MF 3080 - Restore or change?

[Juggler]

My 1989 3080 is starting to look a bit tired, I'm only the third owner from new, it's original owner had it for 3 years, its been with me for last 6 years, and everything in between with someone who really looked after it, it was a credit to them when it came here, all still in good original condition.

I've no idea what a refurb would cost, I'm not talking nut and bolt here, engine smokes a bit now so rectify that, full service, new tyres, blast & paint rims, blast (possibly) and paint cab (getting quite rusty in areas now), de-grease & paint engine, axles, back end etc. Paint panels, bonnet & mudguards etc.
Mechanically all works as it should, Quicke Q950 loader fitted so that would need removal & painting too.

OR

Sell as it is in good original working condition with loader and put the refurb budget on top to change it, question is change it for what?
I'm not bothered about make or model as such (there are one's I prefer but keeping an open mind for the sake of this discussion), but would be needing to tick the following boxes:

Budget around 20k (I'm basing this on the 3080 & loader being worth around 10-12k & refurb around 8-10k?)
Newer than the 3080
Around 100-120hp
Be suitable for a loader
Be either a classic or heading that way.
Put a smile on my face when I drive it!

It's not going to do an awful lot, hedge-cutter, topper, rolling, harrowing, low-loader, that's about it so no point going mad with a newer machine, another classic of similar size is what I'm after just maybe a bit newer.

 

[Barry7529]

Was in the same position as yourself and I got myself a really nice 3120 with dynashift gearbox. Was going to sell the 3080 but now thinking of keeping it and doing it up as it's all in original condition and drives really well. I would also consider a 3095 or 6265 or a 6270. Have a 6265 also. It's more powerful and would make a good loader tractor

 

[Skintagain]

I would sell it and buy something else or at least find something to buy before parting with the 3080. I personally wouldn't want 20k in a 3080. a 40 series nh would be a better bet but they are scrap or very dear already.

 

[Juggler]

Was in the same position as yourself and I got myself a really nice 3120 with dynashift gearbox. Was going to sell the 3080 but now thinking of keeping it and doing it up as it's all in original condition and drives really well. I would also consider a 3095 or 6265 or a 6270. Have a 6265 also. It's more powerful and would make a good loader tractor

3120 lovely machine, rare as hens teeth though? I'd love to keep this but not justifiable really on the amount of land I've got, so do up or sell unfortunately.

 

[Skintagain]

3120 lovely machine, rare as hens teeth though? I'd love to keep this but not justifiable really on the amount of land I've got, so do up or sell unfortunately.

You can never have too many tractors

 

[Juggler]

I would sell it and buy something else or at least find something to buy before parting with the 3080. I personally wouldn't want 20k in a 3080. a 40 series nh would be a better bet but they are scrap or very dear already.

That's my worry, I paid 10k for it 6 years ago, plus whatever a refurb would be..
Saw a peachy JD 6310 with a loader the other day, forgot how nice they were, maybe a 6410 or 6610 would be good but imagine they would go over budget with a loader.

Everything seems to have gone up though so maybe a refurb wouldn't be a silly idea.
@REStracTORATION am I miles out with my guess at a paint, tyres & bit of engine work refurb? PM if you prefer.

Also, what would it's likely value be after a refurb?

 

[REStracTORATION]

That's my worry, I paid 10k for it 6 years ago, plus whatever a refurb would be..
Saw a peachy JD 6310 with a loader the other day, forgot how nice they were, maybe a 6410 or 6610 would be good but imagine they would go over budget with a loader.

Everything seems to have gone up though so maybe a refurb wouldn't be a silly idea.
@REStracTORATION am I miles out with my guess at a paint, tyres & bit of engine work refurb? PM if you prefer.

Also, what would it's likely value be after a refurb?

It's a gamble looking at a refurb to add value because at the end of the day they're only worth what somebody is willing to pay...
I always say to customers that they should look at the investment of work for their own benefits not a financial one.

Like - say a 135 165 185 etc if a refurb cost say 20k the tractor was 5-10k to start with the end product isn't worth 30k on the open market, behind closed doors possibly....
But the point is if that tractor can be used for the next 20 30 years and handed down to generations then it offsets the cost/investment somewhat.

 

[REStracTORATION]

My 1989 3080 is starting to look a bit tired, I'm only the third owner from new, it's original owner had it for 3 years, its been with me for last 6 years, and everything in between with someone who really looked after it, it was a credit to them when it came here, all still in good original condition.

I've no idea what a refurb would cost, I'm not talking nut and bolt here, engine smokes a bit now so rectify that, full service, new tyres, blast & paint rims, blast (possibly) and paint cab (getting quite rusty in areas now), de-grease & paint engine, axles, back end etc. Paint panels, bonnet & mudguards etc.
Mechanically all works as it should, Quicke Q950 loader fitted so that would need removal & painting too.

OR

Sell as it is in good original working condition with loader and put the refurb budget on top to change it, question is change it for what?
I'm not bothered about make or model as such (there are one's I prefer but keeping an open mind for the sake of this discussion), but would be needing to tick the following boxes:

Budget around 20k (I'm basing this on the 3080 & loader being worth around 10-12k & refurb around 8-10k?)
Newer than the 3080
Around 100-120hp
Be suitable for a loader
Be either a classic or heading that way.
Put a smile on my face when I drive it!

It's not going to do an awful lot, hedge-cutter, topper, rolling, harrowing, low-loader, that's about it so no point going mad with a newer machine, another classic of similar size is what I'm after just maybe a bit newer.

Sometimes the old saying is true
Better the devil you know!
Or

The grass isn't always greener

I wouldnt look at what the final value is because on paper it won't owe you a penny
So say you spent 10k on it, it will owe you 10k you end up with a nice painted tractor that you know and trust plus if you sell your tractor at your estimate its tax applicable on that figure too
The issue on your 3000 series is the cab rotting from area's you can see they are a pressed steel panel cab then spot welded together water gets trapped within the panels and cant get out, blaster will find all the problem ares for sure to blast and strip a cab properly its quite a few hours work
A quick fix will leave grit every where in the cab frame sections which will hold moisture back to square one in a way...

Verses a 20k fresh tractor which could be a beautiful thing or wolf in sheep's clothing
Its a gamble either way I guess

 

[DeeGee]

The 3080 almost certainly won’t be Dynashift will it? The early 3000 a series are not as sought after as the later models with a 5 suffix and Dynashift.

So as has been said, you would be very unlikely to ever get £20,000 for it. But, it’s what you want to do that matters and if you want to spend on it then that’s your choice entirely.

But if you are looking for something newer and you could find a really tidy 6200 series Massey with some genuine history then it might be worth looking at, they are one of the best that the company has ever produced. You should get a really tidy one without silly hours for £20k or a bit less.

Just my thoughts for what they are worth.

 

[Nearly]

@masseybreaker

 

[masseybreaker]

the biggest issue with old tractors of that age group is parts there are very few new parts available at the moment and in 5 years its going to be a lot worse . i would go forward to 62 series or anything from around the year 2000 they were about the best tractors made and thats any make not just mf

 

[Skintagain]

the biggest issue with old tractors of that age group is parts there are very few new parts available at the moment and in 5 years its going to be a lot worse . i would go forward to 62 series or anything from around the year 2000 they were about the best tractors made and thats any make not just mf

I’m not even a massey man and I would agree they are well up there the 62 along with my favourites are 40 series NH TM’s case 51’s MX’s John Deere 00 and 10 series. After this era I would go for a valtra

 

[Juggler]

Sometimes the old saying is true
Better the devil you know!
Or

The grass isn't always greener

I wouldnt look at what the final value is because on paper it won't owe you a penny
So say you spent 10k on it, it will owe you 10k you end up with a nice painted tractor that you know and trust plus if you sell your tractor at your estimate its tax applicable on that figure too
The issue on your 3000 series is the cab rotting from area's you can see they are a pressed steel panel cab then spot welded together water gets trapped within the panels and cant get out, blaster will find all the problem ares for sure to blast and strip a cab properly its quite a few hours work
A quick fix will leave grit every where in the cab frame sections which will hold moisture back to square one in a way...

Verses a 20k fresh tractor which could be a beautiful thing or wolf in sheep's clothing
Its a gamble either way I guess

Thanks for your insight, I hadn't thought of the possibility of taking the cab apart to blast properly etc.

The 3080 almost certainly won’t be Dynashift will it? The early 3000 a series are not as sought after as the later models with a 5 suffix and Dynashift.

So as has been said, you would be very unlikely to ever get £20,000 for it. But, it’s what you want to do that matters and if you want to spend on it then that’s your choice entirely.

But if you are looking for something newer and you could find a really tidy 6200 series Massey with some genuine history then it might be worth looking at, they are one of the best that the company has ever produced. You should get a really tidy one without silly hours for £20k or a bit less.

Just my thoughts for what they are worth.

No its not Dynashift, 32 speed box.
That's the issue, to do a really good job of restoring it wont be cheap and that's money I'll never see back, do a mediocre job and people will tell me it would have been better kept original so maybe I am better off going for the 6200, would I be right thinking the 6270 is the equivalent tractor power wise? 6290 would be physically bigger?

Cheers

 

[Juggler]

the biggest issue with old tractors of that age group is parts there are very few new parts available at the moment and in 5 years its going to be a lot worse . i would go forward to 62 series or anything from around the year 2000 they were about the best tractors made and thats any make not just mf

I’m not even a massey man and I would agree they are well up there the 62 along with my favourites are 40 series NH TM’s case 51’s MX’s John Deere 00 and 10 series. After this era I would go for a valtra

Looks like another two votes for the 6200 series, if it wasn't one of them, the only 40 series I like is the 8340 and that would probably be a bit of a big numb thing on a loader, not keen on the Maxxum but do like the JD 10 series, although a tidy 6410 or 6610 would probably see me over budget.

Would I be better off selling the 3080 c/w the loader or split them and use the loader on the incoming tractor?

 

[Skintagain]

Looks like another two votes for the 6200 series, if it wasn't one of them, the only 40 series I like is the 8340 and that would probably be a bit of a big numb thing on a loader, not keen on the Maxxum but do like the JD 10 series, although a tidy 6410 or 6610 would probably see me over budget.

Would I be better off selling the 3080 c/w the loader or split them and use the loader on the incoming tractor?

It depends what you want. A 6 cylinder is far more stable on a loader and better for going for a load of bales etc.

fitting loaders is a ball ache usually but you would be better buying a non loader tractor and fitting one especially at 20 years old plus

 

[masseybreaker]

keep the loader it will fit 61 and 62 series with a couple of holes re drilled

 

[masseybreaker]

6270 has smaller front axle and smaller rear trumpets but same length as 6290 so better with a 6290 with a loader

 

[DeeGee]

6270 has smaller front axle and smaller rear trumpets but same length as 6290 so better with a 6290 with a loader

The 6290 is a cracking tractor, but finding a good one is difficult; as it is with any 6200 tractor to be honest.
They do come up from time to time, but tidy well maintained models are getting hard to find. But good luck anyway.

 

[Juggler]

It depends what you want. A 6 cylinder is far more stable on a loader and better for going for a load of bales etc.

fitting loaders is a ball ache usually but you would be better buying a non loader tractor and fitting one especially at 20 years old plus

I'd prefer a 6-cyl but don't want a big numb thing, there's probably a better chance of finding a decent one if I include one's with & without a loader fitted.

6270 has smaller front axle and smaller rear trumpets but same length as 6290 so better with a 6290 with a loader

Is the 6290 physically much bigger than the 3080? Don't want anything too big, what are they 120hp?

The 6290 is a cracking tractor, but finding a good one is difficult; as it is with any 6200 tractor to be honest.
They do come up from time to time, but tidy well maintained models are getting hard to find. But good luck anyway.

I suppose that's getting to be the case with all tractors that age now, the tidy ones will become harder to find, also the 6290 seems to be very popular which will make it even more difficult... hey ho, I'm in no rush, better to wait for the right machine to come along.

 

[masseybreaker]

no same length newer engine but everything else is the same basically