Massey 390 T vs alternatives

Old diesel · 28-07-2014 07:37PM #1

Good evening all - hope all is well

Just wondering what do you all think of Massey Ferguson 390 Ts - vs other tractors of similar size/power and capability

I think the John Deere 6300/6400s look potentially interesting - but we know very little about them - is it just the John Deere* badge one is buying :eek: or are they actually better then a 390 T

Tractor would be used for things like spreading fertiliser, spreading slurry, agitating slurry - drawing bales on a trailer etc.

NEEDS to be 4wd.

All thoughts welcome

*not into the whole badge thing - just a decent tractor - would consider Fiats, Landinis, Renaults etc if someone argued a strong enough case for them vs a 390 T

cute geoge · 28-07-2014 10:39PM

I have a 390t and fiat 110/90 and I find the fiat stronger and Reliable , Its haRd to figure why the 390t is more popular then the 110/90 ,both around same money for similar condition

Nekarsulm · 28-07-2014 11:01PM

Know nothing about Masseys, except that some lads would marry one as quick as any woman. Got up on the neighbours 390 4wd to move a silage trailer out of the way. What a frigger of a thing. It seemed to have a low profile cab? the 2 elbows would be bashed off you, more room in a dodgem car. Then some kind of an after-thought of a gear box system Are the ranges and the gears on the one lever? Honestly, the old Rubik Cube Ford 6610 was more straight forward.

I would buy anything else. Ford 7840, or a 7740 if you want something a little handier. A deere like you mentioned. Mate has a Renault Cergos 350. Its been very reliable, and pulls like a train.

Old diesel · 28-07-2014 11:05PM

cute geoge wrote: »

I have a 390t and fiat 110/90 and I find the fiat stronger and Reliable , Its haRd to figure why the 390t is more popular then the 110/90 ,both around same money for similar condition

Interesting stuff - id expect a 110/90 to be a stronger then a 390 T though - they look a bigger tractor.

Whats the next model or 2 down from the 110 - 90/90????

Thanks a million for the reply

agriman27 · 28-07-2014 11:12PM

I have put up a lot of hours on a 390t, they really do pack a punch for they're size power wise, loads of torque and instant poke great for our steep ground. I used to think they were brilliant until I got my mf4355 which makes the 390 feel so outdated especially on the comfort front and its defiantly more capable in heavy work. I would be inclined to buy something a bit more modern, 390ts are to dear for what they are and most have highish hours and they do have problems as the hours tick up high. I don't know much about John deere not popular around this area. The valmet 6400 are a great reliable tractor too

Old diesel · 28-07-2014 11:15PM

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Know nothing about Masseys, except that some lads would marry one as quick as any woman. Got up on the neighbours 390 4wd to move a silage trailer out of the way. What a frigger of a thing. It seemed to have a low profile cab? the 2 elbows would be bashed off you, more room in a dodgem car. Then some kind of an after-thought of a gear box system Are the ranges and the gears on the one lever? Honestly, the old Rubik Cube Ford 6610 was more straight forward.

I would buy anything else. Ford 7840, or a 7740 if you want something a little handier. A deere like you mentioned. Mate has a Renault Cergos 350. Its been very reliable, and pulls like a train.

Yes the range change (hi, medium and low) are on the exact same gear stick as the gears - well at least they are on later models.

Did early 40 series Fords give issues - and if so (I do know of one that was a lemon but don't know how widespread issues actually were) when did Ford/New Holland address them???

Thank you for the reply - much appreciated

Nekarsulm · 28-07-2014 11:17PM

I have a 90-90, grand tractor, very simple. Out dated nowadays really, especially for those who like push buttons and splitter boxes. Slow on the road as well. Would be similar to the 390 in size and power. Perhaps look for an 88-94, updated version of the 90-90. If you are 6 foot or over, the Fiat cab not overly comfortable for hours on end. Bosch diesel pumps are self bleeding and very, very, reliable. I got a tank of dirty diesel about 5 years ago, and every engine about the place with a CAV pump died and needed the pump removed and overhauled. The Fiats Bosch never even coughed.

I think the early Ford 7840's with the white roof were more prone to gearbox problems?

Actually, forgot to mention, would love a Case/International 956 4wd. Rock solid mechanicals, and great to pull. Buy one similar money as any 390.

jimmy G M · 28-07-2014 11:17PM

cute geoge wrote: »

I have a 390t and fiat 110/90 and I find the fiat stronger and Reliable , Its haRd to figure why the 390t is more popular then the 110/90 ,both around same money for similar condition

Not really comparable tractors. 110/90 is 6 cylinder 110 hp and weights 4.6t.
390t is 4 cylinder, 95 hp and weights just under 3t.

Old diesel · 28-07-2014 11:21PM

agriman27 wrote: »

I have put up a lot of hours on a 390t, they really do pack a punch for they're size power wise, loads of torque and instant poke great for our steep ground. I used to think they were brilliant until I got my mf4355 which makes the 390 feel so outdated especially on the comfort front and its defiantly more capable in heavy work. I would be inclined to buy something a bit more modern, 390ts are to dear for what they are and most have highish hours and they do have problems as the hours tick up high. I don't know much about John deere not popular around this area. The valmet 6400 are a great reliable tractor too

Reason I was wondering about alternatives was because like you - I perceive them to be expensive.

Unfortunately my crowd here like Masseys - which I don't have a problem with tbh. But in my head - I want a tractor that's been well minded in good condition and not been abused.

And take the view id rather a Fiat or Landini in immaculate condition then a rough 390 T

Farrell · 28-07-2014 11:24PM

agriman27 wrote: »

I have put up a lot of hours on a 390t, they really do pack a punch for they're size power wise, loads of torque and instant poke great for our steep ground. I used to think they were brilliant until I got my mf4355 which makes the 390 feel so outdated especially on the comfort front and its defiantly more capable in heavy work. I would be inclined to buy something a bit more modern, 390ts are to dear for what they are and most have highish hours and they do have problems as the hours tick up high. I don't know much about John deere not popular around this area. The valmet 6400 are a great reliable tractor too

Looking on donedeal, a 390t & 4355 are about the same price, so as you say why go older for a name that was over worked

Reggie. · 28-07-2014 11:42PM

Old diesel wrote: »

Reason I was wondering about alternatives was because like you - I perceive them to be expensive.

Unfortunately my crowd here like Masseys - which I don't have a problem with tbh. But in my head - I want a tractor that's been well minded in good condition and not been abused.

And take the view id rather a Fiat or Landini in immaculate condition then a rough 390 T

The landini 9880 are a great machine and modeled off the 390. One here and it has savage power. used for agatiting and pulling dump trailers of dung around the place.

Damo810 · 28-07-2014 11:49PM

Reggie. wrote: »

The landini 9880 are a great machine and modeled off the 390. One here and it has savage power. used for agatiting and pulling dump trailers of dung around the place.

Are they not more in line with the 600 series rather than 300 series?

Reggie. · 28-07-2014 11:50PM

Damo810 wrote: »

Are they not more in line with the 600 series rather than 300 series?

True mechanicaly but I meant in looks

Damo810 · 28-07-2014 11:57PM

Have you a budget in mind Old diesel? Would help with narrowing down potential tractors..

sandydan · 29-07-2014 01:01AM

couple of landinis around here great tractor but a few had issue with gearboxes slipping out when holding back under pressure (downhill)might be shuttle. some fiats have a 5cylinder engine that was prone to problems, garage man told me when i bought 390 off him years back, had both for sale.since bought 399 -with 3 gear levers in floor- mostly due to hilly ground not HP requirements. same hp as 390 T or 398. clumsier than 390 in yard but not worse than 7810 had one briefly.. you have std gearbox, no dual power problems, and good resale value, i know lo-cab is less comfortable but i have hi-line and high-doors are requirement ,7810 needs higher doors, personally unless Renault parts are after dropping in price id avoid,i know few who bought them and wished they didn't,but no renault dealers around here either. fiat 110/90 are brilliant tractor ,pin issues in early models r/axle diff gave them bad name they do not deserve. id avoid 93 to 95 MF 300 series,labour for gear-box problems in those are expensive to sort, a pin or spring costing around €20 requires rear end to be split to sort,so check which model needs to be sorted in that respect.

JohnJoe88 · 29-07-2014 08:07AM

Horses for Courses....

What are u hoping to do on the farm??
Loader on it,?

Land steep? Boggy? Lucky to be on a flood plain and self draining soil!

Anyway I've worked with a lot of 100hp tractors. Immaculate ones to wrecked ones!

110-90 are fantastic tractor, great on fuel, great traction, can work with 20ft silage trailers. 4 furrow ploughs, 3m power harrows
10ft mowers 2500gallon slurry tanks. A great field tractor.
But is only 30kmph reved to the last. And steering is slow in tight spots eg Farmyards. Not good with a loader, it just a lil awkward. Prone to rust!! The old models will fall apart!! They are 6 cycling er too!
All in all a great tractor., for the above purposes! I personally would buy one tomorrow of I had €15000-20000 for a spotless one in the Turbo model!

Nekarsulm · 29-07-2014 08:24AM

And if you come across a fellow with a blue 110-90, he thinks its worth 25 thousand!
Hadent heard anything negative about the 5cylinder Fiats. only the 90-90 and the older 880/5 came with the 5 cylinder. In general, Iveco build a pretty good diesel.

And regarding the Ford/New Holland range, Old Diesel, here is an informative blog.

http://tractortorque.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/new-holland-over-view/

JohnJoe88 · 29-07-2014 09:02AM

MF 390T.

95HP tractor, Side column gear stick is nicest option with shuttle by steering wheel. 4wd model will climb d wall for ya, and a Dinger n Boggy ground.
Capable of 3furrow reversible plough, twud handle a 3m powerharrow too.
2000Gallon tank Adgitate slurry, fert, round baling, wrapping, stacking, hedge cutting, 14Ton Dumptrailer,
Great with a Loader, 5ft shear grab. 6ft Bucket, bale handler. Pallet forks.
40KM/ph box so get from a 2 B fast.
Steering is very responsive!

Low profile cab is great for small sheds and crossing hills But u can get High profile too ( flat floor) solves the space.
Not prone to rust unlike other Massey models!

We have one with 10yrs. 4100hrs on it. It does the work above, great machine, starts on d key first time. Yes that spring breaks and has broken.
It's €8 in cork farm machinery
€800 labour but u cud do it if ur mechanically minded us put in in no bother!

Fantastic tractor overall. You will get the clean ones in the Uk. We bought ours for €22000 put a Rossmore loader on it for €8000 keep it serviced and clean.

For the crack I took it to a main dealer and offered €24000 as a trade in. Delighted with that!

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR..

I said · 29-07-2014 09:18AM

Two great tractors either one is a great tractor for what you have in mind for them for me the 390t.

Old diesel · 29-07-2014 09:19AM

Great stuff thanks guys - much appreciated

sandydan · 29-07-2014 09:44AM

Old diesel wrote: »

Reason I was wondering about alternatives was because like you - I perceive them to be expensive.

Unfortunately my crowd here like Masseys - which I don't have a problem with tbh. But in my head - I want a tractor that's been well minded in good condition and not been abused.

And take the view id rather a Fiat or Landini in immaculate condition then a rough 390 T

a well worn tractor can be immaculate as well, i know quite a few operators who wont scratch a tractor, if used on dumpers id avoid like the plague-brake & transmission problems in JD esp ,im mf man so i cant advise on other brand really only to say landini owners around here have purchased landini new again. contractors like new holland and one i know, swears about a 135,power ,economical on diesel etc,. only advice i remember about john deere is if buying, buy new and trade in few years, i know a main dealer once told me some thing about revamping back end at 5,000 hrs and they are trouble free for another 5,000 hrs so i didn't ask anymore questions as costs involved ..but some swear by them

Reggie. · 29-07-2014 10:10AM

sandydan wrote: »

couple of landinis around here great tractor but a few had issue with gearboxes slipping out when holding back under pressure (downhill)might be shuttle. some fiats have a 5cylinder engine that was prone to problems, garage man told me when i bought 390 off him years back, had both for sale.since bought 399 -with 3 gear levers in floor- mostly due to hilly ground not HP requirements. same hp as 390 T or 398. clumsier than 390 in yard but not worse than 7810 had one briefly.. you have std gearbox, no dual power problems, and good resale value, i know lo-cab is less comfortable but i have hi-line and high-doors are requirement ,7810 needs higher doors, personally unless Renault parts are after dropping in price id avoid,i know few who bought them and wished they didn't,but no renault dealers around here either. fiat 110/90 are brilliant tractor ,pin issues in early models r/axle diff gave them bad name they do not deserve. id avoid 93 to 95 MF 300 series,labour for gear-box problems in those are expensive to sort, a pin or spring costing around €20 requires rear end to be split to sort,so check which model needs to be sorted in that respect.

Most of them gearbox problems would be sorted in them tractors by now

Reggie. · 29-07-2014 10:14AM

Try and get the widest possible tyres oon it aswell. It makes some difference on boggy ground. I've oversize tyres on mine and she would go anywhere

sandydan · 29-07-2014 11:13AM

Reggie. wrote: »

Most of them gearbox problems would be sorted in them tractors by now

probably ,but i figure if you are aware of it ,better chance of copping, would have bought one as i think they have better traction than 390 less weight than 399, which on "lacka" ground sloping more than one way has carried me sideways a few times ,hairy experience, any how i looked at landini great engine lift , i knew previous owner had told him about problem and warned him to fix it before selling and when checking gear lever on left found it sticky , so asked question about box and nearly got ate,"how dare you etc" never give problem , idle for while, that rubbish.

Reggie. · 29-07-2014 11:17AM

sandydan wrote: »

probably ,but i figure if you are aware of it ,better chance of copping, would have bought one as i think they have better traction than 390 less weight than 399, which on "lacka" ground sloping more than one way has carried me sideways a few times ,hairy experience, any how i looked at landini great engine lift , i knew previous owner had told him about problem and warned him to fix it before selling and when checking gear lever on left found it sticky , so asked question about box and nearly got ate,"how dare you etc" never give problem , idle for while, that rubbish.

The best one for traction is the 398. Same size as 390 but the power and weight of the 399.

GrandSoftDay · 29-07-2014 11:36AM

I'm sorry to all the lads that have masseys and love them but anything less then a dyna gearbox renders them basically useless for towing and just a pig of a thing to drive in general. I have driven a 390t shuttle and speed shift and likewise with a 4255, 4355, 5445 and only yesterday I was stacking bales with a 5455 and I hate having to drive any of them. That stupid gearbox drives me up the wall trying to change between the ranges. Was stacking bales with a 6330 standard after the 5455 for a few hours yesterday and it's like chalk and cheese coming from someone with no brand loyalty.

Reggie. · 29-07-2014 11:41AM

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

I'm sorry to all the lads that have masseys and love them but anything less then a dyna gearbox renders them basically useless for towing and just a pig of a thing to drive in general. I have driven a 390t shuttle and speed shift and likewise with a 4255, 4355, 5445 and only yesterday I was stacking bales with a 5455 and I hate having to drive any of them. That stupid gearbox drives me up the wall trying to change between the ranges. Was stacking bales with a 6330 standard after the 5455 for a few hours yesterday and it's like chalk and cheese coming from someone with no brand loyalty.

Can't argue with that but for a small holder like myself it's fine. I stack bales, ted, rake, bale, draw a 12 ton dump trailer, slurry, agitate and god knows what else with a tractor that is 20 years old now and still going strong.

Them awkward gearboxes will still outlast the new fancy ones I guarantee ya.

I said · 29-07-2014 11:43AM

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

I'm sorry to all the lads that have masseys and love them but anything less then a dyna gearbox renders them basically useless for towing and just a pig of a thing to drive in general. I have driven a 390t shuttle and speed shift and likewise with a 4255, 4355, 5445 and only yesterday I was stacking bales with a 5455 and I hate having to drive any of them. That stupid gearbox drives me up the wall trying to change between the ranges. Was stacking bales with a 6330 standard after the 5455 for a few hours yesterday and it's like chalk and cheese coming from someone with no brand loyalty.

I find this need for speed and with 40k boxes leaves a lot of the newer tractors drove into scutter by lads rushing at jobs and pulling big weights flat out that fcuks most of the new machines

GrandSoftDay · 29-07-2014 11:57AM

Reggie. wrote: »

Can't argue with that but for a small holder like myself it's fine. I stack bales, ted, rake, bale, draw a 12 ton dump trailer, slurry, agitate and god knows what else with a tractor that is 20 years old now and still going strong.

Them awkward gearboxes will still outlast the new fancy ones I guarantee ya.

They might but they will still be a pig of a thing to drive! I'd rather the three sticks between my legs on the older ones, at least they were functional.

Reggie. · 29-07-2014 11:58AM

I said wrote: »

I find this need for speed and 40k boxes leaves a lot of the newer tractors drove into scutter by lads rushing at jobs and pulling big weights flat out that fcuks most of the new machines

The faster tractors are great on new roads but on old bumpy ones they are no faster. Plus that's what breaks most implements like haybobs them getting slapped up and down by lads driving too fast.

Anyways we are getting side tracked. What budget have you got OP if ya dont mind as thus will give us an idea of what bracket your in

GrandSoftDay · 29-07-2014 12:00PM

I said wrote: »

I find this need for speed and 40k boxes leaves a lot of the newer tractors drove into scutter by lads rushing at jobs and pulling big weights flat out that fcuks most of the new machines

4255, 4355 and the 54 series are all 40k

It's just nigh on impossible to change from medium to high while actually moving and you can forget about it altogether if you have any sort of a load behind you.

Massey 390 T vs alternatives

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