JD vs. MF

[jorswift]

So last year I found (I thought) a steal on a 2005 MF1528 with front loader. The tractor has serviced me well for the year and is starting to show its abuse. It was owned and used by a concrete company. It was left outside in the elements, so its faded and I have had to change almost all hoses. The tractor didnt leak until I changed all fluids with MF recommended oils. It has about 1800 hours on it.

I just picked up a cherry '95 JD 955 with 70A loader, 72" belly mower and 42-46" snowblower. Tractor is a 1 owner and has about 1500 hours on it. By the looks, mainly mowing and throwing snow as the loader bucket looks almost new. No visual leaks or damage.

I know the JD is older and less hours, but which would you keep and why? I can only keep 1 tractor. I only use tractor to maintain 10 acres or woods and prairie. I use a 5-6' brush cutter, 48" tiller, have pallet forks, grader box. My previous tractors were a 1953 Ford Jubilee, JD2240 with loader and a JD4300 with 420 loader. I like that the JD955 has turf tires, but they are only 4ply, so seem weak when I have an implement on the back.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

 

[Fawteen]

I'd keep the JD. Much less likely to have been abused and give you problems down the road. Plus, JD dealers/service are everywhere.

 

[M-MAN]

Only 2 tractors and you want to get rid of 1? What is the world coming to? Lol

 

[jorswift]

Only 2 tractors and you want to get rid of 1? What is the world coming to? Lol

I know right! Sucks, but only have room for one. However, I may take the money from the sale and buy a skid steer..

 

[wore out]

I'd keep the JD. Much less likely to have been abused and give you problems down the road. Plus, JD dealers/service are everywhere.

I'm a John Deere fan, but I'm not so sure here, parts availability for the older YanDeeres is not the best, perhaps this one is still new enough, though.

It would be interesting to know how long MF/Agco will have good support the "1528".

 

[jorswift]

I'm a John Deere fan, but I'm not so sure here, parts availability for the older YanDeeres is not the best, perhaps this one is still new enough, though.

It would be interesting to know how long MF/Agco will have good support the "1528".

Well, I can tell you I couldnt get new decals for the machine from any dealers as they all showed out of stock discontinued. So I had to get someone to take some pics of them and send to a printing place to make. Was bit more costly, but now have all the usable decals, for levers, controls, etc. Helps when having someone help run the tractor.

 

[Janicholson]

Welcome to YT forums and PartsASAP
Both are meeting your needs, But the JD wins my vote for parts/service Jim

 

[dahlin]

It's all in which has the best dealer in your area I would go with the JD we have a very good dealer about 45 miles from us the MF dealer is close to 60 miles and have not dealt with them.

 

[DRussell]

You answered your own question...The MF has seen some abuse while the JD is cherry. Since you can only keep one, keep the one that is in better condition.

A question of one being a 1995 vs one being a 2005 wouldn't even be a consideration for me. Both are considered "pretty new" for me.

 

[Bill of TN]

I'd keep them both.

 

[timcasbolt]

The Deere was an $18000 tractor in 98, the Massey was a $12000 tractor in 09. That tells a lot.

 

[INCase]

You answered your own question...The MF has seen some abuse while the JD is cherry. Since you can only keep one, keep the one that is in better condition.

A question of one being a 1995 vs one being a 2005 wouldn't even be a consideration for me. Both are considered "pretty new" for me.

yeah. both sound pretty new to me too.

but as other said. I'd lean towards the deere which it seems is probably a yanmar built unit which i've gathered are ok tractors. being it has limited use and no apparent abuse that's where i would go. but parts could be an issue since no one seems to want to service anything older. I'd be surprised if the MF wasn't built by someone else too and may be of poorer quality. in my experience commercially used stuff is often either very well maintained or very well NOT maintained so a rough life and poor maintenance would steer me away from the MF as well.

 

[504]

Are you saying someone made tractors after 1970? mine newest is a 1962. Sell the MF and build a bigger shed so you will be ready for the next bargain

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

JD definitely, I don't think MF is the tractor company it was at one time. JD is still strong, just my opinion.

 

[TheBartman47]

Number of hours operation is almost always more important than age. Go with the JD

 

[miangus]

A wise man once told me a man can never have too many tractors. Keep both leave the loader on one and the lawn mower on the other. Are you sure you are a member of the YT community asking such a question, one tractor indeed. The JD will probably have better parts support.

 

[jorswift]

A wise man once told me a man can never have too many tractors. Keep both leave the loader on one and the lawn mower on the other. Are you sure you are a member of the YT community asking such a question, one tractor indeed. The JD will probably have better parts support.

LOL. Whats wrong with me?!?!?

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I’m in the minority I’m sure but I’d pick the Massey.

You can get more money out of the green one

Other considerations since it’s an acreage mini forestry machine there isn’t anything harder on tractors than trees. I’d sell the good one.

Our challenger 575b is the same situation as yours just on a bit bigger scale. It was cheap nobody even here really likes its powershift transmission should have been a cvt. So nobody whines too hard when a tree lands on the hood. And it was easy to wire for running the auger from the ground. There’s a lot to like about that age of agco tractor. Fuel sipping beasts like you wouldn’t believe I filled it’s tank once during harvest.

Fix up your leaks and make sure the red one works ok for everything first then sell your green paint

 

[jddrawbar]

So last year I found (I thought) a steal on a 2005 MF1528 with front loader. The tractor has serviced me well for the year and is starting to show its abuse. It was owned and used by a concrete company. It was left outside in the elements, so its faded and I have had to change almost all hoses. The tractor didnt leak until I changed all fluids with MF recommended oils. It has about 1800 hours on it.

I just picked up a cherry '95 JD 955 with 70A loader, 72" belly mower and 42-46" snowblower. Tractor is a 1 owner and has about 1500 hours on it. By the looks, mainly mowing and throwing snow as the loader bucket looks almost new. No visual leaks or damage.

I know the JD is older and less hours, but which would you keep and why? I can only keep 1 tractor. I only use tractor to maintain 10 acres or woods and prairie. I use a 5-6' brush cutter, 48" tiller, have pallet forks, grader box. My previous tractors were a 1953 Ford Jubilee, JD2240 with loader and a JD4300 with 420 loader. I like that the JD955 has turf tires, but they are only 4ply, so seem weak when I have an implement on the back.

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

Try to buy the JD 2240 back......

 

[m16ty]

It's all in which has the best dealer in your area I would go with the JD we have a very good dealer about 45 miles from us the MF dealer is close to 60 miles and have not dealt with them.

That’s the truth. On newer compact tractors there aren’t a nickel’s worth of difference in any of them, you buy the one that has the best and closest dealer.

We have a JD dealer a lot closer than a Massey, but that dealer is awful. Unless you have a newer 100hp plus tractor or combine, they had just as soon not fool with you.