One-of-a-kind Massey Ferguson 390T

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Martins’ Garage Bailieboro. Massey Ferguson dealers for almost 40 years, the Martin brothers, Ronnie and Trevor, recently traded in a locally owned 25-year-old gem.

This gem is a pristine 1995-registered Massey Ferguson 390T showing only 1,350 hours on the clock since rolling off the production line in Banner Lane, Coventry.

The 390T came to attention of the Martins when offered as a trade-in and it has remained in their ownership since. Ronnie noted how he knew nothing about the tractor’s existence beforehand.

The 1995 MF 390T LoProfile+ model is fitted with the 30km/h 12x12 shuttle transmission, a common specification for its time. Ronnie explained how a local farmer bought the tractor in 1995 and remained in his possession until his passing in recent years.

As he understands it, this immaculate example was used mainly for transport purposes and light farm work. “The tractor was never worked hard. The exhaust manifold never even got hot enough to burn the paint off,” he noted. After 25 years, its clock only shows 1,350 hours. This works out at an average of 54 hours a year.

“When I first saw the tractor I noticed it even still had the PDI tag around the shuttle lever from new. All operators manuals were with the tractor and also like new. We touched up the rims, but other than that everything about the tractor is 100% original, even the Grundig radio.”

Ronnie explained how he never thought he would again witness an MF 300 series tractor in such original condition since production ceased and they stopped selling them in roughly 1996.

“The 300 series were great tractors. Even today, you’d sell one any day one any day of the week. I always like to see them coming in. A good one commands good money.”

Back in the era when Martins were selling the MF 300 series new, Ronnie recalls his father (Freddie) selling 390Ts of similar spec for £18,500 (punt) with the option of 4WD costing roughly £2,500 extra. Since acquiring this one-of-a-kind 390T, Ronnie has refused an offer of €27,000.

Ronnie noted how he doesn’t intend on selling the 390T but the right offer may tempt him. “You never know what a man could do if the price was right. If I knew then what I know now, I would have hid away a few new 300s until now. I’d surly have made money on them,” he said, jokingly.

I asked what model Massey in his opinion could be as highly sought after in years to come? His answer was the 6290.

“The 6290 was one of our favourites. They were a great tractor. I believe they put Massey back on the map at the time and are a model to watch out for in the future.”

Ronnie made the remark how back in the 1990s the best-selling tractor in the yard was between the 90hp 390T and 104hp 399. Today, the best sellers in the yard are the 7718 S and 7720 S, tractors with 175hp and 200hp respectively (excluding boost).

“It really shows how times have changed. In just 25 years, the go-to tractor has doubled in power output.”

MF 300 series history

In October 1986, Massey Ferguson launched two new tractors series, the 300 and 3000. Many at the time considered this a brave move given the challenging economic climate. However, it paid off and played a large role in the company’s future success.

While the larger 3000 series offered the latest level of technology for its time with electronic controls and advanced hydraulic systems, the more simplistic approach of the 300 series certainly didn’t hold it back. Over the next 10 years and beyond, the MF 300 range went on to become some of the best-selling tractors across the globe and are still regarded today as one of the best tractor ranges ever built. The MF 300 series arguably made up for what its predecessor the MF 200 and 600 series models lacked.

The MF 300 series brought with it a new style of cab with two choices available, LoProfile+ and Hi-Line+. The LoProfile+ cab was roughly 6in lower than the Hi-Line+. This had a ridge in the floor due to its lower mounting. Ronnie noted that the low-profile cab proved popular around farms with low sheds.

Early pre-production models featured the red and black colour scheme which later changed to the common red and sliver livery we are more familiar with today.

Models

Over the 11-year production period, there were in total 10 models produced for the UK and Irish market. At launch, the 80hp 390 was the range-topper. In 1988, the range had seven models. By 1993, the MF 350 and 360 three-cylinder models were dropped, meaning six four-cylinder models and one six-cylinder model were now available.

The MF 362, 365 and 375 were equipped with the Perkins A4.236 engine, while the 390T and 398 were equipped with the same engine only turbo-charged.

The 390 featured the A4.248 while the range-topping 110hp 399 was fitted with the Perkins 10006 six-cylinder power plant.

In the early 1990s, the MF 302 models were introduced. Two three-cylinder models, the MF 342 and MF 352, and three four-cylinder models were also introduced, the MF 362, 372 and 382. Some of these were built for the far east market and were not available in Ireland and the UK.

Massey Ferguson also produced specialised Forestry and Highway edition MF 300 series models but given the low production numbers, these models prove extremely scarce today. As production came to an end in the mid 1990s, the 399 remained the last in production until 1997 before the series was replaced by the MF 4200 tractors.

Transmissions

Alongside the new engine-mounted tandem hydraulic pumps, larger hydraulic lift cylinders and other features, the MF 300 series had more transmission options than before, with the choice of 30km/h or 40km/h models available.

Early models came fitted with the 12-speed Syncro gearbox (centrally mounted gear sticks), while the 12x12 single-lever shuttle box and 18x6 speed shift box arrived sometime later. Ronnie noted how the 12x12 shuttle box proved popular around the midlands as the equal forward and reverse speeds suited front loader work well. The 18x6 Speedshift proved ideal for draft work thanks to its power-splitter offering a larger range of gears.

To date, the MF 300 series, in particular the 390/390T models, are among the most popular secondhand tractors imported into Ireland.

In 2013 alone, 116 secondhand 390/390T models were registered. Although changes in relation to road tax legislation were introduced that year, this is still an impressive figure.