Looking at getting a bigger tractor.....

We`ve got a to35, & I`ve worked on it "a bit(I`m just a shade tree admittedly!). But theres a place down the road that has a 165 for sale. I`ve only looked from the road but plan on stopping tomarrow. I have no idea yet about diesel or gas engine but, I figure, some of you other "die-hard M(H)F" folks could give me some "points to check". Price tag from the road is "I believe" 4400,& once again I plan on a closer look tomarrow. Prob`ly even take cam. No, I`m no Chicago yuppy....LMAO....central/southern IL. feller, looking move up a `lil in the "farm chain".
REALLY Apreciate ALL input about a 165....may/SHOULD have pix tomarrow....Thanks ahead of time!!!....GAS

in a 165 most folks want the later models that came the a 4 speed trans with h/l.

the earlier models had a 3 speed trans with h/l with multi power.

multi power was a nice feature back in the day, but its old, so if it has multi power really check it out and be sure its working properly.

repairing that multi power trans could add much to the cost of the tractor.

as far as I know most everyone that had a 165 MF liked it.

so if multi power was not working and would not hold the tractor back (motor braking) and the brakes did not work well, you could be up a creek fast.

good luck, hope its a good tractor and you get it.

I have an old TO-35 and guess I will have it until I past,

a 165 would be nice.

Like Maxwell99 said - Check the multi-power. And make sure the 2 stage clutch is working.

Aside from that - Just the usual things. Utility tractors like these sometimes get abused and aren't taken care of.


What part of Illinois are you in? I live just west of Champaign.

Early model 165 had two stage foot operated PTO clutch, Continental G176 gas or Perkins 203 diesel. Late gas was Perkins AG4.212 or 203 diesel. Could have 12 speed MP transmission or straight 8 speed. Late models may have a fully independent PTO clutch, or two stage like early did. Late may also have a one or two spool hydraulic valve with it's own pump that's separate from the three point system. Depends how the tractor was ordered new. A good working MP transmission is fine, what kills most is low oil level that burns the clutch plates, then hi range is lost, will only have lo.

I`m south of Flora but in Wayne county. Thank you gents for that info! May take the camera & let you fellers get a look-see...GAS

Well, I'm not into diesels, but if she runs as good as she looks, you might end up with a nice tractor. Tires are nice, and you know that extra pedal on the right axle is a diff lock, which is world above your 35's traction, and the belly looks clean and dry. The owner must be even shorter than me, he fabbed a couple steps for himself. If he knew how to invent stuff, he must have known how to fix stuff... a good sign.. let us know how you make out.

Tires do look good... and the wheels have been freshly 'done'. May be a start of a re-build? restore? Seat is after-market and in bad shape. Good news on that, you can get another for about $100 at any farm store. Take it for a test drive and see how it drives... Then take it home if the price is right...

As maxwell says the multi-power should hold back in High but not in low. In low it will freewheel and that is the way it was built!. Multi will be a short lever on the left side of the dash and is really a clutchless under/over-drive.
Some 100 range did not have this feature. The 165 was one of the most reliable tractors ever built!
Sam

I REALLY appreciate everyones eyeball/look-see & comments to more inform me!!!
You folks prolly saw the fence, no one was there, & I`m Sure I could`a done a 2 step over the fence(I`m 6` 4-5) but decided against. No one was there at the "dealer ship".
Sure would`of liked to see the back side too(remotes?) but once again, didn`t step across the line.
We`ve got a good friend that, admittedly, IS more of a car/truck mechanic...but he said break downs are higher for a diesel....I`ve NEVER worked on a diesel, Even WAY back in high school mechanics class(shame on them...but then again, a Really small town school!) THANKS Again to posters!!!...& ...well, just Thank you!

I don't think diesels break down any more than gassers given equal care, but it's more expensive to fix a diesel. OTOH, diesels generally last longer and run a lot cheaper. It's a trade off.

Personally, once I get past 45hp or so it's gotta be a diesel or I can't afford to work the machine.

The 165 was one of the best most reliable tractors ever built by Massey. I grew up with one and the hour meter quit working in 1980 and it had over 7000 hours on it then and we used it daily for all the heavier farm work until 1992 when we got a new 253. That 165 is still running to this day and it has to have close to 10,000 hours on it. The engine had never been worked on. Just a clutch, water pump and brakes in its lifetime so far. But it was serviced regularly. Your friend said diesels break down more than gas...he must not have been around very many Perkins diesels. They are far more reliable than most any other brand out there. The 165 also used the least amount of fuel than any other tractor in its class. I currently have a 175 and I love it. The 100 series Massey tractors are hard to beat. The main things to check is like everyone else said make sure the multipower works, check the steering real good because rebuilding the steering on a 100 series can get expensive and if it had a loader on it during its life it is hard on the front ends of those tractors. Get it out on a road and see if it tries to go from one side to the other from too much play in the front end. Outside of that check the brakes...they had dry disc brakes, but if it is a later built square axle 165 it can be converted to wet brakes. Only the English built late 165's had wet brakes. If it doesn't have hydraulic remotes they can be added easily enough. See if they have the original floatamatic seat as they are a better ride than those aftermarket seats like that. I have the same seat on my 175 and I'm rebuilding the original seat to put back on it because it's more comfortable.