Any MF-85 owners out there?

[grove57]

Can anyone help with advice on how to fix my rusted rim valve?

After sitting outside all winter I put the battery back in the MF85 this weekend with some fresh gas and wouldn't you know it started on the first try!

The rim looks pretty bad from your photo. I don't know if it can be fixed at this point, but here's what I've done on some rusted FRONT rims; remove the tire/tube, grind/wire-brush/sand the inside and apply a fiberglass patch to cover the hole and a good bit of the surrounding metal. I then drill a new valve-stem hole in an area away from the rusted spot.

I know this is a lot more work on a rear tire, but it might be the only hope. Actually, you can still get a lot of use out of a rusted rim - I've seen them where you could see a good bit of the tube through the hole, yet they still hold air and keep on workin'! It may be time to decide how much you want to invest in the tractor, if it's worth it to you to buy some new rims

 

[Dieseltech]

After tire is removed have seen bad section of rim cut out and a repair section from a donor rim welded in before. Also may be able to find good used power set rims at a salvage yard, 6 ramp rims were used on other brands as well. 5 ramp 30 inch wheels are harder to find but were on some Ford models too. Had a gas 85 years ago at a plow day that rim was so rusty it broke away between ramps and stuck out about 5 inches, ran about 1/2 hour before it was loaded back on the trailer, thought I had pushed my luck long enough. Never did blow even though tube was really showing big time.

 

[WilliamBos]

Have a MF 85 Diesel as well as Ferguson TO-35 diesel with Standard 23C engine. Both tractors need to use Thermostart intake manifold heater to start below 60 degrees, or also use blockheater when colder to save battery, starter, and my sanitiy. 35 has been rebuilt, 85 with 277 Continental is stilll original. Have had both on Rockville tractor tour in years past, each will use about 1/2 gallon an hour, but speed is average about 10 MPH. This tour is my Redneck vacation the last weekend of June every year.

No glow plugs on the TO35?

 

[Dieseltech]

1958 TO-35 used CAV thermostart in manifold up to SN 188850, later switched to glow plugs. Mine is 187525, also has fixed phase timing injection pump, later used light load advance pump.

 

[jdavis82]

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.

well I will tell ya I had this same problem pulling my 10 ft . bushhogg U will have to replace that seal that is in the cover it goes around the pto . I bought mine at a bearings specialist. it was like $ 8 . but it cost more then that when ya buy all new fluid for the rear end. but if U have anymore ?'s then email me at jdavis82@localnet.com I have a mf 85 high crop which I am only one in the south eastern tn who has one . and if U find a manifold for one let me know that is all mine needs for a completely restored.

 

[Dieseltech]

If your 85 is a gas model a manifold for a gas Super 90 242 engine will fit also, may be able to widen your search a little. If diesel S90 is not the same as Perkins 4A300 engine is used.

 

[tjmf85]

I bought a neglected mf 85 gas last year and it has a few problems. If I can get these fixed it will be about the perfect tractor for me, it always fires right up, easy to drive and plenty of power. I have a 5' brush mower and when I tried to put it on I found out the pto has some problems. Ground drive works perfect, neutral and on stay running no matter what and I cant shift between them when the tractor is running. The pto slips enough I can't use the mower and the 3 point arms go up and down easy with no load. It will raise brush cutter but not very quick. I think its all hydraulic related but not sure. I have a repair manual but it didn't help much, it was kind of vague and covered several models.

I have just been using it for pulling stuff around for the most part and haven't ran it for a long time. I have removed the pump on the right side of tractor and it all looked fine but the inlet screen was damaged and I haven't found one to replace it yet. Today I just took the screen off on left side of tractor by battery box and it needs replacing as well, its ripped and looks pretty old. The wiring has been kind of rigged by previous owner and the switch for low pressure light isn't wired up at this point. I did buy all new fluid last summer in an attempt to see if it was just low but it didn't change and it leaks up front somewhere on power steering so I need to fix that once I get these other things fixed.

I am planning on tearing into the tractor sometime soon hopefully but was hoping maybe someone out there might have some insight on what to look for, and where to get some of these hard to find parts. I have a friend who used to be a john deere mechanic with a shop is prepared to help me split it to repair if necessary but it will help tremendously if someone out there is familiar with this!

 

[grove57]

I encountered all those hydraulic problems on my old MF 85. I was fortunate in that a cleaning of all the screens and filters usually got it going again. The pump on the right side controls the pto. My screen used to get gummed up and make the pto quit working properly. Be sure the little "o" ring is in place when you replace the pump/sideplate. There's a filter down in the transmission that you should check. It's part of the 3-pt. system, but may also filter more of the trans/hyd. fluid. You get to it by removing the plate on top of the transmission, below and in front of the seat (I think - I'm writing this from memory). It's a little smaller than a soda can and it has a top cover that unscrews - kinda looks like a big tin wingnut. Unscrew that cover and the filter lifts off. It's a replaceable filter. It'll be under the level of the fluid so you'll need to drain some off to locate it. If replacing/cleaning the filters doesn't work you may have a more serious problem, or it could be some sort of adjustment that is possible. I don't have any experience w/ that. I did remove and work on my power steering unit before. Ijust disassembled it, cleaned it up, replaced some "o" rings and it's worked fine since. As far as parts... I've not had much luck finding them. As someone else wrote, I, too looked all over for an exhaust manifold and never found one. I ended up getting a newer tractor -a MF 275. I still have the 85 but have only started it up now and then to see if it'll still start. It was a good old tractor that took a lot of abuse and kept going!

 

[tjmf85]

Thanks so much to your reply and information! If I can find a place to buy the pump inlet screen and the screen by the battery box it might be smarter for me to drain every bit of the fluid again and start with fresh screens, filter and fluid. I did find the filter your talking about for sale on the internet, I might just need to get some measurement on the screens and try to cross reference them to something available or get ahold of some parts dealers that could get them. If I do all that and its the same from what I am reading in my repair manual it points most likely to the pto clutch pack which I know where to get parts for that. The other thing was the pto control valve at the front of the transmission which controls return pressure from power steering. From what I am reading there is a piston pump that is powered by the pto just for hydraulics and three point so I guess if the pto is slipping then it makes sense that the 3 point would be a little weak but still work. Its too bad these tractors are not very common because I think they are very durable. My exhaust manifold is good but the extension piece that the muffler goes on has been welded and broken and some of its missing so I am either going to find a used one or repair it by making a new flange. Its too loud for my taste!

I really haven't used it much but when I get it fixed I think I am going to find a few more attachments for it, I really need the brush mower going!

 

[Dieseltech]

If you ever pull PTO clutch pack I may have some good parts if you need any. I saved a few parts from 2 85s I had. I would do plenty of testing first as three point cover and split at trans is needed, three point pump and other parts removed before you even see PTO clutch assy, not an easy job. Wish I had some good gas manifolds for 85-S90 gas, lots of calls for them.