New MF owner

junkyardwarrior · Nov 16, 2015

I have spent a lot of time around Kubota stuff over the years but never owned one, never really had a place to use one. Couple years ago I moved into a place on almost 8 acres and now I've got a use for a tractor. Wasn't really looking for one. Have a Kubota G1900 that mows around the house, the rest of it I just let grow wild. Once or twice a year I let the neighbor cut and bale it, which I don't plan on changing. Last year I picked up a well used-up Kawasaki Mule 3010 4x4, always wanted one, and I fixed a bunch of stuff on it. Kept it around and found it handy but it didn't have PTO or a front end loader. Then last week I am on CL and found a guy who had a MF 1145 with 1246 loader, no other implements, and I thought to myself hmmmm...wonder if he needs a Mule?

Long story short, we traded.

This little tractor is what I needed. It's rough, but it'll work for what I need it for. And I don't mind tinkering

Anyway, a few issues that I'll have to address. One, both of the front hubs leak (4x4). I've built a lot of Kubota hubs and these look real similar. No big deal. Seals and maybe bearings. I want to pick up a metal fender tool box at some point to put basic farm tools in...plier, hammer, few pins, etc. Where do I find one? I can fab up some brackets to mount it without much trouble.

I am going to also fix the stupid loader valve linkages. The way it's designed, it's nearly impossible to lift and curl at the same time, or dump and curl. One or the other. I will redesign that, borrowing the Kubota's design (familiar with the LA525, LA524, LA463, etc). Looks pretty straightforward, and in the process will help move the joystick closer, making it more user friendly.

So I'm looking around and I see VERY few 1140 or 1145 tractors? Were they that rare? Mine is an original 1140, guy I got it from changed oil apparently and forgot to add...destroyed original engine, replaced with a rebuilt 1145 engine, turbocharger and all. He says it's the same exact tractor other than the engine. Little turbo makes 3 psi at full RPM and full load which sounds low to me. I was expecting 5 to 8 psi. It does not have a wastegate.

I would like to find a salvage yard that might have one, need a tachometer and maybe a decent front end (headlight panel) as my headlight lenses are junk. Anyone have a suggestion?

Kenneth S · Nov 17, 2015

The 1140 was only made for 3 years (1991 - 1993), the 1145 was only made for 2 years (1991 - 1992). The turbo only give it 5 more hp (35hp). They were built by Iseki. For parts you can try here All States Ag Parts | Used, new and rebuilt tractor, combine and skid steer parts

jeepcj7 · Nov 17, 2015

With open center hydraulics it is much more difficult to find the sweet spot that allows you to use the bucket dump/curl and loader raise/lower function at the same time. On open center hydraulics oil will take the path of less ressitance, so the oil will want to go the the function that is easiest to move at that particular moment.

ovrszd · Nov 17, 2015

I used to have a Kubota L4400 with a Rhino FEL. It would not do both functions at the same time. Didn't matter what you did with the joystick. Probably the issue that jeepcj7 described.

I looked at a 1190 (if my memory serves me right). I liked the tractor and it's size/features. It was just overpriced for it's condition.

Post some pics of your tractor. We love pictures.

ovrszd · Nov 17, 2015

Kenneth S said:
The 1140 was only made for 3 years (1991 - 1993), the 1145 was only made for 2 years (1991 - 1992). The turbo only give it 5 more hp (35hp). They were built by Iseki. For parts you can try here All States Ag Parts | Used, new and rebuilt tractor, combine and skid steer parts

Another great source is Worthington AG Parts.

Tractor Parts | Used Parts | Worthington Ag Parts

Kenneth S · Nov 17, 2015

ovrszd said:
Another great source is Worthington AG Parts.

Tractor Parts | Used Parts | Worthington Ag Parts

Can always use another source for used parts.

junkyardwarrior · Nov 20, 2015

I'm familiar with Kubota and somewhat John Deere. Most of both are open center. Of all of the Kubota stuff I've messed with, they'll all run 2 separate loader functions at the same time, easily. Same with backhoes but I also realize backhoes are a different setup (put a BH77 on today and a BH70 on yesterday). My MF will do the same but I found that the links are hitting each other causing my problem. I'll have to re-engineer it, may use some Kubota parts to do it if I can find them in my stash.

I've used a bunch of tractors, but never owned one until now. Got it on trade. And it was all a freak deal. The guy had it on CL for $2400. I needed one here at the house for miscellaneous things like spreading the driveway (it was in a pile for over a year because I didn't have the cash to hire or rent a tractor), I have to pull a fence out, etc. Well long story short, last year I bought a Kawasaki Mule 3010 for next to nothing, put an engine on it and other minor repairs and used it around the house and neighborhood for about a year. Guy had this tractor listed on CL, I like my Mule but needed a tractor. We shared a few pics and vids via mobile phone, and he decided he needed a mule and I already knew I needed a tractor. Little drive, but we both have what we need. I'm into it for $641.37 (is what I have invested in the Mule, every expense including gas to go get it, etc). I'm happy that he will be able to deer hunt a little easier this year. New owner is a disabled vet.

Glad to know there's a few suppliers of used parts out there, other than eBay (I hate ebay). Wonder if any OE parts are still available? Nearest AGCO (I think they bought out MF?) dealer is almost 200 miles from me in either direction. Both easy to get to, just a few hours' drive. I wish there were some OE dealers online but in my limited searching, haven't found any. Perhaps AGCO superceded the 1140/1145 with an Agco branded tractor, but I don't know which model-if they even did it that way. I worked on an Agco a while back that appeared to be identical to my MF, but I can't remember the model. Seems like it was late 1990's if I recall correctly.

The little 1145 set outside under some pine trees for a good while and EVERY control was stuck. 4x4, pos control, PTO hi-low, tilt steering, park brake lever, diff lock, etc. All stuck. But now all freed up. I put grease fittings on a couple of them so that they can be greased. I don't plan on getting rid of this thing anytime soon. Looks? It's rusty looking. Fenders, loader is showing surface rust, etc etc. Needs some TLC on that stuff and I may pull it apart over the winter and do it. And the bucket is trashed, but it appears to be the same mounting locations based on loose measurements as the Kubota's 66" bucket, so I may see if I have a good used one at work.