RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member
I hardly ever see any posts , positive or neg , on here about the MF 175. They made them for quite a few years and perfected them throughout. A nice sized and optioned utility tractor with Perkins power ( 60-63 PTO HP ). Mine has two sets hyd outlets, ROPS ,independant pto,3pt, etc. Little enough to be nimble, big enough to do about anything. Mine is gas w/multipower which works perfectly. Is it because they have few problems or what. I just never see them mentioned on here. I think that's a good thing. Mine has been great. I also don't see any for sale on CL or YT or much of anywhere accept some of the beaters on TH etc. Just wondering out loud. ( photo not mine)
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I think of the 150,175,and 1080 as "shoehorn" models. Shoehorn in the sense that they were added models which were squeezed in to the previous series model lineup. We never saw many of these shoehorn models sold in our area back in the day. We had plenty of 35's, 65's, super 90's ( hardly any 85's) that were sold locally. Then when the new series came out, those same sized models continued to sell but the in between models just did not catch on quickly.

We saw many 135's, 165's, 180's, 1100's, and 1130's sell, but very few 150's, 175's, 1080's when the new series came out.

I suspect the main reason for them not selling well in our area was the farmers were a little apprehensive of the new sizes that were offered. It takes awhile for anything new to catch on it seems.
 
I've got two 175 diesels. Both have been great with few issues. I don't think you see many questions about them because that have them already cut their teeth on a smaller tractors like the 50 and the 65. I know I did an once you figure those out the 175s kind of explain themselves. The most questions I've seen was about front wheel wobble and I don't think I've had a remedy really explained.
 
I have a 175 also. Sturdy and reliable, easy on fuel, very handy...an excellent tractor that's pretty hard to beat in my opinion.
 
Which gas engine does yours have, the early Continental G-206 or the Perkins AG4.236? Dealer I worked for only sold diesel models, sold several 175s and 180s. If you had the diesel you'd probably throw rocks at a gas one. Diesels were very easy on fuel for the power they had..
 
The 165 gas came with the "old" Continental engine. Diesel was Perkins . The later ('69> ) 175 gas came with the Perkins engine. Mine is a 1973 (next to last yr built) and has the Perkins engine.
 
Hi, for around 6 years since the 1964/5 launch the 178 and then 178 was the biggest MF generally available in the UK. That changed with the introduction of the 1080 and then the 1200 articulated and the US-built 1500.

DavidP, South Wales
 
According to my Super-Duper French MF wall chart the following numbers are given for the production lives;

MF 165 UK 13,866
MF 165 Mk 3 France 21,636
MF 175 UK 1,938
MF 178 France 8,993
MF 178 UK 103 Seems strange to be so few. Most of them must still be working.

In the late 60s and early 70s a 60HP tractor was ideal as the 'big' tractor for many UK farms. The machinery had not
yet began its explosion to become massive. The 165 coped with most jobs even the ones that were seen at the time as
the 'heavy' ones.

DavidP
 
I have a later diesel, a think a 74. Has multi-power, a remote, and 18.4-30 power adjust rubber. I bought it with intentions of getting it running and selling it. Sat in a barn for years with a cracked block. The water pump was leaking so they ran water in it. Never drained it in the winter. Only had 1700 hours on it. I used it a little and decided to keep it around. Very handy hay tractor. Multi power transmissions have a bad reputation around here but I love it. I've put another 300 hours on it and the only issue I have had is the power steering pump. Would take one of these over a deere of the same size and vintage, and I typically lean towards the deere side.
 
In the states anyway, money in those times had a lot to do with it. From the looks of David's chart, times weren't much better in the UK. People who really did need something that big, their 80 and 90 series, or other brands, were no where near worn out, yet this model might have been selling for as much as the whole farm was worth. I don't recall many MF dealers caring to be 'price comparative'... we always thought of them as 'top shelf' tractors... I only knew one family with one MF, and that's cause the mom had a good paying job! I think the ones that did sell a lot were financing them in-house.
As I think back to the early 70's, I will bet our well used 1941 9N was worth about half what the whole joint was worth. Then things got worse by the time the 200's came out, remember Willy Nelson's 'farm-aid' concerts? That was a nice time to not have to be farming anymore.
 
That is a nice tractor, she's a keeper for sure. I don't see many 175s around here either in MD. Mostly 165, 135, a few 150s.
 

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