MF165 new owner questions

[daydk1]

Hi everyone. I just picked up a 1970 Massey Ferguson 165 with Continental gas engine last Saturday. This is my first experience with MF, so I have a lot of questions. First, I understand this tractor has a two stage clutch. I'm not sure what that means. While I was bush hogging Saturday, I think I experienced the two stage clutch, but I'm not sure if that's what it is or if I have a problem with the tractor. Let me explain. When I depress the clutch all the way in, the three point lift lowers and the PTO stops. When I begin to let out on the clutch, about halfway up, the lift raises back up and the PTO re-engages. Is this normal?

Also, there are two levers right below the seat directly behind the gear shift. They have something to do with the hydraulics. When they are in the upright position, everything works good. If I push the left one forward, the three point lift goes to the ground and will not raise back up. Is this normal?

 

[Ed of all trades]

That is how a 2 stage clutch works but the 3ph should not go down, Don't know about the leavers in front of seat. Ed

 

[daydk1]

That is how a 2 stage clutch works but the 3ph should not go down, Don't know about the leavers in front of seat. Ed

Hmmm...that's what I was afraid of. I can't think of any reason why it would need to go down when the clutch is depressed.

 

[Ed of all trades]

It appears that you have a releaf valve leaking, at least that is my guess. I hope others who know more than I do will jump in with more info. Ed

 

[Dieseltech]

The three point WILL go down when the PTO clutch is disengaged as the pump is also stopped. Normal operation for the two stage clutch..

 

[timberjackrob]

i agree with dieseltech clutch is fully disengaged pump is stopped and three point hitch will go down as far as the remote levers they are probably working correctly too I had an 85 massey that had that setup and it worked similar to what you are describing I think but its been awhile.

 

[daydk1]

The three point WILL go down when the PTO clutch is disengaged as the pump is also stopped. Normal operation for the two stage clutch..

So, since this is how a two-stage clutch is supposed to work, am I supposed to only push the clutch in halfway if I want to stop or change gears, but don't necessarily want the three point lift to drop or the PTO to stop? I don't really understand the purpose of the two stage clutch. What was it designed for?

 

[timberjackrob]

live power 2 stage clutch allows you to push the clutch in enough to stop tractor or to change gears but let the pto keep turning early tractors were not equipped with this and when you pushed in the clutch any at all everything stopped tractor and pto and this made task such as square baling hay very difficult . later model 300 series massey would allow the hydraulic pump to keep turning with clutch fully depressed.if your clutch is adjusted properly you will not need to fully depress the clutch to change gears but it will need to be fully depressed to engage pto.

 

[Dieseltech]

If you run a hay baler for example that's where the two stage clutch is needed, forward motion can be stopped but the PTO can keep running to clear the baler. Two stage will also let you shift to reverse if needed while keeping the PTO running also. Most newer models have a separate clutch for the PTO that is not operated by the foot clutch. The Cockshutt 30 was the first tractor to have this feature back in the 40s..