Buying Advice 2008 MF 435 72 hp Information about this model tractor

[jthorne]

Does anyone have any information or experience with Massey Ferguson 435 Tractors. I have the specifications from various websites but haven't any first hand information from people that have an MF 435 Tractor. The specifications indicate enough power for my needs doing road repairs and digging shale from my quarry to surface my road, but i can't find any information about whether this model the has any common problems. The one I am looking at has about 2,000 hours and is eight years old and has a FEL attached. Any info on fuel consumption when slashing grass paddocks would be useful too. The asking price is $35,000 AUD which is equivalent presently to about $25,000 USD. Any advice very much appreciated. Many Thanks for your help, Jon

 

[SDT]

I have no first hand experience with the MF 435 but did buy new MF tractors in both 2007 and 2012.

Both MF/AGCO and their dealer treated me very badly.

Never again.

SDT

 

[jthorne]

Thanks for your input SDT, I'm getting a bit more concerned about the MF 435 72 HP 4 Litre Perkins Direct Injection Tractor as I can't find many anywhere with a google search. There are only two for sale in Australia, one in New Zealand and it doesn't seem like there are any others around so I'm wondering if it was a model that was only short lived, i.e. not many produced. Has anyone heard of the Massey Ferguson 435 72 HP Tractor. The Data for it exists at TractorData.com but that is it. Tractor Data states that this model is made in Brazil, does that raise any red flags? I don't want to buy myself a problem that I will have difficulty obtaining parts and advice for.
Thanks, Jon.

 

[TSO]

My experience with Massey units are direct opposite of SDT... My units have been rock solid and the dealers I've used have been fantastic.

My experience is with a 48 & 52 HP units, both Japan built by Iseki for Massey/AGCO.

Like SDT, I don't have personal experience with the 435. But, check to see where it was made. If it was made in India, it is likely a TAFE unit. The TAFE Massey's don't have the best reputation. They appear to be a budget utility tractor. Some of those same units were also made in Brazil, and if that is the case with the one you're looking at, you might want to skip it

 

[jthorne]

Thanks TSO, I came to the same conclusion yesterday after having a good look at the tractor. It appeared to be a sound unit but I couldn't reconcile the price being asked as it it 8 years old and has 1750 hours and only 3 months power-train warranty compared to a brand new MF 74HP with 4 in 1 Loader with full 2 years warranty for only $10,000 AUD ($7,000 USD) more dollars. I ended up buying a Kubota L4600 with Loader and 5' slasher, but has full 2 year parts, labour and travel warranty. The Kubota is not as much power as I would have liked but it will be much better fuel consumption and will be able to get into more places on my property than the MF435. The MF 435 is made in Brazil which for some reason also made me feel uncomfortable and your comments have confirmed my gut feeling.
I would have liked to have a bit more weight and 50 HP or more but 46.3 HP at 2,600 rpm will do what I need. Thanks again for the reply. Cheers, Jon

 

[seandavis]

Does anyone have any information or experience with Massey Ferguson 435 Tractors.

I have a MF 435 from new. 1050 hours. Replaced water pump, clutch, alternator, fixed wiring short, and all those issues are not too bad. But I had had twice transmission failure which each time broke gear mounts to diff housing and 13k to repair Each time with new diff housing. So my experience is allow 40k for repairs every 1000 hours. Other 435's in the area also had problems including exploding clutch breaking housing. Don't rely on AGCO to help except each time they had a diff housing in stock at an arm and a leg which makes me wonder why would they carry such an expensive part that should never be replaced.