MF 290

KGRClare

Hi lads,
looking at getting myself a 2 wheel drive tractor. ideally id like a MF 390 but the budget cant stretch that far. Are the MF 290's as bullet proof as the 390's? anyone have anything good or bad to stay about them? they seem alright money and id imagine they'll become more sought after over time.

Cheers, KGR

MF290

My completely unbiased opinion is that they are a brilliant machine altogether

tractorporn

Have a 275 here has given very little bother. Had to replace the clutch two years ago but the one that came out was the one that was in it from new.

tanko

They're probably the most popular two wheel drive tractor in my area. Finding a safe one mightn't be that easy. They're getting on in years at this stage. One with a reconditioned engine and some work done to it would be a good buy i think.

selectamatic

Good solid simple tractor. They come with a variety of cabs not sure which is best but that'll impact heavily on the desirability of the tractor in years to come so make sure ya get all the info off one of the Massey men before ya commit to a purchase.
As a matter of interest what sorta work will you be doing with it and more importantly on what sorta land? 2wd Masseys of that vintage weren't the greatest of tractors on wet heavy land they're too heavy at the front and too light at the back. There are other arguably better/cheaper tractors to be had but for simplicity and parts support throughout Ireland masseys are a solid choice.

X6.430macman

Jasus those 275 are super rare. Seen alot of 290s but only one 275. The Duncan cab was the cheapest I think and the sankey was the top cab to have.

tractorporn

X6.430macman wrote:

Jasus those 275 are super rare. Seen alot of 290s but only one 275. The Duncan cab was the cheapest I think and the sankey was the top cab to have.

Our one has a sankey cab it was the main tractor here up until the kubota was bought last year. I'm hoping to get her tarted up over the summer she needs a little tlc.

Sami23

KGRClare wrote: »

Hi lads,
looking at getting myself a 2 wheel drive tractor. ideally id like a MF 390 but the budget cant stretch that far. Are the MF 290's as bullet proof as the 390's? anyone have anything good or bad to stay about them? they seem alright money and id imagine they'll become more sought after over time.

Cheers, KGR

What sort of budget are we talking about ?

blue5000

Neighbour had one on a diet feeder for I'd say 25 years. I hope it's not the same one, they are a credit to MF, in that it's amazing how long a tractor will stay going on diesel alone.

KGRClare

cheers lads, they seem good then from yer feedback.
about the 6 grand - 8ish mark is the budget. there seems to be a few cleanish ones around for that. The land is on the wet side but its mainly for winter yard work and then topping, cutting and turning during the drier months.

CHOPS01

Anyone know what kind of money would lads be charging to open up a 265.
Problem here in that the pto lever isn't controlling the pto itself. So she is constantly spinning for the last ed month's.(cover always on)

tanko

CHOPS01 wrote: »

Anyone know what kind of money would lads be charging to open up a 265.
Problem here in that the pto lever isn't controlling the pto itself. So she is constantly spinning for the last ed month's.(cover always on)

My 590 has been doing that for the last 13 years. AFAIK a new PTO pack costs a lot of money, maybe your tractor has the same problem.

CHOPS01

Take it you have bother tractor or do you manage away.
Thought of having to drive to field with spreader or topper with the pto not attached them having to stop the tractor hook it up and then take off seems like a pain in the balls. But for the sake of the 10 or 12 times that I need to do that during the course of the year twould hardly seem worth it to fork out big money.

tanko

CHOPS01 wrote: »

Take it you have bother tractor or do you manage away.
Thought of having to drive to field with spreader or topper with the pto not attached them having to stop the tractor hook it up and then take off seems like a pain in the balls. But for the sake of the 10 or 12 times that I need to do that during the course of the year twould hardly seem worth it to fork out big money.

If the spreader or topper is on the tractor the PTO will stop spinning most of the the time when turned off. It's ok when the mower or Haybob is on, if there's nothing on the pto it sometimes stays on. I always turn the tractor off when putting the pto shaft on. You could ask your mechanic about it.