Massey Ferguson (MF) remains one of the leading tractor brands in Ireland, from the grey Ferguson 20, 35, MF 135 and MF 390 right up to today’s flagship MF 8700 series. The MF 390/390T was the most popular used tractor imported into Ireland in 2013. Modern variants of the MF 390 remain popular, as are more powerful and more sophisticated variants.

In recent weeks, a Wexford farm machinery company has created a new division that specialises in used MF parts. MF Salvage is a division of Ned Murphy Tractors and has recently been granted a permit to deal with end-of-life tractors.

“This permit allows us to buy end-of-life tractors, salvage and process them for parts to re-sell,” Ned explains. “We are specialising in MF only for the time being, because these are the tractors that we have experience with.”

Ned has spent nearly 40 years as a mechanic working on the Massey Ferguson brand. Twenty-five of those were with Enniscorthy-based firm J. Donohoe Ltd, before establishing his own MF-based business.

Ned is supported in the running of MF Salvage by his sons, Keith and Gary, while Ned’s wife, Margaret, looks after the paperwork. Older son Keith has degrees in both quantity surveying and facilities and energy management, while Gary is in his third year of a mechanic apprenticeship with the family firm.

Keith explains: “I have been working on tractors since I was very young. After college, I spent three years working in Australia, America and Dublin in my field of study before I came home to work on the salvage end of the business.

“Second-hand or green-parts offer an attractive financial alternative to new parts for many tractor owners. Re-using older parts is also now considered to be more environmentally friendly, as the parts already exist albeit secondhand,” says Keith.

Many parts can be re-used from salvage tractors, offering a real alternative to new parts. They are typically around 50% cheaper.

In the last six months, the firm has dismantled and shelved over 15 tractors, all in accordance with waste permit stipulations. “Our facilities are fully equipped and compliant with all regulations,” states Ned.

“We have a dedicated de-pollutant area where all harmful substances are extracted, handled and dealt with in an environmentally safe and friendly manner.” These include all oils, fuel, anti-freeze/coolant, filters and batteries.

Among the tractors fitted with green parts include MF 2620’s from 1983 up to a Tier II MF 6480, plus MF 3000 Series Fergusons.

“At this early stage, we find that customers are looking for wheels, tyres, front-axle parts, gearbox and backend parts. Cab components are proving popular as well, with a demand for seats, mirror arms and roofs. Hitches are also a good seller,” explains Ned.

On the day we visited, fellow Massey Ferguson enthusiast and garage owner Tom Murphy, of Tom Murphy Equipment Ltd, had just bought a complete engine. So far, approximately 95% of the business remains in Ireland with 50% of this business going to the North, Ned estimates.

But, even at this early stage, word has spread across the internet as Keith enthusiastically explains: “This week, we have a pickup hitch going to Scotland, wings for an MF 6290 going to England, gearbox parts for an MF 3630 going to Dubai and a crankshaft, plus gearbox parts, going to Poland.”

Having a good website has been important in the establishment of MF Salvage. “All of the tractors we are breaking are on it,” says Keith.

Payment

“Customers can see that we are breaking a particular MF model and generally either ring or email us to enquire if we have the part or parts that they are looking for. We then email the customer photographs and, if they are satisfied, we arrange payment and next-day or other suitable courier service,” says Keith. Payment options include bank transfer, credit card or PayPal.

The firm can also supply new parts in addition to Green-Parts, either genuine or spurious to complete an order from a customer. They have various electronic control units (ECUs) for MF 3000 series tractors from the 1980s right up to modern units.

“Down the road, we hope to offer a service exchange service for ECUs, depending on the demand,” says Keith. “We might consider putting individual parts and components on the website as well,” he adds.

Massey Ferguson Salvage welcomes any calls from dealers or farmers who want to sell end-of-life Massey Ferguson tractors. “Ideally, we are looking for tractors such as the MF 390 and upwards to current tractors in any condition,” states Ned.

“We also consider Renault or Claas tractors with the GIMA backend that is shared with MF.”

Contact

MF Salvage

Web: www.masseyfergusonsalvage.com

Address: Ballydaw, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

Tel: 053-9388646

Email: info@nedmurphytractors.com

Parts/enquiries: Keith Murphy: 087-9263052

Gary Murphy: 086-8606504

Ned: 087-6815015

Jordan Agriparts opens in Mayo

Jordan Agriparts is a newly-established, independent parts distributor, based in Claremorris, Co Mayo. The business was set up by Tom Jordan, formerly of Murphy’s Garage, Headford, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the farm machinery sector.

Jordan Agriparts provides parts for all makes and models of tractors and machinery. Jordan Agriparts, is based at the IDA Business Park, Claremorris, Co Mayo, Phone 086-0482224 or 094-9362901 for information.

New wireless machine camera

Sparex is offering a range of wireless camera systems for use with modern farm machines, where rear and side visibility is often a problem. The systems, which can be wired into any tractor, loader or harvester uses digital wireless transmission technology to give live pictures and sound in the cab.

Sparex claims that the unit is easy to install and easy to use. Up to four cameras can be used on the system, with the in-cab screen divided into four sections when four cameras are used.

The cost of the basic unit from Sparex dealers is €426.46 (£319 in Northern Ireland), plus VAT.

Erth Engineering reseeding demo

Erth Engineering is holding a grass reseeding demonstration on Tuesday August 26 at the Farrelly farm at Kieran, Carnaross, Kells, Co Meath from 11am until the early afternoon.

Erth will be showing its new Agriseeder range, which is a disc-type grass seeding machine.

This week’s machine of the week on the Irish Farmers Journal’s advertising website www.toplink.ie is the Hand Engineering-built solid log splitter, which was stolen some time ago from an Enniscorthy farm and has been spotted at car boot sales in recent weeks. The log splitter was bright red with two curved yellow operating handles but is probably repainted now. It looks well made by Hand Engineering, no H-iron used; instead, a heavy-walled rectangular section pillar. The owner had drilled out the base and fitted a ball hitch for handiness. Contact 087-6683067 or 087-9082186 if you see it for sale or bought it in error in recent weeks.