The (Dodgy) Italian Job

Dan Harris guides us through buying a tractor which is rare enough to turn heads but shares something unwanted with an 1980s Alfa Romeo

 

With the introduction of the first Q cabs in the 1970s, tractor developers would never again be allowed to rest on their laurels where operator comfort was concerned. Massey Ferguson had successfully retained a substantial share of the medium horsepower market in the UK with the introduction of the 500 series, but soon realised that these models would be relatively short-lived and a greater development was afoot.

That development was released to the market as the 600 series, produced from 1981-1986, and represented another logical progression of operator comfort while retaining the tried and proven transaxle arrangement born in the MF 185. Gearbox upgrades were made, together with the standard fitment of assister rams to improved lift capacity.

At launch, the MF 698 replaced the MF 595 with the Perkins A4.318 engine (which had gained a reputation for eating cylinder head gaskets) being retained. However, the engine was designated a MkII version, supposedly cured of such problems. Massey Ferguson saw fit to replace the engine with the newly developed turbocharged Perkins AT4.236 halfway through production, gaining two more horsepower and better torque characteristics in the process.

Finally the Massey stable had produced its first four-cylinder turbocharged thoroughbred and, understandably proud of the achievement, saw fit to advertise it by designating the new model the MF 698T. Massey thus had a better product to take on the Ford 7610 - even if still playing catch-up on power. We take a look at the features and what to look out for if you believe this classic model could be for you.

ENGINE