Purchasing a MF 85

HoffAppFarm

New User
Hello!

I'm looking to pick up our first tractor. Came across a MF85, pretty good shape for $3,500.

I went to give it a look and 2 issues. Looks like one of the studs near the PTO that keeps the implement from swinging into the tires sheared off...could the broken one be cut off and something new welded in place?

The bigger issue is oil leaking from the PTO. The owner says he just has to fill it on occasion and it requires a new deal. The seal doesn't seem to be expensive but might it cost me a lot to get in there to replace it?

Thanks!

Joshua
 
Hoff,
You need to really check out that hyd oil leak issue, some models of those old, larger MF used the same oil for the power steering and
PTO, I do not remember about the brakes.

All I am saying is you need to be sure you understand how it works and what potential cost you might have. If it has multi power, be sure it
works, if not you will have a wild ride down a hill with no motor braking.

Good
luck,
 
The rear cover can be pulled after draining the oil to replace the PTO seal. Multi-Power was never used on the 85, all were straight 8 speed. If in good shape they were an OK tractor, but does not have the parts support the 50 and 65 models do..
 
I purchased a mf 85 narrow front two years ago and got it for 2000.00. Everything was in good working condition, they may have come up abit, but 3500.00 seems a little high. Diesel is right with parts availability. I spent several days tracking down gaskets, seals and various parts which were hard to find two years ago. Good luck.
 
I owned a MF 88 and the neighbour owned a MF 85. Yes the Tractors were an eye catcher when new. We worked our 88 hard and always done the servicing as per recommended. Both the 88 and 85 were 4 cylinder engines with only 4 MAIN Bearing journals. After both the 85 and 88 engine blocks had to be lined bored I sold mine. The MF 90 had a 5 main bearing Journals and the Engine never had a Lower end issue that I'm aware of. The 88 Transmission/Diff. gear ratio was such, that in high gear, they would Fly down the highway.
Bob...
 
Thanks! Yeah, I wish it were a diesel! So you think $3,500 might be a bit high? Wonder if I could talk them into repairing that stud for the drawbar and have them take care of getting that leaking bearing fixed and keep it at $3,500...it'd be less headaches for me for sure. Much appreciated! - Joshua
 
wellmax99,

Thanks! So much to learn...appreciate the heads up. Wish we had more folks in our area that we're familiar with these older tractors. I'm going to see how open the owners are to having them do the repairs and see if they'll stick by the price since it's an issue they've known about and have been "dealing with" since they bought it 3 years ago.

Thanks,

Joshua
 
It's serial number is SGM 804400.

Looking here (http://www.oldfergusontractors.com/ResourceMaterials/North_American_Ferguson_Tractor_Production_Serial_Numbers.pdf) looks like it's

Standard/Utility Class
Gasoline
Dual Stage Clutch (not multi power)

Photos of the engine and PTO are here:
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0O53qWtHD9WeK


Thanks!
 
This answer isn't going to go over very big.(RUN,RUN AND KEEP RUNNING OR BETTER YET GET IN A CAR AND DRIVE VERY-VERY FAST to get away.)Parts weren't available 20-30 yrs.ago and under the new AGCO ??????.Those tractors were in junk yards 30 yrs.ago because of no parts support.If this is your first tractor,don't let anyone con you into buying one or you will lose any feelings for ever buying another tractor.
 

Whooom ;-) Well, I appreciate your honest perspective. I'm quite certain you're speaking from experience and much appreciated.

The hunt continues!
 
85/88 gas and diesel blocks are both 3 mains. They are fast on the road stock and even faster with the drop box transmission gears running the planetary rear end. That's how my 85 diesel tour tractor is set up, with 18.4 x 38 rubber top speed is 32 MPH. It just runs a fast idle on most rides in seventh gear, don't get in eighth very often unless there's a fast group..
 
Well, what are you intending to do with a tractor? If you are just starting a farm, or getting firewood or anything else that 'does not' require 60 or 70 horsepower, a good start is a Harry Ferguson TO20 or 30. Most places you can can find a good running solid one for a lot less than 3500. And the mechanics are simple, manuals cover it all. Equipment 'that fits' is all over the place. Then you can look for a 35, then a 50, and bigger when you- if you ever need it. Here's 3 of mine, I didn't pay half of 3500 for the best of em...
30325.jpg
 
After buying my first tractor, a gas tractor is ok if you don't need to use it/work it hard every day. The main thing is what are going to use the tractor for (mowing 5 acres, or mowing 100 acres)? and what equipment do you have, or planning to run behind it?
 
As others have said, buy the best tractor you can afford, add your equipment as you go along.
If an old tractor is all you can afford something like a 135 Ferguson or 3600 ford were great little tractors back in the day, case 430 or John
Deere are great too but may be more pricey,

If you have an old tractor you need a dealer around in your area,

I have an old TO35 Ferguson it's a great little small farm grass cutter garden tractor, but it's day of farming big time is way past at it is 55 years
old.

Again, buy the best, latest model tractor you can afford, remember older diesels are hard too start in the winter, but will work if in the barn and
plugged up to a heater.

Good luck,
 

Thanks to all who've replied...and apologies I definitely should've mentioned what we're up to now and looking to do with it.

We are a hops farm and just started into small grains...planted barley in September for a Summer 2016 harvest. So we need an overall tractor for things like moving rocks, possibly lifting black locust poles with the bucket into place...general tractor use.

However now that we're into grains and cover crops, we need something capable of pulling at least a 3 bottom plow, a set of discs and the like. We have 7 acres in now, but have 15 acres possible at our place and another 10-15 at a nearby neighbors place he wants to get into production/into a rotation with us.

A buddy who plowed and disced our field with a 2012 Mahindra 54hp had his fair share of difficulty so that's why I was looking for at something at least mid 50hp.
 
First time I've ever heard of anyone using a Mahindra with a plow, and a disk. Anyways my brother has a MF 150 diesel, 45 hp, and it can pull a 3 bottom plow pretty easy. One of my uncles had a Long tractor with the same hp as the 150, and with a 3 bottom behind it in a 15 acre field, the 150 could start out first, then catch up to the Long before it make a round, and the 150 used a lot less fuel. I think something like a MF 165, or a MF 175 diesel would make quick work of everything you need to do (I think a MF 150 would still do the jobs you need). The Perkins diesel engine are the best diesels in my opinion.
 

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