1973 MF 165 does it have multipower or not?

[rogdan]

I looked at the tractor this week and wish I had taken pictures but came away unsure if it was equipped with mulitpower or the lever was just missing. The owner is unsure having bought but never really used the tractor after deciding to downscale and buy a CUT. There was just an opening cut into the "dash" where the MP should have been located but no lever or the plate that indicates high or low.
Can anyone tell me if all of these would have had this opening for the MP whether they would have been destined to have MP or not? Of course I'm operating with the idea that some of these tractors made this late did not have MP and it was 4 speed with the H/L range next to the gear shift. The most significant reason for doubting it had MP rather than just the lever and the plate being missing is that there were no were no rivet or screw holes next to the lever opening where I would have expected the MP tag to have been.

Any general comments or things to watch out for on this model would be appreciated as well. I didn't get to really try the tractor out due to a hydraulic leak but the clutch felt weak and of course can't be sure of the hydraulics either.
Thank You,

 

[murphy1244]

I have a 135 and I have that cut out too. No Multipower either.

 

[rogdan]

So multipower can be bypassed?
What's the result, a normal 4 speed with high and low range?

 

[murphy1244]

So multipower can be bypassed?
What's the result, a normal 4 speed with high and low range?

There is no multi on it so yes we have a 4 speed with 2 ranges.

 

[rogdan]

Got you now,thanks

 

[flusher]

Check the top of the transmission under the dashboard.

You'll see the neutral interlock switch with two electrical wires attached. The gear shift has to be in neutral to start the tractor unless this switch is jumpered.

If your 165 has MP there will be another up-down mechanical switch linked to the MP lever on the dashboard. This switch controls the fluid flow to the hydraulic MP clutch that switches from LOW to HIGH MP range. If this particular switch is missing, you don't have MP.

My 1964 MF135 diesel had MP. However, the MP hydraulic-actuated clutch was stuck in LOW, which is the default mode of operation. You can operate the tractor OK this way, but you don't have the engine braking and hill holding capabilities provided in MP HIGH range. I sold that 135 before I had the time to fix this problem.

Good luck

 

[rogdan]

Thanks, the thought of no engine braking is my main worry in this second being transmission trouble in general.
I'm not sure on the tractor as the hour meter has been replaced along with some other concerns.

 

[timberjackrob]

was the tractor a 8 speed or 6 the 4speed didn't have multipower we had a 1105 with multipower I hated it it is fine if your going uphill or doing tillage work other than that its useless sure don't think you would want it in west Virginia lol

 

[rogdan]

It was four speed with high and low range, sounds like it was the one to have in the 165.

 

[redman135]

You don't have multipower. Your gear box is a straight mechanical unit.
All tractors came with the multipower lever cut out and the non-multipower units were fitted with a blanking plate.