Lift capacity of the MF-135 3pt?

[Farmwithjunk]

So, 2850 lb is the agreed number?

Any idea whether this is a conservative number with built-in margin to handle overloading the 3pt by the user?

Or should this number be derated by say 10-15% to be sure nothing breaks in the 3pt system?

I assume from what's been said before in this thread that the relief valve in the 135 3pt hydro system is the built-in protection against cockpit error.

I'm tending to believe that number is what Massey engineers determined as a safe poundage to lift. My 150, which is essentially the same, has on numerous occasions lifted well in excess of 2850 lbs. The relief valve was sounding off, but she lifted the load none-the-less. And I have no clue as to how that number was "rated". It may be right at the ends of the draft links, or it could be several inches/feet behind that point. I'm still searching for more definative info.

 

[JJ. in B.C.]

The manual states that the maximum lift load of 2850 lbs is at the point of implement attachment on the lower links, and this figure must not be exceeded. The relief valve if in good condition will "blow" at approx 2500 lbs, continued use of an implement that is causing the valve to "blow" will eventually damage the valve. So if it where my tractor i would consider a figuure of less than 2500 lbs as normal working lift capacity.

BTW a copy of a US 135 manual i have says that the "recommended" capacity is 2290 lbs at the lower links !!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The manual states that the maximum lift load of 2850 lbs is at the point of implement attachment on the lower links, and this figure must not be exceeded. The relief valve if in good condition will "blow" at approx 2500 lbs, continued use of an implement that is causing the valve to "blow" will eventually damage the valve. So if it where my tractor i would consider a figuure of less than 2500 lbs as normal working lift capacity.

BTW a copy of a US 135 manual i have says that the "recommended" capacity is 2290 lbs at the lower links !!

Just looked over a few pages sent to me via email from "Big Dean" Austin. He's DA' MAN on Masseys. What he showed me was 2850lbs rated at end of lower link arms. He also noted what I've already observed. MOST 135/150/165 lifts would handle well in excess of 3000 at the same point. On my 150, the relief valve starts "rattling" around 2800 lbs. I've lifted over 3200 on a 3-point boom pole. (That was a "pick it up and drive a trailer out from under the load and set it down" type lift, but it did lift that much weight)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Anyone out there know the answer?

OK guys, we have some better info. (Courtesy of "Joe Ferguson" on YT MAG)

Lift rating in lbs is 2850 at the ends of the lift arms.

That rating is just shy of the point where internal hydraulic pressure relief valve "blows" @ 2250 PSI.

Most will actually lift in excess of 3000 lbs.

 

[Soundguy]

So, 2850 lb is the agreed number?

Any idea whether this is a conservative number with built-in margin to handle overloading the 3pt by the user?

Or should this number be derated by say 10-15% to be sure nothing breaks in the 3pt system?

I assume from what's been said before in this thread that the relief valve in the 135 3pt hydro system is the built-in protection against cockpit error.

The relief may pop after that weight.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The relief may pop after that weight.. etc..

Soundguy

From all that we can determine, that's a "safe number". Seems every 135, 150, and 165 I can account for (that's in decent shape regarding hydraulics) will lift far in excess of that lift rating. Most will raise implements well over 3200 lbs. (in some cases, extending 6 or 7' behind ends of lift arms at their extremes) The relief valve starts to "rattle" when nearing that rated weight. (Anyone who's been around 100 series Masseys knows that "rattle". Sounds like someone tapping on the bottom of an empty coffee can with a wrench) Internal system pressure is in the neighborhood of 2250 psi at the point where the relief begins to vent.

It seems to be a trend with older tractors to "under-rate" specs, where todays trends seem to be towards "over-rating" or at the very least, rating to the last gram things like lift capacities.

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds about the same as an N using the old scotch yoke piston pumps. The lift was rated for about 800#, but the relief wouldn't pop till about 1000.. course.. you had to ballast the front... Then if you jimmied the relief.. you could get 1200 for bale lifting.. but it was awfull rough on the system... and the pump knocked pretty loudly too.

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Sounds about the same as an N using the old scotch yoke piston pumps. The lift was rated for about 800#, but the relief wouldn't pop till about 1000.. course.. you had to ballast the front... Then if you jimmied the relief.. you could get 1200 for bale lifting.. but it was awfull rough on the system... and the pump knocked pretty loudly too.

soundguy

The pump/relief valve on the 100 series Massey's (and on through 200 series for that matter) and its "rattle" have been the source of millions of questions on all sorts of internet sites. People unfamiliar with them think something is seriously wrong when they hear that knocking. With draft control and position control levers both in the fully raise position, even with no load on the hitch, the relief starts to clatter. My "standard reply" to anyone questioning that rattle is "Don't worry about it. Start worrying when you DON'T hear it anymore".

There's a couple very simple adjustments on the 135/150/165 lift that will increase lift capacity. More accurately, the lifts ABILITY. What they do is make it more positive right up to the absolute limits of the relief valve. Normally, the lift gets a bit balky just as you're reaching that limit. These adjustments don't over-tax anything, just give good positive lift all the way through its useful range. The relief valve can be shimmed to increase its "pop-off" point, but I'm not so sure that's a good idea. My 150 can raise enough weight to bring the front end up with little effort.(even with a full rack of suitcase weights) That's more than enough to satisfy me.

 

[dorite007]

The 2290 lbs figure is quoted in several manuals, so that must be about right. The same hydraulic system/3-point hitch components are used on the 150, and essentially the same thing on the 165 with higher weight capacity on both of those models. There is an internal adjustment that can increase lift capacity somewhat. It's done with a simple adjustment to the "draft bump-stop screw". (clearance between head of screw and contact point on lift cover) I've worked on a couple "100 series" Masseys where the position control portion of the lift wouldn't quite raise what it was supposed to. Remove lift cover, flip it over, set clearance slightly closer than O.E.M. specs, and they'll perform like new. Takes about an hour with access to an engine hoist. (Or a couple strong backs. Lift cover is heavy and awkward)

i read your post and theres another way to reach the adjustment screw take the draft control cover off of the side and you'll be able to see and get to the screw with a lot less work , a 71 MF 20 industrail tractor it's the same as the 135 only it has shuttle shift on it ,finished this evening doing the hyds put bushings in the splined shaft that raises the arms and the shaft new in it , it would just be better than trying to lift that heavy part off the top this way you wont even sweat much

 

[Farmwithjunk]

i read your post and theres another way to reach the adjustment screw take the draft control cover off of the side and you'll be able to see and get to the screw with a lot less work , a 71 MF 20 industrail tractor it's the same as the 135 only it has shuttle shift on it ,finished this evening doing the hyds put bushings in the splined shaft that raises the arms and the shaft new in it , it would just be better than trying to lift that heavy part off the top this way you wont even sweat much

The draft "bump stop" screw is ON the underside of the top cover. For that one, the ONLY way to access it is to remove the lift cover, turn it upside down, and make adjustments (with a feeler gauge)