3 point hitch set up?

superbrat · Jun 2, 2013

I am new to the site and need some help on 3 point hitch set up.

I have a MF 3165 and I do not have any parts for the 3point hitch except the pins on the botton of the axile and the hydraulic arms the is part of the tractor so I need to set the hitch up. I do not know what I need and the sizes I need. I do not think the 3 point hitch on has never been used since it has a backhoe on it.

I plan on getting a bush hog to clear a piece of land I havefrom all the bush and saplings on it.

How do I determine the size I need? How do I determine if the hitch is a cat 1 or cat 2? It seem like I an starting from scatch here so I looking for any help I can get?

case245 · Jun 2, 2013

YOUR HITCH IS CAT 1 HOW THICK ARE THE BRUSH YOU ARE CUTTING

case245 · Jun 2, 2013

welcome to TBN

Willl · Jun 2, 2013

case245 said:
YOUR HITCH IS CAT 1

Cat 1 on a 43hp unit ?

patrick_g · Jun 2, 2013

I recommend a brush hog rated to handle more HP than the PTO HP rating of your tractor. Then when you are mowing saplings and the like you are much less likely to break something. My brush hog is rated for up to 65 HP and my tractor is rated for 39 HP at the PTO. I have hydraulic top and tilt. I raise the brush hog and back into trees up to a trunk diameter of about 4 1/2 inches (5 inch max) and slowly lower the brush hog, eating the tree on the way down. Been doing this off and on for nearly 10 years with the same brush hog but it is a HD unit.

Good luck with your endeavors and welcome to the pre-eminent source of advice on all matters.

Patrick

LouieJunior · Jun 2, 2013

Sounds like you need a 60" mower. I have a Woods "MD" cutter, which I think stands for medium duty. It outlasted my previous tractor and is plenty rugged for my tasks - cutting thick brush and small willows.

Just don't back it into a hillside, berm, or anything that is unmovable. Also, consider getting one with a stump jumper.

patrick_g · Jun 4, 2013

LouieJunior said:
Also, consider getting one with a stump jumper.

Stump jumper? There shouldn't be such a thing for sale as a brush hog WITHOUT a stump jumper. I can't imagine using a brush hog without a stump jumper. Without a jumper stumps will be a HUGE problem. What is a rotary brush cutter without a stump jumper. I guess some sort of light duty lawn mower.

Pat

SPYDERLK · Jun 4, 2013

patrick_g said:
Stump jumper? There shouldn't be such a thing for sale as a brush hog WITHOUT a stump jumper. I can't imagine using a brush hog without a stump jumper. Without a jumper stumps will be a HUGE problem. What is a rotary brush cutter without a stump jumper. I guess some sort of light duty lawn mower.

Pat

I have a 60" JD bushog - '60s vintage. They called it the 127 Gyramor I think. I would consider it medium duty. I remember we tried out the 5' and 6' [model227] when I was a boy. They said they had a 125HP geargox. NO stumpjumper. The 5' was more solid acting so we bought it. I like it much better than stumpjumper models I have tried. The old JDs have short reversible knives swung on a large arm. Is a very positive beat the crap out of anything under it machine. I keep the slip clutch pretty tight so it slips quite rarely on the 45ptohp tractor it spent most of its life on. I have cut trees to at least 6" by driving forward over them. If the tree would bend enuf to get the 45HP axe to it it was over. Everythings original except for the knives and the $40 bolts that hold them. Some welding repairs to the frame.
larry

Xfaxman · Jun 5, 2013

superbrat said:
I am new to the site and need some help on 3 point hitch set up.

I have a MF 3165 and I do not have any parts for the 3point hitch except the pins on the botton of the axile and the hydraulic arms the is part of the tractor so I need to set the hitch up. I do not know what I need and the sizes I need. I do not think the 3 point hitch on has never been used since it has a backhoe on it.

I plan on getting a bush hog to clear a piece of land I havefrom all the bush and saplings on it.

How do I determine the size I need? How do I determine if the hitch is a cat 1 or cat 2? It seem like I an starting from scatch here so I looking for any help I can get?

It looks like it is the industrial version of the MF 165, Should be cat 2.

Some pictures from google images, MF 165.

MF 3165.

Massey Ferguson 3165 Industrial tractor parts

superbrat · Jun 8, 2013

Sorry guys have not been able to reply. But thanks for the information. The first picture on xfaxman reply looks like my trator form the rear.
Can anyone tell me is there after market places that sell the link and lift arms other than the dealer. Where might I find around Maryland, south-central PA. Delaware? Is it worth trying to get after market parts? I see some add for Tractor Supply Co. Are there parts okay?

Xfaxman · Jun 8, 2013

I would stay with the original parts. There were a lot of MF165's sold, there are several tractor salvage yards here local, you could check in your area.

Also a lot of tractor salvage yards online, and eBay.

Is this one close to you?

Wengers Of Myerstown - Farm Equipment, Agriculture Equipment, Tractor Parts, Construction Equipment, Construction Parts

Xfaxman · Jun 8, 2013

Another thing to consider is a swinging drawbar, if you ever want to get a pull type brush hog, and it has other uses, like the safest way to use a chain to pull something.

Could not find pictures for a 3165/165, but this is is the idea, they bolt on to the bottom, check your's for threaded holes.

superbrat · Jun 8, 2013

Thanks, I cannot find any salvage yards here but I did call Wengers. They want about $850 for lift arms, lift links top link and safety chains. Does that sound reasonable price. I think that is all new stuff.

The drawbar sounds interesting. I will have to check and see if there are threaded bolt hole.

Next problem. I checked out the rock arm movement, it goes up but does not go down when moving the control levers. I can push them down without to much problem except when the inside lever or position control lever is toward the back of the quadrant then I cannot push them down. Do I need an attachment hooked up to make it go down or does that indicate something wrong in hydraulic system?

Jkott · Jun 8, 2013

3 pt hitches float and gravity pulls them down. I would not expect it to go down on its own without arms. There is usually a control that adjusts how fast it drops as well.

superbrat · Jun 8, 2013

Thanks, I did read something about adjusting the system for how fast or slow it would move down. So to keep it from going down what position does the draft and control lever need to be in?

Jkott · Jun 9, 2013

You adjust the position lever to where the three point hitch is at the height you want it for the task you are doing

For the draft control, well I have no idea. I know it's used for things like plowing where you want to counter upward force, but I have only read about them and have never seen one and i don't have one on my modern tractor.