MF 4355 and plough size.

[connor454545]

Hi, we have a Massey Fergusson 4355 and I intend to do some ploughing with it, but it can't lift our 5 furrow KV plough, even with weights on the front. Would it lift a 4 furrow instead and if so any particular make? I don't really want to keep hiring a tractor each time I need to do some ploughing.

Thanks

 

[multi power]

drop the back furrow off , what model is your plough?

 

[Rob Holmes]

Yeah, our old 4355 easily managed a Dowdeswell 4 furrow on heavy ground

 

[tr250]

We used to pull an mf715 4 furrow with a 4260 which was the older range 6 cyl but think it would be same backend

 

[MF-ANDY]

I don't expect will handle a 5 furrow but have s 4255 locally that easily handles a 4 furrow Dowdeswell dp8b

 

[Cowabunga]

That size of tractor is on its limit with a light, short clearance four furrow reversible. It doesn't have the backbone top tension bolts fitted to the six cylinder versions to increase the maximum payload. It is a medium utility tractor. The heavy duty range of tractors of similar age is the 6100/6200 series.

 

[multi power]

i have used my 4 furrow kv on the 4355 in my avatar, lifting was no trouble, pulling was the issue

 

[Cowabunga]

The lift capacity will be near its limit on most four furrow reversibles, but obviously the lighter and shorter the better. I would be more worried about the lift system components and the tractor's backbone. It will be very near its limit if it can't lift the five furrow version. But, granted, there are ploughs and there are big son's of bitches ploughs and he can but try it to see how it goes.

Put it this way. What would you think about someone putting a modern four furrow reversible on a 375 or a 575 4wd? Forget the engine power and lift capacity. That is the chassis you are basically using.

 

[Walterp]

Forget it, it's not a plough tractor.

If you must plough, go get a 3 furrow.

 

[Cowabunga]

Or change it for a 5455, preferably a later one with lower link sensing. Or better still, a 6255 or 6455 of any age. Still shouldn't be expected to handle or pull the fifth furrow mind.

But a 4355 should handle a three furrow reversible of any weight class with no problem. In my experience, the longer the plough, the less satisfactory it is to work with top link sensing, especially the traditional type with a spring sensing unit. The electric sensing unit on an early 5455 would be far better but lower link sensing is ideal.
If he does use the 4355 with four furrows then it is essential to have the top link in fixed holes, not a slotted hole on the plough, sloping down slightly towards the tractor while in work and especially essential to have a depth wheel at the back of the plough to transfer the draft signal effectively. But this is probably like teaching granny to suck eggs.

 

[multi power]

Forget it, it's not a plough tractor.

If you must plough, go get a 3 furrow.

there is something wrong somewhere if a tractor of this size can only handle a 3 furrow plough, dad ploughed for years with a grey fergie n 3 furrows

 

[Cowabunga]

there is something wrong somewhere if a tractor of this size can only handle a 3 furrow plough, dad ploughed for years with a grey fergie n 3 furrows

These tractors are basically more powerful MF 165 models with bells and whistles. Strip the cab and sheet metal off and you have little more left than a 165 with a spacer in the middle and a heavier front axle.

Today's four furrow reversibles are a very far cry from the old lightweight 10'' Ferguson plough.

 

[Walterp]

These tractors are basically more powerful MF 165 models with bells and whistles. Strip the cab and sheet metal off and you have little more left than a 165 with a spacer in the middle and a heavier front axle.

Today's four furrow reversibles are a very far cry from the old lightweight 10'' Ferguson plough.

I'd add that MF do offer a 64 series - so say a 6455 as opposed to a 5455; I'm told that they are heavier-built versions, and are what the rep will sell you if he sees a plough on the place.

MF do so many versions now, each with different weight components, so that a MF4255 is different to a MF5455 and that is, in its turn, different to a MF5440. And so on. Different front axles, different back axles. (I know enough to ask, but that's it, really).

I know I tried to sell a 5445 to a friend and he couldn't buy it because it couldn't handle his plough. Which was a shame, but then it's designed as a loader tractor....

 

[multi power]

These tractors are basically more powerful MF 165 models with bells and whistles. Strip the cab and sheet metal off and you have little more left than a 165 with a spacer in the middle and a heavier front axle.

Today's four furrow reversibles are a very far cry from the old lightweight 10'' Ferguson plough.

does that not go to show the quality of design n engenerring of the 1960s coventry buitl tractors ?
yes i do agree there is a big difference between a fergie plough n a modern reversible but it still seems tractors need to be far bigger to do a job than was the case years ago,its has got to the stage its not uncommon to see 100hp on a haybob

 

[Philip Watkins]

....... it still seems tractors need to be far bigger to do a job than was the case years ago,its has got to the stage its not uncommon to see 100hp on a haybob

That's only because they haven't got a 50hp tractor in the fleet any more.

 

[oil barron]

does that not go to show the quality of design n engenerring of the 1960s coventry buitl tractors ?
yes i do agree there is a big difference between a fergie plough n a modern reversible but it still seems tractors need to be far bigger to do a job than was the case years ago,its has got to the stage its not uncommon to see 100hp on a haybob

I think it says more about the quality of design and engineering in the Coventry built tractors of late 90s early 2000s. Bolting a 95hp engine onto a 65hp backend.

 

[Hanslope]

I think the weight and build of the plough is paramount to the OP's question.

Yes it will handle a 4f Dowdeswell DP8 but no it will not handle a 4f DP7.

The difference being the weight and design of plough.

 

[MF-ANDY]

I think the weight and build of the plough is paramount to the OP's question.

Yes it will handle a 4f Dowdeswell DP8 but no it will not handle a 4f DP7.

The difference being the weight and design of plough.

I agree but the op is talking about 5 furrows

 

[multi power]

I think the weight and build of the plough is paramount to the OP's question.

Yes it will handle a 4f Dowdeswell DP8 but no it will not handle a 4f DP7.

The difference being the weight and design of plough.

i agree, thats why i asked what model of ploughn suggested dropping rear furrow

 

[multi power]

I think it says more about the quality of design and engineering in the Coventry built tractors of late 90s early 2000s. Bolting a 95hp engine onto a 65hp backend.

who said its a 65hp back end ?