CJ Field Test MF860/60HX

It takes eight minutes to fully grease an MF 60HX and two minutes less for the 860. Although there are 10 fewer grease nipples on the 860 loader and the front axle universal joints require attention every 250 hours - against 50 for the 60HX - those rear propshaft nipples do take up an extra minute.

The 860 rear hinged, one piece, tip up bonnet is a huge improvement to serviceability. Simply release the catch and it's all there in front of you - the air cleaner is unobstructed and the fuel filter, engine oil and transmission dipsticks are conveniently grouped.

MF's engineers made sure both machines were running within the published specifications of revs, pressures and flows.

The 60HX had 1034 hours on the clock and was borrowed from a customer in exchange for a 750.

After the test the engineers were discussing how to break the news to the marketing department that the customer has no intention of handing the new machine back.