MF 165 Clutch replacement

Blohan · Mar 19, 2017

Hi, I have an early 70s 165, standard trans. The clutch is froze to the flywheel. Ive tried pushing on a tree, drug a box blade for 2 hrs, nothing works. Ive made the decision to replace the clutch. Probably needed it anyways.

I was lookin in the store for clutch parts and there are several types for the 165. How do I tell which one I need before splitting the tractor?

Thanks.

DavidP, South Wales · Mar 19, 2017

Hello,
There are a number of ways that you can tell. The tractor serial number is one way. I am not sure how popular the
12/10" clutch was in the US but in the UK 12/10" clutches were fitted from late 1970. The easiest way would be to
remove the plate underneath the clutch housing and check the colour of the coil springs. For standard UK tractors
of that time the colour would have been lavender giving a clamp load of 1400 lbs. Since around the early 80's the
springs have been replaced by one colour. The springs are now red with 6 being used in the 135, 9 in the 165 and
the full 12 in the 175, 178, 185 etc. Do not be tempted to fit a clutch unit with the 12 springs in a 165. Your
supplier or MF agent should be able to tell from the colour which unit you have as long as the correct one was
fitted previosly. The 11" flywheel will have radial slots in it like the digits on a clock face. The 12"
flywheel has fewer slots but in a spiral configuration. The 11" flywheel may also have large half-moon shims
fitted between it and the clutch. These were not fitted to the 12".

Hope this is of help.

DavidP, South Wales

MF 165 Clutch replacement

Blohan

New User

DavidP, South Wales

Well-known Member

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