[AT] TMCOTKU tractor count is down by one.

[Cecil Bearden]

I grew up with Massey Fergusons, from a to-35 to a MF50D, to a MF65, to 
both Diesel and LP MF85's, a MF1100, and then finally a MF1155.  The 
1100 was the best of all of them.  The 1155 was built when Massey had 
some union problems and that tractor was the worst about keeping 
hydraulics working of any one I owned.  It seemed like overnight it 
would either drop a gallon of fluid or just stop working. The Multi 
Power would quit at the drop of a hat.  The PTO never worked from the 
day it was new.  I pulled the top deck and found a missing snap ring 
when it was 11 years old.

When I got on a 930 c ase after being away from one for over 20 years, I 
was plowing with a 5 bottom case plow working up terraces.  I had 
forgotten what fresh earth smelled like.  The old small MF tractors had 
you sitting straddling the transmission.  You had all that heat from the 
trans and the engine all day long.  That housing got pretty warm after a 
day of plowing.  I had forgotten how enjoyable driving a tractor was 
when you sat on top of it instead of down in it.  However for utility 
work you still cannot beat them for size and maneuverability.  I wish I 
had one to run the grain wagon while I plant some oats.   I gt to go and 
get some parts right now for the TYE drill I bought.  I am going to use 
it to plant my wheat field in oats and just let the frost get the weeds 
this time.  I don't have time to do much now since I am the nurse for my 
DAD who is bedfast.  2 days a week I get relief, then I have to feed and 
change him every 2 to 3 hours.  That can really screw up a working day...

Cecil in OKla

Steve W. wrote:
> Al Jones wrote:
>> Well yes, they cast a very similar shadow.  But the IH was built so much
>> better.  I believe you could drop a 424 or 444 IH off the side of the grand
>> canyon, and once it hit bottom, you could crank it up and drive it out. 
>> (Unless it landed in the river in which case you would have to dry it out
>> first!)  Then, you got an 8 speed transmission.  And better hydraulics. Etc.
> 
> If I showed you my 35 you might just think it made that trip.....
> It's had it's (and a few others) share of abuse.
> When it was on the farm it was THE tractor, anything done on the farm it
> did (even after he got a low hour TO-20). Not sure how many hours are on
> it but he bought it new and ran it until about 1998.
> 
>> What I have been trying to say is, Ford/ Ferg. might have pioneered the
>> small, light weight, low-bodied tractor, but IH, JD, and others "refined"
>> it and made it something way more useful. With the other choices on the
>> market now, similarly priced, and many now old enough to be called a
>> "classic," I just can't understand why somebody would spend the money on
>> the Ferd/Furg.
>>
>> But, to each his own! :)
>>
>> Al
> 
> The main reason I like them is simple, I grew up with them. :-)
> The TO-20 was MY tractor on the farm, I used it a bunch and even skidded
> more than a few LARGE logs with it. (most were large enough that to
> steer it down out of the woods and up to the drop I never touched the
> steering wheel, But I did wear out 2 sets of brake shoes!!!)
> 
>