MF 275, multipower, considering a tractor, it does not work

I'm going to look at a MF 275 with loader and by photo appearance seems to be an ok tractor, it has a Perkins diesel with 3800 hrs on the tractor. Owner tells me that it's a harder starter in colder weather and that the multipower has not worked in the time he has own.

I'm new to MF's and the Perkins motor, how are they, when do they start to have engine trouble, could the harder starting be a watch out issue. I know better the older IHC stuff and some models where just beasts to start.

Also, I get the function of Multi power but wonder if its a linkage issue or worse an internal transmission issues, how costly can they to be fixed, does it matter if it is not.

Overall how are these tractors in general.

Thanks

These are normally a good tough little chore tractor and fit for a good bit of field work. The Perkins motor is reknowned for it's longevity and 8-10,000hours is normal before a rebuild if kept well serviced. The 236 engine should be an excellent starter but if it has not been worked hard it can glaze the bores or carbon the head. Most over here are fitted with a thermostart in the intake manifold. Maybe it is missing or not working?
Multi-power issues could be as simple as a loose clamp where the lever goes into the top of the clutch housing, pulling the rod up with a pair of grips could engage high speed, it is worth a try. but it could also be a burned out clutch pack, not expensive to buy parts for but the clutch is right in the bottom of the gearbox so time is the problem. Sometimes the oil pump, mounted piggy-back on the main hydraulic pump in the rear trans housing, can shear the drive or the splines on the shaft internally. If this has happened the clutch pack may be OK. The tractor can be operated in Low Multi but it does not have a hold back when going downhill. Also it is supposed to be put into high periodically to lube the front top bearing of the gearbox.
See what others say and take these points into consideration when agreeing on price!
Sam

I ran one once, didn't think it was a bad tractor. If it's priced to where you can fix it and not be in too deep, you'd know what you had. I wouldn't be afraid of one.

I have 2 masseys with perkins diesels. My 40b has the 203 and started this last week without being plugged in at 15 degrees. The other is a 175 with a 236. The engine only has 200 hours on it and starts good down to 35 or so. If I know I'm gonna use them when Its cold I make a habit out if plugging them in, but both are good starters. The 175 has multi power and I didn't like it at first, but the more I use it, the more I like it. My uncle has a 275 without multi power and he won't part with it.

Thanks for the replays, keep them comming. The ask on this tractor is $7500 with a factory loader, roll bar and sun shade canopy. I would assume that I the Multi power was not fixed with adjusting linkages and I had to tear into tractor for further investigation that I would have to split? What could I expect to pay for parts if had to replace clutch pack or tear in hydro pump?

Does the price of tractor still seem fair?

80's era tractor? 2 w drive with loader. Price is probably ok , but it could easily cost $1000-1500 to repair. Parts aren't bad but the labour to split and get the pump out etc can eat up a lot of time.

If you do it yourself it probably wont be bad - get the manual thats what everyone keeps saying...

Go to the Massy board. lots of good advice.

Multi power is a good feature especially if you have hills. Grant

There are some videos on You Tube of the Multipower and how to get at it and repair it. I just got a MP MF this summer, nice tractor. You'll want the MP once you try it.

Sounds pretty good, but I would have 3 main areas of interest.
1. since he says its a hard starter, then the engine may be in bad shape from using too much starting fluid. The Perkins can be really damaged from constant use of the stuff.
2. If he has owned the tractor for some time, then I would be very wary of his maintenance since he has not fixed the MP or the starting issue. May be a tightwad, using wrong fluids, etc.
3. Tires.

If the engine has broken rings, grooved up sleeves, etc. and the MP is internal problems, and the tires are bad, you will have to allow a nice wad of cash infusion to get it right.
Tom

They start hard because the timing advance was eliminated to save money. Therefore the static injection timing is around 30 degrees which is too far advanced for good starting. If you could retard static timing to 20-23 degrees BTDC and use a timing advance gear mechanism it would start and run great. Not impressed with the hydraulics, they cobbled a system together that has many potential internal leak paths, but it does work. Usually results in a lot of hydraulic drift. I like multipower but usually isn't cheap to fix, however can still use the tractor without it. Just loose a lot of gear ratio choices.