TractorAdvisor.com Educates the Do-It-Yourself Property Owner

Today’s rural property owners are much like yesterday’s pioneers – fiercely independent and connected to their land. In a recent Market Directions survey, more than 80% of rural property owners said they do outdoor tasks on their acreage themselves most of the time. But, they often need a tractor to help complete these tasks. For the first-time tractor buyer, the process of choosing the right tractor is often daunting.

To that end, Massey Ferguson has created TractorAdvisor.com for the “do-it-yourself” rural lifestyler. This easy-to-use website is a one-stop source for consumers to learn about tractors, and based on their specific jobs and property type, find their perfect sub-compact, compact or economical utility tractor under 65 horsepower. TractorAdvisor.com features ‘Find Your Tractor Match,’ an exciting tool that guides visitors through a series of simple questions about the jobs they want to tackle on their property. The answers are matched to the specific Massey Ferguson tractors and attachments needed to get those jobs done best. The website helps prepare the soon-to-be tractor owner to visit a local dealer. The results of your research on TractorAdvisor.com can be printed or emailed to use as a base for discussion.

“In these uncertain times, many consumers are empowering themselves to take on the many challenges related to their property,” said Doug Griffin, VP North America Marketing for AGCO. “We know that farmers and rural property owners feel great pride being connected to the land, and we share that passion. The anticipation and exhilaration of driving a tractor, and the economic benefit of doing tasks themselves is a strong incentive to owning one. It is our responsibility to ensure that customers get the right product that provides exceptional value over time. TractorAdvisor.com is the one-stop-shop that enables Massey Ferguson perspective and actual customers to conduct that important research.”

TractorAdvisor.com puts users directly into a rural landscape and is full of valuable information that’s key to gaining familiarity with tractors. In the Tractors101 section, consumers can learn tractor terminology and get to know the tractor platform and controls. Handy checklists are available with the top 10 questions to ask when buying a tractor. A printable tractor testdrive checklist is a resource that tractor buyers can use to set their priorities and rank the models they test-drive for easy comparison. The site also features a dealer locator, as well as links to tractor-owner community forums and product reviews, and the relationship with TractorAdvisor.com doesn’t end with a tractor purchase as the site also provides maintenance tips and how-to guides for common jobs around the acreage and small farm. Whether one’s roots are from the farm or the city, tractoradvisor.com is an effective learning tool for those looking for their first tractor, and it is a solid resource to help existing tractor owners to get the most out of their tractor purchase.

For the rural property owner, a tractor is an investment that delivers real value, useful for mowing and mulching, tilling, hauling, driveway maintenance, stump removal, snow clearing and more. A tractor is vital for those with animals, livestock and larger acreages as well. Selecting the proper tractor for both immediate and long-term needs is essential to not only getting the most value out of the tractor, but critical to ensuring you have the right tractor to give you the most enjoyment in doing the work.

For more information about finding and getting the most from your compact tractor contact your local Massey Ferguson dealer, Abele Tractor & Equipment Co., at 518-438-4444 and 72 Everett Road in Albany, NY. And don't forgot the year-end prices and 0% for 72 months financing on all Massey Ferguson compact and sub-compact tractors.

www.abeletractor.com

Product Spotlight: Massey Ferguson 1533 & 1540 Compacts

Full-size tractor styling, quieter and more durable engines and operator convenience from radiator to three point hitch sets the 1500 Series from Massey Ferguson ahead of the competition. The 3-cylinder MF 1533 (33 hp) and turbocharged 3-cylinder MF 1540 (40 hp) are two popular models in this legendary series.

Landscapers, specialty farmers, contractors and hobby farmers will appreciate enhanced operator comfort and the quick removal and replacement of mounted attachments, including the loader and backhoe. First time tractor operators will quickly learn to appreciate the simple and easy operation of the tractor, and the easy to read automotive style dash.

“We understand what a vital role our compact tractors play in a wide variety of situations and the varying levels of experience operators bring to the job,” says Stephen Barcuch, Massey Ferguson compact tractor general marketing manager. “The MF 1533 and MF 1540 are designed to exceed customer expectations whether mowing a golf course, landscaping a construction site, moving dirt, digging trenches or tilling your garden. These tractors have the power and features to do the job, hour after hour and day after day. They also have the convenience and comfort to make jobs easier, less fatiguing and more enjoyable.”

A new design for the MF 1500 Series 3-cylinder engine contributes to clean power, longer engine life and operator comfort. The 3-cylinder diesel engines meet Tier II EPA emissions standards and are stronger and quieter, thanks to the new cast iron block rib-support design. Graphite coated pistons in the naturally aspirated MF 1533 and turbocharged MF 1540 engines help reduce friction, engine noise, fuel consumption and will extend engine life.

The tractors are equipped with an 8F by 8R Synchronized Shuttle transmission to make loader work, grounds keeping and other jobs requiring repetitive direction changes easier and less tiring. With two ranges and four non-synchronized gears within each range, it is easy to find the right speed for a given job and shuttle from forward to reverse without stopping. Range and gearshift controls are conveniently located on the left-hand console.

“Convenience and comfort for the operator were top priorities in designing these new tractors,” says Jeffrey Ratliff, sales engineer, Massey Ferguson. “Tilt steering and a wide platform make entry and exit easy. Simple to understand and operate controls are within handy reach, and the automotive style dash makes it easy to monitor tractor operations. Every effort has been made to reduce vibration from the smoother operating engine to the molded rubber floor mat and even set screws to tighten down the foldable ROPS.”

The tilt-up hood and removable side panels simplify access to the engine and radiator components for regular tractor service and maintenance. Once exposed, a removable radiator screen and air filter can be checked and cleaned with ease.

Convenience has also been engineered into a pedestal mounted loader and a sub-frame mounted backhoe, both designed specifically for the MF 1500 Series compact tractors. The design makes removal and remounting fast and easy. Category I 3-point hitch is standard on the1500 Series and makes a wide range of mounted implements available for use. Telescopic stabilizers allow the operator to adjust the 3-point hitch for side-to-side travel, and a turnbuckle leveler allows hitch leveling horizontally.

The MF 1533 and MF 1540 feature independent rear PTO with optional mid PTO as well. A dash mounted electric switch engages and disengages the PTO, while a selector lever on the left console allows the operator to select between the rear PTO, mid PTO, or the option to use both simultaneously (on tractors with the mid PTO option). When the lever is positioned in neutral, the PTO shaft can rotate freely to easily connect or disconnect implements.

“PTO control is enhanced with the modulation button next to the PTO electric switch on the MF 1533 and MF 1540 tractors,” says Ratliff. “It allows the operator to choose a slower or more aggressive PTO engagement, depending on application startup needs.”

Every customer buying the MF 1500 Series has the option to get the right tire for the job with up to four tire options. With options such as the R4-Industrial tire, R1 Agricultural tire, R3-Turf tire and the LSW-Turf tire, every customer should have the opportunity to find the tire best suited for their needs.

“These tractors are loaded with standard features that are often only available as options on other compacts,” says Barcuch. “When combined with selected options, they introduce a superior level of versatility and ‘full-size’ tractor functions without sacrificing the ability to get into tight, low clearance situations.”

And remember until June 30, 2009, you can get your new Massey Ferguson 1500 Series compact tractor with 0% financing for 72 months. That's six years no interest! Call 518-438-4444 or stop by 72 Everett Road in Albany, New York today.

www.abeletractor.com