Noisy Transmission - MF 1045

[sunnyside360]

Hello. We've had this MF 1045 since new in 1990 and it has just over 500 hrs on the meter. It has been used primarily for making hay - no loader, no back hoe, no plowing or discing. It has developed a grinding noise in the transmission and it seems to be getting worse. When disengaging the clutch the noise goes away and reappears when engaging the clutch -- does this in all gears and is worse/loudest in neutral. The tractor has been maintained according to the op manual and has never been low on trans fluid (MF Permatran). One more thing, my son-in-law used the tractor a couple of months ago to do some brush cutting using a 5' Brush Hog and he unknowingly ran it with the brakes locked. Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts as to what the noise may be.

 

[wayne40]

It sounds to me like the throw-out bearing for your clutch is going bad. I don't believe it's a very exspensive item, but just a pain to change. You have to split the tractor to change it.

Usually a throw-out bearing makes its grinding and squealing noise when you push the clutch in and goes away when you release it.

Once you split the tractor the throw-out bearing is easily changed.

 

[sunnyside360]

It sounds to me like the throw-out bearing for your clutch is going bad. I don't believe it's a very exspensive item, but just a pain to change. You have to split the tractor to change it.

Usually a throw-out bearing makes its grinding and squealing noise when you push the clutch in and goes away when you release it.

Once you split the tractor the throw-out bearing is easily changed.

I agree with you. Throw-out bearing was my first thought. However, I'm 99% sure the the grinding/rattling noise is back further inside the tranny. Also, noise does not stop until the clutch is nearly fully depressed and transmission is disengaged. Shifting gears is normal. Checked the clutch adjustment and it is within spec. and throw-out bearing seems to be running free of pressure plate when clutch is all the way out.
I ran it a couple of hours today to do some spraying and grinding/rattling noise seems to be getting louder. I was wondering if anyone has seen this problem and what the probable cause is.

 

[wayne40]

I had some noise coming from the tranny earlier this year on my 1135. It turned out to be the idler gear in the tranny. The bearings at the center of this gear had some flat spots and progressively got louder as time went on.

Not sure if your tranny is set up the same as mine. The problem locating bad bearings is that sound can travel down shafts and gears and make it almost impossible to pinpoint where exactly the noise is coming from. I'm running into that myself with a PTO problem.

 

[sunnyside360]

I had some noise coming from the tranny earlier this year on my 1135. It turned out to be the idler gear in the tranny. The bearings at the center of this gear had some flat spots and progressively got louder as time went on.

Not sure if your tranny is set up the same as mine. The problem locating bad bearings is that sound can travel down shafts and gears and make it almost impossible to pinpoint where exactly the noise is coming from. I'm running into that myself with a PTO problem.

This could be the same thing on mine. How did you pinpoint the idler gear bearing as the cause?

 

[wayne40]

It was much louder in neutral when the gear was free spining. I pinpointed the location of the sound and opened the tractor up. There was metal shavings around the gear, so I went ahead and pulled the gear out...the little roller bearings (that massey is famous for using) were all worn down flat on two sides. I ordered the bearings and the dealer pressed them in for me. Also greased them real good before I put it back together....I know the grease melts away when the hyraulic fluid gets warm, I just didn't want to to start out with dry bearings.

On my tractor the sound was coming from the center of the tractor right behind the bell housing

 

[sunnyside360]

It was much louder in neutral when the gear was free spining. I pinpointed the location of the sound and opened the tractor up. There was metal shavings around the gear, so I went ahead and pulled the gear out...the little roller bearings (that massey is famous for using) were all worn down flat on two sides. I ordered the bearings and the dealer pressed them in for me. Also greased them real good before I put it back together....I know the grease melts away when the hyraulic fluid gets warm, I just didn't want to to start out with dry bearings.

On my tractor the sound was coming from the center of the tractor right behind the bell housing

Even though they are two different model MF tractors, I think there is is a high probability that my problem is also the idler gear based on the similarities of the noise. Mine is much louder when in neutral with the clutch engaged and is somewhat quieter when running along in gear.
I wonder if it is okay to run the tractor a little or should I park it immediately and tear it down. It sure is disappointing because the tractor has just over 500 hrs, has never been worked hard or abused and has been serviced according to the Operators Manual. In fact, the engine oil and filter gets changed every year even though we put less than 50 hrs a year on it.
Many thanks for your help.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin John,
I have been following along wondering what the outcome is going to be on your MF 1045 ! I have about 1500 hrs on my MF 1040 which is basically a very similar tractor and not had any problems similar to yours yet. The thought of having to split the tractor is not all that inviting ! Have you purchased the service manual on your machine yet ? In any event good luck and I will be following along !

 

[ae_ted]

I got my 1040 new in 1986 along with a shop manual and owners manual. I am not much of a mechanic but I took the time this morning to scan to PDF files the section on the 1040-1045 clutch and trans. My manual covers 1010 to 1045. See the files labeled t guide for the troubleshooting guide for the clutch and trans. If you need any other information from my manual, let me know. I hope you get your 1045 fixed. I have 510hrs on mine and love it; I have yet to see a compact tractor from any manufacturer as strong built as the 1040's. It also has section on lower end bell housing if needed.

 

[sunnyside360]

I got my 1040 new in 1986 along with a shop manual and owners manual. I am not much of a mechanic but I took the time this morning to scan to PDF files the section on the 1040-1045 clutch and trans. My manual covers 1010 to 1045. See the files labeled t guide for the troubleshooting guide for the clutch and trans. If you need any other information from my manual, let me know. I hope you get your 1045 fixed. I have 510hrs on mine and love it; I have yet to see a compact tractor from any manufacturer as strong built as the 1040's. It also has section on lower end bell housing if needed.

WOW! Thanks a million for the info. I was snooping around on the internet looking for a shop manual -- they are expensive. I can put money saved toward parts needed to fix it. Now I don't have any excuse to not get busy working on it. However, I do have two other tractors to get work done.
Your 1040 looks identical to my 1045 except mine is 4WD with turf tires. I agree with you about the way the tractor is built. Everything seems to be very heavy duty for a compact class tractor. In fact, I was wondering if it really is a compact tractor. This is the first problem we've had with this tractor.
Again, thanks for the info.

 

[sunnyside360]

I got my 1040 new in 1986 along with a shop manual and owners manual. I am not much of a mechanic but I took the time this morning to scan to PDF files the section on the 1040-1045 clutch and trans. My manual covers 1010 to 1045. See the files labeled t guide for the troubleshooting guide for the clutch and trans. If you need any other information from my manual, let me know. I hope you get your 1045 fixed. I have 510hrs on mine and love it; I have yet to see a compact tractor from any manufacturer as strong built as the 1040's. It also has section on lower end bell housing if needed.

Ted, I printed all pages and noticed the 5A "clutch" chapter is for both MF 1040/1045. The 5B "transmission" chapter is for MF 1040 standard transmission. Mine is MF 1045 4 wheel drive (MFWD). Are the two trannys the same?? Thanks.

 

[ae_ted]

Is yours a Hydro or a gear trans?

 

[ae_ted]

note P7 maint 1040 file...it shows tire pressure for a 1045 SHUTTLE is why I ask about the trans. type. My 1040 has 4 forward and 1 reverse gear on top and 3 ranges on the side of the trans. The manual as you can see shows 1040/1045 sometimes in the descriptions and 1040 at others. The trans. section my my manual had gear section for 1010-1040 and hydro through 1020. it had one section marked "reserved"(no data shown in book) which i guessing might the the section on a shuttle trans. based on what i see in the manual(note my manual was bought with the tractor in 86 and you said yours was bought in 90): the gear section might work if yours was a 4spd with 3 ranges. I hope this additional info helps. you can look at the pages and draw your own conclusion. Let me know if I can help further.

 

[sunnyside360]

note P7 maint 1040 file...it shows tire pressure for a 1045 SHUTTLE is why I ask about the trans. type. My 1040 has 4 forward and 1 reverse gear on top and 3 ranges on the side of the trans. The manual as you can see shows 1040/1045 sometimes in the descriptions and 1040 at others. The trans. section my my manual had gear section for 1010-1040 and hydro through 1020. it had one section marked "reserved"(no data shown in book) which i guessing might the the section on a shuttle trans. based on what i see in the manual(note my manual was bought with the tractor in 86 and you said yours was bought in 90): the gear section might work if yours was a 4spd with 3 ranges. I hope this additional info helps. you can look at the pages and draw your own conclusion. Let me know if I can help further.

My transmission is gear type - 3 speeds on top and 3 ranges on side - resulting in 9 forward speeds. Apparently the 1040 and 1045 have different transmissions (darn). Looks like I will have to spring for the shop manual.
Many thanks again for your help.

 

[wayne40]

Even though they are two different model MF tractors, I think there is is a high probability that my problem is also the idler gear based on the similarities of the noise. Mine is much louder when in neutral with the clutch engaged and is somewhat quieter when running along in gear.
I wonder if it is okay to run the tractor a little or should I park it immediately and tear it down. It sure is disappointing because the tractor has just over 500 hrs, has never been worked hard or abused and has been serviced according to the Operators Manual. In fact, the engine oil and filter gets changed every year even though we put less than 50 hrs a year on it.
Many thanks for your help.

My only concern with running it would be metal shavings getting into other bearings and in your hydraulic fluid. No need to replace more than you have to. There's so many valves that can get plugged up with metal shavings

I just found the problem with my tractor PTO, it was a thrush washer on the cluster gear. Melted right to the gear. I guess we learn something new every time we work on one of these.

 

[sunnyside360]

My only concern with running it would be metal shavings getting into other bearings and in your hydraulic fluid. No need to replace more than you have to. There's so many valves that can get plugged up with metal shavings

I just found the problem with my tractor PTO, it was a thrush washer on the cluster gear. Melted right to the gear. I guess we learn something new every time we work on one of these.

WOW.... thrust washer melted to cluster gear. What would cause that? At least you found the problem which is usually half the battle.
I'm undecided whether to tackle this transmission or take it to the MF dealer. I'd do it myself w/o blinking an eye 20 years ago but I've been retired several years and a bit more limited (physically). Good luck with your PTO and thanks again for your insight.

 

[wayne40]

WOW.... thrust washer melted to cluster gear. What would cause that? At least you found the problem which is usually half the battle.
I'm undecided whether to tackle this transmission or take it to the MF dealer. I'd do it myself w/o blinking an eye 20 years ago but I've been retired several years and a bit more limited (physically). Good luck with your PTO and thanks again for your insight.

The thrust washers have grooves cut in them to allow oil to lubricate the washer. As far as I can tell over time and usage a couple of the grooves wore down and didn't allow the oil to lubricate the washer. It looks to me as though the washer got quite hot. I did put a picture of this up on my post 1135 PTO update. You can see it really got hot..lol

I used to work on John Deere tractors for a living when i was in my 20's. I can't afford to run the farm and pay a mechanic too, so I usually just get the book out, some tools and the worse cloths I have and dig in. This washer has thrown me off for some time now, it's a relief to finally find it.