Buying Advice John Deere or Massey Ferguson

[Travis_R]

Hello everyone,
I've had great service out of my MF 231 and it's still a great tractor, but sad to say, it's almost time for it to go. I'm gonna be upgrading (or some might say downgrading) to a 4x4 compact tractor with loader. Not sure about new or used at the moment. Would like to find something with low hours still under warranty.
I'm looking at the Deere 3038E, ag tires and loader or the Massey Ferguson 1739E, ag tires and loader. Problem is there is only 2 Massey dealers in my state and both are over 1.5 hours away. There are several local John Deere dealers and even a couple local ones on our way to the camp in another state. I like Deere and Massey both but I'm also concerned about long term parts support with the Massey. Parts are getting scarce for my 231 and some you can't even buy anymore. No local dealers and long term parts support are what's concerning me when it comes to the Massey. The Deere 3038E has an aluminum rear end and that also concerns me.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Tractorable]

Why limit the choice to Deere or Massey? Plenty of great options from Kubota, Yanmar, Kioti, LS, Branson, and TYM as well.

The E series Deere's don't have quick attach loaders nor are they SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) compatible without an adapter. They have Japanese Yanmar engines.

The 1739E is a Japanese Iseki design with a Japanese Shibaura engine. Heard nothing but good things about them.

Would recommend you build a spreadsheet with all the specs of similar models.

What kind of work do you need to do with the tractor?

 

[Phillip w]

Everyone tells me I bash massey ferguson/ agco. I will say I have had lots of trouble out of my massey ferguson 1531 and little to no support from dealer and agco. I find it hard to believe you having parts issues. You may have to order them, or go with after market parts. I can still get parts for stuff I have that is 40 + years old. I have people. Say to stay away from the John Deere "E" series but don't really know. I have heard people say this new 4 tier emission stuff (or what every it is called) if causing a lot of guys trouble. Personally I am in the same boat. My massey ferguson 1531 is salvage material. No tractor left to sell or trade. I don't want another tractor situation like that massey. Don't know exactly what I'm going to do, I'm pretty gun shy. I'm kind of leaning towards case-ih.

 

[jeff9366]

Why limit the choice to Deere or Massey? Plenty of great options from Kubota, Yanmar, Kioti, LS, Branson, and TYM as well.

The E series Deere's don't have quick attach loaders nor are they SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) compatible without an adapter. They have Japanese Yanmar engines.

The 1739E is a Japanese Iseki design with a Japanese Shibaura engine. Heard nothing but good things about them.

Would recommend you build a spreadsheet with all the specs of similar models.

What kind of work do you need to do with the tractor?

Excellent post by TRACTORABLE.

How many hours are on the clock of your MF 231? Are you the original owner? This will give us an idea of your usage.

Do you have a budget in mind for your replacement tractor?

How many implements do you have? Will implement weight and widths be an input to your tractor model decision?

 

[jeff9366]

I'm looking at the Deere 3038E, ag tires and loader. The Deere 3038E has an aluminum rear end and that also concerns me.
Any advice is appreciated.

The Deere 3038E's aluminum rear end is regularly criticized by owners here.

LINK TO T-B-N ARCHIVE: Deere 338E aluminum housing site:www.tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[Travis_R]

Deere and Massey are what I grew up around although I've owned Mahindra and Yanmar in the past.
I dont want to look at anything other than Deere or Massey. I trust those 2 the most but that's personal preference.
My Massey has 1,331 hours. Bought it with 480 hours 9 years ago.
There's been too many times I've needed a loader and not had it. The new tractor will have one.
I'll be hauling the tractor back and forth to our camp. My 231 is too heavy to make that haul during grass season. I need a lighter tractor.
What else does John Deere offer that's similar to the 3038E? Any older used models worth looking at?

 

[airbiscuit]

Why limit the choice to Deere or Massey? Plenty of great options from Kubota, Yanmar, Kioti, LS, Branson, and TYM as well.

The E series Deere's don't have quick attach loaders nor are they SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) compatible without an adapter. They have Japanese Yanmar engines.

The 1739E is a Japanese Iseki design with a Japanese Shibaura engine. Heard nothing but good things about them.

Would recommend you build a spreadsheet with all the specs of similar models.

What kind of work do you need to do with the tractor?

Excellent post by TRACTABLE.

How many hours are on the clock of your MF 231? Are you the original owner? This will give us an idea of your usage.

Do you have a budget in mind for your replacement tractor?

How many implements do you have? Will implement weight and widths be an input to your tractor model decision?

All good points. If you want a more deluxe John Deere, the model 3039R has a 3 speed hydro, cast iron rear housing, mid PTO, extendable 3pt links,'better loader, more refinements, etc. But it costs a fair amount more.

The 3038e is a fine machine, but has limitations as already stated.

There seem to be more posts about dissatisfied Massey Ferguson owners. Plus, they seem kind of dorky (the tractors, not the owners).

I don't think you would be out of line to also consider Kubota. They are the gold standard of CUTs.

Start writing down the pros and cons of each, and try them out a few different times. You will learn from each hands on experience.

 

[Wagtail]

The E series Deere's don't have quick attach loaders nor are they SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) compatible without an adapter. They have Japanese Yanmar engines.

The 1739E is a Japanese Iseki design with a Japanese Shibaura engine. Heard nothing but good things about them.

Would recommend you build a spreadsheet with all the specs of similar models.

What kind of work do you need to do with the tractor?

What a load of bollocks, Tractorable! You should be ashamed of yourself for bashing a colour like that. I don't care what Front End Loader you talk about, none of them 'come with a quick attach'... you have to ask for SSQA, or GlobalQA, otherwise the bucket/implement is simply bolted on. JD does have their own QA system too... and if you didn't know that you do now so please refrain from offering advice about things you have no knowledge of.

The YANMAR engine is a fine, worry free engine with plenty of back-up from the manufacturer and JD.

 

[Tractorable]

What a load of bollocks, Tractorable! You should be ashamed of yourself for bashing a colour like that. I don't care what Front End Loader you talk about, none of them 'come with a quick attach'... you have to ask for SSQA, or GlobalQA, otherwise the bucket/implement is simply bolted on. JD does have their own QA system too... and if you didn't know that you do now so please refrain from offering advice about things you have no knowledge of.

The YANMAR engine is a fine, worry free engine with plenty of back-up from the manufacturer and JD.

Easy now, my point is that the industry has moved to loaders that are easily removable, quick attach loaders. John Deere is the only manufacturer that I've seen that has loaders on their economy model tractors that are not easily removed. The industry has also moved to SSQA connections on their loaders. John Deere offers GlobalQA or an adapter for SSQA. Potential customers should be aware of this.

I'm probably the biggest Yanmar fan in here growing up in the marine industry. I merely advised the OP that John Deere's have Yanmar engines. It's a fact. I never said anything negative about Yanmar.

 

[DK35vince]

I don't care what Front End Loader you talk about, none of them 'come with a quick attach'... you have to ask for SSQA,

Yes they do.
Many of the LS and Kioti tractors and probably others come standard with SSQA on the loader

 

[Wagtail]

Easy now, my point is that the industry has moved to loaders that are easily removable, quick attach loaders. John Deere is the only manufacturer that I've seen that has loaders on their economy model tractors that are not easily removed. The industry has also moved to SSQA connections on their loaders. John Deere offers GlobalQA or an adapter for SSQA. Potential customers should be aware of this.

I'm probably the biggest Yanmar fan in here growing up in the marine industry. I merely advised the OP that John Deere's have Yanmar engines. It's a fact. I never said anything negative about Yanmar.

Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Travis_R]

What do you think would be the best tractor long term? The 3038E or the Massey 1739E? The closest Massey dealer is 1 hour and 45 mins. away. The next closest is 2 hrs. away. There are several Deere dealers within 30 minutes and been in business for years. Both Massey dealers are new.
This is a tough decision. I'd be getting more tractor with Massey but more local support with Deere. I'm just not sure what the correct choice should be.

 

[Turbys_1700]

How good are you at maintenance and repairs? Is the Massey worth driving an extra 1.5 hours away for a repair if needed? I get the impression you want the Massey but are concerned with service and support. If you really want the Massey get it. You will never be happy with the Deere. Most of these newer tractors are very reliable. Some have had issues with the new Tier VI emissions but most have not. Long term I would not think one is any better or worse than the other.

 

[Wagtail]

Just remember that the tractor you choose is a portion of owning it. The other is the reputation of the dealership (parts/service/support). [I'm not going to throw around percentages that are pretty much pulled out of my arse. ] You'll use the tractor for what you need it for, the dealership is back-up... the better the back-up, the better you feel.

Your own knowledge and the knowledge of your neighbours will tell you the reputation of your area's dealership; any colour. In this day & age, a dealership that has been around for a long time has survived because of it's reputation.

In my own circumstance, all of the different colour dealerships are 2 hours away. I talked with many tractor owners (mostly red Case IH/McCorrmick) before shopping/buying and they honestly praised the JD dealership in Longford. They've lived up to their reputation with me and my little tractor, considering that they mostly deal with larger Ag rigs.

If you've got a good, long term relationship with your MF dealership then that may be a big factor in what colour you decide to go. Ideally, you're going to be dealing with that dealership for the long-term.

 

[DK35vince]

Yes they do.
Many of the LS and Kioti tractors and probably others come standard with SSQA on the loader

I just made a quick stop at the local Yanmar dealer.
Same thing, nearly every tractor on the lot had a SSQA on it.

 

[Wagtail]

I just made a quick stop at the local Yanmar dealer.
Same thing, nearly every tractor on the lot had a SSQA on it.

That's nice.

It still doesn't mean that it's "industry standard" for a tractor's FEL. If you accept a SSQA (designed, of course for a Skid Steer) for a tractor's FEL then you are giving up a significant amount of lifting capacity due to the added weight of the SSQA and the added weight of the welded on SSQA implement attachment plate. If you're fine with that, go for it.

Of course you can always ask the dealership if there are other options for FEL quick attaches. In the future, when purchasing a new implement for your FEL, you simply tell them what FEL QA you have and it's delivered in that configuration.

I happen to have the JDQA on my 300CX. I ordered my 4in1 bucket and combination hay-spears/forks in that configuration; easy peasy. Mates of mine have the GlobalQA as it's the best system to how they use their tractors (they're all Case IH).

What I'm getting at is, now the OP knows that there are other options out there. The SSQA is designed for a Skid Steer. That it can also be mounted on a tractor's FEL is an option.

 

[paulfun9]

I wouldn't buy a tractor that didn't come with the SSQA system

Seems to me the only ones that don't consider it the industry standard is JD and the Faithfull cool aid drinkers!

 

[Agvg]

The MF 231 i find on pics looks like the std MF 200 tractor design, its still made so parts should not be a problem.
The same basic body has been in production since 1957 and probably stil be made for decades to come.

 

[Wagtail]

I wouldn't buy a tractor that didn't come with the SSQA system

Seems to me the only ones that don't consider it the industry standard is JD and the Faithfull cool aid drinkers!

G'day Paul and thanks for the laugh. I suppose that simply pointing out to the OP (and others) that there are alternatives to the SSQA system is somehow wrong, in your opinion of course.

You are indeed entitled to your opinions... just not to your own facts.

I hope that you continue to enjoy your reduced FEL lifting capacity due to your choice of heavier quick attach system.

 

[daugen]

you are giving up a significant amount of lifting capacity due to the added weight of the SSQA and the added weight of the welded on SSQA implement attachment plate. If you're fine with that, go for it.
............
I hope that you continue to enjoy your reduced FEL lifting capacity due to your choice of heavier quick attach system

I have to admit I got a chuckle out of this. Unless you are talking about a very small SCUT, I can't imagine the extra hundred pounds would make a big difference, but then I put a too heavy grapple on my Kubota so I fully understand "weight out front". I think this is a fair point to make, but SSQA is the best thing since sliced bread.

I'm also amazed a MF with 1300 hours on it would be considered worn out, if it's an old Perkins design, like what I have,
they are just getting broken in...
but I can't imagine a tractor without a FEL and 4wd is great, so good decision to change for more utility.

let's be gentle with each other, we are all learning here.