Snapper 1855 Project
121 - 140 of 167 Posts
Joined
·
669 Posts
Bob,
After comparing this to all the other big garden tractors out there, I'd say this is my favorite tractor as well. I recently picked up a Cub Cadet 2082 "Cyclops" for mowing about 2 acres (and I later found a nice 45" snowblower for snow removal that I'll be using). I also got a Sears FF20 this Spring. I'll discuss these purchases in another thread. I've checked out the big John Deere 400 series tractors, and some of the big Ariens GT series as well. I have to say that the Massey Ferguson is my pick for the the top tractor out of all of them. The only thing that it is missing is power steering.
There have been many great purchases made this Spring. As I mentioned, I got a Cub Cadet 2082, a Sears FF20, an Ariens ST1032 snowblower, a 45" 2 stage, hydraulic lift snowblower attachment for my Cub Cadet, and then the two rare category 0, 2000 RPM attachments for a mere $250 each........a John Deere 260 model 5 ft rear finish mower (made for the 318 and 420 garden tractors), and a Cub Cadet model 48, 4 ft rear tiller. I'll be using these attachments on my Massey Ferguson 1855 along with the 4 ft box blade and 5 ft rear landscape rake that I picked up last year. This Massey Ferguson will be quite the versatile workhorse, at a fraction of a cost of a newer Sub Compact Utility tractor........around here people selling these tractors apparently think they're made of gold.
Joined
·
669 Posts
Well I picked up another Massey Ferguson today. It's a 1655 with a rear 3 point hitch, rear PTO, a rare option of a third hydraulic valve (note the three levers on the right side of the fender), and it even had the factory hub cabs. I stopped in to inquire about it and long story short, the owner wanted it gone. We agreed on a price and I came home with it......it's actually pretty decent, but there were some "modifications" like the hood mounted AM radio. It looks like the previous owner had lots of ignition problems and then just gave up on it. The plastic dash and console are in amazing condition too, which you barely ever see. And the tractor has only 471 hours on the working factory original hour meter.
Attachments
Joined
·
669 Posts
First off, thanks for the kind words, guys!
And regarding the extra hydraulic spool, I've only seen one other Massey that had this option and I wondered the same exact thing. The answer is, they're for NOTHING. I couldn't believe it. There are just two plugs in each port of the third hydraulic spool. I guess it was there for the owner to decide what he wanted to do with it and plumb whatever to it.
I thought about adding a hydraulic top link to my Massey 1855 and using the auxiliary hydraulic spool to control it. I've spent hours and hours searching and researching and I don't really know if I want to do it, because of price and the fact that the shortest hydraulic cylinder that will work, is a couple inches longer than the relatively short Massey Ferguson original top link that came on the 1855.
I thought about using this..........
http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraulics/Hydraulic-Cylinders/Double-Acting-Hydraulic-Cylinders/1X4X0-625-DA-HYD-CYL-SWIVEL-EYES-9-7257-4.axd
But then people say you need check valves otherwise there will be cylinder fade, and that adds even more to the cost and then you've over $200. I still don't know what direction I'd go.
Joined
·
669 Posts
Another update for you guys. I finally got my MF641 cart together. What I ended up doing was using John Deere 316 front wheels with the 1" ID bearings. I simply painted the wheels MF silver, mounted my tires and then my dad and I drilled and tapped holes in the axle ends for the bearing caps/retainers. I used the John Deere bearing caps/retainers as well. I bolted everything together and now I have a cart with bearings instead of bushings, so it can handle more weights and it'll wear less. It's a great upgrade for the MF carts and not too difficult or expensive to do. I still need to finish painting the cart body MF red and add some decals, but right now it's rolling and looking great. It was a very inexpensive project that will be VERY useful.
Joined
·
669 Posts
I've been plugging away on this project, including doing a lot of bodywork.....a lot! But it's been paying off and it's getting very close to being done. I'll get some pictures tomorrow, and I have to say that I'm very happy with how it's turning out. The only issue is that it's going to be so nice that now I most likely won't want to use it........but that's OK because I just picked up a Ford LGT 195 w/ a 60" deck that I'll be using for work around the house.
Joined
·
669 Posts
I got the hood all wet sanded and buffed and the decals installed, and I'm very happy with how it turned out.
Attachments
Joined
·
669 Posts
Thanks, Dan. I have been parting out the other tractors. If there's anything you might need, feel free to let me know.
Joined
·
10 Posts
Your hood looks incredible!. I had a Massey 1655. It was the most efficient tractor to plow snow I ever used. The only reason I got rid of it was it was part of many items that I had to liquidate in order to buy a zero turn some 6 years ago (wife). Fortunately, my friend wanted it and we worked a labor trade deal. I still have access to use it anytime. My friend loves the tractor and has the mechanical knowledge to keep it in good repair. The only downfall as the mower deck timing belts. They would cut through anything, but I had to have my deck rebuilt twice (timing gears and all) for running in too thick of pasture and mowing a large branch and piece of steel pipe. I can't wait to see your completed 1855.
John
John
Joined
·
669 Posts
John,
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it. I really, really love these tractors too. I'd take one over ANY new John Deere or Cub Cadet. The MF, even being as old as it is, has foot operated drive, hydraulic control valves on the right side fender, and all the features and build quality (including the HUGE size of them) make them almost the perfect garden tractor. Like you mentioned, the timed mowing deck is a downfall, but I sold the deck since I have other tractors for mowing, and the lack of power steering is the only shortcomings of these beasts. There's another member here that adapted a Cub Cadet power steering set up onto his Massey Ferguson, so that may be something in the future of this tractor. I'm pretty close to completing this project. It should be all set in the Spring time when the weather gets nice and I can do all the final assembly. These pics were already posted, but it gives you a little better idea how it'll look as it's nearly assembled and where I'm at now (except I have the engine installed now and all the hydraulic lines which isn't shown in these pics).
Attachments
Joined
·
669 Posts
Thanks Kenny, I always appreciate your compliments. I know you're a Ford guy, so when I get this project done I'll be sure to keep up on the updates of my LGT 195 rebuild thread for you.
All of the Massey's have the option of adding the third valve. The holes are already punched in the valve mount and the outline is there on the fender console for cutting out the plastic for the valve handle.
It's for angling the blade, either front or back, hydraulic trailer dumping, a gauge wheel for the back blade to turn it into a grader, or any other use of a small hydraulic cylinder that you can dream up.
It's for angling the blade, either front or back, hydraulic trailer dumping, a gauge wheel for the back blade to turn it into a grader, or any other use of a small hydraulic cylinder that you can dream up.
Joined
·
620 Posts
Hey TUDOR. If I you were to pick up a spare control valve could you pull it apart and add one of the spools to another valve, to make it a 3 spool?
121 - 140 of 167 Posts
