MF 1080 Tach or Tach Cable?

[BCMac]

The tach on our MF 1080 doesn't work. Basically the needle bounces from zero to a bit above when the engine revs, but it seems like it has more to do with the vibrations of the tractor than anything else. It is never steady anywhere except zero at idle.

Is there any way determine the cause? The tach itself or the cable? Or something else I am not thinking of?

 

[Kenneth S]

One way would be to remove the cable from the tractor and spin the cable, see if you can feel any hard spots when you turn the cable. The cable could just need to be lubed, or replaced. If the cable feels good you could spin the cable with a drill while it's hooked to the tach, and bump the dash by hand to see if changes (needle bouncing around while you bumping the dash) then I would say it's the tach.

 

[BCMac]

Thanks Kenneth. I will give that a try when I get back to the farm on Thursday. I figure it's one or the other, and frankly on a 45 year old tractor, might just be worth replacing them both anyhow.

 

[Kenneth S]

Thanks Kenneth. I will give that a try when I get back to the farm on Thursday. I figure it's one or the other, and frankly on a 45 year old tractor, might just be worth replacing them both anyhow.

I'm 49 years old, and could stand to have a couple of parts replaced myself LOL.