Old MF Experts

[BrandonEvans]

Hello all,

I recently purchased an old farm and along with it came some old farm equipment.

What I am inquiring about is a MF 180. It appears to be a a diesel, has the shift on the dash to the right of the wheel. I found what might be the ID numbers on the frame sort of under the seat (897-719-M2).

I am just looking for some general info year, what all levers do ect, and if there are other reference sites out there. Also any good sources for parts ect as I may have to do a little fixin up.

I will try to attach some pictures.

TIA,

Brandon

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hello all,

I recently purchased an old farm and along with it came some old farm equipment.

What I am inquiring about is a MF 180. It appears to be a a diesel, has the shift on the dash to the right of the wheel. I found what might be the ID numbers on the frame sort of under the seat (897-719-M2).

I am just looking for some general info year, what all levers do ect, and if there are other reference sites out there. Also any good sources for parts ect as I may have to do a little fixin up.

I will try to attach some pictures.

TIA,

Brandon

Masseys of the "100 series" are my favorites! The 180 is essentially a 175 with a "flat deck" operators platform. They were built from 1965 ('66 models) through 1975. Gas version was 57 HP, diesel 63 HP. Yours is diesel) That's a 236 cu. in. Perkins diesel. All the shift levers were on the dash on that "flat deck" version. (175 was center shift levers) Yours is pre-1968, as the generator (not alternator) would indicate.

The casting #'s you're showing don't indicate year. They are casting numbers for individual components. The serial # should appear on the dash, or just below the dash on a 2"X3" black metal plate.

I'll study on your pictures a bit more and see if I can determine anything else usefull, but without that serial #........

If you can, take a picture of the dash from operators seat position. I can help you identify levers and such.

 

[BrandonEvans]

Thanks for the reply. I will see if I can get some pictures of the dash and below this week. I had a choice between the 175 and the 180. I took the 180 because it looked bigger and the brush hog was attached to it. Hopefully I picked the best one?

Here are some pictures of the 175.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks for the reply. I will see if I can get some pictures of the dash and below this week. I had a choice between the 175 and the 180. I took the 180 because it looked bigger and the brush hog was attached to it. Hopefully I picked the best one?

Here are some pictures of the 175.

Looks like a WHite 2-105 or 2-85 sitting behind the 175. What's the story on it? Good tractor too. (Later version of an Oliver essentially)

 

[BrandonEvans]

You have a good eye. It is a Field Boss 2 - 105. I told the old owners to keep that and sell on thier own. It was too big for me to worry about.

There are also two old Fordson Majors which I may end up stuck with. Not sure if they have any value. Also an old John Deere 40EB combine that I may also get stuck with if. Not sure if it has any value as well.

Pics attached on the Fordsons and JD. If anyone may be interested in these let me know and if I end up with them I can get back to you. BTW, these are located in the Mercer, Pa area.

Brandon

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You have a good eye. It is a Field Boss 2 - 105. I told the old owners to keep that and sell on thier own. It was too big for me to worry about.

There are also two old Fordson Majors which I may end up stuck with. Not sure if they have any value. Also an old John Deere 40EB combine that I may also get stuck with if. Not sure if it has any value as well.

Pics attached on the Fordsons and JD. If anyone may be interested in these let me know and if I end up with them I can get back to you. BTW, these are located in the Mercer, Pa area.

Brandon

I'll pass the info regarding the Fordsons on to a friend who collects and restores them. He might know what if any worth they may have. As far as the Edible Bean combine, you MIGHT get lucky enough to find someone who'll haul it away without charging you, but don't look for anything much in return. There are folks who collect and restore combines, but they're few and far between. The Deere 40 was an attempt at building a small combine for the small farm. It wasn't a raging success. The 45 and 55 were built in the same time period, and WERE great success's.

That White 2-105 would still have some worth. In usable condition, they still attract a lot of attention at auctions and such.

Any old implements there?

 

[WilliamBos]

Hey,

The DX100/DX1000 line are sweet looking tractors. I ( and a trillion other people I am sure. ) would love to add a 1155 V8 ( first edition DX1000 ) to my collection after Dad and myself finish our FE35 project. Awesome tractor!!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hey,

The DX100/DX1000 line are sweet looking tractors. I ( and a trillion other people I am sure. ) would love to add a 1155 V8 ( first edition DX1000 ) to my collection after Dad and myself finish our FE35 project. Awesome tractor!!

There's a sweet looking old 1155 (open station) sitting about a mile from my parents old place, for sale sign hanging on the grill. I've thought about stopping in and asking a few different times. Bet that would be a costly restoration! That big ol' Perkins V8 has an awsome sound in a hard pull. Downside? I'd have to go buy SOMETHING to hook behind it, then more ground to play with it, well, you know the drill.

 

[BrandonEvans]

Hello All:

I am going up tomorrow to do some work around the property and want to do some brush cutting with the 180. I noticed a last week when I started it it just about did not due to the battery being low.

My question is what volt battery system would this have? Hoping a std 12v so I can jump with car.

If battery is shot any reccommendations on what to repalce with. Where I will be parking it this winter will not have an outlet nearby to plug in block heater so she may sit in the field until spring time.

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hello All:

I am going up tomorrow to do some work around the property and want to do some brush cutting with the 180. I noticed a last week when I started it it just about did not due to the battery being low.

My question is what volt battery system would this have? Hoping a std 12v so I can jump with car.

If battery is shot any reccommendations on what to repalce with. Where I will be parking it this winter will not have an outlet nearby to plug in block heater so she may sit in the field until spring time.

Thanks,

Brandon

It's a 12V negative ground system. I've switched everything I own over to Optima gell filled batteries.

 

[flusher]

Hello all,

I recently purchased an old farm and along with it came some old farm equipment.

What I am inquiring about is a MF 180. It appears to be a a diesel, has the shift on the dash to the right of the wheel. I found what might be the ID numbers on the frame sort of under the seat (897-719-M2).

I am just looking for some general info year, what all levers do ect, and if there are other reference sites out there. Also any good sources for parts ect as I may have to do a little fixin up.

I will try to attach some pictures.

TIA,

Brandon

Looks like your 180 has a homemade box for front end weights. I need to add more weight to my MF-135 to do a little ripping and discing. I'll see if I could use this idea on the 135.

 

[BrandonEvans]

Thanks for the info. That is good news.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Looks like your 180 has a homemade box for front end weights. I need to add more weight to my MF-135 to do a little ripping and discing. I'll see if I could use this idea on the 135.

A "rock box" on the front end is handy at times, but tends to get in the way at other times. Another way to add a few pounds to a front end is to fill front tires with fluid like you would rear tires. On a 135, the front end will tend to wear quickly with a good bit of added weight. Fluid in the tires and/or front wheel weights don't ELIMINATE that wear, but will lessen the effects somewhat. (front hubs/axle not directly carrying the weight)

 

[BrandonEvans]

Was up mowing last week and I remembered to look under the steering wheel for the VIN on the old girl. It is: 9A 38206. Not sure what you can tell from this but?

Also I have down what most of the controls are but on the left of the dash there is a lever that I have no idea what it does. It moves forward and back and is currently in the back postition (closest to the seat). Under it is the lever to release the steering wheel up and back adjustment (moves right and left).

The old girl has been working pretty well. I now have about 3 or 4 hours mowing down small fields and around the old barns. (some of these areas have not been mowed for 5+ years...jaggers and small brush 8 feet deep!)

Thanks again for all your help.

Brandon

 

[flusher]

Was up mowing last week and I remembered to look under the steering wheel for the VIN on the old girl. It is: 9A 38206. Not sure what you can tell from this but?

Also I have down what most of the controls are but on the left of the dash there is a lever that I have no idea what it does. It moves forward and back and is currently in the back postition (closest to the seat). Under it is the lever to release the steering wheel up and back adjustment (moves right and left).

The old girl has been working pretty well. I now have about 3 or 4 hours mowing down small fields and around the old barns. (some of these areas have not been mowed for 5+ years...jaggers and small brush 8 feet deep!)

Thanks again for all your help.

Brandon

That serial # corresponds to a 1967 model, possibly late 1967, according to the Tractor Blue Book.

Farmwithjunk will have the definitive info.

 

[BrandonEvans]

Hello All:

Anyone in the North Pittsburgh or nearby area that would be intersted in purchasing my 180. It is as in these pictures just another year of being outside. Ran it for several hours last fall with the brushhog which is included in the sale.

If anyone is interested or questions you can email me at brandonmillerevans@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[D7E]

You have a good eye. It is a Field Boss 2 - 105. I told the old owners to keep that and sell on thier own. It was too big for me to worry about.

There are also two old Fordson Majors which I may end up stuck with. Not sure if they have any value. Also an old John Deere 40EB combine that I may also get stuck with if. Not sure if it has any value as well.

Pics attached on the Fordsons and JD. If anyone may be interested in these let me know and if I end up with them I can get back to you. BTW, these are located in the Mercer, Pa area.

Brandon

If you were closer to me i would be throwing my cheque-book at you .
I have 2 running gas majors and 2 running diesel majors and a grave yard of carcasses ,You know how hard it is to find fenders and i would give $600 for any diesel engine with a good pump and block and front grilles and original headlamps ..Ooooh i could go on , I play with fordsons like some people collect vintage JD's and i have a wonderful project right now of a 1956 major with a CAT 3208 V8 210hp but it's going to be "understated" and original looking , i need 2 hoods to weld together and another front axle and 2 sets of good fenders and some original headlamps .
Any major that will run here makes 2-4000 and wreckers want 1000 for a carcass with no motor and if i could find a 6 cyl ford engine ....?

MY God on a second look.....They are all diesel ,Hoods are good ,Many good fenders,And front shrouds ,If you had one that had the "Real" castiron front wheels (not 750/16) the wheels the british ones had i might take a little trip ..Very nice pics...Thank you ?