Massey 390 T vs alternatives

Bleating Lamb

Old diesel wrote: »

Do you have a 6310 - how do you find it overall????

No but have driven both putting in bales in winter time for neighbours and would find working with JD more pleasurable,they also have a few small but useful features the 390T don't have such as control pt on back mudguard to raise and lower lift,useful when on your own putting something on,and slide out hitch that makes it easier hitching up to things.

cute geoge

I would not rule out a mcormick mc115,a good clean 00-05 model would give any tractor mentioned a run for their moneyrrr

sandydan

Damo810 wrote: »

By far and away they are, but they have the same problem as the 390's to an extent, finding a clean one with reasonable hours for respectful money is hard.

one thing at least about MF is a few years back they made determined effort to supply spares at reasonable cost and this was helped by weakness of sterling in big way,as well perkins parts were for most part interchangeable, and mechanics didn't need computers to get them right. some one told me a few years ago barring clutches and pipes bolts etc you could revamp all the rearend of 390 for around €4000. put similar into engine , for €10,000 you would be looking at a seriously good tractor , where would €10,000 go in JDeere refurb? just asking.
i know of student who reconditioned a Fendt (late 80s i think) as project, his father purchased it , great tractor. new ones are reportedly fond of diesel i heard,but stories..........don't make facts

Reggie.

sandydan wrote: »

one thing at least about MF is a few years back they made determined effort to supply spares at reasonable cost and this was helped by weakness of sterling in big way,as well perkins parts were for most part interchangeable, and mechanics didn't need computers to get them right. some one told me a few years ago barring clutches and pipes bolts etc you could revamp all the rearend of 390 for around €4000. put similar into engine , for €10,000 you would be looking at a seriously good tractor , where would €10,000 go in JDeere refurb? just asking.
i know of student who reconditioned a Fendt (late 80s i think) as project, his father purchased it , great tractor. new ones are reportedly fond of diesel i heard,but stories..........don't make facts

Yeah I refurbished my engine in mine for €3500 all in

sandydan

one thing bugs me about machine manufacturers , just when they have most problems in a range sorted eg mf 300 series , they go along and invent a new range complete with stupid cab and tractor designs electronics and other problems like in MF3000 series in my opinion anyway and discontinue successful 300 series range while sorting the 3000 series out , and you will find that in all manufacturers. yet you read agri machinery correspondent write glowing reports on new improved etc , the only one who knows if its improved etc are farmers and contractor users yet its they suffer cost of dealing with "new technologically designed futuristic etc machinery" write-ups complete with unusable high speed etc gearbox transmissions while using in yards and hill country which provide ultimate relaibility and usability test imo

I said

My does all the work I want comfortably for me,drawing bales,chain harrowing,topping,spreading fert,feeding out bales and pulling trailer to co op for fert or meal.The odd time sprayer on for reseeds.Front loader is a godsend on pissy wet mornings or evenings putting out bales.Contractor does all the rest,the 390 suits my needs.

Daniel7740

agriman27 wrote: »

I know the 390t is a great handy tractor but these lads talking about pulling 2000gl tankers and drivin 3m power harrows and 10ft mowers the likes are talking nonsense. We use an 1100gl abbey and it shoves it about on hilly ground and I certainly wouldn't let it near a 3m power harrow and our 7ft plain disc mower is enough for it to handle.They are a grand wee yoke for smaller jobs but they're not heavy duty IMO just look at the hitch and the backend its tiny compared to its modern equivalent . Couple of years ago we made some wet bales and 390t couldn't nearly keep the front wheels on the ground carrying one. If I was buying I would look around at more modern tractors with far better cabs and capabilities. When you see 390s around he mart now they look a bit old fashioned imo

390t should handle a lot bigger than 1100gl tanker. father used to spread with a 1500gl behing a ford 5000, and our land is far from flat

lakill Farm

deutz or Same silver maybe? was a same silver 105 and loader for €18k on donedeal a few weeks ago

Have a Lambourgini 1050 (same silver 100.4) here and its a horse to pull. no loader . currently for sale :P

sandydan

lakill Farm wrote: »

deutz or Same silver maybe? was a same silver 105 and loader for €18k on donedeal a few weeks ago

Have a Lambourgini 1050 (same silver 100.4) here and its a horse to pull. no loader . currently for sale :P

had Same gearbox issues like jumping out of gear when pins get worn,
saw a lamborgini 6cyl ( think so anyway) with block and head problems , what engine is fitted to L 1050, i know they are not a bad machine early ones prone to rust,nearly bought one 2 years ago,

sandydan

Daniel7740 wrote: »

390t should handle a lot bigger than 1100gl tanker. father used to spread with a 1500gl behing a ford 5000, and our land is far from flat

listened to 3 fellas arguing that point one night ,got interested and inquired about tanks from different suppliers different models and even different models in same range, the gist i got is basic tanks say 1000 gallons fitted with standard wheels and high ground pressure tyres can be more difficult to pull or control in slopes ,wet ground etc, than a well designed and correctly balanced 2000 gallon tank (designed by feeding information into design-computer and field testing tank) fitted with low ground pressure tyres designed for heavy going and fitted with correct length suspension drawbar,,all these features contribute to massive difference in pull and with proper braking system can virtually eliminate pull and drag and imbalances found in standard old type slurry tanks at various stages of use. hope that helps

agriman27

Daniel7740 wrote: »

390t should handle a lot bigger than 1100gl tanker. father used to spread with a 1500gl behing a ford 5000, and our land is far from flat

Well everyone's land is different I'm in Cavan some of my land I can barely chance goin out on with 1100gl tank and even my silage ground to get to the top to start spreading you'd be flat out in 1st high or medium 4th to get to the top of the field with a load.Anyone around my country with 100hp the biggest tank is 1300gl. Most of the contractors use 1600gl and 2000gl behind 160 hp. I still think a 1600gl would be a tight load on a 390t even to face the slightest hill or hit a sticky wet spot. Having said that have heard people saying that the big wheeled tanks are easy to pull.

sandydan

whats a Case 4210 4WD like, seen on Done Deal in Galway for €16,000 1994 seem low hp to me but..

JD 6820 in Cavan 2004 and MF 5455 in Cork all with loaders.

5465 in Cavan.. a McCormick Mtx150 for around €33,000 in Fermanagh no loaders how would you rate them as farm tractors.

barring the case 4210 all the others look like best for field use imo

leoch

There is a Clarke man around ballindine who sells tractors anyone everdeal with him wats he like

TUBBY

sandydan wrote: »

whats a Case 4210 4WD like, seen on Done Deal in Galway for €16,000 1994 seem low hp to me but..

JD 6820 in Cavan 2004 and MF 5455 in Cork all with loaders.

5465 in Cavan.. a McCormick Mtx150 for around €33,000 in Fermanagh no loaders how would you rate them as farm tractors.

barring the case 4210 all the others look like best for field use imo

case not great for 42 series tractors. Starters keep going. Low profile cab fierce tight and power shuttle goes easy.

Greengrass1

TUBBY wrote: »

case not great for 42 series tractors. Starters keep going. Low profile cab fierce tight and power shuttle goes easy.

Really?
We had 4240 pro with loader. 18k hrs had engine refurb and two clutches in her life time.
Brilliant tractor. Used to now with 10ft trailed mower and chopper baler. Only got rid because we couldn't get axle for her and we still got 7 k for her

sandydan

Greengrass1 wrote: »

Really?
We had 4240 pro with loader. 18k hrs had engine refurb and two clutches in her life time.
Brilliant tractor. Used to now with 10ft trailed mower and chopper baler. Only got rid because we couldn't get axle for her and we still got 7 k for her

whats the difference between 4210 and 4240

Greengrass1

sandydan wrote: »

whats the difference between 4210 and 4240

More HP and 4wd.
Ours had lp cab. All glass. Some came with xl cab like the 895 or the 1055 series.

TUBBY

Greengrass1 wrote: »

Really?
We had 4240 pro with loader. 18k hrs had engine refurb and two clutches in her life time.
Brilliant tractor. Used to now with 10ft trailed mower and chopper baler. Only got rid because we couldn't get axle for her and we still got 7 k for her

like any tractor gg, good and bad ones. Had 4240xl. Was damn glad to sell it. Would never let one back in. Never had any trouble with any other tractor we had.
just thought of another thing... She was a hoor to start on a winter morning even with the starter working but my main memory of it was shorting it to start half the time.

neighbour had one and wasn't fond either. There is a reason they are cheap 2nd hand imo.

Greengrass1

TUBBY wrote: »

like any tractor gg, good and bad ones. Had 4240xl. Was damn glad to sell it. Would never let one back in. Never had any trouble with any other tractor we had.
just thought of another thing... She was a hoor to start on a winter morning even with the starter working but my main memory of it was shorting it to start half the time.

neighbour had one and wasn't fond either. There is a reason they are cheap 2nd hand imo.

I'd have one back in the morn. Loved her. She did cist us a lot of money in last few yrs alright

sandydan

agriman27 wrote: »

I know the 390t is a great handy tractor but these lads talking about pulling 2000gl tankers and drivin 3m power harrows and 10ft mowers the likes are talking nonsense. We use an 1100gl abbey and it shoves it about on hilly ground and I certainly wouldn't let it near a 3m power harrow and our 7ft plain disc mower is enough for it to handle.They are a grand wee yoke for smaller jobs but they're not heavy duty IMO just look at the hitch and the backend its tiny compared to its modern equivalent . Couple of years ago we made some wet bales and 390t couldn't nearly keep the front wheels on the ground carrying one. If I was buying I would look around at more modern tractors with far better cabs and capabilities. When you see 390s around he mart now they look a bit old fashioned imo

know a fella driving a 10 ft trailed with 390T and he doesn't spare it. variations in design in tanks and tyres can make big difference to pulling, balance and holding ability as well as ability of braking system,.as far as wet bales moving is concerned that sounds familiar to me,had 390 got 399 to sort that problem ,any 6 cylinder would suffice or landini blizzard 4wd with 248 engine or 236 turbo are not as easily lifted but more maneuverable than 6cyl 4wd ,a lot of them around here including new fusion great tractor imo same horsepower as MF and perkins engine

sandydan

Greengrass1 wrote: »

More HP and 4wd.
Ours had lp cab. All glass. Some came with xl cab like the 895 or the 1055 series.

the 1994 ,case 4210 in dd galway is advertised as 4WD might be mistake in detail so, but tractor is 4wd in photo

Greengrass1

sandydan wrote: »

the 1994 ,case 4210 in dd galway is advertised as 4WD might be mistake in detail so, but tractor is 4wd in photo

Sorry some did come in 2wd most 4210 I've seen were 2wd. Our 4240 was 95hp or more I think. 4210 would be a bit less I'd imagine.

agriman27

sandydan wrote: »

know a fella driving a 10 ft trailed with 390T and he doesn't spare it. variations in design in tanks and tyres can make big difference to pulling, balance and holding ability as well as ability of braking system,.as far as wet bales moving is concerned that sounds familiar to me,had 390 got 399 to sort that problem ,any 6 cylinder would suffice or landini blizzard 4wd with 248 engine or 236 turbo are not as easily lifted but more maneuverable than 6cyl 4wd ,a lot of them around here including new fusion great tractor imo same horsepower as MF and perkins engine

Driving a 10ft trailed mower in Cork must be a lot easier than in Cavan:pac: I don't see why your arguing the points I made, all I was trying to do was give my opinion on a tractor which I have driven for years, I just found some of the previous posts could mislead the OP to think that the tractor was something which he might find it doesn't live up to

TGJD

I would advise going for anything other than the 390 to be honest. You are paying through the nose for a badge. They are a popular farmers tractor but are poor tractors in my opinion. The cabs are tiny and uncomfortable and you can see feck all off them as the driving position is too low. I would save your money and buy a case 5120 or 5130 maxxum. Failing that the ford 7840 or 7810 even are great bets. Although if you are set on massey then the 3080 is a better tractor by a mile and cheaper than a 390. Cant go wrong with john deere 6400 or 6600 either. Out of all of them the case is the best tractor and nicest to drive. All cases made around that time have amazing engines from what i've experienced. Crazy pulling power and really light on diesel. If you want to go a bit bigger, then I couldnt reccommend the case mx maxxum 110 more highly.

TGJD

The mccormick mentioned is a good bet imo. Same engine and gearbox as the case mx maxxum as far as i remember. Beatiful tractors and reasonably priced.

westlander

How about a TM120 classic New holland?
Nothing fancy on it but the gearbox will never give you bother and a loader could always be fitted too it. And seeing as op mentioned pulling a bale trailer its a 6 cylinder engine so wouldnt be pushed around as much as a 4 cylinder.

sandydan

agriman27 wrote: »

Driving a 10ft trailed mower in Cork must be a lot easier than in Cavan:pac: I don't see why your arguing the points I made, all I was trying to do was give my opinion on a tractor which I have driven for years, I just found some of the previous posts could mislead the OP to think that the tractor was something which he might find it doesn't live up to

dont worry i appreciate that , this particular 390T is driven hard from day one, bought new and there some times is a difference in output in two similar tractors that cant be easily explained, but saying a 7 ft disc mower is enough for it to handle is pushing it a little i think that's all. besides if you look at rest of post you may note i agreed with you saying lifting bales especially if wet or green on other than level ground is pushing it's ability, btw i was drawing bales today with 399 and front wheels left ground a few time as well but in steep ground as well in narrow sharp corners facing uphill 4wd was needed to get steer grip. i think landini or Fiat 110 / 90 might be better and in addition i posted a few other tractors and prices they were advertised for in order to get reaction.

agriman27

sandydan wrote: »

dont worry i appreciate that , this particular 390T is driven hard from day one, bought new and there some times is a difference in output in two similar tractors that cant be easily explained, but saying a 7 ft disc mower is enough for it to handle is pushing it a little i think that's all. besides if you look at rest of post you may note i agreed with you saying lifting bales especially if wet or green on other than level ground is pushing it's ability, btw i was drawing bales today with 399 and front wheels left ground a few time as well but in steep ground as well in narrow sharp corners facing uphill 4wd was needed to get steer grip. i think landini or Fiat 110 / 90 might be better and in addition i posted a few other tractors and prices they were advertised for in order to get reaction.

Sorry I didn't mean to come across as being a harsh but I seem to have lower expectations of tractors because of my steep heavy land that saps up power even on handy jobs like spreading fertiliser:rolleyes:

sandydan

agriman27 wrote: »

Sorry I didn't mean to come across as being a harsh but I seem to have lower expectations of tractors because of my steep heavy land that saps up power even on handy jobs like spreading fertiliser:rolleyes:

dont worry no offence taken, it often happened me when operating on heavy soil i recon it can sap up to 15HP off traction alone,add gradient and .. once while cutting silage single chop had weight on tractor keep front on road on sharp bend,so couldnt figure why i was down 2 gears ,changed filters checked gauze in dsl tank no good . a neighbour decided to help by drawing with extra trailer,so i took off weights- 4x24kg and tractor was able to go up the 2 gears, field was heavy black soil sinking a little under wheels , and that's only conclusion we came to weights pushing front into ground sapping power which makes your point valid, about expectations from horsepower in dark soil.

honda300

To be honest, I think that the 390 has to be one of the most over rated and over priced tractors going. I would take a ford 7610 or 90-90 fiat any day over the 390.