MF 1533 1540 and other owners opinions/info?

[deanocraft]

Hey Poke, I am not an experienced tractor guy so please excuse me if I am asking a dumb question... I was under the impression that a tractor's gearbox was not synchronized, meaning it was not designed to switch gears while in motion. Other than the Synchro Shuttle function which goes from forward to reverse in all the gears without stopping, I thought you had to stop to change gears... Am I wrong there?

 

[Poke]

If you know how to speed shift, you can do it without anything getting damaged, just have to be careful and not miss the gear.

 

[cglaser104]

I used to drive my stock shift dodge neon without using the clutch after I got past 1st gear. It's all about timing it right

 

[Wolfman]

No problem bringing up new purchase Wolfman, I just think for a similar new model the price difference would be a lot more than 2 or 3 thousand. I do have a concern about the turbo and what is involved with one on a tractor. Did yours have a turbo? If so, any maintenance on yours during couple years of ownership?

Point on dry vs wet clutch is a point to look at further. One question I had originally was, if the shuttle should in high range should pull itself from dead stop w/o stalling.

The shuttle was extremely quiet on the tractor compared to my HST.

Mine did have a turbo, and I never even realized it was there. I think the turbos on these little diesels are pretty solid, and I really wouldn't worry too much if the tractor was maintained well and received its scheduled oil changes. I always let my tractor idle briefly before shutting down after running it hard to let the oil circulate through the turbo before shutting it down.

The tractor I just traded in was a 45 horsepower John Deere that was a gear tractor. I was able to start in high range 4th but it never sounded like it was happy about it, but didn't stall. If I wanted to use a high gear in high range I would usually use the foot throttle while taking my foot off the clutch, sort of like in a car.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I had a 2007 1540 with a FEL and Powershuttle. It was a *fantastic* tractor. Easily the quietest tractor I'd ever owned or seen, it started instantly even in very cold weather, and was well-made from end-to-end. Unfortunately, I ended up having to sell it in 2009 after the economy tanked and my construction company lost 70% of its business.

In 2013, I bought another MF, this time a 1643 Hydro with a FEL, and while it is overall an improved tractor vs. the previous one, the 1540 was quieter, had better fuel economy, started a little better, and I liked the floor mounted loader joystick better than the fender mounted one on the 1600 series.

Selling the 1540 was difficult because it was the finest tractor I had ever used (I grew up on a farm that my parents still own) up to that point and obviously if I hadn't sold it, I never would have purchased the (slightly improved) 1643.

 

[Tompet]

Well, I got everything answered with buying the tractor! Thanks for replies.

Attached are a few pix. Seller lowered the price to $11K for both tractor, fel and brush hog. So I look at it as tractor/fel with 280 hours for $9,800 and Woods BrushBull for $1,200 or however you want to break it out. Great deal IMO.

Tried out the tractor for a couple hours on about a 7 acre field and it handles the 72 cutter very well and was comfortable to boot. Would have preferred power shuttle over synchro shuttle, but beggars can't be choosy! Sensitive seat switch stalled tractor a couple times, but other than that it is a smooth running machine.

Anyone know what company manufactured the 1500 series loaders for Massey?

 

[TSO]

Good looking machine.

Loader built by Radius Steel, Soo Tractor Division. That division is now closed... Either because Massey/AGCO decided to contact ALO-Quicke for loaders OR, Massey/AGCO switched because Soo was closing down.

 

[Tompet]

Good looking machine.

Loader built by Radius Steel, Soo Tractor Division. That division is now closed... Either because Massey/AGCO decided to contact ALO-Quicke for loaders OR, Massey/AGCO switched because Soo was closing down.

Thanks for info.
I was hoping to find the Massey SS q/a for the 1525 loader, but it was dropped from the Massey whole goods catalog (part#7541710). So I thought maybe trying the OEM builder for one. A dealer somewhere probably has one or surplus stock from OEM, but seems like aftermarket is what's available.

 

[deanocraft]

Congratulations! Your bargaining Kung Fu is the best! That looks like an excellent deal.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

That is a screaming deal, IMO. 280 hours is nothing.

Not particularly a fan of the SynchroShuttle, but that's only because my experience with the PowerShuttle (and now the Hydro) was so good.