Massey 165

[VroomVroom]

I have a guy selling a tractor. I won’t get a chance to look at it for several months. He said multipower clutch pack done, seals in injection pumps, tires, looks clean. Few other things. But reading on this multipower , it seems like a terrible thing. In high range it has a sprague clutch. O the tractor will pull forward but not engine brake the machine in hills. Causing you to rely on brakes.

In low range, it has a clutch pack that if worn, will cause the tractor to also free wheel down a hill. It was stated somewhere you should never use, forget using the multipower in low range on hills. But in high it is also no good as it free wheels with a sprague clutch pack it does not seem like a good idea if using on hills. He did say it’s a new clutch pack. But apparently using it in low will eventually wear this clutch pack out. It may be 1000s of hours I understand however. It’s just that a lot of the old stuff I grew up around had poor brakes. And you learned to rely on engine braking. But that option seems out on that tractor. Also, what would the prices be for a clean Massey 165, with seals in the steering unit, injectors, new Mp clutch pack, new rubber. Good sheet metal and painted well?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Some of your facts are correct but not all. Multipower transmissions of that era did use a sprag clutch for low range, which WILL freewheel downhill. However the high range is a clutch pack which is solid drive both ways and provides engine braking.

As always placing a value would be based on location, tractor options and condition. In this area a 165 in the shape you described would probably go for 7K to 12K. USUALLY the multipower units came with independent clutch pack PTO and a two section auxiliary hydraulic pump that supplied some external hydraulic flow, but not all. Earlier tractors had dry brakes, which were effective, later ones had wet brakes which were better. Those features would factor into the value as well.

 

[VroomVroom]

Ok. Thanks for the reply. Yes I have little awareness of how the Massey works. But the little bit I’ve read made me hesitant to buy one. If you got a big load of firewood behind you and it can’t hold back with engine braking I cannot see brakes holding you back. I also read you shouldn’t put it in low in the multipower as it wears the clutch out and within 3-5000 hours it may be worn enough to free wheel. That is about the price they’re asking. With new rubber, MP clutch pack , metal good. Painted well, power steering seals, injector seals etc. never mentioned engine. Meter reads 3000

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

This is probably as good a cross section as to the value as you will find. Sullivan/Big Iron is the largest Ag focused auction company in the US and one of the largest auction companies period. For some reason my search pulled up more than just the 165 Massey Ferguson. Another place to check is a website called Tractorhouse. You can search specifically for that tractor and broaden the search out as far as you would like. If they put new multipower unit in it you shouldn't have to worry about it giving you trouble. There were several brands that had a similar setup with a different name in that era.

Search results for massey ferguson 165 | BigIron

Search results for massey ferguson 165 | BigIron

www.bigiron.com

TractorHouse.com | New & Used Farm Equipment For Sale

TractorHouse.com is the go-to source for buying and selling new & used Farm Equipment. Buyers can find a full range of Tractors, Less than 40 HP Tractors, 40 HP to 99 HP Tractors, 100 HP to 174 HP Tractors, 175 HP to 299 HP Tractors, 300 HP or Greater Tractors, Planting Equipment, Harvesters...

www.tractorhouse.com

 

[Harry in Ky]

Ok. Thanks for the reply. Yes I have little awareness of how the Massey works. But the little bit I’ve read made me hesitant to buy one. If you got a big load of firewood behind you and it can’t hold back with engine braking I cannot see brakes holding you back. I also read you shouldn’t put it in low in the multipower as it wears the clutch out and within 3-5000 hours it may be worn enough to free wheel. That is about the price they’re asking. With new rubber, MP clutch pack , metal good. Painted well, power steering seals, injector seals etc. never mentioned engine. Meter reads 3000

Again, I don't know where you're getting your information about about wearing out clutches. Some of these tractors with the multipower transmissions have been in service for forty to fifty years with few problems in that area. Most people operate in hi range most of the time, shifting down to lo only when under a hard pull where dropping a gear becomes necessary. That does not wear out clutches.

 

[VroomVroom]

The old chat gpt. Tends to lie or tell you what it may recognize what you want to hear. That sounds alright. I might give the fellow a call.

 

[VroomVroom]

I’ll check those links shortly. I knew of tractor house. At work at the moment thinking of tractors.

 

[Harry in Ky]

The old chat gpt. Tends to lie or tell you what it may recognize what you want to hear. That sounds alright. I might give the fellow a call.

My point is this. Just because the tractor has multipower doesn't mean buyers should run away. Now there are a few things on that tractor that may require some attention, again depending on how it's equipped. Not all 165's are the same in all respects. You should inquire about what features it has, and how they perform, yes, because the details do matter. Having worked a number of them over the years I'm well aware the weak areas that can develop. The more you know about it, the easier to make your decision.

 

[VroomVroom]

Here’s the list

 

[Harry in Ky]

Okay, but you still don't know if it has dry or wet brakes, whether it has independent or live PTO, or has any external hydraulics. That all affects value. In my opinion at least.

 

[VroomVroom]

I’ll have to inquire. Another question. Or opinion . I have only a flat bed trailer, with brakes. But only two 3500 axles. I have carried j5s on it often. Not sure their weight. I’m guessing 4500 lbs. with only my half ton Chev truck. Wondering if pulling that tractor would be too much. So that’s another issue.

 

[Jstpssng]

According to Tractordata.com that machine weighs 5000-5900 lbs.

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 165 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

You can decide for yourself. It'd be pushing the limits of the trailer but the biggest factors are distance and driver capabilities... not necessarily in that order.

For reference; your J5 appears to be in the same weight range, depending on roll cage, winch, and other accessories.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

I'm not sure what you are seeking in a tractor and I don't know what the availability is like there. Reading the list you provided my first thought was how badly beat up was this before they started. New fenders? Lots of tractors that age with original paint and fenders that still look good. Not show room condition but far from needing new fenders. Paint fades badly especially when they sit outside a lot. If you are buying to use and not just admire then pretty only counts for so much. I'd verify PTO operation as well as the 3 point. New tires are a good thing as you shouldn't have any concerns with them for many years. From your comments it sounds mostly restored. After a quick search the market appears pretty slim there so that might not be a bad option if it feels right to you. Used to having lots and lots of options here.