MF 165 reduced pto power

Aroostook · Oct 18, 2019

I have a 1964 MF 165 that I use on our small hops farm, and have for 3 years to run a bush hog and run a pto pump that runs the 7 hydraulic motors on our harvester. The PTO power is diminished, and I'm wondering if it's a clutch issue or maybe combined with an engine issue. It can barely turn a 6' woods bush hog in low/2nd gear. We've had it to a good mechanic who adjusted the points, put in carburetor kit, new plugs, wires, etc. The clutch also occasionally slips in higher speeds running downhill when bush-hogging. There are flames coming out of exhaust (even since visiting the local good mechanic), even though I've tried to adjust the needle valves to optimal. We have the gas continental engine, and 2-stage independent clutch. As you may have guessed, I can change oil and I've replaced the generator, but, my mechanical abilities are still aspirational.

Bob N.Y. · Oct 19, 2019

First off, you are confusing some terms. If the tractor has a 2 stage clutch, it "live PTO". Independent PTO on those tractors is engaged and disengaged via a hydraulic clutch pack and is totally "independent" of the clutch pedal. Second, you say the tractor runs away going downhill. Does it have Multi-Power? Tractors with M-P freewheel downhill in "low" M-P. You need to use "high M-P for engine braking. Low M-P is mechanically driven. High M-P is also engaged by a hydraulic clutch pack. Is not uncommon for the high side to fail. Third, When the PTO slows down, do notice the engine bogging down too? It is possible that the PTO (2nd. stage) clutch is slipping under load. Seems like you would smell it eventually.

Aroostook · Oct 19, 2019

Thanks for the reply, Bob. After I kept reading I realized I mixed up that first term. Second, I do have the M-P and switch back and forth, i.e. when going up hill or through dense growth it usually would bog down too much, so I use low, and switch to high when it starts to increase in RPM and PTO speed. My tachometer is disconnected/broken, so I can't monitor that way. Third, yes, the PTO and the engine bogging down happen together, to the point where it would stall if I don't ride the clutch. I don't smell clutch burning, but, the leaky exhaust may be masking my ability to smell. When my mechanic split the tractor two years ago for another issue, he observed that he thought the clutch was pretty good. But, its performance has declined since then, and was never perfect. thanks.

Bob N.Y. · Oct 19, 2019

So do you have a 2 stage clutch or Independent PTO? Either way, it doesn't sound like a clutch issue if the engine bogs down too. The solution might be to cut half the width in in heavy growth.

Aroostook · Oct 19, 2019

Yes, a 2-stage clutch. I want to fix the problem, even though I have compromised by going slower or mowing less. Powering the PTO pump for our hops harvester is its main function, and I had to use our Kubota 2320 to do this job, which meant lost time in switching PTO pump for trailer hitch twice per day. So, you think it's an engine issue?

Bob N.Y. · Oct 19, 2019

Very likely. If the clutch was slipping it probably wouldn't pull the engine down.

21hunter · Oct 19, 2019

Hello. Did your mechanic check the ignition timing? Low power and flames coming out of the exhaust are some symptoms of late ignition timing. I?d definitely check that to rule it out

Aroostook · Oct 19, 2019

He did check the timing, but, I'm not sure if he adjusted it. That was one thing we discussed when I brought it to him (driving it 10 miles to town!). I may need to repeat that visit. It's been kind of frustrating, as my mechanic is really good, even with this type of task, and he did the job himself since his crew didn't have that kind of experience with old engines.

MF 165 reduced pto power

Aroostook

New User

Bob N.Y.

Well-known Member

Aroostook

New User

Bob N.Y.

Well-known Member

Aroostook

New User

Bob N.Y.

Well-known Member

21hunter

Member

Aroostook

New User

Similar threads