Time to upgrade my tractor

Gorteen

I'm looking to upgrade from a 1971 MF165 to something more modern but easy on the pocket. I'm confused by the different tractors available in terms of how much HP I need. The tractor is used for very light work ( a bit of topping once or twice a year, bringing home turf in a small trailer, etc) The biggest job I require of it is to deliver a bale of haylage every week or so to a few horses. The lift on my MF165 struggles to lift a heavy bale. The fact it's 47 years old and was never intended for that kind of lifting probably explains it.

Big question is, what HP as a minimum do you think I require?

Mtx

Fiat 80 90 or 90 90, good condition and it will last year's. Obviously 4wd is a must.

Farmer

I'd say 70+ in 2wd, 80+ in 4wd for the type of work you're describing, with good wide tyres for the bog. You don't want a big brute of a thing if you're doing yard work.
Budget and your personal preferences will decide the rest.

shane b

Depend on budget too. Brother had a MF185 doing similiar duties. The cab needed work , general tidy up and engine rebuild as its was due for the hours worked. He picked up 02 landini Ghibli 90 for 16 k and quite happy with it. Landini has a perkins engine too and the 40 km box is handy. He sold the massey for about 3k then.

satstheway

There is some great value 3 range Massey's on dd at the moment. Wink wink.

Gorteen

satstheway wrote: »

There is some great value 3 range Massey's on dd at the moment. Wink wink.

Care to recommend / comment on any?

satstheway

Gorteen wrote: »

Care to recommend / comment on any?

398. Will lift a 7 foot linkbox full to neck with stone or sand.

Plenty of power for topping, slurry, jobs like that.
Good grip and good steering lock.
Good starters.

Jimmy Dags

Mtx wrote: »

Fiat 80 90 or 90 90, good condition and it will last year's. Obviously 4wd is a must.

Hens teeth

Bass Reeves

Op a 165 was about 58HP. You need to hit around 70HP. A lot depends on your budget. If a 2wd did you all along it will still do you. Your budget will decide what you are looking for to an extend

twin_beacon

If your 165 had no traction issues, then you don't really need a 4wd. If you have boggy land, or are looking for a loader, then I would suggest a 4wd. However, avoid any 2wd that has had a loader, its very hard on the front axle.

I'd say 70 horse power is plenty for your needs.
If you want to stick with the massey brand, you should be able to pick up a clean 375, or even a 4235/4335.

The New Holland TL series are also nice machines, i believe roughly based on the old fiat 90 series.
Case CX80 would be another nice machine, but they would probably not be as common.

You should be able to pick up a 375, 42/4335 or a TL70 (all 2wd), for under 15k.

bogman_bass

Going by what you're describing this would probably do the job

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/zetor-8111/18595555

Mtx

Avoid zetor like the plague
New Holland tl series have engines virtually the same as the fiat 90 series. It's worth the extra for a 4wd as the ground is getting wetter.

White Clover

Mtx wrote: »

Avoid zetor like the plague
New Holland tl series have engines virtually the same as the fiat 90 series. It's worth the extra for a 4wd as the ground is getting wetter.

What issues did you have with your Zetor?

bogman_bass

You won't get a more bullet proof tractor than the 8111.

TL is a good tractor but probably fancier than he needs

annubis

bogman_bass wrote: »

Going by what you're describing this would probably do the job

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/zetor-8111/18595555

not many left in tidy shape like that

White Clover

Op, not sure what part of the country you are? But, quigleys garage, co. Galway have a nice massey 290 advertised on done deal today. Maybe some of our Galway members have seen it in the flesh and can comment further on it?

https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/mf-290/18368366

Bass Reeves

Op it all depends on your budget. when you get above 10K the market starts to open up you can buy some nice 2wd tractors that have shuttles etc. However I think you are at the lower end of the market. It si the lift capability of the tractor you are interested in more than the HP. This site gives great details
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/


Below is a zetor while the HP is only 65HP she has a lift capibility of 2400kgs. Even if it is overestimated a bit or has reduced a bit over the years she is well able to lift a bale. source a weight box for the front of it and a few weights and it will last you for years.
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/6/9/1698-zetor-7211.html

Below a fairy newish tractor that should be no more than 15K again with good lift capibility.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/zetor-5321/18083132

Another option but more than likly overpriced
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-4230/18028775

This massey 675 I had one for over 10 years it fell apart with rust but thsi is a clean example and if in a shed would do the job for years. It would be a cheaper than any 2 series tractor and is virtually the same as a 3 series. Spend a few euro on a decent seat for it.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-675-spotless/18505078

White Clover

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Op it all depends on your budget. when you get above 10K the market starts to open up you can buy some nice 2wd tractors that have shuttles etc. However I think you are at the lower end of the market. It si the lift capability of the tractor you are interested in more than the HP. This site gives great details
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/


Below is a zetor while the HP is only 65HP she has a lift capibility of 2400kgs. Even if it is overestimated a bit or has reduced a bit over the years she is well able to lift a bale. source a weight box for the front of it and a few weights and it will last you for years.
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/001/6/9/1698-zetor-7211.html

Below a fairy newish tractor that should be no more than 15K again with good lift capibility.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/zetor-5321/18083132

Another option but more than likly overpriced
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-4230/18028775

This massey 675 I had one for over 10 years it fell apart with rust but thsi is a clean example and if in a shed would do the job for years. It would be a cheaper than any 2 series tractor and is virtually the same as a 3 series. Spend a few euro on a decent seat for it.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-675-spotless/18505078

A great selection there bass. We have a Zetor 7211. Spent around €30 on seals to recondition the lift when she hit 25 years old. Well able to handle chopped fusion bales with a set of weights up front.

twin_beacon

Bass Reeves wrote: »

This massey 675 I had one for over 10 years it fell apart with rust but thsi is a clean example and if in a shed would do the job for years. It would be a cheaper than any 2 series tractor and is virtually the same as a 3 series. Spend a few euro on a decent seat for it.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/massey-675-spotless/18505078

thats a great machine for the price, and rust free! Its also probably bottomed out depreciation wise. The 600 series were great machines, if only they were galvanized.

Bass Reeves

White Clover wrote: »

A great selection there bass. We have a Zetor 7211. Spent around €30 on seals to recondition the lift when she hit 25 years old. Well able to handle chopped fusion bales with a set of weights up front.

Made a mistake with url for 7211 this one is in Tipp but would be worth going 100 miles to see
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/zetor-7211/17649730

Bass Reeves

Here is another tractor that would do the job a bit old but in the right price bracket. fairly clean example as well. The Zetor 7211 is still the pick of them there is a 3-400 euro seat in it
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/fiat-680/18515865

Muckit

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Here is another tractor that would do the job a bit old but in the right price bracket. fairly clean example as well. The Zetor 7211 is still the pick of them there is a 3-400 euro seat in it
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/fiat-680/18515865

The 80 series fiat were a great tractor mechanically but like your mf675 they were very prone to rust. Paint and powder hides a multitude. Those mudguards are riddled as is the cab. The pillars are probably full of stress fractures. Front grill is not original and from the 90series. I know, because we had one!

Bass Reeves

Muckit wrote: »

The 80 series fiat were a great tractor mechanically but like your mf675 they were very prone to rust. Paint and powder hides a multitude. Those mudguards are riddled as is the cab. The pillars are probably full of stress fractures. Front grill is not original and from the 90series. I know, because we had one!

If you are looking for any tractor in the 5-7K market you have limited choice. as I said the Zetor 7211 was the pick of them IMO after that the 675 (mind you it is sold ). OP had not indicated a budget but I imagine he is in the 5-7K range at most. Any tractor like that if you want it to last you will have to keep it inside. OP wanted something to lift a bale and do a bit of topping. I expect that the Fiat would be bought for sub 5K the 675 will more than likely made between 5.5-6K. If OP was going more than 10K in a tractor he will have much more choice. Both the 675 and the Fiat looked like tractors that were minded to an extent which might make the rust liveable with. The 675 were virtually the same tractor as a 375 which are making crazy money.

Like anything you need to check them out becasue with thactors taht age there are rakes of issues stupid stuff like dirty diesel tanks, alternators issues, dodgy starters issues with electrics because of age aside from the bit ticket items such as engine, gearbox and backend. While the inside of the fiat looks like it has had a paint job done to it the back end likes like it has not been painted and looks in good condition.

If OP was willing to got 2-3K more than the fiat or 375 I taught the Zetor has huge advantages. It was selling out of a garage, it had a 400 euro seat in it. While it has been dickied up it has four good tyres and the upholstery in the cab looks in good condition. As well there steps and door jam are in very good nick as far as I can see. There don't seem to be much rust on it however there has been a pain job done on it. Its a tractor that if it is as good mechanically as it looks would do what the OP wants it to do for the next 30 years if kept in a shed and given a hand now and again.