Wow... That brings back memories. I remember driving a 590 FWD back in the late 90s carting corn on a farm in Essex. The tractor must have been fairly old then, struggling to pull a 10t grain trailer!
Great video. I drove two MF290s one a 1980 with a Duncan Cab, the other a 1982 with a Shankey Cab. They were both bought new and replaced a 1975 Flexi Cab MF188 and a 1976 Metal Clad Cab MF188 both bought new. Like your 690 the 1980 290 developed into a slow starter and had its engine overhauled. The 188s did exactly the same work and never failed to start or had any issues… even though they were basically the same mechanically. Keep up the good work.
strange how people get on with stuff, when we sold up we were running 2 x 690 2wd, a 698t and a 699, along with a few other fergys ,none of them suffered with dreaded rust,(were all waxoiled from day 1 cab wise as the reputation was out there for that landini itallian cab ) and once a year afterwards , and we also washed down every friday,poss sat morn no matter how busy we were. all stored undercover at night. no mechanical issues either bar odd track rod ends, few bearings.
Good morning Richard, have you ever thought of using the dutch barn to keep machinery in,like others have suggested..anyway have a lovely sunday with the family.
I was thinking after the old photos you showed. Think when Harry and Jack have kids of their own. They have all these videos to show. A fantastic family history catalogue.
to be honest everything seemed to rust badly back in them days........we had a little ford 3610 with a Lambourne cab and the cab on that thing rotted out badly, also cars rusted out quickly back then remember my dads old vauxhall had holes in the wings big enough to put your hand through
Morning sir.. hope your keeping well.. some tractors are just better replaced.. i spent lots of hours on a 698 4wd but preferred the 7700 q cab at our local agri collage when i worked there.. Question for you Richard.. did the lorry driver remove the escape hatch/sunroof before transport? As im sure i noticed daylight when he left the yard.. 😊.. stay safe 🏴
I run a 698 and we fitted a high speed starter as well and it’s a different tractor starts easily now I’ve got a bit of rot in the cab but not too bad actually it’s quite tidy for it’s age .👍
Hi Funky Farmer. The McCormick CX 105 was the first ever video, I ever watched on your channel. Then the second video was you starting, the Massey Ferguson 690 before selling it. I do enjoy your content, so crack on. 👍
a lovely machine, but a good battery is always required and heating, then they will go. You had it in really good condition inside the cab, a credit to you.
I vaguely remember my Fathers 690 before he replaced it. The starter in the cab didn't work and he'd have to start it from the outside. It was probably a rust bucket as well
Engines have a mind of their own, we had a 165 and the way it started was unbelievable, turn the key and it fired up immediately, ( within three of four seconds)no matter how cold it was. I drove a lot of different tractors over the years from when i was thirteen in the fifties but this one for whatever reason was the best starter. Just want to add with the possible exception of the grey Fergie, but that wasn’t diesel of course.
We had mainly JD tractors but we had a MF dealership right in town, only 4 miles away. So we have had a few MF tractors over the years. The best by far was the MF 135. That little tractor did a lot of work for over 40 years on the farm. It got finished off as a scraper tractor. The daily manure just rusted it to the ground. The worst MF was a 3630. The 3000 series just never held up very well around here. They had a lot of clutch issue here. The agtronic system never worked very well from new. We sold the tractor after only having it four years. Nice motor but the rest of the tractor was junk. I have a MF 393 that I bought from a neighbor with only 750 hours on it. I really like it and I use it a lot doing hay work in the summer. Starts good and runs on very little fuel. It is also MFWD too. I always though it would be a nice loader tractor but we have bigger skid steers now so rarely use a tractor loader anymore.
Lots of MF tractors here in Vietnam I'll check out the model numbers when they next pass by. The fields round us is planted either with Casava for MSG production or fast-growing soft wood for pulp. All the trailers are way overloaded and have the tractors rearing on their hind legs, lots of the trailers use truck rear axles, drive shaft and gearbox that they couple to the tractor with a PTO shaft. So, they have six-wheel drive on some units.
The acutal 690s were mechanicaly very good, poor starters that could be upgraded to eliminate laboured starts.. But the cabs and fenders were definately either a bad steel, or the steel wasnt sealed with the right paint.. But then you go to the 3000 series with the datatronics and the cabs fell apart in them also..
My neighbour used to joke that his 690 was so bad that it was made from steel that Alfa Romeo rejected for the Alfasud as ‘not being up to their standard’!
Landini built the same tractor when the Massey 690 went out of production, I believe they were part owned by Massey so basically built under liscence like the imt
I can see why you don't want it back 😂 sounds like it was a Lemon! Just not a good fit for your farm, but i do hope it ended up somewhere else (whether Africa or elsewhere) where it could be useful
Your right! Our little ford 3610 is a fantastic starter, I've left it outside in -7 or so frosts and it just fires up no bother. It has a standard battery on it but it is a lot bigger than a 135, possibly that helps?
I got the same tractor on farming simulator 22 as a mod i have to sell it because it has the same problem with it won't start all the time an x registration that is old
It’s an 80s suffix X reg where the year letter was at the end of the reg. Then the year letter was put at the start ( which would make x reg a 2000) 🙂.
600 series absolute scrap from New, Bad Tin worm, would eat headgaskets. Just all round rubbish tractor. However the 390 and 300 series are so much better. Definitely a modern classic. You can see that in the prices they go at sales and farm sales
Wow... That brings back memories. I remember driving a 590 FWD back in the late 90s carting corn on a farm in Essex. The tractor must have been fairly old then, struggling to pull a 10t grain trailer!
Great video. I drove two MF290s one a 1980 with a Duncan Cab, the other a 1982 with a Shankey Cab. They were both bought new and replaced a 1975 Flexi Cab MF188 and a 1976 Metal Clad Cab MF188 both bought new. Like your 690 the 1980 290 developed into a slow starter and had its engine overhauled. The 188s did exactly the same work and never failed to start or had any issues… even though they were basically the same mechanically. Keep up the good work.
strange how people get on with stuff, when we sold up we were running 2 x 690 2wd, a 698t and a 699, along with a few other fergys ,none of them suffered with dreaded rust,(were all waxoiled from day 1 cab wise as the reputation was out there for that landini itallian cab ) and once a year afterwards , and we also washed down every friday,poss sat morn no matter how busy we were. all stored undercover at night. no mechanical issues either bar odd track rod ends, few bearings.
I’ve just spilt my cuppa tea - field in the barn barn Your excellently mad The funky farmer is my favourite to watch well done
Hi Richard. 35 looks good. Your duch barn floor needs digging out and road planning. Then you can park your machinery in it. Like topper .
My dad's 690 has the starter and solenoid off at the local repair shop.
A real rust bucket but still fit to do a days work.
Good morning Richard, have you ever thought of using the dutch barn to keep machinery in,like others have suggested..anyway have a lovely sunday with the family.
690s are very collectable now. All the 5 / 600 series were rot boxes but nice restoration projects
Harry must realy enjoy this !?
You farmwrs and your tractor s
You look so happy about all this glad to see .
I was thinking after the old photos you showed. Think when Harry and Jack have kids of their own. They have all these videos to show. A fantastic family history catalogue.
to be honest everything seemed to rust badly back in them days........we had a little ford 3610 with a Lambourne cab and the cab on that thing rotted out badly, also cars rusted out quickly back then remember my dads old vauxhall had holes in the wings big enough to put your hand through
massey said farming was going through a tough time back then hence why they used cheap russian steel , they even used wax oil on the late 600s
So glad the family tractor is coming home
Another great video has always Richard and family 👍
I'm hoping to come and see the massey, and take a few pics, at the Air ambulance funding Easter event at Farmer P.
This must mean I've been following your channel for nearly 10 years. This was the first video i ever watched of yours.
Probably about the same time for me. Only just started posting comments recently thought.
I'm a massey lover, l have a 152, from Jan. 1975 Restored. 😊♥️🇫🇷🇫🇷
the 690 turbo was a fantastic tractor .
Morning sir.. hope your keeping well.. some tractors are just better replaced.. i spent lots of hours on a 698 4wd but preferred the 7700 q cab at our local agri collage when i worked there.. Question for you Richard.. did the lorry driver remove the escape hatch/sunroof before transport? As im sure i noticed daylight when he left the yard.. 😊.. stay safe 🏴
We’re still running a 698 today. Still has all the problems your 690 had and more but the engine starts well now we put a high speed starter on 😆.
A geared stater motor makes a hell of a difference to a bad starter
@@andrewwelford7697 agreed! I tried everything from flames to easy start but a geared starter make her spot on even in the cold
I run a 698 and we fitted a high speed starter as well and it’s a different tractor starts easily now I’ve got a bit of rot in the cab but not too bad actually it’s quite tidy for it’s age .👍
Really nice to look back in the archives to see those clips 👍👍👍
Hi Funky Farmer. The McCormick CX 105 was the first ever video, I ever watched on your channel.
Then the second video was you starting, the Massey Ferguson 690 before selling it.
I do enjoy your content, so crack on. 👍
a lovely machine, but a good battery is always required and heating, then they will go.
You had it in really good condition inside the cab, a credit to you.
Thanks
Thanks Steve
The video of you starting the 690 after being out in the field before selling was the first video I ever saw of your channel
My dad has a 698t, its my favourite of his (many) tractors. Having said that, it currently doesn't want to start.
That brain fart about field in a barn had me in stitches 🤣 brilliant!
A field in a barn….is that like a greenhouse?!?!😂😂😂
It’s probably been rebuilt into a “290” now
The 600 series cabs rotted worse than the 500 series, but mechanically they were usually pretty good
The heating plug was the biggest problem. Keep it clean and they started on the button
Great 35 is back home Patrick in Ireland.....hope you can come to Ireland again the ploughing this year and farmer p and Harry......
I vaguely remember my Fathers 690 before he replaced it. The starter in the cab didn't work and he'd have to start it from the outside. It was probably a rust bucket as well
Engines have a mind of their own, we had a 165 and the way it started was unbelievable, turn the key and it fired up immediately, ( within three of four seconds)no matter how cold it was. I drove a lot of different tractors over the years from when i was thirteen in the fifties but this one for whatever reason was the best starter. Just want to add with the possible exception of the grey Fergie, but that wasn’t diesel of course.
I have a 690 and a 698t both good engines as u said the rust was a killer
Have driven one similar to that once and it would not start unless you gave it heater plugs but once started it was fine
Good morning the funky farmer
We had mainly JD tractors but we had a MF dealership right in town, only 4 miles away. So we have had a few MF tractors over the years. The best by far was the MF 135. That little tractor did a lot of work for over 40 years on the farm. It got finished off as a scraper tractor. The daily manure just rusted it to the ground.
The worst MF was a 3630. The 3000 series just never held up very well around here. They had a lot of clutch issue here. The agtronic system never worked very well from new. We sold the tractor after only having it four years. Nice motor but the rest of the tractor was junk.
I have a MF 393 that I bought from a neighbor with only 750 hours on it. I really like it and I use it a lot doing hay work in the summer. Starts good and runs on very little fuel. It is also MFWD too. I always though it would be a nice loader tractor but we have bigger skid steers now so rarely use a tractor loader anymore.
The Dutch barn that can be seen in the old photo of the 35 with you and siblings, is that the same barn that’s down the field that had the 690 in it?
Great job
Are you buying the loader back with the 35 as well?
I don’t think so
I don’t think so
I don’t think so
If somebody finds it in Africa will you go see it?
that would be quite a trip
Lots of MF tractors here in Vietnam I'll check out the model numbers when they next pass by. The fields round us is planted either with Casava for MSG production or fast-growing soft wood for pulp. All the trailers are way overloaded and have the tractors rearing on their hind legs, lots of the trailers use truck rear axles, drive shaft and gearbox that they couple to the tractor with a PTO shaft. So, they have six-wheel drive on some units.
I use to drive a 698t 2wd use to ther fertilising mowing lovely little tractor pull like a trooper plus we had 3 698t 4wds
Farmer P says he'll buy it !!!! to take for the journey to John O'Groats to Land's when you do the trip. 😁😅👍
You did the right thing selling that 690 they were terrible tractors as were the 590 they replaced
Tbh I had a 590 and have a 690 found them good besides the body rotting away
The acutal 690s were mechanicaly very good, poor starters that could be upgraded to eliminate laboured starts.. But the cabs and fenders were definately either a bad steel, or the steel wasnt sealed with the right paint.. But then you go to the 3000 series with the datatronics and the cabs fell apart in them also..
Hahaha Hahaha Hahaha,, I thought rolling was a slow job?? !!
Do you know what machines you dad had on the farm before you was born. Always interests my old tractors
My neighbour used to joke that his 690 was so bad that it was made from steel that Alfa Romeo rejected for the Alfasud as ‘not being up to their standard’!
but it does have a cab with air conditioning ie the rust holes
I bought and sold a 690 just recently, absolutely gutless compared to its competitors during its time
Hopefully it had a new mudguard and lived another life
the video when the mf 690 it sat in that hoop shed barn thing was the first ever video i saw on your channel and that was when i subscribed
Good buy old Massey !
Good video,mm didn’t care much for the 690,I think the 590 was a much better tractor.But the ones with 2 doors I mean.
Tbf it wasn’t in to bad of condition there is a lot worse out there sure it wanted some new fenders but it was fairly straight
Any one know the model N0 Massey made, with the multi shift lever near to the steering wheel from the 60's.
When do you get the 135
I had one as my first tractor and sold her for a john deere 6420 do u recon i made a wise choice
Nice video 👌
Was the 690 from Landini in Italy? We have a Massey Ferguson 293 that was from Landini and had a lot of Problems with it.
Landini built the same tractor when the Massey 690 went out of production, I believe they were part owned by Massey so basically built under liscence like the imt
Richard i am also looking for my old tractor would you care to mention mine too 😂
I think the cab was actually french
Think that’s bad for rust. Could you imagine if it went to be a beat shunter. Worth a trip to cromer Norfolk see som old girls rusting but working
I can see why you don't want it back 😂 sounds like it was a Lemon! Just not a good fit for your farm, but i do hope it ended up somewhere else (whether Africa or elsewhere) where it could be useful
Do a video on Harry’s toy farm
Why is it old masseys are so hard to start compared to old fords? Any ford we ever had started with one turn of the key.
Your right! Our little ford 3610 is a fantastic starter, I've left it outside in -7 or so frosts and it just fires up no bother. It has a standard battery on it but it is a lot bigger than a 135, possibly that helps?
AT the barn not the autobahn lol know what you mean
Will you let The Swedish Supermodel Veronica drive the old Massey Ferguson 35 when you get it back on the farm.
i believe she is very keen to have a go
That´s going to be brilliant, a hot supermodel on a red hot tractor
I got the same tractor on farming simulator 22 as a mod i have to sell it because it has the same problem with it won't start all the time an x registration that is old
It’s an 80s suffix X reg where the year letter was at the end of the reg. Then the year letter was put at the start ( which would make x reg a 2000) 🙂.
@@casto- I thought it was a 2000 year
👍
600 series absolute scrap from New, Bad Tin worm, would eat headgaskets. Just all round rubbish tractor. However the 390 and 300 series are so much better. Definitely a modern classic. You can see that in the prices they go at sales and farm sales
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