony
tractor, the M is MUCH MORE tractor & will pull
more than a Pony.. I've also Loaded manure with
a Ford & a Loader. A Red Belly type Ford. In my
opinion the Ford would do about 1/2 of what a
the John Deere Wood. In all reality pick up a
skid steer if you can....
 
I have miss spoke, I now see this post State's
M/H Pacer. I haven't run a Pacer but I know it's
more machine than a Pony Model. Pacer looks
like a nice little tractor.. The Biggest draw
back I guess would me Mount & Dismount on the
John Deere.......
 
Thank you all, I read and considered all of your advice. I am just now circling back around to say that after looking at and driving a number of tractors I have made a purchase. It ended up not being either one of these! It's a Super C, tricycle, with a loader, 3 point conversion and a bunch of implements (fast hitch and 3-point). Despite my initial concerns with the loader on the tricycle, I found that it maneuvers very easily. I will just need to make sure that I do not overload it. As for the Pacer, I loved it except that it felt too small for what I needed, and I could see that implements were going to be a problem.
 

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