MF 165 Deisel or Gas

greebas

Member
I"m considering purchasing a MF 165 and was wondering about the pros and cons of both gas and diesel in this model. I"ve always had gas tractors, so diesel would be a new learning curve.

Thanks
 
The diesel is a lot more fuel efficient but overall running condition whether gas or diesel is more important.
 
For my money diesel every time unless you live in a very cold (say -15c and under for long periods)climate.
The diesel engine is particularly well suited to agricultural work. IMHO better reponse to varying loads. Better torque characteristics and of course as mentioned much more thifty in terms of fuel. In many cases by a more robust engine too.Less electrical wiring to be exposed to the elements. In some countries the ability to use an agricultural fuel at lower tax rates than road fuels makes a huge financial difference to the amount of work done in relation to cost.
Just my 2 penneth.
 
I presume since you have a choice, you are in the states. Most of the world is stuck with the choice of diesel or ox.
If there are 2 for sale at the same time- how much and how good are they?
There is a thread on here about a diesel someone paid top dollar for, and now needs 1000's in a rebuild. I have a fleet of gas models that I have as money money in as one good diesel. When I was a kid, diesel was a third the price of gas, now diesel can be 30% more- and while piddling around, a diesel is burning less, but if they are opened up hour after hour, a diesel will burn as much per hp/rpm as a nice gasser. If the diesel for sale 'needs work or TLC', the gas one will do you just fine.
 
A 165 diesel will use a lot less fuel than a gas model. The 165 diesel was the most efficient tractor in their HP class.
 
The Massey 165 diesel is powered by a 203.5 cu in Perkins the 4 cylinder version of the 3 cylinder 152.7 cu in version. I have never owned a 203.5 engine but I have owned a 152.7, which literally sips fuel. I began using one in 1975, replacing a 45 hP gas job. In two days of haying I would burn 30 -35 gallons of gas. The 152.7 3 cylinder diesel burned 10 - 12 gals. I started out as a weekend farmer, but when I retired 8 years ago I added acreage and now farm full time.The only gas jobs I have are antiques that sit in the shed. After a day on an old gas job you will smell like unburned hydrocarbons... and think what your lungs have absorbed. The Perkins diesel is a rather efficient little devil and you wouldn't be breathing in a lot of crap.
 
Diesel all the way. A gas job don't even come close. I sold all my gas jobs and went to diesel. You can get a storage tank and burn #2 heating oil in them ( I've been using it for years ) legally here because it is dyed red just like off road diesel. IMHO
 
Well put it this way, you cannot even buy a ( new )gas powered tractor in The UK ( probably in the whole of Europe? ) They went out of fashion in the late 50's- early 60's here for all the reasons the other contributors have already said. The newest gas powered tractor I have seen here is a MF 135 and they are very rare indeed.
 
I'd go with what the guy said, cant remember his name. but if one is better shape than the other go that way. I dont think it matters much. I have a 65 gas and it burns about 1gal to 1 1/4 gal hr bushhogging. I'm talking thick manure. My cousin has a 231 diesel and he burns the same as me cutting the same overgrown fields side x side. I'd buy another gasser any day if I was to find a good one. Good luck
 

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