New to me ( my first ! ) tractor - 1969? Massey Ferguson 3165

[superfarmerdad]

Hello all,

Yesterday we became the owners of a nice 1969 Massey Ferguson 3165. It has the model 200 loader and model 222 backhoe.

I have a few questions about this tractor. The shift boots are non-existent, are replacements available?

The transmission fluid needs to be changed asap, what can I use?

Is this tractor positive ground? It has an alternator, does that make it negative ground?

The swing motor looks to be leaking pretty bad, where can I get seals?

The last time i touched a tractor was approximately 1998 when I tripped and fell onto a tractor and busted my head.
The driver had no idea how to start the tractor, put it in gear etc. I couldn't judge, because I didn't either. Having to do that in the middle of the night was an adventure!
I finally did figure out how to put the tractor into reverse, and get it off the trailer.

I have an operators manual on the way.

 

[jeff9366]

Here are the specifications for your MF 3165:

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 3165 industrial tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[groundcover]

Brings back great memories! I grew up on a wholesale nursery that had one. My introduction to front end loaders and diesels ! We didn't have the backhoe on it but she was a beast. I must have been eleven or twelve and I decided to cut the road bank along our driveway. Turned into a pretty nice project. Friend of my folks stopped by and were shocked that I was out here alone . They went into the house in a panic and accosted my dad, he said "leave him alone, he knows what he's doing "!

 

[superfarmerdad]

not really sure what to put back in, but this is what came out!

the gears look clean in the transmission

 

[CH4Ohio]

With a machine that old you'll want some heavy lubricant. I'd go with heavy cream. Nothing lighter than half-and-half.

 

[superfarmerdad]

Can anyone recommend a good grease gun ? I have a pistol grip one that I'd like to replace.

 

[rScotty]

not really sure what to put back in, but this is what came out!

the gears look clean in the transmission

View attachment 1931317

That's what trans/hydraulic fluid looks like when it has absorbed a lot of water - like milk. The water usually gets in as rain/snow seeping past the shifter boots. T/H fluid is made with additives to hold water in suspension instead of separating out.

Your T/H fluid started out as a clear oil of about the same viscosity as 20wt motor oil. And of course now that milky oil+water it is all through the hydraulic system including valves, filters, hoses, and hydraulic cylinders.

Good news is it is surprising how much water can get into the T/H oil and not cause a long term problem. You say the gears look good. That's why. And also a good reason to spend the money eventually to put in the best grade of T/H fluid. But first, you'll need to flush the system repeatedly. TH fluid is expensive, so either start with the cheapest, or do an initial flush or two with 20 wt. motor oil or diesel fuel and go from there.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Hello all,

Yesterday we became the owners of a nice 1969 Massey Ferguson 3165. It has the model 200 loader and model 222 backhoe.

Congratulations on a nice old machine. Those old JDs, MF, Fords were designed to last forever and be 100% fixable. Get it in shape and it is good for a second lifetime.

I have a few questions about this tractor. The shift boots are non-existent, are replacements available?

That's why the Trans/Hydraulic (T/H) fluid is milky. It has rainwater in it. Also check the center of the steering wheel....that's another path for water.
Boots are common and universal. But an old fashioned tarp over the top is better. They conform to the tractor and allow air to circulate.

The transmission fluid needs to be changed asap, what can I use?

See the previous post.

Is this tractor positive ground? It has an alternator, does that make it negative ground?

Being an alternator doesn't have anything to do with positive or negative. They work either way.
Old style generators - the ones with field coils - were flash polarized when installed to match the pos or neg ground of the system they were installed into. So were voltage regulators of that era (needed to be polarized).

An alternator doesn't require flash polarization. An alternator uses (with rectifier diodes) both sides of the generated waveform - that is why an alternator has twice the output of a similar brush+commutator generator.

I don't know if your tractor is positive or neg. ground originally. But stay with whatever it came with for now. Most tractors from that era can be made to run either way.

The swing motor looks to be leaking pretty bad, where can I get seals?

No idea, but there are active online hobby groups for all these old machines. Mine is a JD, but parts for all of them are findable online.

The last time i touched a tractor was approximately 1998 when I tripped and fell onto a tractor and busted my head.
The driver had no idea how to start the tractor, put it in gear etc. I couldn't judge, because I didn't either. Having to do that in the middle of the night was an adventure!
I finally did figure out how to put the tractor into reverse, and get it off the trailer.

I have an operators manual on the way.

I guess that means it started. That's a bonus.

There is an active group of sellers on ebay selling original owners, parts, and shop manuals for every tractor you can imagine. The prices for original manuals do tend to be high but worth a look or offer.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[tacticalturnip]

Can anyone recommend a good grease gun ? I have a pistol grip one that I'd like to replace.

I picked this up and have been quite happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Heavy-Duty-patented-LockNLube%C2%AE-high-quality/dp/B07SVGHNPV

 

[superfarmerdad]

Thank you for all the replies!

The motor starts fairly easily, the choke cable is frozen, but I'm not sure if the choke itself is on or off. Starts and revs fairly well. The power steering doesn't seem to work, but that's ok. The coolant is suspiciously green, new radiator hoses and fan belt. Tachometer cable is frozen and disconnected, I assume it used to plug into the generator.

Amusingly the fuel gauge works, and that is the only gauge that does.

The motor oil needs a change, and I need to find a filter. Its a spin on type, not a canister. I can only find part numbers for canister filters. Might have to take it off and bring it to the store.

Here is a really dumb question, but after I drain the motor oil, where do I put it back in at? The dipstick tube?

Most of all I need practice, lots going on and needs a shift in mindset ( its not a car ! )