Massey Ferguson 65 issues - Need Advice!

[blindowlfarms]

First post, first tractor. So forgive the rookie if it's a simple issue, but I'm at a loss.

I've had the mf 65 for about 3 weeks now. Just recently she got stuck in reverse, now after some research I was able to get it back and back into gear. My cousin was in town and looked at it, let me know the alternator was not charging the battery. Shortly after that, while running a finish mower, she got stuck in gear again. (I understand I need to address my shifting habits.) So, I turned it off, got it into first, and it wouldn't start. An hour or so after, it started up. I drove it back to my garage and reset the crash box the foloowing day. Now, when I tried to start it up it sounded horrific. Grinding for as long as I held the switch in.

Thinking this was just a battery issue, I threw it on a trickle charge over night. This morning it read below zero. Basically what I'm hoping to hear is that it's just a battery/alternator issue. Is there any way I could have caused that grinding sound from resetting the gear box?

 

[doxford jim]

Sounds like you have a number of different things going on at once. The grinding while pressing the star button sound like the starter gear not mating on the flywheel ring. You also appear to have electrical problem (alternator not charging, battery voltage very low etc).
If you don't already have one, buy yourself a manual for the MF65 tractor - Yesterdays Tractors sells reprints on this website:

Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Parts and Online Community

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[blindowlfarms]

Thanks, Jim. I do have the manual, which I've been consulting. I know now that the battery is shot, I tried it again after charging and now there's just nothing. I suppose this is the joy of owning old tractors.. As soon as I locate the flywheel, I'll take a look and let you know.