firhead

Member
Group,
What about this old horse? Are they OK? What are their strengths/weaknesses? Any thoughts would be appreciated (currently own an MF 275)

Thanks
firhead
 
Hi
If you could find a low hour not worked hard, tidy tractor Cheap, Then only lightly use it you might be lucky with it. Meaning no heavy plowing or huge loads on the pto.
They are basically a big heavy tractor with too much power and not strong enough transmissions to cope with the power.

This is a wish you never asked answer from a guy that fixed an 1135 that is a smaller 6 cyl turbo version using pretty much the the same transmission.
I also worked in a wrecking yard taking them apart looking for good stuff for customers. some of the tractors I wrenched on had one or more of the issues below.
If it has multi power the disc and drums ware and the shift slips or is slow changing. The pto clutch discs can warp or ware in the drum and they don't disengage right or slip.
The splines can strip or break the couplings in the pto drive line, as its a shaft about a 1.1/8th" diameter for 150 hp.
The final drive reductions can break up badly and also the splines between the rear of the gear box and drive axle can ware and strip.
Ive seen some where the pump in the transmission quit and also the usual gear selector, steering, motor problems that most tractors get in high hour use.
Regards Robert
 
I had one and it was a good tractor. I never had any of the problems the previous poster mentioned. I pulled a 12 shanks chisel plow and a 20 ft disc over a lot of acres. neighbor had one turboed with over 200 HP and never had any issues. He pulled a 7-16 plow and a 23 ft disc. I don't know anybody who has had any multi-power or trans problems with a 1155. The smaller Massey's had some multi-power trouble, but I have seen much trouble with the big ones.
 
Hi
I Only answered the truth from what I know from my experience and it's not good and I don't want to offend you with my reply now.
you must be some of the lucky ones or it hasn't showed up yet. To be honest Some of this a guy won't know till you let the clutch up one day and it goes bang, or looses drive. or your round baler stops with a near full bale and you can't steer it or anything.
Trust me I know the guy that was driving the 1135 when it did it. most of that tranny is the same or what I needed was we cross referenced it in the wrecking yards.
They have a bad name for these problems round here.
I know a dealer guy that fixed them when new and he said they where not that good either back in the day.
I know of one on a 13" auger now with a loader one owner from new and it has many issues with MP and stuff.
Nobody will pay money for them round me nice ones 2500- 4 grand on a good day in sales.
My local wreckers don't want them really anymore . when I worked in the yard I pulled 6 apart looking for good final drives and they all had chipped or busted off teeth or near stripped drive couplings. I can say where there are a few more as I looked at them for parts for the 1135 and they had these problems too I had parts from about 10 different tractors in the end to do the 1135.
Regards Robert
 
I bought one new in 1976 and put a M&W Turbo on it. When the 2805 came out, I put 2805 injectors and fuel lines on the 1155. It had 200hp on the dyno. I pulled a 6 x 18 plow, 28 ft field cult, sidedressed many acres with an 11 knife applicator. It always did what I asked and I never had any problems. It had 5000 hrs when I traded it. It was a great tractor.
 
Well as nobody here has ever had A bad one I guess I don't any clue what I'm talking about lol. so I'll quietly leave you to make your own mind up with what you do. Good luck with your decision.
Regards Robert
 
Wow, all these years of service and none of the problems you describe. I must be one lucky owner. No , you don't have a clue.
 
My question is for Robert.......where are you located and if possible could you point me in the right direction to these $2,500 - $4,000 MF 1155's as I'd buy them all day long for that cheap of money!!!! I currently have three 1155's running on my farm now and all together through the years have owned 5 MF 1155's and 1 MF 1135 and by far our 1155's have been the best tractors ever on our farm! If its been maintained properly and not abused by the previous owner I would not be scared of a MF 1155! Thanks
 
Hi
Im In Manitoba Canada, There aren't many around here now most of them are long gone . The odd ones still come up in collective sales or farm sales and make next to nothing as I said before.
They seem to be Like the 70 series cases and those type tractors, not big money round us those sell for $3500-$5000 pretty often. even some of the newer masseys are less than $10.000 up here now if a guys lucky. 2 2705s advertised last month $5000 each with a guy and the newer V8 comes pretty cheap too if you can find them around,less than $10.000 for a good one .
I see more 1155's online down with you guys in the states now than round here. They seem to be more of the 4 up price still though . I guess you guys love them more than we do up here.
Regards Robert
 
I have an 1155 and it works really well. I used one in the 80's when I worked for a local farmer and really liked it. The farmer I worked for as a kid still has his tractor to this day and still uses it. It's never had any major problems.

I purchased my tractor in 2008 and it needed a bunch of work to get it reliable again. It had been sitting for a very long time and this damaged the rings in two cylinders. I didn't pay very much for it when I bought it so I could afford to invest a little. Now that the engine is rebuilt it runs great. I also replaced the three point control valve (under the lift cover). The only other thing that has happened is the flange on the power steering rack broke off where the tie rods connect (this surprised even the dealer). Everything else I have done is cosmetic. They look great if you take the time to restore them and they don't look too dated. Now I get to wear it out.

It doesn't hurt if you have a soft spot for these tractors. It's also good if the local dealer knows something about it. My dealer is very knowledgable and most parts are still easily available.

Lastly, you have to remember that they are 35 to 40 year old tractors. When they get this old, you have to fix a few things – doesn't matter what color it is.
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