3165 Clutch Air Ring

Hi All,
I own a MF 3165 tractor,with a 203 diesel & a loader with pump out front.There is no linkage & the PTO has been blocked off.
I will fit the loader with a quick-hitch ,& use forks,crane & bucket attachments.

I bought it with a bonded up clutch,&,after a tidy up I'm getting ready to re-fit the Laycock-Spicer dual clutch.I noticed the AIR RING is missing,& wondered what the role of this ring is?

Also,I'm thinking of replacing the 12 pressure springs.Is it advisable to renew them.I've renewed the clutch plates & bearings.

I have a manual to guide me...but any fitting tips are welcomed.

Thanks,
Jim

Hello Jim,
As your tractor has a '203' engine you should have
an 11" and 9" clutch unit if it is the same as the
agricultural versions. The air-ring that you speak
of is termed a spacer in the parts book. The
thought is that the ring/spacer will assist
cooling of the plates and clutch unit. I do not
doubt this. By fitting this ring (3 pieces) the
clutch unit is brought out a little further from
the flywheel and will bring the release finger
screws out further. This can be useful when there
is wear present in the finger pivots and movement
is lost. On rare occasions it has been necessary
to fit two sets of spacers to achieve the correct
amount of movement to operate the clutch fully. I
would certainly fit the spacers. They are a little
difficult to fit, turn the flywheel so that any
two of the furthest bolt-holes are equally at the
12 o'clock position. Cut the heads off 4 5/16"unc
x 2 1/2" min bolts and fit these in the upper
holes and the two lower ones at the sides. Place
the ring setcions on these and fit the clutch unit
over them. The two empty holes will allow initial
fitting of the clutch unit. When all bolts are
fitted thighten them to 19 lb/ft NO MORE.

DavidP, South Wales

Hi David,
I was hoping you'd see my post.I have read some of your previous posts.

I'll get a new Air Ring & will follow your instructions when re-fitting clutch.I think AGCO might supply them.

What is the best way to test those pressure springs? I have 12 in there.
Maybe I'd be better advised to just renew them...

Thanks for the advice.

Jim

PS: I know a bloke in Wales that collects IH Drotts,etc.

Hi Jim, fame at last!!!!!!!!!!!
The part number for the agricultural ones is 828 039M1. Make sure that you have the 11" clutch just in case there are any differences with the industrial/semi-industrial versions. Don't bother about testing the springs. It is better to replace them. The ones you have are likely to be mauve or black in colour. Current springs are all red and are fitted to ag tractors, 6 for the 135, 9 for the 165 and 12 for the 185 etc. Check with your MF agent to ensure that the red springs are suitable for your application. Equally important is that the asbestos-type heat shield washers under the springs are changed. The number for these is 1753 751 M1.

There are a few people in Wales collecting old plant machinery items.

Regards

DavidP

Hi David,
Thanks again for the info.
Tried my local AGCO dealer & of course he was no help.He zoned out coz it's an "MF INDUSTRIAL" & we don't carry industrial spares.
I think I'll try a rural dealer...more experience in older gear,I think.
Do you have any suppliers I can contact over there?
Also,my 12 springs & Bellville Spring lost any colour they had.I saw a trace of green on the Belleville ,but not a lot.

I can email some pictures to you if you like.

Your help is appreciated.

Jim

Hello Jim,
It might be better if I don't give you any more numbers at this stage just in case they are wrong for your tractor. I can offer you two possibilities;
Firstly contact my mate Evan Espin who runs Access Tractor Parts at Bunya Road,North Arm, Queensland QLD 4561. Tel +61 417 601 585 I don't have a business email but you should be able to reach him on [email protected]
He should be able to help you, or contact PV Dobson in the UK. They are major Massey Ferguson distributors.
If you send an email to Ryan in agricultural parts on [email protected] Their telephone number is 0044 1539 560 833 Tell them David Perrin from South Wales sent you.

Hope this will be helpful.

Cheers

DavidP

David,
I sent an email to Evan & await his reply.
I should be able to get the parts thru him or Dobsons.
Talking to someone who knows the product is a help.

Are you a Heavy Equipment mechanic,..or just a mad tractor hobbyist?

Thanks again,
Jim

Hi Jim,
I have been involved with the service side of MF tractors for 42 years. I currently contribute regularly to the top UK classic tractor magazine and am the MF 'agony uncle' for the magazine. In addition to that I have a 1974 MF 165 and 1972 Leyland 245 tractor. Have a look here in Tractor Photos for 'UK MF 165'. I am also the Secretary of the Glamorgan Iron Horse Vintage Society. If you have a look at our website, the one with the Facebook connection you will see a little of what we do. Scroll down to the latest group cheque presentation. I'm the one at the back left in the blue sweater.

Cheers

DavidP

(quoted from post at 15:55:01 03/10/15) Hi Jim,
I have been involved with the service side of MF tractors for 42 years. I currently contribute regularly to the top UK classic tractor magazine and am the MF 'agony uncle' for the magazine. In addition to that I have a 1974 MF 165 and 1972 Leyland 245 tractor. Have a look here in Tractor Photos for 'UK MF 165'. I am also the Secretary of the Glamorgan Iron Horse Vintage Society. If you have a look at our website, the one with the Facebook connection you will see a little of what we do. Scroll down to the latest group cheque presentation. I'm the one at the back left in the blue sweater.

Cheers

DavidP

Click to expand...

Hi David,
Still having troubles with getting knowledgable help.I'll try the UK if I have no luck by Saturday.

I'll grab a copy of your mag..I see it at my newsagent .The guy I know in Wales is Martyn..he has a role at the Classic Plant mag,I think.

I own a Nuffield 3/45...been a great tractor for 13 years & going strong..

Jim

Try AGCO part number 184558M1

Hi PT Farmer,
Thanks...I'll quote that number.
Very annoying that I have to do the footwork for the lazy AGCO dealers, who have all the info in front of them,but can't be bothered.

Jim, it gives me something to do when I can't work outside. Here in the states AGCO parts online will let you log on to their online parts as a guest user. I also have very fast internet service, it only took me about a minute to find that part number. I can find the part number(s) faster than my local dealer can.

I ordered the Springs & washers today,from a non-Agco supplier.
The Air Ring is proving elusive,but I'm sure I'll find it...either here or overseas.

Thanks guys for your help.The old loader will live on..

Hi again ,
I'm getting ready to fit this dual clutch ,& was wondering if I need to buy a Dummy Shaft ...or is there another option for aligning the 2 clutch plates?

Thanks again,
Jim

Get the dummy (line up tool) you'll be glad you did!

Thanks PT Farmer,
Will do.

I tried locally for the 3-piece Air Ring spacer,but nobody wanted to help.
Got it from Silverfox Tractor in the UK...great service,no fuss.

This clutch,being from an Industrial tractor-loader ,has a mix of 175,165 & 135 clutch characteristics. Took a while to source the correct springs,etc,but I got them OK.The springs on my clutch were not coloured.

I'm going to re-use the original 11 inch ceramic clutch plate.
The fitting instructions say I must use a new plate to get the correct adjustment settings. Do you know a way around this ?
Seems stupid to buy a new $300 plate ,when I have a good used plate here.I can't find thickness info for a new plate.

Thanks,
Jim