MF 165

[magyarbacsi]

I have a very dependable MF 165 with 3700 hrs and have owned it for 7 yrs. I mainly use it for brush cuttung 9 acres twice a year. The clutch has been reuilt by previous owner and I replaced the brakes when I first got it. It starts in any weather instantly and has performed well. It does have a few leaks that I notice after using it for a day, but never enough that depletes the fluids noticably.
I recently purchased a new Mahindra 5525 with FEL and 509 BH and my intent was to sell the 165. I decided against selling it and will hang onto it as a backup. The only problem on the MF is that the hydraulic lift bleeds down within a few minutes after shut off. I have a Woods brush jog on the 3pt and after I shut down it slowly bleeds down. I'd like to fix this and wondering how difficult of a job. I'm mechanically inclined and have always done my own car repairs including engine rebuilds.
I have looked at the lift arm parts on line and found two different size cylindres. The tractor is 2 hours away and I dont have the serial no. Is there a common fix, i.e. seals/o ring replacement etc. or a complete bolt off,bolt on replacement. Where is the hydraulic filter located.
I have clocked just over 100 hrs on the tractor, and yes I have changed oil, tranny fluid and filters, but just ralised I have never changed the hydraulic filter as I have not thought about it as it is out of sight.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

There's a popular question amongst the owners of older Massey's that have lifts that drift down after shut-off.

"Why do you need it to stay in the raised position while it's not running"?

It isn't the wisest thing in the world to leave an implement in the raised position while the tractor is unattended. Best to lower it completely anyway. If you're working under an implement while the tractor is shut off (or while it's running for that matter) it NEEDS to be shored up with jackstands or timbers. Don't EVER depend on a 3-point hitch to prevent an accident.

Changing the filter is a good idea, but will have zero effect on the hitch drifting down. There's a number of possibilities as to why it's leaking down. So long as it holds position while running, I wouldn't worry about it.

Usually, drift on the 100 series Massey's is a collective but slight leaking of several items. Included are the pump, the lift cylinder, the relief valve, and a few assorted O-rings in the system.

 

[magyarbacsi]

Farmwithjunk,
thanks for the reply. No, I dont need the lift to stay up after shut down, but was thinking that it is an indicator of a worn part that I should fix before complete failure. Yes, it remains in the position selected while engine running and no, I would never get under or leave any implement suspended while away from the tractor. I'm just the type of guy who want all his machines to run as perfect as possible and will fix things at the first hint of a problem, as I do with my cars.

If this is a common thing with the Massey's I'll let well alone for now, and will have to figure out where the heck is the filter. I'm thinking it's inside the tranny?And if so, I might change o rings, seals, etc. while I'm inside the tranny.

 

[JerryG]

They can go many, many years while leaking down at shut off.
There is a valve block that needs to rebuilt or replaced to fix a lot of the leak down. If it is rebuilt, the valves seats will have to be recut to make them last. You could tear it down and then just take the lift system to your dealer. They normally charge as much or more to take it apart and put it back together as they do to rebuilt the unit. It would same you a quite a bit of money going that route.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmwithjunk,
thanks for the reply. No, I dont need the lift to stay up after shut down, but was thinking that it is an indicator of a worn part that I should fix before complete failure. Yes, it remains in the position selected while engine running and no, I would never get under or leave any implement suspended while away from the tractor. I'm just the type of guy who want all his machines to run as perfect as possible and will fix things at the first hint of a problem, as I do with my cars.

If this is a common thing with the Massey's I'll let well alone for now, and will have to figure out where the heck is the filter. I'm thinking it's inside the tranny?And if so, I might change o rings, seals, etc. while I'm inside the tranny.

The filter is behind the round inspection cover that's on the right side of the tranny, just about where your right heel would be on the running board while sitting on the tractor. It where you'll find the tranny dipstick also. You need to lower the oil level to about half-way before removing the cover. It takes a contortionist with small hands to access the filter by the way.

Drift after shut-off is almost normal with older Masseys. If you find one that doesn't, it's the exception rather than the rule. I've seen 'em go 30 or 40 years without any lift failures after they start to drift when the engine is off. So long as they don't drop like the proverbial rock when you shut down, it's just not normally a problem warranting a rebuild of the hydraulic system.

If you're going to keep the 165, I'd suggest looking on Ebay for a the owners manual, service manual,and equally as important, the PARTS MANUAL. That'll clear up any issues on the different cylinders. (I'm thinking the "high arch" models had a different cylinder. That's any 165 with 38" rear wheels as opposed to 28" for "standard" or low profile models) All 3 manuals can also still be had through AGCO/MF. They usually pop up on Ebay for approx. 1/2 the new cost. The 100 series Masseys were oh, so simple to work on. A handfull of tools and the manuals made it possible to do just about any repairs needed.

 

[magyarbacsi]

Thanks for all the responses. It is a slow drop and bought the tractor that way 9 yrs ago. It has not changed. I wont have to use it till spring time and have the time to fix it now. I do intend on keeping the MF as a back up for my new Mahindra 5525 with fel and bh and just use for brush cutting and towing trailer in the field. Although my neighbor keeps asking if I want to sell it. In the time I had it, other than a water pump replace and filter/ fluids changing, never had to touch anything.
I do have a full set of manuals including repairs at the cabin but I'm a 100 mi. from it now and thought I'd look into the fix. I will let well alone for now.

 

[Grrrr]

Our 100 series tractors drop just the same. One will stay up for 10 mins with a heavy implement, the other other is on the floor within 30 seconds with no weight.

But apart from this the hydraulic system is very strong.

I would consider it normal. As FWJ said, why does it need to stay in the air?