MF 85 clutch stuck in the engaged position--how do I free up

fredcope · Apr 18, 2014

Just purchased 1959 MF 85, and the clutch is stuck. Tractor had been sitting for a while.
Help?

Also, can someone advise how to identify whether the engine is an E223 or E242. Serial # 803762. Bought her cheap, but much work ahead. She runs, but compression is down on #2 cylinder, and hydraulics inoperative.

We will see if we can turn ugly Betty into wonder woman...

souNdguy · Apr 18, 2014

never seen an 85.. but whatever.

if it is stuck . rusted together. go aheand and block the clutch a few days. sometimes they pop apart on their own.

Next, block clutch, if manual pto, engage it. bump starter over multiple times. if you have a mower. install it. the bumping helps shock load the clutch and pop em apart.

next, after that, you can try pulling the starter and hose a bit with penetrant oil and once it pops.. slip it.. then spray down with carb cleaner or brake cleaner.

some block the clutch and drive in figure 8's and stomp the steering brake on the outside turn tire. that one hs been hit or miss for me.

the starter bumping has always got it for me.

lastly. sometoiems you get one so rusted up you just have to split it.

fredcope · Apr 19, 2014

I appreciate the suggestions, and am game to give them a try.

I know I am going to have a few questions about the hydraulics when I get to them. I hope to free up the clutch, replace the engine head gasket, and then tackle the hydraulics. I grew up on a TO20 and a MF-50, so the big Massey will be a new adventure. The first new MF I ever sat on was a 1959 MF85--that was 55 years ago.

souNdguy · Apr 21, 2014

good luck and keep us posted.

fredcope · Apr 21, 2014

Soundguy,

I ordered the three manuals this weekend: Operator's, Parts, and Repair.

I plan to take some "as-is" photo in the next day or so, and will post one or two. I plan to maintain a photo journal as I go along.

There will probably be a couple "how-not-to" pics.

I have six grandsons, and hope to involve them in different way--they range from 4 y.o. to 10 y.o. One is five, and he eats and sleeps tractors. One goal I have is to help them see that real tractors are not all green--they will be seeing red and grey mostly. I have my father-in-law's 1961 Ford 861 Workmaster, and now my 1959 M-F 85 with loader. No green tractors in my barn. At some point I may pick up an old Farmall M--I used to hall hay with a neighbor's M. We called her "Big Mamoo." The 861 is "Floyd"--it was my Daddy-in-law's name; and the 85 will be named "Might Mass"--a play on "Mighty Mouse, here to save the day."

MF 85 clutch stuck in the engaged position--how do I free up

fredcope

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souNdguy

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fredcope

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souNdguy

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fredcope

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