MF200 / MF300 series differences?

[PuG]

Hi, we've been looking at getting a MF200 or 300 series, 4wd, from Howards and sons, we want something easy to maintain, front loader and good general field work.

Though I've done googling whats the difference between a 290 and 390, or a new 385 made in Turkey/India/Pakistan?

The rear arm lift weight seems to vary between 2100 to 2400kg without assistant rams.

The 290 has Perkins 4.236 engine, 300 a 4.41, which is lower compression and about 100kg's lighter but bit higher kw.

From what I read they are all basically the same tractor?

Fed-up with our JD 2030/3030 with constant problems and lack of people in the area to work on them.

Cheers, James

 

[daveydiesel1]

Hi, we've been looking at getting a MF200 or 300 series, 4wd, from Howards and sons, we want something easy to maintain, front loader and good general field work.

Though I've done googling whats the difference between a 290 and 390, or a new 385 made in Turkey/India/Pakistan?

The rear arm lift weight seems to vary between 2100 to 2400kg without assistant rams.

The 290 has Perkins 4.236 engine, 300 a 4.41, which is lower compression and about 100kg's lighter but bit higher kw.

From what I read they are all basically the same tractor?

Fed-up with our JD 2030/3030 with constant problems and lack of people in the area to work on them.

Cheers, James

Get a 12x12 390t. Better gearbox. Having said that for the same money you coukd have a 4255 or 4355 and id reccommend looking towards 1 of them as nicer cab

 

[Blue.]

290 and 390 had the 248 engine
And I hated the 12x12 gearbox,I much preferred the 3 stick 12sp box.

 

[Will 1594]

290 and 390 had the 248 engine
And I hated the 12x12 gearbox,I much preferred the 3 stick 12sp box.

got 3 stick 390 one with hump on cab floor only one step to get in . and short sticks .prefer it to 375 which has flat floor and longer gear levers and two steps , it will be for sale end of week

 

[trebornella]

Basically they're virtually the same tractor, with various transmission options, the main difference being the cab. The 300 series was available with a lo-line or taller hi-line cab and is probably a better place to sit in the winter, but I would rather spend the summer in an old school 200 series with the doors off. 300 series cab has more plastic parts to break and I always thought the dashboard and revcounter left a lot to be desired.
Both models are sought after these days with collectors paying sometimes silly money for them. Most ex dealer mechanics will know their way around either tractor and spare parts should not be an issue.

 

[PuG]

Thanks, not worried about a cab, winter days are short here Not many 4255's around, a tidy 4355 for 21k. I will keep looking, waiting on Horwards to get back to on prices. Cheers

 

[Wellytrack]

Another option in a simple tractor of the era also using a Perkins motor. Landini Blizzard. Probably a few about your side.

 

[Blue.]

I would suggest a Renault.

 

[Wellytrack]

I would suggest a Renault.

With the Perkins or MWM. The JD powered ones were as dead as Julius Caesar’s cat.

 

[wdah/him]

Get a 12x12 390t. Better gearbox. Having said that for the same money you coukd have a 4255 or 4355 and id reccommend looking towards 1 of them as nicer cab

I like the 3 stick box over the 12/12 when we had both in 399s. Still have the 3 stick. Last week we bought a 4345. 12/12 Manuel shuttle and have to say in the cab everything is just right, nice to drive, big step up from a 200/300 series cab layout