MF 165 problems

bsekf

Member
Looking at a 165. Power steering does not work and it does not have remotes.

Owner says he has the block for remotes and all I need is to buy the control and install. Does that sound right??

Power steering? Is that a normal problem on the 165? Am I looking at $700 for the whole works or might it be just a $20 kit or low on oil (it is a separate pump)??

Over-all, is the 165 a decent tractor or should I run away from it?

Tractor has excellent rubber and decent tin < $3500.

Bill
 
Either way, you aren't being told the whole truth, or the seller doesn't know what it's all about. Power steering can get pricey, how it left the factory compare to what the remotes look like now aren't known, too many years, but- I'd want to know when the other shoe is going to hit the floor. When everything is 'right' this is an awesome tractor. Value depends more on locations than a bluebook. check around.
 
Hi Bill,
Really we would need more info or photos to make a more accurate judgement. The steering system on the 165 is quite straightforward but the operation can be lost by normal wear and tear. have an assistant work the steering wheel back and torth in the straight ahead position. Check for loss of movement between the steering wheel and drop arm from the bax. That can normally be adjusted. Next observe the movement of the adjustable barrel on top of the cylinder. There should be no play in the pins or barrel ends. The spool valve should be pushed and pulled an equal amount...in the region of 1/8". If there is more one way the steering will work better on one side. I have fitted larger pins to my 165 (photos). Check for up and down movement where the cyl rod is attached to the casting. Steering wheel movement used for actuation can be lost if the rod is loose in the casting. The last main area to check is for wear in the botton bush where the main vertical shaft passes through. There is a grease nipple for the shaft but it is frequently ignored or not known about. Check for non-steering movement here as the wheel is rocked. A repair is not necessarily expensive if you can identify where the problem is. Essentially the target will be a systen with no wear. If you can achieve this it will function well as long as the pump and cylinder are OK. The filter in the pump (Plessey type) again is frequently ignored. Expect to change it.
Can't help you much with the remotes as there are different types.
If the rest of the tractor is good it's worth spending some money on it!
DavidP, South Wales
a42723.jpg

a42726.jpg

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The arrangement on David's tractor looks quite familiar. I also had to drill the old oval shaped holes on the PS actuator, and fit larger pins on mine to remove the slack.
It's a good idea to also oil the ends of the turnbuckle, while tending to the grease zerts behing the drill.

Usually, even with wear the power steering will work to the other direction. If it's not workign at all, it might be something more expensive than slack in the selector valve components.
 
Over-all a 165 is one the best tractors ever made and $3500 would normally be a great price but like was said, you need to provide a lot more info to get an opinion if this 165 is one worth considering. Is it gas or diesel, how many hours, does it smoke, does it start easy, do all the gauges work, does the PTO work, how's the clutch operation and shifting, etc,? What do mean, the block for the remotes?
 
Thank you all for the comments. I have done a little research, if he has the selector valve I should be able to install remotes for $300. The power steering may be a problem. I am going to take another look at the tractor. It is a diesel.

Thanks again,

Bill
 
(quoted from post at 11:03:29 06/17/11) Thank you all for the comments. I have done a little research, if he has the selector valve I should be able to install remotes for $300. The power steering may be a problem. I am going to take another look at the tractor. It is a diesel.

Thanks again,

Bill

If everything else works fine, 3500 is a decent deal. Is it a MP or an 8 speed?

If you end up passing on it, you should share the wealth. I'm looking for another tractor while rebuilding our 165 (this thing is taking forever to do!)

Depending on your hydraulic output needs, you might have to add a remote hydraulic pump. The factory unit is fairly weak at 4gpm from the factory.
 
David P, you always have the nicest pictures. Are these all tractors you have worked on? If so you are a lucky man!
 

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