Thread for MF 1529

[tmajor]

I'm going to start this thread for the MF 1529, so that my progress has some continuity to it.

Currently, I'm working on the instrument panel.

I've got two lights, which come on with the key: one is a picture of a battery, which I figure means the key is on. ? The other, adjacent to it, I assumed was for the glow-plugs. But, in chatting with DuckSlayer, he felt that light was for oil pressure.

I got behind the panel and there is a multitude of lamps back there: Park, 4WD, High beam, turn signals, etc., plus back lighting. Upon shinning a light thru the holes, some symbols had no meaning at all to me. Some, such as "P", I assume, was "Park" for hydro-static tractors.? I did find some bulbs with poor contact with their holders.

Tomorrow, I'll check the oil pressure sensor and also, find out which light/symbol is correspondent to it.

What I have, as far as ignition lights: ... maybe, it is "oil pressure".

 

[lamarbur]

to me it looks like the front of an engine with drop of oil in the crankcase. It has to be oil.

 

[tmajor]

LOL "Your imagination is obviously more acute than mine"! If it simply said "OIL", I wouldn't have any doubt. There was one symbol with an incomplete circle and an arrow going into it ... I have no clue what that would mean.

 

[tmajor]

Here is a picture of the back side of the dash panel. All of those little black things are lamps. And each in the top row, are behind indicator symbols. ... 9 of them.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

It looks like there are a lot of open terminals on that board. They probably use the same cluster on multiple tractors.

 

[tmajor]

@ DuckSlayer1017
Do you have the same two lights lit, that I do? Do any others ever come on, i.e. 4WD, etc.?

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Yes, I have the exact same two lights you have. I know there is no 4x4 light, maybe a pto light but I really don't remember.

 

[tmajor]

If anybody should find it necessary to follow in my foot steps to change bulbs in the dash or whatever, let me give you my steps.

There are 5 Philips head screws and 4 plastic push pins holding the cowl in place. I don't believe, the push pins can be salvaged. I slipped a putty knife behind them and decapitated them. Then I replaced them with U-style clip nuts over the metal tabs beneath, finish washers and 1/4-20 stainless steel screws. It adds a little "bling" to the tractor. ... plus, it makes it a whole lot easier for the next time.

 

[arizona98tj]

I have a 1529 w/ hydrostatic drive....those are the only two lights I've ever seen lit. If I remember the owner's manual, those are the only two lights that are mentioned. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to use the same dashboard component in multiple models.

 

[tmajor]

"TractorData" doesn't mention anything but, "SynchroShuttle", as transmission options. ?? Who knew?

 

[tmajor]

So, I'm still getting used to this "modern diesel". The only other diesel, I had, was an old CAT bulldozer with a pony engine.

I thought, first start of the day was not quite, what I should expect. ... usually a fair amount of cranking, before it would fire and then a pretty large cloud of white smoke, changing to black and then it would clear.

I found, that I was not initiating the glow plugs, as I wasn't going into the "glow plug" position with the ignition switch. I thought, the 1st position, when the lights came on, automatically was glow plugs.

Anyhow, following that lesson, I tried it this morning with the glow plugs and noted, it started much quicker, but following the initial black smoke, was puff of white smoke. This makes me wonder, if possibly, one glow pug isn't functioning. ?? It would be easier to check them, if they weren't tucked back under the fuel tank. .. actually, I was quite relieved, to find that I was screwing up, rather than having to change the glow plugs!

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Mine has the same little puff of white smoke. I talked to the dealer's service tech and he said as long as it goes away quickly not to worry.

 

[tmajor]

Hmmm, ... maybe after I get used to it, I'll not worry. Thanks!

 

[tmajor]

In my brief ownership of the MF 1529, there are a couple of things, where the Ford NAA out-shines the MF. Both are 3PTH related. From the seat of the Ford, I can reach back and adjust the top-link, also, I can reach back and adjust the right leveling box. Both are handy with practically any attachment. On the MF, any adjustment would have to be done off the tractor. Plus the crank on the leveling box is so much easier than the turn-buckle type leveler on the MF. There is one other thing, which seems so simple, but isn't there ... the check chains, to keep the draft arms from rubbing (or catching) on the tires. I don't know, that the lack of these features is exclusive to the MF, but maybe on most CUT's.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

My 1529 came with a spring to keep the draft arms together so they will not rub on the tires.

 

[tmajor]

Yeah, I've seen them with stretched out springs, bungee cords, etc.

 

[tmajor]

I took the loader off, to go for PTO replacement and front seal replacement, so wanted some plugs and caps for the hydraulic loader lines (all but one of the plugs had been ripped off). Dealer wanted $23.00 per plug. I bought them from Grainger for $2.59/plug and $2.66/cap with free shipping. The new ones are rubber, rather than plastic, but I think they'll "work just fine"!

Actually, they sent caps, which were WAAY too big, so they said "keep them and we'll have the correct ones in your hands tomorrow". Can't beat it.

 

[tmajor]

Has anyone come with an aerosol gray paint color and source, which matches the chassis of these newer MFs?

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I got mine from the dealer. I haven't found any other source that is an exact match.

 

[tmajor]

Thanks! Do you you know what it's called? "Flint Gray". perhaps?