MF 165 year?

Brian Allen

Well-known Member
Hello everyone, it has been a while since i've been on here.
What I know so far!
I'm looking at a Massey Ferguson (Diesel 165)
"According to my 2007 tractor blue book," the serial number should be located "steering column below instrument panel!"
I dont see anything in that location.
There is a plate above the steering column that reads:
165 573175
Those numbers don't correspond to those in my book, so I don't know what they are.
The book states this model was made 1964 to 1975, but I would like to know what year it actually is before I buy it.
On the right side of the Perkins engine I found the following engine number, but, I'm not sure that will help.
212UA
44302
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
 
The US market used the AD4.203 Perkins diesel, early gas used Continental G176 while the late gas used Perkins AG4.212. UK market got the AD4.212 that I wish the US could have had since it came with a balancer the 203 never had. The SN tag on US models is on the lower center panel just under the battery cover. Maybe you are looking at an imported UK model if it's a diesel. I just got an MF 135 that appears to be a UK model as there's several things it has I've never seen on the US line.
 
Had to look at the MF UK parts book, the UA44302 indicates its a Perkins A4.212 engine. The clutches on the UK 165 has a serial number split, tractors built before serial number 564619, and tractors built after serial number 564619. DavidP, South Wales here on the YT forums can probably tell you more about it.
 
Dieseltech
I don't see any indication of where this tractor was manufactured.
It does have an area in the grill that looks like it had lights similar to the UK models.
Thank you
Brian
 
ptfarmer
Very interesting!
The tag looks like it could have been on the tractor since it was built.
I'm looking forward to hearing from DavidP, South Wales.
This tractor should have lots of hours left in it if it had some TLC!
Thanks
Brian
PS: Do you know if there is anywhere else that the serial number would be stamped?
 
Hi everyone,
Just picked up this message after returning from holiday. The AD4.203
engine in the 165 was replaced by the A4.212 in Banner Lane UK
production in late 1967.
A = Built in the UK to MF specification
D = Direct injection
4 = Number of cylinders
203 = Capacity in cubic inches.
From 1967 the 165 remained largely unchanged until the 'facelift' in
late 1970. UK destined 165s were not fitted with the Lanchester
balancer unit. The only ones fitted with the balancer at that time
were the 175 and later 178 with the A4.236 and A4.248 engines.

In 1970 the face lift included the larger 10/12" clutch unit, oil
immersed brakes to replace the dry system and the modification of the
gearbox casing to have mounting points for the front legs of the MF
safety frame. This took the form of 3 5/8"unc blind holes at the
lower front sides of the casing. Roll-over protection either bar or
cab became mandatory in the UK if employees drove the tractor.
Tractors with oil immersed brakes are readily identifiable by the 5
notches in the upper area of the axle housing flange. Wet brake
tractors have the square section axle although a dry brake system may
also be fitted to a square housing....MF 158.
Another identifier is the type of headlamp fitted if fitted to the
front grille as with UK tractors. I believe that all US destined
tractors had the headlamps fitted to the mudguards (fenders)
If grille lamps are fitted these changed from aluminium to plastic at
S/n 584070.
A photograph would be immensely helpful. In short if you have a 212
165 of possible UK origin with round rear axles it should be between
1967 and 1970.
If you have a 212 165 with square axles it should be between 1970 and
1975 which was roughly end of production.
Hope this helps.
DavidP, South Wales
 
Just to add a little and really confirm Masseynut's opinion. The 212
engine was fitted from late '67 as said at s/n 212UA 34687. Your
tractor is roughly 1000 units on which is the best part of a year's
production. With a little guestimation your tractor is likely to have
been made in the latter part of '68 or early '69.

DavidP
 
DavidP
I will try to get pictures later today for you.
This tractor is for sale locally, it's in it work clothes and has not seen a lot of TLC.
It does have the lights in the fenders, but they look like a later addition.
The grill seems to have plates covering the holes where the lights would be in the grill, they do appear to be from the original build.

On another note, my wife and I toured Wales last year.
We (basically) went from the Cotswolds to Bala, then Llandudno, to Holyhead, then Newport, then back down to Oxford.
All back roads where possible!
We really enjoyed Wales!
Regards
Brian
 
(quoted from post at 14:37:32 08/22/17) DavidP
I will try to get pictures later today for you.
This tractor is for sale locally, it's in it work clothes and has not seen a lot of TLC.
It does have the lights in the fenders, but they look like a later addition.
The grill seems to have plates covering the holes where the lights would be in the grill, they do appear to be from the original build.

On another note, my wife and I toured Wales last year.
We (basically) went from the Cotswolds to Bala, then Llandudno, to Holyhead, then Newport, then back down to Oxford.
All back roads where possible!
We really enjoyed Wales!
Regards
Brian
2399.jpg
 
DavidP
It has a round rear axle, the rear fenders are trash.
The 3 PH bobs, but, it does start & run.
I may pass on it as I think he wants too much (in it's present condition)
 

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