MF 145 Assistance Please

[bigandyman]

Hi

I've just bought a farmhouse in the south of France and with it, a 1966 MF145. I've never owned a tractor before and frankly I have no idea what I've bought or got myself into. So I have a few questions I hope you may be able to help with. It's in astonishingly good condition and just had €4000 of new brakes and possible clutch work based on a receipt. It starts, drives and runs very well indeed.

- What fuel does it use? The previous owner (no longer speaking to us) mentioned it might be the same as the heating oil in the house, but that can't be right? Would it be diesel? Are those fuels compatible?

- How often does it need to be serviced? Annually like a car or based on hours run? It has roughly 600 hours on the dial.

- Does it need constant fiddling to keep it working (various fluids, filters etc) or is it a reliable workhorse? I'm of a mind to sell it along with a 2m wide rear grass cutting deck and buy. modern park size sit on mower for ease, but I don't know how much effort is required to keep it mobile. The old gent who owned it serviced it himself and a handy fiddler from what I can tell.

- If I were to put it up for sale, does anyone have a view on ball park figures? Majority of MF ads are for 135 and 165. I can't work out if I have a rarity or a bad model year that got scrapped quickly! In terms of attachments, there is the mower deck, a green keeper mower deck, a log splitter, a huge circular saw attachment (possible 24" diameter) and a water bowser. It's all a bit bewildering.

Thanks in advance for any answers anyone has on these points.

Andy

 

[GeorgiaRebel]

Here is some information on the MF 145 that might get you started: https://tractor-data.com/massey-ferguson-145/

Looks like the 145 only came in a diesel configuration, if that web site is correct.

 

[toolslinger]

It may well be the same as the home heating oil.
I can't speak to France obviously... However, over here, #2 fuel oil, is diesel, with some different additives, primarily, they put a red dye in it to indicate it isn't for use on the highway. (no road tax applied to it) It burns perfectly well in our diesel tractors, and never caused me an issue when I was in a pinch and filled my truck's tank. (I avoid that, as they can really hit you with a serious fine if you're caught) I do add an anti-gel agent to it when I'm putting it in a tractor in the winter.

 

[priberc]

1, Yes it will burn diesel.....and yes diesel will heat the house if you have oil heat in the house. Pretty sure you can not use heating oil in the tractor though. At least I have never heard of it before anyways.
2, 600 hours and the brakes have been changed out....maybe a clutch. wow doesn't cover my emotions. If you are using the tractor lots you will need to change oil at a certain hourly interval. A quick look has it at 200-250 hours depending on source. That said the manufacturers of the oil say the oil should be changed annually because the additives in the oil break down and the oil is no longer "up to spec".
3 I expect the tractor was a good one when new......but the brakes clutch replacement at 600 hrs says it may have had a very hard life for the first 600 hrs. Check with the shop that did the work on the machine then maybe get another opinion/appraisal if you can
4, as for pricing....that is a pretty regional thing.
Mid 60s tractors were all pretty tough machines. Simple ,straight forward to fix and you have a well known name brand so parts will be available. If it were me I would hang on to it all and see if it will do what you expect it/need it to do. Even if it doesn't do what you expect/desire you have some idea of what you want/need for your desires/expectations to be met when you go shopping for a different one even one year down the road....two years would give you a better idea yet. It will also give you a chance to shop around as you workout what you want/need as well as get an idea of what you have is worth

 

[bigandyman]

Hi. Thanks for the responses. I've translated the 'repair bill' and it seems to suggest it was engine related and dated 2014. Perhaps the owner had paid for the brake separately and recently. And I've come to learn with an 85 year old French gent, that recently could be a decade ago. It's relative! And maybe something was lost in translation between the French owner, the Belgian agent and our English. I will try and contact the garage the did the work as they're still in existence and see what they have on record.

It's certainly low in hours and for the last 30 years he's owned it, it's just cut grass and pulled a bowser for watering the plants. I can only assume it's the original dial and working. Time will tell. I've attached some photo's for reference.

 

[priberc]

Hi. Thanks for the responses. I've translated the 'repair bill' and it seems to suggest it was engine related and dated 2014. Perhaps the owner had paid for the brake separately and recently. And I've come to learn with an 85 year old French gent, that recently could be a decade ago. It's relative! And maybe something was lost in translation between the French owner, the Belgian agent and our English. I will try and contact the garage the did the work as they're still in existence and see what they have on record.

It's certainly low in hours and for the last 30 years he's owned it, it's just cut grass and pulled a bowser for watering the plants. I can only assume it's the original dial and working. Time will tell. I've attached some photo's for reference.

Multiple translations will lead to omissions misunderstandings I hope my comment helped you Good luck

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

1, Yes it will burn diesel.....and yes diesel will heat the house if you have oil heat in the house. Pretty sure you can not use heating oil in the tractor though. At least I have never heard of it before anyways.
2, 600 hours and the brakes have been changed out....maybe a clutch. wow doesn't cover my emotions. If you are using the tractor lots you will need to change oil at a certain hourly interval. A quick look has it at 200-250 hours depending on source. That said the manufacturers of the oil say the oil should be changed annually because the additives in the oil break down and the oil is no longer "up to spec".
3 I expect the tractor was a good one when new......but the brakes clutch replacement at 600 hrs says it may have had a very hard life for the first 600 hrs. Check with the shop that did the work on the machine then maybe get another opinion/appraisal if you can
4, as for pricing....that is a pretty regional thing.
Mid 60s tractors were all pretty tough machines. Simple ,straight forward to fix and you have a well known name brand so parts will be available. If it were me I would hang on to it all and see if it will do what you expect it/need it to do. Even if it doesn't do what you expect/desire you have some idea of what you want/need for your desires/expectations to be met when you go shopping for a different one even one year down the road....two years would give you a better idea yet. It will also give you a chance to shop around as you workout what you want/need as well as get an idea of what you have is worth

You can let the wrong person use it just part of one day and need brakes and a clutch. Exactly why I don't loan.

 

[RjCorazza]

That's a nice reliable tractor, that has light hours. As far as fuel, yes it's a diesel, and here in the states you could run home heating oil in a machine of that era. I have no idea what home heating oil is in France.
As far as maintenance, pretty standard stuff like oil, transmission fluid, etc. I don't think maintenance would be any more difficult or time consuming than maintaining a smaller lawn mower, perhaps slightly more expense because of fluid volumes though.
If you decide to sell it, check some tractor auction sites for an idea of both asking and actual selling prices. I suspect that machine would fall somewhere around $5000 USD here, but I haven't looked into it.
Enjoy your new place!

 

[priberc]

You can let the wrong person use it just part of one day and need brakes and a clutch. Exactly why I don't loan.

Well......I might be praising myself a bit here but. if i feel the person I am thinking of loaning any of my riggin to is likely to start destroying it as soon as they touch it......it was never a serious consideration to loan anything to them in the first place
It has been my observation that for any number of different reasons people with zero equipment IQ stand out in the crowd. That said clutch and brakes in 600 hours would be some kind of record on a mid 60s tractor of any kind. Especially when even loader tractors see many thousands if not ten thousand hours before a clutch is needed

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Them old tractors, I'll pour burnt motor oil in the fuel tank, kerosene, even old gas that wont burn with a lighter. Mixed with diesel of course. Our older tractors are 80's models. Never been to a shop or dealer since new. We do have a newer cab electronic tractor, I dont do it with that one. Its touchy with just clean diesel. But on the others I have run as much as half a tank of oil. I love it when they chance oil in big trucks, sk8dders, and dozer. I put it in clean buckets and keep it.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Well......I might be praising myself a bit here but. if i feel the person I am thinking of loaning any of my riggin to is likely to start destroying it as soon as they touch it......it was never a serious consideration to loan anything to them in the first place
It has been my observation that for any number of different reasons people with zero equipment IQ stand out in the crowd. That said clutch and brakes in 600 hours would be some kind of record on a mid 60s tractor of any kind. Especially when even loader tractors see many thousands if not ten thousand hours before a clutch is needed

Maybe the throw out bearing went out and they did a clutch while they were there. Had to do a 68 John Deere like that. Clutch still looked new. Old fella had 1000 cows, baled his hay, did a garden since 68.

 

[priberc]

Maybe the throw out bearing went out and they did a clutch while they were there. Had to do a 68 John Deere like that. Clutch still looked new. Old fella had 1000 cows, baled his hay, did a garden since 68.

It seems he may have had a bad translation of the work order eg French to Belgian to English with a lot lost in translations....no clutch ,some engine work in 2014. With brakes bought recently. Most likely brake drums were rusty and squeaking.....so original owner bought shoes in anticipation of replacement
You keep burning mixed diesel and used oil in your riggin.....knock yourself out. Personally I will be burning diesel in mine and I recommend that everyone else to do the same.

 

[bigandyman]

The owner did indicate (before he stopped speaking to us) that he did use the heating oil and I think, given the age and comments above, it probably worked ok on the French heating oil. I'll stick with diesel just in case though. Saving a few Euros at the risk of a big bill isn't worth it.

I've looked further in the invoice that was waved as evidence by the owner and it was dated 2014 ands vaguely states engine work. His comments re brakes (and possibly clutch) indicated this was done in the last year. I'm going to contact the servicing garage to see if they have history they are willing to share. But regardless of all that, it seems to be a low hour model in very good condition. And a new owner that has no idea how to use it yet, beyond driving slowly around the courtyard on the flat. Next step, hook up the lawn mover attachment and see what happens.

Thanks for all the comments. If I don't get on it with it, it'll be cleaned, listed and exchanged for a modern park mower . It should be owned by someone that loves these models.

 

[priberc]

The owner did indicate (before he stopped speaking to us) that he did use the heating oil and I think, given the age and comments above, it probably worked ok on the French heating oil. I'll stick with diesel just in case though. Saving a few Euros at the risk of a big bill isn't worth it.

I've looked further in the invoice that was waved as evidence by the owner and it was dated 2014 ands vaguely states engine work. His comments re brakes (and possibly clutch) indicated this was done in the last year. I'm going to contact the servicing garage to see if they have history they are willing to share. But regardless of all that, it seems to be a low hour model in very good condition. And a new owner that has no idea how to use it yet, beyond driving slowly around the courtyard on the flat. Next step, hook up the lawn mover attachment and see what happens.

Thanks for all the comments. If I don't get on it with it, it'll be cleaned, listed and exchanged for a modern park mower . It should be owned by someone that loves these models.

Don't quote me on this bit I think heating oil is heavier than diesel. So maybe not as refined as diesel and that caused seals in the pump to fail.....thats my best guess anyway. Good luck my friend.
PS, If you have an owners manual or can down load one from the internet read it. You might save yourself some grief/frustration

 

[rScotty]

Well congratulations on the MF 145. All the tractors from that era are wonderful old machines. Keep the fluids filled and the battery up and expect it to go just fine for another 50 years.

Only downside to those older tractors is they are oddly tiring to use on a regular basis. They do last forever. They are Ok when you are young or using them just every once in a while. More modern ones are easier and comfortable by comparison. Part of that is just the lighter construction and controls.... along with power steering and shifting being standard these days.

Use the same diesel in that tractor that you buy at the pump for your diesel car or truck. All the other fluids are equally simple. For antifreeze it takes the old green colored ethylene glycol 50/50 mix. Much the same as autos of the same vintage.

 

[redman135]

Hello bigandyman.The engine runs on diesel. The manual reccomends an anual service if doing low hours, or per a set number of hours if doing higher (200 +see manual for exact #)
I had an MF 135 about the age of yours and It lived in a shed from new(1964), the tacho was a lot more faded than yours. I suspect that you have a replacement tacho.Also the hours don't add up. Even at a low 50 hours per year you should have about 2800 hours on the tacho. These tractors routinely do 10000 hours and more on basic maintenance.
If you haven't already, GET an OPERATORS MANUAL, it will tell you what you need to know .
Engine dipstick is on the left side.
Gearbox dipstick is in the rightside by your right heel.

Steering box, is below the steering wheel, seals are pro to fail after 50, yes fifty years. Check it because they (in New Zealand) are pricey to replace.
Could you add a photo of the instruments please? this will tell weather you have a deluxe or standard model.
Also is the gearbox a 6 speed, or a multipower?

This tractor has lived in a shed all its life, just look at the paint condition. You have a gem.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Hi. Thanks for the responses. I've translated the 'repair bill' and it seems to suggest it was engine related and dated 2014. Perhaps the owner had paid for the brake separately and recently. And I've come to learn with an 85 year old French gent, that recently could be a decade ago. It's relative! And maybe something was lost in translation between the French owner, the Belgian agent and our English. I will try and contact the garage the did the work as they're still in existence and see what they have on record.

It's certainly low in hours and for the last 30 years he's owned it, it's just cut grass and pulled a bowser for watering the plants. I can only assume it's the original dial and working. Time will tell. I've attached some photo's for reference.

Their is no way your tractor only as 6452h unless it was forgotten in a barn for a very long time. Your Tractor it is on its second turn of the dial or even third so it has 106452h. but don't worry it is good for a other full one if you keep repairing it. you have a very clean tractor don't let the hours deceive you these things run for ever.