Massey Ferguson 165 hydraulic filter

[magyarbacsi]

I had this Canadian made 1974 built MF 165 for some time with the regular maintenance intervals completed. I have no Idea if the hydraulic filter has been changed, but I have not done it and decided while doing the trany fluid change to clean it. After spending a whole day on the computer to see how to do it, called MF dealer mechanic and looking at numerous post with pictures I am totally confused. The most frequent posts state to remove the right side, as sitting on the tractor, round cover at access the filter. No way in hxxll is that possible. I do have the multispeed, high/low range trany, and all the pictures posted show the filter on the left side near the left cover not the right yet everybody says remove the right cover. The problem I have is I dont know what is connected to the left cover inside. I have two hydraulic external lines and the pto selector, clutch, neutral and ground speed select also mounted to the left round cover. I dont know what I may disconnect by removing the plate. The two lines were probably added by previous owner as it just makes a loop and was probably used for a remote valve. Even the mechanic, whon stated he works on 165s gave bad info. He stated to look for a triangular plate on the bottom of the trany, remove it and can access the filter. My 165 is a solid cast with no removable bottom plate except for up front for clutch inspection.

So what looks like is that I remove the left cover and take a chance or remove the top cover, which I dont look forward to doing as there are numerous levers and such connected to it and hope for the best in connecting all the parts in right order.

I need you help please. Is Big Deans CDs still available out there? My owners manual is no help either.

 

[magyarbacsi]

OK, I bit the bullet and did the filter change. I read shona13's post on another forum who seems to know his stuff and is a mechanic. Then I did about a day's worth of web surfing, studied diagrams and decided to go at it. Describing the procedure would be redundant as there are a few good instructions out there, but no videos that I could find. If you have no mechanical aptitude, dont have to be a master mechanic, then I would steer you away from the project. I rebuild car motors as a hobby so I have some knowledge of machines.

First off, if you have a MF 165 with multipower trany, there is no other way to aces the filter without removing the trany top cover. There is a mounting plate for the various linkages that is fixed to the top cover and devides the left from right side in the trany so there is no way to aces the filter, that is on the left side nor the round cover from the right side. You do have to remove the right side though to disconnect a small roler first before the top cover can be removed.

Here are some suggestion I think would have helped me. Using a chain hoist rather than the come-along that requires both hands to change directions while you depress levers on it. You need at least one hand free while lowering the unit back in the tractor to guide thrugh the side covert and preventing a small control lever from being disconnected. If it does come off, not a big deal but now you have to pull the cover up again to have space and re fit the control lever that is near the right round cover. Another thing, when you hookup the top cover to the hoist, do so that when suspended it is as near as level both ways as possible. This helps a lot when lowering the the unit back in the tractor and prevents knocking levers off. If you have a buddy who can assist, that makes it a lot easier. I did it by myself which was a bit more difficult.

The last thing in the assembly is to place a small roller back on the control lever. Have some way of holding on to it as it is hard to hold onto in that small space and placing it on the lever it back. I used a small 1/2 " wide plastic ribbon as a sling and pinched it tight with needle nose pliers and positioned it back in place. If you drop it at this point, you may end up pulling the unit back out unless you have small hands or can retrieve it with a magnet reach.

I would not hesitate to do this again, but hope not too soon. My manual does not state how often this should be done and I believe in the 3770 or so hrs on it that this was the first time done, although the wire that is suppose to be fastened to the top cap of the filter was not there. A mechanic I consulted before doing the change said every 300 hrs it should be changed. Why is the trany fluid changed at 700-800 hrs and the filter at 300? The filter had plenty of life left and was easy to clean with hot water and soap. The metal chips in it and bottom of the trany did give me concerns. Not a lot, maybe half a tea spoon, but still...?

 

[Arc weld]

I think you're not sure what you have. Do you have the standard high and low range and Multi-Power on the dash? There were no Canadian built 165's. Probably has some Canadian patents though since MF was a Canadian company during the 100 series tractors. There were some UK models imported to N. America to keep up with demand. They are kind of a cross between UK models and US models. That's what my 135 is. Mostly UK but US style fenders.

 

[magyarbacsi]

arc weld, not sure then what I have. Yes it has high-low lever. The previous owner wrote on the bill of sale in bold letters..."not UK model".. so I trust it is not UK and pretty sure not made in China, not in 74 anyway. All I can tell you that the center plate mounted to the top plate denied any aces to the filter from the right side with out removing of the top cover. To this day I have not found any post on any forum that would state that removal of the top cover is required. All keep saying removal of the right side plate will gain aces.

 

[Arc weld]

It's probably a US built 165 then. What does the serial number plate say? Who said anything about China? There's some MF experts on another forum I go on that would know what's involved to change the filter on a Multi-power model. I don't know if MP tractors use an additional filter or just the same strainer as the standard models.

 

[magyarbacsi]

My 165 has only the internal strainer. Would be nice if there was a bolt-on aftermarket unit available for an external filter.I merely mentioned China as a fact that it was not made there, but not sure where then. A Jest. whats done is done and if ever I have to get in there again, it will take half the time. I've been looking to see if anybody out there still sells Big Deans CDs. Things looked pretty good inside and aside from the common issue of the MF,s hydraulics, i.e. the 3 pt slow bleed down when tractor shut off, I dont see the need for tearing into the tractor. Lot of things dealing with mechanics I do to gain experience and just to see how it is put together. I have rebuilt many a car engines, but no diesels. I have another 55 hp tractor that is new with fl and bh but dont want to break it down as long as I have the MF for mowing and such. The MF has only 3775 or so hours, starts every time on a dime and does not smoke.

Have asked and searched the web, but cant find an answer. Does the 165 have another set of clutch pack that is hydraulic driven? I seen parts for a clutch pack available, but cant find an image of the unit. I know it has its own clutch coupled with the tractors clutch, i.e. dual stage, but is there a smaller pack similar to a car's overdrive clutch, some where near the rear of the trany?

 

[redman135]

On the 135,the multipower clutch pack is at the back of the gearbox.

 

[Mikebritt2]

Hey magy,
Maybe you could make a you tube video ? sounds like yuou know your way around a tractor.