Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
:

MF100 series

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
massey fan

01-12-2007 11:30:52




Report to Moderator

Hi,I want your opinions about a tractor for farm work and to collect. Which is the the best,uk built 4 cyl MF 100 series tractor MF 165 to 188.Is there much difference other than engines? thanks




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
DavidP, South Wales

01-12-2007 15:24:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to massey fan, 01-12-2007 11:30:52  
Hi,
Go for a good 188 if you can find one preferably with a flexible cladding cab. The metal cabs tend to rattle a lot.
The A4.248 engine is very reliable and economical and being an '8-line'model built at Banner Lane in Coventry has the added Lanchester balance unit fitted to reduce engine vibration. Add to that the transmission spacer and you have a tractor well capable of handling most farm jobs. If you find one pay particular attention to wear in any part of the steering mechanism as this may reduce PAS efficiency.
Regards
David P

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Huw from West Wales

01-13-2007 00:40:29




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 01-12-2007 15:24:16  
I always thought that the Perkins A4 236 as fitted in the 168 was a better engine than the 248 , also how does the transmission spacer in the 168/188 make them a better tractor than the 165/185 . Regards Huw.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DavidP, South Wales

01-13-2007 11:45:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to Huw from West Wales, 01-13-2007 00:40:29  
To the best of my knowledge it increases the length aiding stability (probably not a lot) and the possibility was there to install a creeper box and of course a possible drive point for 4WD.
Perhaps my emphasis was wrong. The '5-line' produced at Banner Lane were regarded as a lower spec version to the '8-line'.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
richard in nz

01-14-2007 01:15:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 01-13-2007 11:45:30  
We had a new 168 in 1972, it replaced a 1965 165, realy good tractor but was worn out by 1978 when it was replaced by a Ford 6600 which could use diesel like we had never seen. The 168 was 8 speed with the flexy cladding so you got heat when ploughing in the winter, it did 275 acres a year with a M-F 47 plough, cart all the sugar beet in to Kings Lynn beet factory and take the grain off the combine then take most of it out again with the same 12 ton Pettit trailer we used for the beet. A 148 was orderd at the same time but either M-F or Perkins were on strike at the time and it was delay after delay so a David Brown 885 was brought, that too was, and still is a good tractor as they still have it on the farm. I think that was the winter of discontent, when England had the 3 day week and all those power cuts?

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DavidP, South Wales

01-14-2007 03:09:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to richard in nz, 01-14-2007 01:15:13  
Hi Richard,
Could the year have been 1974? By 1978 the 500 series would have largely taken over in the UK.
If it was 1974 and around December I spent two weeks at the Training School at Stonleigh then. One of the highlights was going to be a trip around the factory but it was cancelled due to the factory being on strike and as we were told workers sleeping on the production lines.
This would not have been good publicity for MF.
Regards
DavidP

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
massey fan

01-14-2007 04:36:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 01-14-2007 03:09:09  
Hi,thank for the replies,it seems you all like the MF 168 and 188.I was thinking about a MF 178 or 185 with 8 speed gear box.The spec for 8 line tractors show a much larger turning circle,are they still quite nimble? is power steering a must? Standard or multipower i am working on some quite steep land? Any thoughts on late MF 165. Many thanks



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
richard in nz

01-14-2007 23:31:57




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to massey fan, 01-14-2007 04:36:39  
I would go for the 8 speed, our 168 was qute nimble, that was the tractor that evolved in to the 565 tractor. The 168 of ours did not have power steering, niether did the Ford 6600 that followed it and we never complained, the Ford 5610 that followed that did have power steering and we wondered how we ever managed without it!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DavidP, South Wales

01-14-2007 09:28:33




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to massey fan, 01-14-2007 04:36:39  
Hello,
First of all you have mentioned that you have 'steep' land to work on. Whilst the MP trans is safe if used properly you have the potential for problems. Add to this the fact that someone else might be driving it!!!!!
As far as the 178 goes, great tractor,but if you are working on steep ground you will undoubtedly be relying on your brakes. The 178 had 'dry' brakes and if the actuators are worn there is a very real possibility that one or both brakes may 'jam' on and you can guess the rest. Going for a 185 with Constant Mesh transmission and 'wet' brakes would seem to the answer.
Regards
DavidP

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
richard in nz

01-14-2007 23:25:55




Report to Moderator
 Re: MF100 series in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 01-14-2007 09:28:33  
Yes in '78 the 500 series was well in as the contest was between a new 575 or the Ford 6610, Boston tractors lost the deal on price, the Ford dealer got it with the 168 and a 65 reg ADO 815B traded in against it, wonder where the 65 is now, probably exported I guess.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy