Any MF-85 owners out there?

grove57 · Aug 31, 2011

Greetings. I just joined the forum a few days ago and haven't found my way around very well yet. I recently got a '77 MF 275 to replace my aging and worn out MF-85. Is anyone else trying to keep one of these (MF-85) running? Don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time finding parts for it. Catalogs are full of parts for 35's, 50's, 65's - even 88's, but 85 parts are rarely listed. I need an exhaust manifold and gasket, not to mention new seals (engine, trans, rear axle - you name it). I'm guessing the 85 (mine's a '62) was sort of a white elephant -not very popular. It's been a real workhorse for me, even though it was pretty well worn out when I got it in 1978. Any similar stories out there? Just curious.....

PWH · Sep 7, 2011

grove57 said:
Greetings. I just joined the forum a few days ago and haven't found my way around very well yet. I recently got a '77 MF 275 to replace my aging and worn out MF-85. Is anyone else trying to keep one of these (MF-85) running? Don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time finding parts for it. Catalogs are full of parts for 35's, 50's, 65's - even 88's, but 85 parts are rarely listed. I need an exhaust manifold and gasket, not to mention new seals (engine, trans, rear axle - you name it). I'm guessing the 85 (mine's a '62) was sort of a white elephant -not very popular. It's been a real workhorse for me, even though it was pretty well worn out when I got it in 1978. Any similar stories out there? Just curious.....

Hi there,

Just joined myself after seeing your post.

I have a MF85 which I just acquired as part of a property purchase. Tractor has sat for a couple of years but was able to get her going once I put a new battery in it.

I'd really like to use it for simple things like grading my driveway and pulling logs out of the bush but seems that I've got a fairly major hydraulic leak coming mainly out of the rear drive shaft. Previous own thought it was probably just the seals but I'm new to tractors as well so will have to find someone to look at it. Probably need to replace the tires on mine as well so not sure if it's worth spending the $$.

grove57 · Sep 7, 2011

So, there are at least 2 MF-85's out there! Congratulations, I think. I've used my 85 primarily as a hauler/dragger/mower for the past several years. It's been great for those tasks. Mine, too has a decent trans/hydraulic leak. My axle seals were leaking into the housing where the brake discs are. I replaced the seals and the brake discs, and within a week or 2 they were leaking again! I guess the axles were worn just enough at the point of contact with the seals that it couldn't hold back the fluid. It still leaks, but I still use it anyway. Needless to say, I use the cheapest fluid I can find. My 3-point acts a little squirrely in the cold weather, as does the power steering. Now that I've ragged on it so much, I might as well say some good things. It's been a pretty reliable starter and runner. It still has pretty good power for its condition. With the tires set rather wide, it's incredibly stable and secure on the hilly ground around here. Despite the trouble I've had finding parts, I think I'm going to hang on to it. I've got to say, however, after owning my MF-275 for only a few months I know now that diesel is the way to go! Good luck!

PWH · Sep 7, 2011

I was amazed that the 85 fired up with only a few tries after sitting idle for a couple of years. Mines had a few engine modifications done by the previous owner but to be honest I didn't catch what he said...something about the air intake route or something.

This is my first tractor and my 14 yr old son and I would really like to get it in shape so we can use it on our 1/4 section. Our biggest issue is the hydraulic leak and I'm wondering how difficult it is to replace the seals. Also I need new rear tires -both rubber and wheels so any idea what the options are in terms of availability and what other MF model's wheels will work?

Will be cleaning up the leaking hydraulic fluid and putting new fluid and oil in it this weekend to access how bad the leak is. Might just go your route and put up with the leak for now.

Paul

grove57 · Sep 8, 2011

Hey Paul, my 85 could use new tires/rims, too. Being my "spare" tractor, I'm content to just air them up and keep going. I have, however checked into new tires/rims, and have found multiple suppliers. I haven't researched very much but it appears that they came w/multiple sized tires/rims, so other model's rims should fit. Also, there seem to be several aftermarket sources of rims.
Where exactly is your tractor leaking? There aren't alot of seals that are readily accessible except perhaps the pto. The inner axle seals themselves were easy to change once the axles were removed .That required alot of blocking,hoisting and jacking, but the mechanics are pretty primative - few small parts to worry about! See what you can after cleaning it up. Good luck. Grove

PWH · Sep 13, 2011

Hi Grove,

Seems the leak is around the PTO as you can see in this picture. Any ideas what this could be?

I did drain the oil and transmission fluid on the weekend and there was lots of fluid in the tractor. Will fill with new fluids hopefully this weekend and clean up the pto and see if the leak reappears.

grove57 · Sep 16, 2011

Hey Paul, It sure looks like a pto seal leak. It's an easy fix if that's the only problem.(see 'replacing pto seal...' thread by Elkins45). It's not too hard or expensive to find out: pry out old seal (after noting how deeply it sits) clean up mating area, set new seal over opening ( some folks put gasket sealer to lubricate/secure outer rim of seal) and gently, squarely and evenly tap it into position using a hammer and block of wood. the wood spreads the hammer tap out over a wider area of the seal, keeping it square. Tap 1 side, then the other. Tap the top, then the bottom. The idea is to not let any portion of the seal get driven in too far in advance of the rest of it. Slow and steady is the rule here. If by chance this doesn't help the leak, another option might be to simply cap the pto off with a cover. If you're using it to blade or drag stuff, you don't need the pto!

PWH · Sep 16, 2011

That's encouraging! Thanks for that info.

Haven't got the new transmission fluid yet but hopefully this weekend will have some time to clean up the pto and have a closer look at it.

grove57 · Sep 16, 2011

Paul: Boy, is my face red! I described that procedure from memory (did mine in '03) and got to thinking that maybe I should actually go look at my tractor to make sure I told you correctly. Turns out I left out a major step. Not a difficult one, but a major one. The PTO seal is actually installed on the inside of that big rear plate. This is the big plate that has the upper link of 3-pt. on it. It's held on by 8 or so big bolts. That plate has to come off, then the seal is installed on the inside of it - flat side of seal pointing inward. The procedure is now the same as I told you w/ the added benefit of not having to work around the PTO shaft which will remain on the tractor. Be sure to clean it (shaft) off well, as you'll have to slide the housing/plate (w/ new seal) back over the shaft. Do this very carefully so as not to damage the new seal. It's a good thing you haven't put fluid back in yet because at least some would've needed draining to do this job. Also, there's probably a paper or cork gasket under the rear plate that if you can find a new one -replace it. If not, try to get it to stay on either cover or housing, then apply sealant.

ToadHill · Sep 17, 2011

If you are still looking for MF 85 parts I sold one to a tractor boneyard a couple of years ago. They may still have some of the parts for it.

Mack Enterprizes
Randolph NY.

Sorry I don't have a phone number, but I'm sure you can get it from directory assistance.