MF 725

[jimg]

Im going to look at a couple MF 725 mower conditioners shortly and wondered what you all could tell me about them. From what little I can dig up theyre pretty well liked and seem to last pretty well. The rollers are a bit different than Im used to, one is rubber and the other steel. Seems like it would condition rather agressively. Any help would be apprecaited...

 

[jimg]

If it helps at all the 725 and 925 are only different in cut width...725 is 7' cut and 925 is 9'.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm not 100% positive, but I'm thinking those were actually built by Hesston. You may find more info on Hesston's version of the same. My bro-in-law had a Hesston 9' cut moco that shared common parts with a simular MF model. He liked it and had good luck with it. He was rough on equipment, so it must have been a tough machine. Not sure of model # he had. (Equipment sold and BIL/sister now living in Fla.)

And that's about as helpful as I can be on the subject.

 

[farmerjim]

the only thing i would be leary about is the age of those machines, and the parts availibility. they're an agco product so parts are probably around. i would def look at the wobble box and the drive stuff make sure its in good shape. also check the rollers for missing rubber and dents in the steel, these are expensive to replace if they even still make them for that machine. good luck.

 

[jimg]

From the little I can find about it the maker was supposed to be Badger and this particualar mdl was also sold under the Badger and Vammer names. Thats about all I can find. The current owner says hes never had any problems w/ them (2 for sale) and used them until last yr when he got a discbine.

Therell be enough grass around by the time I look them over so I thought we'd power 'em up and see what that looks like.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Vermeer made a few hayin' tools for Massey, so that may be right. I'd suggest PM-ing Mark @ CCI (TBN member) for his input. I believe they're Vermeer dealers, as well as his strong background in hay equipment.

 

[jimg]

So I copied that name from another source (ytmag). It was written that way in a couple places by diff people I think so I assumed it wasnt Vermeer.

To asnwer another point brought up about parts. This one has me concerned as I dont know how old these units are. I was going to drop by the Agco dealer and find out what I might expect. If I cant get parts then Ill have to part one machine out to keep the other running. At some point Im sure Ill run into parts that arent good on either machine and which arent available. So parts is a big issue.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Being a bit of a Massey Ferguson fanatic, this thread has peaked my curiosity. And it seems that there isn't a great deal of info floating about the 'net on this one. I have found 725/925 manuals at several sites. Print dates are as early as 1978. I found a pair of 925 "parts machines" ($1000 for both) that were listed as 1982 models. So we're talking 25 to 30 years old. If that were a Massey TRACTOR, I'd say no doubt about parts availability. Being an implement, and possibly one built by another manufacturer for MF/AGCO, it's anyones guess.

Also located a used 725 in "good" condition, listed at $1500. (Murray Kentucky)

 

[zzvyb6]

If you only need one mower, take the 9 footer. You'll need a rake to make good hay, and almost all rakes start at 9' accomodation. A 7 footer, even if you can put it in windrow formation mode, will be tricky to collect its output.

It can be done, just that 9', 12', and 16' mower and rake systems are the norm.

 

[jimg]

Farmw/junk: The current owner says hes used them for many years w/o any probs. He got the 2nd as a parts machine but uses (or did until he got a discbine) them both b/c they work OK. He thinks theyre 70s vintage. I just havent yet had time to stop by the local MF dealer to see what I can expect for parts. Ill likely do that the day I look the machines over. As for price hes willing to part w/ both for $900. While the price seems right Im concerned about age and parts availability. LOL, the last thing I need right now is a project. OTOH I will have 2 working machines.

Would you mind passing pointers to the manuals? I didnt find those when I was searching.