Noisy Transmission - MF 1045

sunnyside360 · Sep 18, 2007

Hello. We've had this MF 1045 since new in 1990 and it has just over 500 hrs on the meter. It has been used primarily for making hay - no loader, no back hoe, no plowing or discing. It has developed a grinding noise in the transmission and it seems to be getting worse. When disengaging the clutch the noise goes away and reappears when engaging the clutch -- does this in all gears and is worse/loudest in neutral. The tractor has been maintained according to the op manual and has never been low on trans fluid (MF Permatran). One more thing, my son-in-law used the tractor a couple of months ago to do some brush cutting using a 5' Brush Hog and he unknowingly ran it with the brakes locked. Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts as to what the noise may be.

wayne40 · Sep 19, 2007

It sounds to me like the throw-out bearing for your clutch is going bad. I don't believe it's a very exspensive item, but just a pain to change. You have to split the tractor to change it.

Usually a throw-out bearing makes its grinding and squealing noise when you push the clutch in and goes away when you release it.

Once you split the tractor the throw-out bearing is easily changed.

sunnyside360 · Sep 19, 2007

wayne40 said:
It sounds to me like the throw-out bearing for your clutch is going bad. I don't believe it's a very exspensive item, but just a pain to change. You have to split the tractor to change it.

Usually a throw-out bearing makes its grinding and squealing noise when you push the clutch in and goes away when you release it.

Once you split the tractor the throw-out bearing is easily changed.

I agree with you. Throw-out bearing was my first thought. However, I'm 99% sure the the grinding/rattling noise is back further inside the tranny. Also, noise does not stop until the clutch is nearly fully depressed and transmission is disengaged. Shifting gears is normal. Checked the clutch adjustment and it is within spec. and throw-out bearing seems to be running free of pressure plate when clutch is all the way out.
I ran it a couple of hours today to do some spraying and grinding/rattling noise seems to be getting louder. I was wondering if anyone has seen this problem and what the probable cause is.

wayne40 · Sep 19, 2007

I had some noise coming from the tranny earlier this year on my 1135. It turned out to be the idler gear in the tranny. The bearings at the center of this gear had some flat spots and progressively got louder as time went on.

Not sure if your tranny is set up the same as mine. The problem locating bad bearings is that sound can travel down shafts and gears and make it almost impossible to pinpoint where exactly the noise is coming from. I'm running into that myself with a PTO problem.

sunnyside360 · Sep 19, 2007

wayne40 said:
I had some noise coming from the tranny earlier this year on my 1135. It turned out to be the idler gear in the tranny. The bearings at the center of this gear had some flat spots and progressively got louder as time went on.

Not sure if your tranny is set up the same as mine. The problem locating bad bearings is that sound can travel down shafts and gears and make it almost impossible to pinpoint where exactly the noise is coming from. I'm running into that myself with a PTO problem.

This could be the same thing on mine. How did you pinpoint the idler gear bearing as the cause?

wayne40 · Sep 19, 2007

It was much louder in neutral when the gear was free spining. I pinpointed the location of the sound and opened the tractor up. There was metal shavings around the gear, so I went ahead and pulled the gear out...the little roller bearings (that massey is famous for using) were all worn down flat on two sides. I ordered the bearings and the dealer pressed them in for me. Also greased them real good before I put it back together....I know the grease melts away when the hyraulic fluid gets warm, I just didn't want to to start out with dry bearings.

On my tractor the sound was coming from the center of the tractor right behind the bell housing

sunnyside360 · Sep 20, 2007

wayne40 said:
It was much louder in neutral when the gear was free spining. I pinpointed the location of the sound and opened the tractor up. There was metal shavings around the gear, so I went ahead and pulled the gear out...the little roller bearings (that massey is famous for using) were all worn down flat on two sides. I ordered the bearings and the dealer pressed them in for me. Also greased them real good before I put it back together....I know the grease melts away when the hyraulic fluid gets warm, I just didn't want to to start out with dry bearings.

On my tractor the sound was coming from the center of the tractor right behind the bell housing

Even though they are two different model MF tractors, I think there is is a high probability that my problem is also the idler gear based on the similarities of the noise. Mine is much louder when in neutral with the clutch engaged and is somewhat quieter when running along in gear.
I wonder if it is okay to run the tractor a little or should I park it immediately and tear it down. It sure is disappointing because the tractor has just over 500 hrs, has never been worked hard or abused and has been serviced according to the Operators Manual. In fact, the engine oil and filter gets changed every year even though we put less than 50 hrs a year on it.
Many thanks for your help.

scott_vt · Sep 20, 2007

Mornin John,
I have been following along wondering what the outcome is going to be on your MF 1045 ! I have about 1500 hrs on my MF 1040 which is basically a very similar tractor and not had any problems similar to yours yet. The thought of having to split the tractor is not all that inviting ! Have you purchased the service manual on your machine yet ? In any event good luck and I will be following along !

ae_ted · Sep 20, 2007

I got my 1040 new in 1986 along with a shop manual and owners manual. I am not much of a mechanic but I took the time this morning to scan to PDF files the section on the 1040-1045 clutch and trans. My manual covers 1010 to 1045. See the files labeled t guide for the troubleshooting guide for the clutch and trans. If you need any other information from my manual, let me know. I hope you get your 1045 fixed. I have 510hrs on mine and love it; I have yet to see a compact tractor from any manufacturer as strong built as the 1040's. It also has section on lower end bell housing if needed.

sunnyside360 · Sep 20, 2007

ae_ted said:
I got my 1040 new in 1986 along with a shop manual and owners manual. I am not much of a mechanic but I took the time this morning to scan to PDF files the section on the 1040-1045 clutch and trans. My manual covers 1010 to 1045. See the files labeled t guide for the troubleshooting guide for the clutch and trans. If you need any other information from my manual, let me know. I hope you get your 1045 fixed. I have 510hrs on mine and love it; I have yet to see a compact tractor from any manufacturer as strong built as the 1040's. It also has section on lower end bell housing if needed.

WOW! Thanks a million for the info. I was snooping around on the internet looking for a shop manual -- they are expensive. I can put money saved toward parts needed to fix it. Now I don't have any excuse to not get busy working on it. However, I do have two other tractors to get work done.
Your 1040 looks identical to my 1045 except mine is 4WD with turf tires. I agree with you about the way the tractor is built. Everything seems to be very heavy duty for a compact class tractor. In fact, I was wondering if it really is a compact tractor. This is the first problem we've had with this tractor.
Again, thanks for the info.