Launched in 2003, the Massey Ferguson 5400 series of tractors was the last hurrah of the once inviolate partnership between Massey Ferguson and Perkins, as the next mid-range series from the company settled on in-house AGCOPower units, then referred to as ‘Sisu engines’.
The 5400 models ranged from 82hp to 145hp with either a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, the larger 6.6L engine being used from 109hp up.
They were first seen in 2003 and were primarily aimed at the family or mid-sized farm, especially stock farms as there were several options available which enhanced their use as loader tractors, with MF paying as much attention to what was required at the front of the machine as the rear.
Plenty of options
These options included a lower cab, a 100L/min hydraulic pump and the signature sloping bonnet which gave extra forward vision and was probably steeper than any other model on the market at the time.
Despite this sloping bonnet restricting space, the designers still manged to pack a 4.4L engine and ancillary components under it.
However, the option was not available on the larger six-cylinder models which had a longer wheelbase and were less suited to tight yard work as a result.
MF 5400 with shuttle box
At first, the standard transmission was a 16/16 box with a clutchless shuttle to change direction.
Later models came with the Dyna-4 transmission along with a 10hp power boost and three new models, two of which, the MF5470 and 5480, provided over 100hp from the four-cylinder engine.
Power ratings were rising and 100hp was no longer the big tractor that it was when the series was first introduced around eight years before, neither was it the preserve of six-cylinder tractors.
There are still clean examples of the MF 5400 series to be had including this Leitrim-based 75hp MF 5435 which can be viewed by clicking on Haystack here.