Learning to drive a Massey Ferguson 65 Tractor

G'day,
I have never owned a Tractor before. I have purchased a MF 65. My son came up from NWS and drove the Tractor and checked it out before we purchased it. After it was delivered my son gave a quick lesson on driving it. I have had a few drives around the paddock getting the feel of it. My son has gone back to NWS. I do not know of anybody that could run me through the important points of using the slasher. I have looked on You Tube to see if there are any videos, but could not find out all the things I would like to know. I need to know things like how to engage the PTO so I can run the slasher. What gear to be in to do normal slashing etc. Is there anywhere I can obtain this information please.
Cheers Perry

See if you can find a owner's manual online. Would believe someone has posted one somewhere. 65 is a pretty zippy tractor, keep
the throttle down, and use lower gears until you are comfortable driving it. Experience will be the best teacher as to what gears,
speeds for various implements, and they will vary depending on what loads you are putting on them as well.

One I have in my barn was formerly belonging to my father-in-law. Drove it some in the early years, but as he upgraded to larger
tractors, I drove them when I was visiting his farm. Dad died, and the 65 went to my brother-in-law, who after several years,
decided he didn't need it. Gave it to my son. Somehow it showed up at our local steam show, and I had to move it, during threshing
demonstration. Climbed aboard, and realized I probably hadn't driven it in 30 years! Had to think about controls for a few!
Learning curve was kinda steep there for a while. Now it's staying with me, while son is working on getting one of mine (Farmall
200) back online.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1184471/Ferguson-Mf-65.html
heres one

First things first be safe start out in first. Mf65 has a two stage clutch and live power. Once you have it in gear and are ready
to start cutting step on clutch and push it all the way down there is a lever on the left behind your left leg. move it clockwise,
that engages pto. let the clutch out slow and you are on your way.

I am going to assume that your tractor is basically the same as a North American 65. It should have a 2 stage clutch. That means you push the clutch pedal half way down to stop the ground travel and shift the transmission. Push the the pedal all the way down to engage the PTO or stop the PTO. The PTO lever is by your left heel as you sit on the tractor. The lever has 3 positions. Center is neutral. Up is engine drive. Down is ground drive. You want engine drive to run the slasher. Your tractor should have a tachometer that indicates what speed the engine should run at for standard PTO speed. I suggest your start in first gear, low range and move up through gears until you find the right speed.

And once you have the PTO engaged look at the tach for a mark that says 540 PTO RPM. Run the engine RPM at that then select the gear that will give you a ground speed that won't bog down the mower.

Running a "slasher" (I assume it is a rotary brush cutter often called "Bush Hog " though that is a Common Brand).
First, They need to be operated at or very near full engine speed. The blades need to have a specific speed to function and
lift the material being shredded. This means the ground speed is regulated by gear selection, not throttle. Start in low gear
(slow) and move faster by changing to higher speed gears as confidence and results are gained. Too fast and the engine will
labor or results will be ragged.
Second, adjust the angle of the slasher so the rear of the swing of the blades (furthest rearward travel of the arc of the tip of
the blade) is 12 to 14mm higher than the front of the blade travel. Measured on flat paved surface, with the whole machine on
the same surface. This prevents the blade from continuing to cut the same stubble more than once.
Third, be willing to cut 1/2 width passes in heavy material. This can assist in a clean job in heavy growth.
Fourth, Sharpen the blades to a 1mm edge, not knife sharp. they will cut well and not dull as rapidly.
Fifth, Check the gear oil level in the drive gears every time you use it until you are sure it is not leaking, then every 10 days
of use or so. Use the correct oil.
Sixth, grease the fittings for the universal joints every time it is used for more than an hour.
Seventh, Walk the fields or areas you will mow to assure there are no pipes, fence posts, rocks, or stumps sticking up to wreck
the slasher.
Eighth, Never allow anyone to be near it on the ground when operating, it throws things, and is very nasty
Ninth, If it is mounted on the hitch, do not run it when lifted more than 20cm above normal height to avoid damaging the Ujoints
in the drive line.
Tenth, Do not get off of the tractor until it has stopped turning.
Eleventh, There is either a slip clutch or a shear bolt in the drive. Do not use stronger bolts for shear, or tighten the slip
clutch. It will break the gears or shafts.
Twelfth, Do not drive sideways on hills of more than 15 degrees of slope (conservative, but tipover is not good)
Thirteenth, Listen to the machine and carefully notice changes in sound. Things do get wound up on the shaft and can make heat.
Balance problems from material stuck on the blades can cause vibration. Stop if change is noticed.
Fourteenth, Look behind to assure it is doing its job.
Fifteenth, If it is a pull behind type hooked to the draw bar with a pin, do not turn sharp when it is running. Maybe a 12m
radius arc, not a tight turn. The Ujoints can not be angled radically. If knocking noise is heard, straighten out.
The above is coupled with experiance and prudence to make a good clean safe job well done. Jim

Excellent post!

You have been given some excellent tips in previous posts, here's some more. I have been "slashing" for 40 some odd years and I'm sure I still have some things to learn. I have never read or seen a "how-to" book on slashing except for the general info contained in the slasher's Operating Manual. I have learned from my Dad and personal experience. First, what are you slashing(mowing/cutting) and how tall/thick is it? Are there small saplings larger in diameter than an inch or so? How thick are they? A slasher(brush hog)can usually eat most anything you run it over. The problem is what happens when you hit something you didn't intend to, rocks, a steel wheel, fence post, small animals, etc. Knowing what to do next, quickly, can mean the difference between success and disaster. My dad hit a ledge once and a blade broke off, barely missed a front tire and, luckily landed in some brush, a real eye-opener. You can never get complacent when you are slashing.
Once you have the slasher set at the level you want to cut with the hydraulic lift Position lever(not the Draft control)push your clutch all the way down and engage the Engine PTO(Not Ground PTO) and slowly release the clutch to about the half way position at slightly above idle RPM. Select the gear you want based on how fast you can cut(several variables there), suggest 2 Low to start. Increase engine speed to the "540 PTO speed", approximately 1600-1750 RPM and slowly release the clutch out. You are now slashing!
Ask yourself what would you do if you hit something you didn't expect or you hear a loud racket suddenly. JAM the clutch down full, ease on the brakes, and throttle down quickly, all at the same time. DISENGAGE the PTO and secure the tractor- turn it off or put it in neutral, set the parking brake and see what happened.
Start out slowly and examine your results and you'll be fine. SAFETY is the most important issue, things can go bad in a heartbeat. Good Luck!

G'day,
As Rip in Co said an excellent post. Thank you all for the fantastic information. I have down loaded the Manual. To purchase the ones on eBay would have cost $40 + plus postage. I was able to down load the one from the web site for only $15 US. I have printed it 44 pages of valuable information. My wife will buy a folder for me so that I can always have it on hand for a reference.
I really do appreciate your help and many thanks. Unfortunately I will not be able to put the Tractor & Slasher to good use. Here in Queensland we desperately need rain. We have not received rain throughout a winter that is classed as our wet season. There is not a patch of green grass anywhere. We live in the bush and rely on rain water for drinking. Fortunately there are only the two of us living on our property. I had a friend who had a family of 7 who is almost out of water. He informed me that because so many require drinking water there is a waiting period of two weeks to get a delivery.
Once again thank you so much for your help and advice I really do appreciate it.
Cheers Perry

All excellent advice below. Just one more. When releasing the clutch to start the mower, gently and slowly start the mower to avoid slipping the mower clutch or shearing the pin, which ever it has. It's better to bring the mower up to speed with the mower raised or in an area already mowed. Voice of experience. TDF