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Why Are Massey Fergusons So Cheap?

L

Lanse

Well-known Member
Yes, I realize this is a relative statement, but theres a chance I'll be needing to reclaim some land in the next several years, so being the tractor enthusiast that I am, I spent part of this evening looking at listings for larger used tractors online.

Within 4 hours drive of me, looking for 60-90 hp tractors, I've found, all in the same condition (at least in appearance in their ads)

- 10-20 year old Kubotas - $15-$19k
- 80's and 90's Fords - $12-$18k
- Various Olivers and lesser known (if you will) machines - $ 9k-$13k

Multiple Massey Ferguson's with asking prices of $5,200 and in the $6-7000 range for the same sized tractors!

And I'm having issues understanding this.

Is there something problematic about them that steers people away? I've never know of anything but I'm also not very familiar with the machines.
Is it just because they arent horse farmer approved like the Kubotas, or have the massive marketing engine of JD behind them, or the brand recognition of IH or Ford?
I just dont understand why they're generally 1/3 to 1/2 as much as the other makes. Some are slightly older but many have the same or less hours. For that matter, even the newer models are substantially cheaper. I'm in DFW Texas if this makes a difference...

I was hoping that someone could explain their low resale values to me a little bit. Im genuinely curious and cautiously optimistic. Thanks guys!
 
I could tell you why, after buying two new ones, I will never buy another Massey Ferguson but that is quite a different story.

Dean
 
This was 16 years ago, but I went through the same thing.

Looking for a 4wd, 80-90 hp, with a loader.

The Massey I wound up buying was 8-10k cheaper than the blue or green ones of similar size/hours/condition.

Had a few repairs the first couple years, but I'm still using it to pull my baler and feed hay. It's nothing fancy, gears, no shuttle shift, open station.

Still would like to have a cab tractor with AC for baling, though.

Fred
 
Probably because They are made in Poland. When purchased my MF 231 with a bad engine, and got it home got to checking it over. When the rod broke it put a hole in both sides of the block. Another story for another time. I also noticed it was made in Poland. After repairing the motor, I have a lot of hours on it, with hardly any problems. If I were going to need another smaller tractor for my 6 ft rotary mower I wouldn't have a problem with another MF. Mine has a 3 cylinder Perkins engine, which is a good engine. Here where I live they don't seam any less money. Stan
 
I think it's just because there are so many of them. I've had MF 50 gas, 3 MF 65 diesels, all fine tractors with used parts readily available. Highway Dept used dozens of 383s in very hard work then sold at surplus where buyers snapped'em up.
 
Depends completely on the model in that age range - you are talking 1997 to 2007. Search mf 4355 or 5455 or 3075/3095 from that age and you will see much different prices than say a 3070 24 speed ab transmission or one of the red painted landini models. They had a few bad series in the late 80s earlier 90s so do your homework very carefully.
 
they bring less here than most brands,, I had friends who ran them they had decent luck with the 100 hp units of the e70's they tried running a 4x4.. always broke down when they needed it,, I have always liked the Perkins engines ,,, I also worked on two of them a customer bought new maybe 6 years ago,, he has put some real dollars in the biggest one and it has less than 1500 hrs on it today,, lot of electric issues and two new hyd pumps,, he always serviced them as called for,, not slamming them just reporting what I have seen over the last 45 years
 
(quoted from post at 22:12:01 02/01/17) Yes, I realize this is a relative statement, but theres a chance I'll be needing to reclaim some land in the next several years, so being the tractor enthusiast that I am, I spent part of this evening looking at listings for larger used tractors online.

Within 4 hours drive of me, looking for 60-90 hp tractors, I've found, all in the same condition (at least in appearance in their ads)

- 10-20 year old Kubotas - $15-$19k
- 80's and 90's Fords - $12-$18k
- Various Olivers and lesser known (if you will) machines - $ 9k-$13k

Multiple Massey Ferguson's with asking prices of $5,200 and in the $6-7000 range for the same sized tractors!

And I'm having issues understanding this.

Is there something problematic about them that steers people away? I've never know of anything but I'm also not very familiar with the machines.
Is it just because they arent horse farmer approved like the Kubotas, or have the massive marketing engine of JD behind them, or the brand recognition of IH or Ford?
I just dont understand why they're generally 1/3 to 1/2 as much as the other makes. Some are slightly older but many have the same or less hours. For that matter, even the newer models are substantially cheaper. I'm in DFW Texas if this makes a difference...

I was hoping that someone could explain their low resale values to me a little bit. Im genuinely curious and cautiously optimistic. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I think one reason Kubota retains value is that every tractor they sell is made by Kubota. Many other brands contract out manufacturing to various 3rd world countries. Some brands have multiple sources, for different tractor groups. And getting parts for older tractors can be interesting. My dealer tells me he can get any part, for any Kubota made. But you might not like the price. :D

And Kubota has a very good reputation for quality. I have several friends who have Kubotas, and none of us have ever had a defect on our tractors. And that is what drives resale value.
 
I've got a couple of Kubota's an old severely abused 120 hp
power shift 1999 m120 with 5500 hours on it and a little 2003
52 hp one in good shape with 2500 hours.

They both have their little issues and it's not quite true that
you can get every part for the old ones but it's darned close to
true.

The thing I like about them is they start reliably in the cold (-30
no block heater) and they are relatively easy to work on. Tech
manuals are pretty detailed as well.

Parts are generally reasonable the first few years then
become eye bleeding expensive around the 10 year old mark.
My Massey isn't much cheaper for parts nor is my ac 7010.
The ac could possibly need one of the gear hydro pump
section replaced but for the one pump section I can buy 2
complete multi section pumps for my mf.
 
brother in law started out trying to farm with them, tranny problems, FWD problems, all the standard tranny ones were split at least once and had tranny input shafts replaced or built up, they are all siting in his far back fence row. He is using JD and IHC products now.
 
I bought a well used MF275, ~1979 vintage with 2494 hours showing. Have used it haying and general ranch work for the last 24 years with only work being alternator, injector pump O-ring, and tach drive cable which broke after I owned it. Of course the normal oil, filters and flats! Getting pretty worn these day but still getting the job done. Knocking on wood. :wink:
 
Most of the models under 100 hp were solid. I have a larger less desirable model as my yard tractor. For what I paid for it, if it dies tomorrow I can haul it to scrap and come out fine.

Mostly the same difference as between a Peterbilt and a Volvo.
 

So far as cost of ownership I don't think you can beat Kubota. At around ten years you can get around 90% of what you paid for it when trading on another Kubota.
 
I think it has a lot to do with their dealerships or lack of. In my area we used to have four MF dealers now only one. You don't see many stand alone MF dealers in my area, most sell other brands of tractors. Kubota , CIH, NH and JD dealerships sell only their brand of tractors here.

37Chief I only know of two model Massey tractors that were built in Poland by URSUS, the 231 and 261.

Lanse There are a couple older MF dealers close to the DFW area , one in Corsicana and one in Deleon. Comanche County might be one of the oldest dealerships for Massey in Texas. Happy tractor hunting!
 
There is a reason Kubotas have a higher resale value and there is a reason MF has a lower resale value. Just figure the logic.
 
I'm not a Massey expert, but own one and have used several over many years. Also been following the forums here for a while, and here is what I've gleaned.

The Fergusons and MF's of the "made in Canada and Detroit" era (50's-mid 70's) were solid and generally held up about as well as any other brand, better than some, and the Perkins diesels are known for their long life and good cold starting. I've found that parts for my '61 MF65 diesel HiClear are generally readily available either from Agco or aftermarket, and not nearly as quickly obsolete or pricey as "green" parts, though there are some "odd duck" models that never sold well for which parts could be a challenge. MF definitely had some issues in the 80's and 90's as production was outsourced.The primary MF problem is the "Multi-power" unit when so equipped. The straight gear trannys have only the typical shifter wear problems all makes have. Another MF oddity was the use of 90W gear oil for tranny and hydraulics until ~1962, though I understand they released a "service bulletin" that recommended changing to UTF after any service work in the rear case, that (their brand) UTF provided adequate lubrication for bearings and gears (along with interoperability with all other ag hydraulic systems then in use).

Because the forum search tools don't seem to work intuitively, your best bet is to use Google to search YT for the specific model you are looking at, and see what problems show up. Would I buy one at a fraction of the price of a comparable Deere or Ford? Absolutely. Against an IH for the same money, it would be a toss-up, depending on model.

As always, free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. "YMMV". :)
 
Make sure you're comparing apples to apples. 50 year old Masseys to 15 year old Kubotas, for example, is not a valid comparison.

Also keep in mind that they're all most likely overpriced for what they are...
 
Myself I'd say get a JD 4020. Find a good deal on a decent one that does not need a lot of work.
You can use it for what you want then resell it for as much as or more than you paid for it.
 


What MFs are you seeing for $7000. Likely not something comparable to a 10 year old Kubota.

When I was tractor shopping a priced out a used 8 speed shuttle MF 390 with factory loader, fwa ROPs and about 4000 hours and in the mid 20's.....
 
Lots of issues with them depending on what model exactly you are looking at. Not sure about your area specifically but in general AGCO's parts availability is poor and parts pricing high.
 
MF's here are about what you're finding. The smaller ones sell higher than other brands. I'm probably wrong but I think the biggest issue with MF's is putting the power to the ground. They focused more on speed & if you're in a hard pull they are nowhere near a Deere in grunt.
 

I have never understood why so many hobby farmers will walk past a Massey 135/235. Or similar massey models with live pto, live hydraulics , power steering a slow first gear, a real drawbar, optional rops and a functional 12V electeical system. They purchase a Ford N series when they could have had the Massey ???
 
(quoted from post at 05:24:40 02/03/17)
I have never understood why so many hobby farmers will walk past a Massey 135/235. Or similar massey models with live pto, live hydraulics , power steering a slow first gear, a real drawbar, optional rops and a functional 12V electeical system. They purchase a Ford N series when they could have had the Massey ???
Click to expand...

Well that's really comparing apples to oranges. Comparing a larger, 12-23 year newer MF to an 8N. Really?

Here I can get Ford 8N parts 6 miles away while it's a 70 mile drive or online and wait for an MF and even if I make the 70 miles drive I'd bet on something as old as a 1/235 I'd still have to wait! So here a person would be wise to buy the Ford is they were actually going to work it. Why don't you compare the 1/235 MFs to a comparable Ford, like the 3000? What you should be comparing the 135-235s to. And even there the Ford has an advantage, like any CaseIh dealer like the one 25 miles away!

Still trying to figure out how you can compare a 23 HP tractor that ended production in 1952 to a tractors, 45 and 47 HP that didn't start production until 1964 and 1975 respectively? Ever take any classes in ethics?

Rick
 
(quoted from post at 10:21:32 02/03/17)
(quoted from post at 05:24:40 02/03/17)
I have never understood why so many hobby farmers will walk past a Massey 135/235. Or similar massey models with live pto, live hydraulics , power steering a slow first gear, a real drawbar, optional rops and a functional 12V electeical system. They purchase a Ford N series when they could have had the Massey ???
Click to expand...

Well that's really comparing apples to oranges. Comparing a larger, 12-23 year newer MF to an 8N. Really?

Here I can get Ford 8N parts 6 miles away while it's a 70 mile drive or online and wait for an MF and even if I make the 70 miles drive I'd bet on something as old as a 1/235 I'd still have to wait! So here a person would be wise to buy the Ford is they were actually going to work it. Why don't you compare the 1/235 MFs to a comparable Ford, like the 3000? What you should be comparing the 135-235s to. And even there the Ford has an advantage, like any CaseIh dealer like the one 25 miles away!

Still trying to figure out how you can compare a 23 HP tractor that ended production in 1952 to a tractors, 45 and 47 HP that didn't start production until 1964 and 1975 respectively? Ever take any classes in ethics?

Rick
Click to expand...

Unwind your knickers. If you did not notice I will explain it again. Per $$$ spent there is much more value in a Massey 135/265 and the like vs the Ford N series .
The take home price for the above mentioned Massey's is little more than for a Ford N series.
 
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