Valtra N123 to replace MF5455

[flyonthewall]

Looking at good secondhand loader tractors, seem to be like rocking horse turd.... currently have a MF5455 (2006) which size wise is ideal for mucking out our barns with small 8 foot doors, (we have had enough of due to poor reliability), seen a 5,000 hr Valtra N123 what are people's views on these compared to a John Deere 6430 or 6125R? Is there anything that wears commonly to look out for? Looking for something tough to last at least ten years, will be used for a variety of grassland duties - mowing, baling, hauling muck (14 tons) from our beef farm. Do a fair bit of roadwork and currently average 1,000 hrs/year.

 

[Finn farmer]

I'd look for a N124, huge step forward for Valtra. HiTech or Versu transmission. We had a 6330 Deere on demo five years ago and i've driven other 4-cyl Deeres also and they always feel gutless compared to other 4-cyl tractors.

 

[buakaw cvx]

contrary to the above id go for the 123 as most of the issues that they have will of been solved , we've had two little valtras and they've hardly had any problems

 

[flyonthewall]

contrary to the above id go for the 123 as most of the issues that they have will of been solved , we've had two little valtras and they've hardly had any problems

What hours have you clocked up and what have the problems been? The thing I like about the Massey is the transmission, what does a N123's box compare like?

 

[DrDunc]

Valtra fourth generation gearbox logic is superb for loader work.

Altered settings turns the foot throttle into a "speed controller" (revs and gear set by how far pedal pressed) and press brake pedal to declutch and stop.

Forward visibility leagues ahead of Deere (which is a joke for loader work). Cab is a big improvement over third generation.

 

[flyonthewall]

Will have a look then - our nearest dealer is 35/40 miles away though, whereas Deere dealer is just down the road and they've always looked after us with an old girl we run. I don't want to tie up capital in a brand new one - not making enough out of beef to warrant it, and Valtras a few years old look good value. We're going to rid ourselves of Masseys - even the dealer's admit the electrics are a joke (looms burning up and aircon that can't be made to work and then parts that don't fit.....)

 

[Finn farmer]

There should be used N124's, since the model is ~two years old. Most of the stuff has already been tested on T4 series and former Valtra models. Valtra is pretty small manufacturer, so they can't make big mistakes and wipe it all away with a new model range.

 

[Mike6120]

I don't know, but expecting the tractor to be doing 1000 hrs/year for the next 10 years, I'd be looking at new............

 

[james ds]

I don't know, but expecting the tractor to be doing 1000 hrs/year for the next 10 years, I'd be looking at new............

The only tractor that can do high hrs without major trouble on average is Valtra , front line valtras here with 10-13000 hrs are working the same as new , I wouldn't be even considering changing them , another contractor running a fleet of valtras here buys them at 10,000 hrs and has put up to 25,000 hrs on them before moving them on. At 5000 hrs it will last you longer than most other new tractor brands if bought them new.

 

[Finn farmer]

The only tractor that can do high hrs without major trouble on average is Valtra , front line valtras here with 10-13000 hrs are working the same as new , I wouldn't be even considering changing them , another contractor running a fleet of valtras here buys them at 10,000 hrs and has put up to 25,000 hrs on them before moving them on. At 5000 hrs it will last you longer than most other new tractor brands if bought them new.

This might be true, the engines are pretty bulletproof and they aren't as unforgivable as other makes (not that i'm saying it's ok to neglect the service interval and oil changes). 8550 with 13000h feels more solid than a 6000h 6630 Deere and has had a lot less trouble. And Valtra has done its hours heavily tuned, at 250hp.

 

[Yale]

Love our n121.

Hi tech box is well engineered,simple and reliable.

 

[dusty]

I'm currently in the process of getting a replacement valtra for my year old n143 which is on its 4th hydraulic pump and second set of injectors in 600 hours. Looks like it's getting replaced with a n 154 that I've got for a shot the now which seems a huge step forwards although the price is also!

 

[Yale]

I'm currently in the process of getting a replacement valtra for my year old n143 which is on its 4th hydraulic pump and second set of injectors in 600 hours. Looks like it's getting replaced with a n 154 that I've got for a shot the now which seems a huge step forwards although the price is also!

That's unfortunate.

There is a n111 also locally to us run by a contractor as his main tractor until now he has bought a couple of year old n123.

The n111 has a Steinbauer chip and has performed well for him to high hours being worked hard.

 

[flyonthewall]

Got talking the other day to a guy who drives Valtras, apparently the old ones were "bullet proof", but the latest aren't that good with a lot of problems with clutch packs, so much so that they're being replaced by Class....... Taking it with a pinch of salt, all I know is that Masseys for me are extremely expensive owing to their shocking reliability and build and we've had better luck with Deeres not that they're without trouble. The highest houred tractors I know are two Fendts which are up in the 20,000 hr realm on an arable unit, both are front line tractors, but I do know they've both had a new cvt. When we priced up in April this year it was £7,000 more to change for a Fendt 300 over a 5600 MF. Fendt dealer offered us £6k more in p/x which made the difference. I suppose I should try both a Fendt and a Valtra, treid a JD6125R which was very similar to an old 6420, but engine and cab smoothness were the best I've tried.

 

[Finn farmer]

^What gearbox were the Valtras on? There are now HiTech, Active, Versu and Direct.

 

[Archie]

I'm currently in the process of getting a replacement valtra for my year old n143 which is on its 4th hydraulic pump and second set of injectors in 600 hours. Looks like it's getting replaced with a n 154 that I've got for a shot the now which seems a huge step forwards although the price is also!

Did you ever find out the cause of your n143 needing 4 hydraulic pumps in 600 hours?

Our n113 currently in at dealers to get its 4th at 1800 hours.
Don’t fancy keeping it much longer without identifying a cause as to why they are failing.

 

[michael N123]

I’ve just traded in a N123 for a 124 the N3 wasn’t the most comfortable thing compared to other modern tractors had a few problems but I’m proberly not the most gentle person plowed with a 4 furrow reversible pulled big trailers an muckspreader no problem was a great loader tractor and pulled better than a lot of 6 cylinders

What colour is the one your looking at the one I’ve just traded was nearing 5000 hours

Only done 140 hours with my N4 so cant really say anything yet

 

[dusty]

Did you ever find out the cause of your n143 needing 4 hydraulic pumps in 600 hours?

Our n113 currently in at dealers to get its 4th at 1800 hours.
Don’t fancy keeping it much longer without identifying a cause as to why they are failing.

Bit of a long story it got its second one fitted then they decided to change it again to the new replacement model then it only lasted about a fortnight then it was onto its second one of them as well! Think it was poor quite pumps

 

[flyonthewall]

Any debris from the failed pump to go into the gearbox?

 

[dusty]

Not that I'm aware of sure the pumps seized the shaft rather than braking up. The n154 that replaced it is doing well enough so far