mf65 steering

Tom 8N396936 · Jun 28, 2015

I have Massey 65 that I have question about. It does not have powersteering and is difficult to steer. Is there anything I can do to help with this? I have looked for power steering conversions kits with no luck.Would narrow front tires help? Should it be this difficult to steer? I can't believe they wood sell a tractors difficult to steer.
Thanks
Tom

ptfarmer · Jun 28, 2015

The best way to add power steering would be to get all the parts from a 65 that has power steering. You would have to get the power steering pump from a tractor with the same engine as yours.

Tom 8N396936 · Jun 28, 2015

ptfarmer

Thats what I assumed so why would they sell a tractor without it? Should it be this
tough to steer without it?

2tractors · Jun 28, 2015

You could add a counterweight to the rear but more than likely something is lacking grease or is worn. You will have to determine if it's in the steering sector or the front by separating the two and jacking up the front.I've added PS to a 50 from a 65 and it's not that hard.

Deere Driver · Jun 28, 2015

My dad bought a new MF 65 with power steering when I was a kid. Since it was the first tractor we had with PS, we both thought it steered pretty good...until he bought a new JD 3020, which steered 10 times easier. I restored a MH 50 with manual steering, so I can appreciate the manual steering is hard, but a lot of those older tractors with manual steering weren't easy...we just didn't know any better, back then. If you upgrade your tractor to power steering, it will be a lot better; but still not as good as newer tractors with really easy steering.

Eric in IL · Jun 28, 2015

" more than likely something is lacking grease or is worn " , I agree with 2tractors.

Tony in Mass. · Jun 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:34:12 06/28/15) " more than likely something is lacking grease or is worn " , I agree with 2tractors.

That's what I am thinking. I never saw a 65 that didn't have factory power steering. Very likely it quit working, and some one removed pieces of it. Can you post some pictures of the front post and sides of the engine?

Tom 8N396936 · Jun 28, 2015

OK guys..thanks for the input. It may have had PS at one time but was converted. I have begun greasing everything I can tell will take grease. Any hints or advice as to what could be worn and how to diagnose would be great.
2tractors ..I agree would be best to drop in a PS system but I will be darned if I can find one! I have heard the 65 and 50 will fit each other? Can anyone confirm this? If anyone has a lead on a complete system let me know.
Thanks
Tom

ptfarmer · Jun 28, 2015

A better alternative to MF power steering is hydrostatic steering (like the new tractors have), but you would have to adapt, and fabricate some parts for to work.

Here is a video I found of a old MF202 work bull converted to hydrostatic steering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXM-ISkLfjQ

Here's how it steers. If you note it steers fast, but it can be slowed down with a adjustable restrictor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0GH1-XOrfk

Rkh · Jun 28, 2015

Go to a junk yard for tractors & find a used mf -65. I converted my manual to power on my 65. You will also need the steering arm from the used tractor.

DavidP, South Wales · Jun 28, 2015

Hello Tom,
Much has been said about adding a PAS system but little about ensuring what you have got is working first. Three areas that need inspection are the king pins, the kp thrust bearings and the main vertical shaft in the front casting. Jack the tractor up enough to take the weight off the front wheels. Disconnect the track-rod ball joints at the outer ends. Move the steering arm on top of the kp by hand. If it is not free it should be either greased or removed and cleaned. Prior to jacking up check if there is a gap between the kp steering arm and the stub axle. Up to about 3/16" is acceptable. Any more and the thrust bearings should be checked by removing the kps.
Lastly ensure that the vertical shaft is free. Greasing of the shaft is frequently neglected and the shaft can seize up.

In addition to the above ensure that the wheels have a toe-in of 1/8 to 3/16" and that the tyre pressures are correct.

Let us know what you find.

DavidP, South Wales

Aaron Ford · Jun 29, 2015

Have you checked your gearbox under the dash? Mine had completely dried out and simply cleaning it out, flushing, and refilling with a thick oil helped immeasurably. I also got rid of all slop and misalignment in the linkage. The final move was to replace the thrust bearings in the legs out by the front tires. Those had completely broken down as well. Hope you find it, Aaron

Tom 8N396936 · Jul 1, 2015

Aaron how did you access the gearbox under dash?

mf65 steering

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