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Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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An old tractor for a newbie?

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Rupert

01-11-2006 14:56:09




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I am looking for a tractor with loader for less than $10K. A gentleman is selling MF30 industrial 4cyl diesel 50 hp for $8500. It has a rebuilt engine, new clutch, new brake. He said he can show a receipt for the $6200 engine repair work.

Here is my question. I have not owned a tractor before. I don't know what else can go wrong with an old tractor. Please advise if you would consider the tractor. Thanks.

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Big Dean

01-12-2006 05:32:29




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-11-2006 14:56:09  
The MF30 is basically an industrial version of the MF165 farm tractors. Most had three point unless they came with a backhoe and even most of them had all the three point stuff inside and only needed the upper and lower lift arms installed. The ones with the Instant Reverse transmission usually do not have a PTO.

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Kubota M

01-12-2006 11:22:43




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Big Dean, 01-12-2006 05:32:29  
Try you luck with a Kubota L4400



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Rupert

01-12-2006 07:04:55




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Big Dean, 01-12-2006 05:32:29  
Thank you all for the replies. Let me ask you a burning question. Once an old tractor gets a rebuilt engine and a new disk, does it become a reliable machine? In case of a car, even if I put a new engine, problems can develop in transmission, chassis, AC or electrical. Does this analogy apply to a tractor? Thanks.



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Bob N.Y.

01-12-2006 08:14:17




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-12-2006 07:04:55  
Your logic is sound, but that is the chance you take with any used equipment.



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Rupert

01-12-2006 08:56:06




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Bob N.Y., 01-12-2006 08:14:17  
Thank you for the reply. This is what I really want to know. Cars have a designed lifetime so that engine, transmission, and suspension go bad about the same time. I have a 170K mile Chevy. When the engine goes out, I will not put in a new engine. I would rather put that money into a new car.

What about tractors? The MF30 is about 40 years old. The engine got rebuilt. Is transmission likely to go bad soon? Suspension? Axle?

Thanks for your help.

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Allan/NorCal

01-12-2006 21:03:49




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-12-2006 08:56:06  

Try comparing cars to heavy trucks where the components are heavier and can last too many hundreds of thousands of miles. It all depends on how they are used or abused but overall tractors out last most cars, no comparison. The industrial has a heavier front end and loader set up than most ag tractors and set up to handle a great deal of abuse. You still might look at a tractor with 4 wheel drive if you have ruff terrian to clear. Allan

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Rupert

01-12-2006 21:20:08




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Allan/NorCal, 01-12-2006 21:03:49  
Thank you all for kindly answering the newbie question. Terrain is flat, sandy, few trees, mostly ground hugging saw palmetto palms (central Florida). These palms kind of grow sideways and the trunk (parallel to the ground) is full of roots. I used rental loaders when I started out, but they are getting VERY expensive quickly. I had better put the rental money into my own, and use sweat/time equity. That's why I am considering this old tractor. Is the price acceptable?

Thank you again.

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SAm in NS

01-12-2006 11:06:56




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-12-2006 08:56:06  
Well, it does depend on how it was used. I've known people rebuild the engine 6 times on an old tractor and it's still fine. Things break, things wear out but not usually an entire gearbox. If only one gear was normally used that may require replacing but the rest should be fine. Your biggest problems would probably be the seals and the electrical system. Hope this helps, SAm in NS



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lonestarjeff

01-11-2006 23:18:23




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-11-2006 14:56:09  
Pretty sure MF-30 was available w/pto & 3-pt hitch. If equipped w/ the hitch, it had the same Ferguson System as the ag tractors, should do all the jobs you need.

You should be able to put the tractor thru some paces. Get the engine & rear end fully warmed up to check for serious leaks that only show up when the oil is hot. Make sure the weep hole in the bottom of the bell housing is open. Put a load on the 3-pt after it's hot, see how long it'll hold the load after the engine's shut off. All this comes from Big Dean's website, check it out.

The 30 came w/ the manual shuttle or instant reverse transmission. Either one has its own potential problems. I think they both were pretty reliable, but Big Dean is the real expert on them.

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GRJ

01-11-2006 15:15:09




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-11-2006 14:56:09  
If it's an industrial model, I doubt that it has a three point hitch. What are you going to use the tractor for? If all you are going to use it for is loader work, it might fit your needs. Any other application is questionable.Not knowing your needs makes it hard to answer your question.



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Rupert

01-11-2006 20:20:01




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to GRJ, 01-11-2006 15:15:09  
Thanks for the reply. I didn't know it didn't have 3-pt hitch. The owner said it had PTO and I thought 3-pt hitch and PTO were the same.

I need to clear 30 acres and start a tree farm, not in one shot but little by little. I will need loader but I will also need 3-pt hitch to pull typical attachments as bush hog, disc, plow, etc.

Thanks.



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Lou

01-12-2006 10:35:41




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 Re: An old tractor for a newbie? in reply to Rupert, 01-11-2006 20:20:01  
The 3 pt hitch are the arms that lift implements the Pto is the spinning drive shaft that powers thing like brush hogs you need both to be happy. Things like transmissions last longer on tractors than cars, that is if you stick to the older models. Models with multi power I stay away from. Just an opinion, hope it helps.



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