Massey-Ferguson 251

[unaka]

I have been talking with the local MF dealer about this new model tractor. I am in the market for my first tractor, but have worked many a tractor in my lifetime. With FEL, he quoted me $19,500 delivered. The 251 has 48 EHP and is 2wd.

I plan on looking at a Kubota to compare. I liked the MF dealer's attitude and he is much closer to my farm that the Kubota dealer, so I'm leaning towards MF.

Can anyone give me advice as to whether or not this sounds like a decent price, deal, etc?

Thanks very much

Jason

 

[Knight9]

Any chance of getting that with 4wd?? The 4wd makes a big difference.

Kevin

 

[unaka]

Kevin,

The 4wd is available, but would add about $4k to the price. I need to stay under 20k. In my life I've used 2 and 4wd tractors and have gotten both types stuck.

Thank for the reply

Jason

 

[cowboydoc]

For 23k you could get a loader and the 4600 or 4700 JD. Doesn't sound like too good of a deal to me.

 

[unaka]

Richard,

Thanks for the reply. The JD's you mentioned, does 4600 mean 46hp, and so on? If so, then it sounds like the MF would be a better deal because the tactor and loader together was $19.5k, compared to $23k for the JD, or am I missing something?

Thanks again

Jason

 

[TBone]

Unaka, I bought a 231S Massey Ferguson about a year ago (45 HP - No FEL). It has the Perkins engine and except for the engine noise, I like the tractor. It is a little noisy for my taste but I am getting used to it. The tractor handles well, has plenty of power for me and is comfortable. Like you, the MF dealers (3 nearby) were close to me and I knew getting parts and service would not be a problem. My advice would be to TAKE YOUR TIME. Ask the dealers for some demonstration time if possible and get the one that suits your needs and your budget.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Jason,

I'll assume the 251 is a brand new unit this year... Is this a Turbo Perkins 900 series?

Couple years back I was itching to upgrade from my Massey 165, and really liked the 271. To make a long story short, they up'd the 271 to 271X @ 59 PTO hp, the street price was $14,900. w/o loader and I believe the loader ~ $3100.

So... the prices are about the same if not more competitive and you should mention to your Massey dealer... "your buddy bought a 271x w/ loader last year for $18k, what can you do?"

Again, market prices have big swings in pricing as you're probably aware... take a look @ the John Deere Advantage series... the JD5205 48 PTO HP with independent PTO {does the 251 have indepent?} street price of $16,600 - 2wd, loader ~ $3500., just a hair above your magic $20k.

One last thing, I know you have that lid of $20k, but consider a 4WD option for ~$3800 more... spread out over 15-20 years is minuscule... the benefits of 4WD over the long haul far out weigh that dollar differences on day one.

Good luck Jason, let us know what you end up doing...

 

[unaka]

John,

Thanks for your excellent and informative post.

FYI.... Unaka is the small community in Western NC where I live. It's out in the middle of nowhere on Hiwassee lake, just like I like it.

I actually drove a 271X, which is last year's model. This year it's a 271XE. Basically it's the same tractor.
I liked everything about the 271X except the size. It is huge! I don't know how I would haul it around or park it in my barn for that matter. The dealer said he would make me a good deal on the 271X but then I noticed the 251 (and yes, it is a brand new model, just came out, no idependent, but a live PTO). It is much smaller, has the platform like the 271, and uses a smaller, alas less expensive FEL. It doesn't have quite the hp, but 48 should be all I need. I square bale now but I may have to go to round bales one day as help is getting harder to find. My wife and I alone put up 427 square bales this weekend, and we're still sore. I think 48hp is plenty to pull a round baler.

I've thought a lot about the idea of 4wd. Other than maybe not getting stuck as much, what are the advantages of the 4wd. Is it safer in a rollover situation? I need convincing that it's worth the extra $3800. Anyone have any stories or examples about 4wd vs 2wd?

Thanks again and I look forward to more replies.

Jason

 

[cowboydoc]

Jason,
John pretty much summed it up on the JD. What I was talking about was that you could get a JD for what you could get the Massey for. If you want to use a round baler though go with the 5000 series. As far as 4wd you are getting alot more weight in the front end which is going to make you much more stable. For me it has helped me out of alot of places. I wouldn't have another one without it. Can you get by without it? Certainly. But it's just one more thing that saves you from having to be pulled out, gives you more pulling power, more weight, etc. Basically you substantially increase the useability of your tractor.

 

[Bird]

Jason, on big tractors, perhaps the 4WD is not quite as important as it is on the smaller ones. There's no doubt I've have been stuck many times on my little tractors if I hadn't had 4WD, but with it (knock on wood), I've never gotten one to the point that I couldn't drive it out. However, I notice in this area (farming country) that more and more of the big full time farmers are going to 4WD. One guy in the hay business with 3 John Deere in the 100 to 120hp range only has 2WD, but puts duals on when he's plowing. He told me he'll never buy another new one without 4WD; that it gives you about 25% more pulling power with the same horsepower. And I don't know where he came up with that number of 25%, but I don't doubt it because I sometimes have to use the 4WD to pull plows.

Bird