MF 35 Diesel Multi-power Should I buy It?

superfrank · May 31, 2018

I live in Florida and have a line on a MF 35 Diesel with Mult-power that doesn't work.The motor has 1500 hours on the rebuild. It has remote hydraulics and differential lock. The sheet metal is nice, it has brand new rear tires. I was thingking of offering $2500-$2700. Should I buy it? I want it for discing, box blade, mowing, etc.[/img]

Phil Tibbetts · May 31, 2018

Don't know how well the turf tires will work for you. Up here in Maine with our clay soil you need R1 Ag tires to do any pulling. It is a nice looking tractor.IMO

superfrank · May 31, 2018

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the input, Where I live it's a big sand hill. I do have some areas that are wetter. I have a 243 4wd that I could use in those areas. I really wanted a smaller utility tractor. The 243 is set up for clearing right now, back hoe and clearing rake. I wanted this one for final dressing of cleared areas, mowing, fertilizing etc. I just didn't want take off the hoe to do other stuff, the rake is easy quick connect. The fact that the multi-power isn't working has me scratching my head. I've passed on other multi-power tractors of the era (different brands) but this one looks pretty nice. I'm on the fence right now.

Frank

FinnMD · May 31, 2018

Without the MP it will free wheel and no
engine braking. So you need good brakes. If
you mow or use heavy implements with PTO
you want the MP working for safety.

superfrank · May 31, 2018

Thanks for the reply, I've been reading that some fellas have found that a simple filter cleaning solved the problems. I guess I'm just wondering if a worst case scenario fix would cost more than I spent for the tractor? I like old machines with no electronics, I'm old and don't have any electronics and manage to get things done, at least for now lol! The tractor seem like it's in good enough condition to warrant a buy, but I want to be able to use it now too. Go slow I guess?
:shock:

John Deere D · May 31, 2018

Hi... make and model of the Diesel Engine????????

Perkins or other wise?????

Perkins is a great Engine........

Serial # of Tractor ?

Bob. Owner operator 1963 MF FE 35 X Diesel...3 cylinder Perkins...

superfrank · Jun 1, 2018

Hey John,
It's a 1963 with the perkins diesel
Normal Width
A3.152 Perkins
Dual Clutch
Multi-power
Differential Lock
And it also has 1 Remote Hydraulic Connection. I'd like to know how much it would cost to fix the Multi-power (worst case). In my opinion if you're going to buy and old tractor it should operate as originally designed. I want to be fair to the guy that has it in terms of an offer. The rest of the tractor seems like it's in really nice shape. The rebuild is 10 years old, but only has about 1500 hours on it. The hours seem low, but looking at the tractor it doesn't seem to have been used very hard.
Thanks, Frank

Bob N.Y. · Jun 1, 2018

Worst case scenario would be replacement of the auxiliary hydraulic pump and rebuild of the M-P clutch pack. It
would require splitting the tractor in 2 places. I have no idea on cost. Last time I did it was 42 years ago.

2tractors · Jun 1, 2018

Saw that one too very pricy wrong tires for your needs but Florida is flat so MP not needed as much. I like the ugly 165 down there for 1500 with good rears and wheel weights. I'm in mid state Ga. and would jump on that 165 is closer. Good luck

superfrank · Jun 1, 2018

Thanks fellas!

chuckinnc · Jun 1, 2018

No!, I have 2 MF 35's a diesel and gasser with multipower, I never use multipower, however mine works great but is impossible to repair reasonably, so stay away from multipower in a old tractor. I like the gasser for quick cranking in winter time and diesel or fuel ecconomy but really never needed multipower for any reason.

rkelman · Jun 2, 2018

I just repaired my multipower clutch and it was a double split job. I'd have a look at it through the fill hole if it was me. Make sure at least the outside plate isnt falling apart like mine did. Dropped pieces into the gears. It was not horrendously expensive but it was alot of work.

ptfarmer · Jun 2, 2018

Wish my 135 was multipower, with the regular 6 speed it always seems like in one gear its too slow, but go to the next gear up, and its too fast. I got spoiled when I was using my brothers 150 diesel with multipower.

jamstra · Jun 2, 2018

Stay away from multi-power unless your land is flat. In 'low multi', you have no engine braking - coming up hill in low and then turning down
the slope, having forgotten to flick the lever up, will give you an exciting ride! As regards the multi-power not working, the MP in my MF250
often took about an hour of work and much flicking up and down of the lever to get it going after the tractor had sat for a few weeks. Once
it worked, it stayed working 'til next time! In other words, there may not actually be too much wrong with it - but that's a gamble! Jim

wellmax99 · Jun 3, 2018

I my humble opinion, I would stay away from an older tractor with multipower,

see it you can find a late model 165 with the 4 speed transmission with h/l
that gives you 8 speeds and no multipower,
was built near the end of the run of 165, by then MF had determined the multipower was not the best way to go.

as you note the 235, 245's do not have multipower,

multipower can be very hard and expensive to work on, if you are not a top mechanic.

again, just my humble opinion.

however, when it works it is a very useful and convenient option.

ptfarmer · Jun 3, 2018

The multipower on my brothers 150 has been working perfectly for some 35 years now after he went through it.

MF 35 Diesel Multi-power Should I buy It?

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