I've seen very little information of Massey lawn, garden and snow removal equipment on this site. So, I would like to start a thread. Massey Ferguson has been selling lawn/garden tractors since 1963 and continues to this day.

I just bought an older Massey Ferguson snowblower, model 227 on Craigslist. It starts and runs great. Can someone tell me when this model was built and by whom. It is powered by a 7 hp Tecumseh engine and blows a 26 inch path.

Thanks,
Mike

Interesting, I knew they made lawn equipment, but didn't know about the snowblower. That is neat and while I don't know for sure, I would guess it would be anywhere from 1962-1970.

Mike,

This thread ought to zoom along!

Here's our MF 258 "Motoculteur" fitted with plough.  It was made by Iseki and is fitted with an 8hp Kawasaki engine.  It was not sold in the UK or N America and as far as I can establish was mainly soldmin the French market.  It is a strong little gadget!

John

Here's a pic of our MF 10 garden tractor fitted with a front mounted snow blower.  I puchased it in Ontario, Canada where they were very popular.

However it cannot cope with our usually wet snow!

John

Hey John,

MF 10 looks like it would be fun to play in the snow. 

I have a similar snowblower of the green variety and a couple of the things I have found is it works better in a higher gear.  So try again even in wet snow but faster than you would expect.  I also coat the inside of the blower with WD-40 or similar lubricant to help with the wet snow.  Good luck - I expect to see a video of you soon playing in the snow!
 

Drew

Dakota,
It is an earlier model, the first model was painted yellow like the Executives in the early 60's when the Executive 7E was introduced.

Anyone that is looking for information for the Massey lawn tractors and equipment should look at GTtalk.com. The site offers downloading manuals, brochures,etc.

The attached brochure shows the first Massey walk behind snowblower that can move half ton of snow in a minute with a B & S 4 hp engine.

I wonder how it would work in John's driveway?

Drew, 
I've heard that furniture polish sprayed in the chute before it gets wet helps also.

Mike

John,

The M.F. 258 Motoculteur looks like a tough looking machine that can turn a furrow. But where is the seat and steering wheel?

Mike

The first Massey Ferguson garden tractors were built by Dura Corporation in Richmond, Indiana and were badged Executives. They were only manufactured three years until the red models came along in 1966.

From left, the 7E was the first model built in 1963 with a 7 hp kohler engine
.
Next came the 8E in 1964 with a 8 hp Kohler engine

and in 1965 a different version 8E was built. Each year there were significant differences, such as steering wheels, brake system, clutch pedals, axles, seats, hoods, etc.

The far right Executive 8E now has the correct seat, a metal pan seat painted white to match the rear wheel weights. The 8E's came standard with a pan seat, an option was the deluxe seat shown on the middle 8E. 

Picture was taken at the 2018 Tractor Daze show in Portage, WI first part of July. There were over 900 garden and lawn tractors on display. 

 

Mike,

It was a real  man's machine - not built for ladies and pensioners!!  It's actually quite easy to operate as long as you don't fight it - like all these type of machines.  Fight them and they will wear you out in half an hour.  Go with them and you will be fresh as a daisy and well exercised at the end of the day - like being behind a horse.  It's a powerful thing.

These ride on things were built for the not fit to stay that way!

John

Mike,

Here's another one for the show - an MF electric rotary lawn mower.  It's 220 V, 900 watts,50Hz and runs at 2880 rpm.

John