Massey Ferguson 30 Drill or similar required for new farmer starting out

[Lowland1]

We used to pull a 20 row MF 30 with a Ford 4000 we then went to a 4m with a 6610 two wheel drive 6th gear 1800 rpm approx 6 mph no problem.A relative pulled a 6 m with a 2 wheel drive John Deere 3050

 

[two-cylinder]

Just be aware the Reekie Harrow can bung up if there is much damp trash about, especially if it has pre emergence markers in the Harrow. It might not be such a problem on heavier land as the clods help rumble the trash through but on sand here the slightest bit of straw will cause the Harrow to gather soil and bulldoze. If you replace the Harrow tines then replace them with vaddy tines that have a cranked trailing end rather than straight up and down Reekie tines. That way the Harrow will clear trash more easily. Wish I’d done that.
I’d go for the coarser metering units as well rather than the 14 (?) flute rollers which don’t increase output in proportion with speed. Watch the metering units for rust pushing the plastic off and jamming the tongues open giving high flow. They are quite long in the tooth but will do a reasonable job if you look after them. It’s better if it comes with the 20 tooth drive sprockets as well and with the wider tyres. If it’s seen fertiliser then I’d walk away.
Good luck.

On light land the Reekie tines need to be widely spaced to allow free passage of trash, we altered ours to just one tine running between each rear coulter.
The ten flute metering rollers are more accurate than the 5 flute ones, on all but the biggest seeds.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

The farm is 3 fields, 2 of which (25ac) are arable at the moment. They are all next to the yard. Current contractor gets a decent sized combine in no bother. End tow would be a nice luxury though in case I needed to go further afield in future.....

25ac? a 4M would drill that in morning, with a lie in.

 

[adam_farming]

25ac? a 4M would drill that in morning, with a lie in.

Thats the plan. Well, maybe more like come home from my full time (part time by farming standards) job and have a relaxing evening drilling, and be drilled up by tea time on the first day. Then a lie in the next day?

 

[DrWazzock]

One reason my shed doors and gate holes are minimum 20 feet is so I can get the MF30 and combine in and out without the clat of folding up.

 

[adam_farming]

Well, this is no longer a “wanted” thread!

 

[mahammad]

Well, this is no longer a “wanted” thread!

Is this mf drill for sale?

 

[Shutesy]

Is this mf drill for sale?

No he just bought it presumably

 

[adam_farming]

Is this mf drill for sale?

I have owned it for less than 24 hours, and given the adventures we had getting it home, I will be holding on to it for a while

 

[adam_farming]

Question:

Why have I got 31 outlets? The manual says it should have 21 or 36. I've definitely counted them correctly!

 

[bobk]

Question:

Why have I got 31 outlets? The manual says it should have 21 or 36. I've definitely counted them correctly!

I thought it was 23 or 31

31 is 4 1/4 inch spacings , 23 is 5 7/8 iirc

 

[David.]

There is the basics of a 30 tine drill here in non working order and no wheels.
Anybody want the thing for spares before I scrap it?

 

[two-cylinder]

Question:

Why have I got 31 outlets? The manual says it should have 21 or 36. I've definitely counted them correctly!

That's because you have an older manual, the 31 outlet model was introduced later.
Yours is one of the last 30's - it has the late decals.

 

[renewablejohn]

There is the basics of a 30 tine drill here in non working order and no wheels.
Anybody want the thing for spares before I scrap it?

What model number is it. I am struggling for bits on an older MF drill but some parts are supposed to be the same on the newer drills. Do you have pictures so I could compare.

 

[glasshouse]

I thought it was 23 or 31

31 is 4 1/4 inch spacings , 23 is 5 7/8 iirc

31 is 5.2 inches
23 row is 6 and 7/8 inch

 

[adam_farming]

That's because you have an older manual, the 31 outlet model was introduced later.
Yours is one of the last 30's - it has the late decals.

Thanks, I assume most of the manual still applies?

The farm I got it from used to have a few of these drills so perhaps they got mixed up. I like how the manual has all sorts of useful info you don't get on the modern stuff, like "how to use this drill on a Zetor/Ford/International"

 

[renewablejohn]

Anyone know if parts on a 30 will fit onto a 762. Checked mine and its a 1967 762 so there is no wonder I dont see many about. Only 15 rows but apparantly makes a good poormans no till drill.

 

[Lincsman]

Anyone know if parts on a 30 will fit onto a 762. Checked mine and its a 1967 762 so there is no wonder I dont see many about. Only 15 rows but apparantly makes a good poormans no till drill.

Not a 728?.. dad had one and there is nothing on it thats like a 30.

 

[Exfarmer]

Anyone know if parts on a 30 will fit onto a 762. Checked mine and its a 1967 762 so there is no wonder I dont see many about. Only 15 rows but apparantly makes a good poormans no till drill.

Never heard of a 762, perhaps you can post a picture?

 

[renewablejohn]

Not a 728?.. dad had one and there is nothing on it thats like a 30.

No its a 762 corn and fertilizer drill on small fergie front wheels and 15 seed tubes with 3 point link cut off of seed.