Is the Massey Ferguson 240 a good tractor?

I inherited a MF 240 with the Perkins diesel from a family member, the tractor has 323 hrs on it and was not in good shape when I got it. Ive replaced all the hydraulic lines, hydraulic pick up tube, all gauges, new tires, alternator, battery, serpentine belt, paint, exhaust, rebuilt all rams on steering and front end loader, top link not to mention all fluids and filters.

Here recently it let me down in the middle of my field covering up a 200 trench line for underground wire. Had black sludge in the fuel that clogged everything going to the lift pump. So I took everything apart in the field and ordered a new tank, lift pump, sending unit, fuel cut off valve and lines. Im hoping this solves most of the mechanical issues with the tractor but I had to cover the trench by hand and it seems like every time I get on the tractor something else is coming up. I dont have a lot of money in the tractor ($2200) but I do have ALOT of time in it. This tractor obviously sat for a very long time before I got my hands on it.

Is it worth it to keep sinking money in it or am I better off looking for a newer tractor? Currently building a house so Im keeping it on my land to help out but its been more yard art than help lately.

For the hours it has, and the money you have in it You better keep it. The new tank should take care of the contamination. Probably could have had the tank
cleaned, but new is better. I have a Mf 231. It has been a good tractor. Looks just like the 240. Stan

the black sludge, once cleaned out, can be kept clean with a $8 bottle of diesel treatment. Its a result of a mold that grows in a layer between the fuel and any water in the tank.

Keep it . You can buy a new one but then when it breaks
down you can make a tractor payment and a repair bill

IMHO - they are an excellent tractor.

Those massey's along with other makes and
brands are some of the finest tractors
ever to be built we will not likely see
the quality built into these older
tractors ever again I would definitely
keep it

Yes I agree with your view - I second this

(quoted from post at 22:53:46 03/13/21) the black sludge, once cleaned out, can be kept clean with a $8 bottle of diesel treatment. Its a result of a mold that grows in a layer between the fuel and any water in the tank.

Click to expand...

Yeah I have some hot shot extreme and power service bio kleen and clear diesel I was thinking about using one of these products after I get the new parts back on. Hopefully none of that sludge ruined my injectors or injection pump. My fuel line was clear going to my primary fuel filer so I think Im going to be ok. Just wanted to add something to help flush out the rest of the system.

Hotshots is a good product for cleaning and youll want a
product to kill the bacteria or fungus whatever it is . Never
seen it here

Yes, good tractor. Will still be running years from now with basic maintenance.

You're in too deep to give up now!

The tractor looks to have been somewhat neglected but not abused.

With the actions you have taken, I would expect a long and happy relationship!

The old stuff is much easier to work on than the new ones with all the electronics that give fits. A older parts man at a Dealership told me that after tractors are 10 years old its get hard to find the electronic parts and they won't be running when they get old because of it.

I had a pickup that acted about the same way. Looked like new when I bought it and I was so happy with my find until about three days after I bought it. It was a repair bill of one to two thousand each time. I'd think OK, now it's all fixed and I'll be fine. Couple months and some other thing would go wrong and another repair bill. Finally, got so sick of it I traded for a new one. Sometimes you just get burned out.

Sometimes people do get burned out fixing a tractor or other piece of equipment and get rid of it. The next guy buys it and has great luck because its was all fixed up, although rare but it does happen.