MF 1736 - 1759 Fuel Filters Change

onionfmr · Apr 11, 2017

Need to change the fuel filters on my 1754. Apparently, according to the dealer, there are two filters. Same filters fit a 1736 to 1759? Anybody changed their filters? Comments or advice? Thanks.

onionfmr · Apr 13, 2017

Problem is this. According to a large MF dealer, some of the 1700 series tractors had issue with crap in the fuel tank that shows up between 50-75 hours. Looks like that is happening to mine. Manual leaves a lot to be desired, at best. Manually only calls for one filter. Two different dealers out of three, that I called, reference 2 filters, a primary and a secondary. Amazingly, they referenced the same two part #s. Looks like both filters just spin off? Looks like one is a cartridge and the other is a spin-on. Doesn't look like there is any fuel shutoff? Remove housing for one and the spin-on filter is inside the housing? Any help would be appreciated? Thanks. I've been loyal to Massey for a long time. However, I'm really getting tired of all these problems with my last two Massey tractors, especially now during my busy season, and probably will never buy another Massey product.

drizler · Apr 13, 2017

My 1736 has 2 filters both canister though slightly different. The spin on with mine is the hydraulic filter.

onionfmr · Apr 14, 2017

drizler said:
My 1736 has 2 filters both canister though slightly different. The spin on with mine is the hydraulic filter.

Drizler - Thanks for your reply. I normally like to know exactly what I'm looking for when I go to the Massey dealership for parts. Also, like to have the correct parts on hand before I start the teardown. I have new filters and they are both cartridge type filters. Problem was pictures on-line showed one as a spin on and the other as a cartridge filter. Asked the parts guy to open the boxes and that made it clear. Now, the parts match up to what is on the tractor. Couldn't find a place for a spin on fuel filter anywhere. NICE JOB WITH THE OWNER'S MANUAL MASSEY! Hopefully, this filter change solves my problem!

redman135 · Apr 14, 2017

onionfmr, A double fuel filter(same part) is standard on the MF tractors I have driven or owned.
Quick tip, when changing fuel, filters fill the filter with fuel first, then fit. There is a knack in this. When you get the knack you will be able to change the filters and fire up and go without airlock problems.

onionfmr · Apr 15, 2017

redman135 said:
onionfmr, A double fuel filter(same part) is standard on the MF tractors I have driven or owned.
Quick tip, when changing fuel, filters fill the filter with fuel first, then fit. There is a knack in this. When you get the knack you will be able to change the filters and fire up and go without airlock problems.

Redman135 - appreciate your reply. Thank you. I'll post the following to maybe help somebody else down the road. I've owned a couple of MF tractors over the years and all fuel filters were cartridge style whether one or two filters. For my MF 1754 tractor there are two part numbers. Fuel filter Element Kit (Primary) - 7064120M91 and Fuel filter Element Kit (Secondary) - 7064119M91. Where I went wrong is I looked up the filters on-line and found pictures of filters that were incorrect. I did this because IMHO the manual was lacking. Also, was led astray because two dealers' parts/personnel didn't know what the filters were and really weren't interested in getting them out of inventory to actually look at them. They thought one could be a spin-on style filter, weren't sure. Third dealer's parts person pulled filters and then it was clear. Also, removed the shielding/cover for the fuel filters and that helped clarify. For the life of me, I couldn't find any place for a spin-on canister style fuel filter. My problem was engine hestiation, stalling, no power and would not run on an incline. PTO however would run fine if the tractor was stationary. Bottom line, problem one, bad kink in fuel line from the tank into the primary filter housing. Problem two, primary cartridge fuel filter had worked loose from port stud in the housing.

I replaced both filters, filled both screw in bottom housings with fuel and reinstalled. Engine would start and run for 15 seconds and quit. Then wouldn't run at all. Pulled new fuel filters, filled with fuel and reinstalled. No start. Started looking around. Found a kinked fuel line, the tie wrap (improperly factory installed) had moved over time due to engine vibration and tractor movement and caused the fuel line to kink. Repositioned the fuel line, new wire tie. Still wouldn't start. Released the two bleed screws, pumped the primer pump until air bubbles were gone and clean fuel was flowing from bleed screw ports. Tightened bleed screws. Engine then started. Ran tractor for about 1/2 hour. Everything seemed fine. Up and down hills, no issues. Starts no problem. Won't know for sure if it really fixed until I get to use it under load for several hours. Looks good, however. Thank you Massey, this is the second tractor that I've bought brand new from you that had issues with factory installed fuel lines. The amount of downtime I've experienced between my MF1643 and MF 1754 has really been more than annoying! I thought the problems with my MF1643 were a fluke. Apparently not!

drizler · Apr 16, 2017

I do recall the parts guy saying you have to be careful buying filters. I showed him the one in my hand which didn't match the one he pulled from the shelf. He said that what the book said was pretty confusing and I had a couple of different filters in those models. I'm not sure why it might've been just what was displayed but he said you could get the wrong ones pretty easy. With that in mind I Took the top cover off both of them in clear plastic take them right inside the front cover them in the manual. No more wondering.

Craven · May 21, 2018

My 1754 just ran out of fuel. My fault....totally. Of course it won't start now after adding fuel. On the right side of the tractor, I found the oil filter beside the dip stick and on the other side of the tractor there's a filter that looks like a oil filter but I believe it is one of the mentioned fuel filter. Bottom line, I'm searching for the steps to get the air out of the lines and a slap across the head for running it out of fuel. It's a 2015 1754. Gulp.

onionfmr · May 21, 2018

Craven said:
My 1754 just ran out of fuel. My fault....totally. Of course it won't start now after adding fuel. On the right side of the tractor, I found the oil filter beside the dip stick and on the other side of the tractor there's a filter that looks like a oil filter but I believe it is one of the mentioned fuel filter. Bottom line, I'm searching for the steps to get the air out of the lines and a slap across the head for running it out of fuel. It's a 2015 1754. Gulp.

On my 1754 there are two fuel filters on the right side of the tractor when you are sitting in the cab looking forward. They are covered by a shield. I pulled the fuel filters shield cover to do this properly. Check the fuel bowls to make sure that you didn't suck up junk from the bottom of your fuel tank. There are two bleed screws associated with the filters. You have to open the bleed screws and pump the primer pump until fuel is running out clear (no air bubbles). You will make a mess with fuel running out of the bleed screws. One dealer told me you should just be able to pump the primer pump w/o opening the bleed screws. Didn't work for me. Blew the seal on the fuel bowl when I did this. If this approach at bleeding doesn't work you may have to remove the filters and fill the bowls with fuel to get it to prime properly. Also, when I ran into this problem (see my post above) my fuel line pinched. If you can't get it to start and run after the bleeding procedure, you may have to check out you fuel lines from the tank under the tractor. Hope this helps.