Bought a '98 1215

[Iplayfarmer]

I've now entered the world of Massey Ferguson owners. This week I took the long way around on a business trip and bought a 1998 1215 with about 500 hours on it.

The PTO shaft is busted, but the rest of the tractor is in fair enough shape. The dealership I'm buying it from has the new PTO shaft and all the manuals, etc. I should need to replace it.

Wish me luck with that project.

Additionally, I plan to put a loader on it somehow. If anyone has some recommendations for a good aftermarket loader that fits this model, I'd appreciate knowing. I've got a loader on my old Iseki TX1500 that I may try to modify to fit the 1215, but I'd rather have one that is made for the 1215.

I'm looking forward to 4X4, power steering, pedal driven hydro, ROPS, hazard lights and local dealer support.

Now I just have to wait for them to deliver it.

 

[WilliamBos]

Congrats!!! Be sure to post pics when you get it!!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Congrats!!! Be sure to post pics when you get it!!

Thanks.

Here's the link to the sales page for it in the mean time.

 

[JerryG]

I like that. I wish I had one that size for my wife's garden. Or many be I should say, she would like to have one that size.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I like that. I wish I had one that size for my wife's garden. Or many be I should say, she would like to have one that size.

I just have to laugh whenever I'm talking to dealers or other tractor guys about what I want. They keep trying to tell me that I should just wait and get a "real" tractor.

My place is small enough that a "real" tractor would have a hard time getting in and out of places. The 15 to 20 HP range seems to be the perfect size for what I need.

 

[WilliamBos]

The size is what attracted us to our 1523. It is perfect for what we use it for.

When do you get it??

 

[Iplayfarmer]

When do you get it??

I told the salesman to stick on any truck coming my direction in the next month. That way I hope to avoid shipping costs. If I haven't seen it by the end of April, I'll make a special trip down to get it. It's about a 250 mile round trip.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I just got off the phone with the dealer. It looks like we're going to try to meet each other halfway this Saturday. The work is piling up, and I'm eager to have the tractor.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I was delayed by a week, but I just unloaded the tractor at my home about 10 minutes ago. It's dark now, so no pics until tomorrow.

I'm so excited to have a working tractor again!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here are the long awaited pictures...

 

[philbuilt]

Iplay,
Congrats on the new tractor it should be a great addition to the trailer.
Did the tiller come with it?
Phil

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplay,
Congrats on the new tractor it should be a great addition to the trailer.
Did the tiller come with it?
Phil

The tractor was an old rental that the guy traded in to the Deere dealer. The salesman at the Deere dealership suggested that I talk to the rental place to get any history, etc. on the tractor. As I was talking to the rental guy he mentioned that he still had the tiller that was used with it. He made me a pretty good deal on it and threw in a bunch of filters and spare parts for the tractor.

I don't know if that counts as "came with it" or not.

 

[DreaminGreen]

Congrats on the new machine Iplayfamer. Looks like you got yourself a versatile little powerhouse. any luck on a loader for it ?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Congrats on the new machine Iplayfamer. Looks like you got yourself a versatile little powerhouse. any luck on a loader for it ?

I severely underestimated the price of a loader. One of the problems is that shipping costly to where I'm at are pretty high. It seems that compared to other parts of the country, all machinery is pretty high here.

I took some measurements, though, and the loader on my Iseki TX 1500 will fit this newer Massey, but I'll have to make a new subframe. I don't know how easy the new subframe will be.

On a side note, though; I noticed that my old tractor and my new tractor are actually made by the same company. The tag on the MF 1215 says "Iseki & Company; Tokyo, Japan" right on it.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

As I use this Massey more, I like it more.

Draft control is WAY cool! This tractor handles my 5 foot box blade a lot better than my old tractor did.

There's definately some maintenance I need to do. There are a few bulbs out, and I spent 30 minutes tonight with a 24' pipe wrench and a vise getting the 3pt. sway chain adjusters apart so that I could grease them and make them adjustable again.

I'm also not sure if the 4 wheel drive is working. If one of my back wheels is spinning, shouldn't one of my front wheels be spinning too?