MF 65 - Adding Hydraulic Remotes

I've got a MF65 gas with a narrow front - it seems to be in great shape, with little wear on it (No idea the number of hours, the tach was broken and unreadable when I got it). Right now, it doesn"t have hyrdaulic remotes. The 3-point works great. I'm thinking about adding 2 sets of hydraulic remotes to it so that I can use it for more tasks. Adding the hydraulic remotes would cost about $800 installed. Any idea on if this would add significant value to the tractor if I wanted to sell it later? Any tips on the project?

You have a 4 gpm pump. Most install a PTO shaft powered pump or a crank snout pump. The internal pump works the 3 point fine, but lacks any real flow for externals.

Aaron

You wouldn't get your money back.

Nearly impossible to get your money back from any investment in an old tractor. You just have to decide if it is worth investing the cash for your own convenience.

I agree with all replies thus far.

One other thing to consider if you should decide to add the remotes with your existing pump: You will ONLY have the option of using the remotes OR the 3 point. You can not run them both at the same time.

I understand that you can almost never, in resale, get back all the money you spend on upgrading old equipment. Any guesses in how much more, if any, someone may pay for an older tractor with hydraulic remotes than one without? I can balance that with the added convenience of being able to do more with this tractor.

The main application that I'd like to use it for is to pull a v-rake. Right now, I usually have to rake and bale using the same tractor, while the MF65 is just parked. If I can pull the rake with the MF65, I can save time by not having to unhook the rake to start baling (or someone can start baling while someone else is still raking), which could be valuable if rain is coming.

I thought about just selling this tractor and looking for one that already has the remotes, but I kind-of know what I've got with this tractor.

Crank snout pump? Never heard that before! LoL

I added an aux front pump and control valves to my 65. Best thing I ever did. The internal pump is too slow to be useful for anything but the 3 pt.

Was there a kit for this or was it something you put together? It sounds better since the regular hydraulic is disengaged by the clutch.

I did it kind of mix 'n match. The pump, control valves and drive to pump lovejoy coupling I got from Surplus Center, the harmonic balancer insert and pump drive I got off this site. IIRC, the whole magilla probably ran around $400, but that was a few years ago. My tractor has an AD 192 instead of the 203, so my harmonic balancer was a hair small for the drive insert. I had to buy a used balancer from a 203 and have the seal surface machined a hair to fit through the engine case, so that added a couple of extra bucks.

You have to cobble together a sump out of 1/2" black pipe and bore a hole to modify the pto shifter cover plate for a fitting. Helps if you have a torch to heat and bend the pipe to clear trans innards as required. I just ran the return to the top cover.

Pretty easy job, just takes a little finaglin'. Hardest part was cutting the front weight rack accurately for the shaft drive and pump mount to keep the pump and drive shaft aligned properly.

If you do a search under "Massey 65 Front Pump" you'll find a ton of info here. Increases the utility of the tractor quite a bit insofar as using a hydroswing haybine or a round baler.