Will this tractor do?

ed in cny · Jan 3, 2022

I have a friend that's looking for a medium tractor bigger than his 135. Wants a loader and power enough to start a hobby farm. He's raising pigs and chickens this coming year. He's looking to also bail 15 or so acres too. He found a 68 Massey Ferguson 3165 that has loader, pto & 3 point. Is this tractor a good upgrade from his 135 to use as a farm tractor or should he keep looking? It's an industrial tractor but to me it looks like it could the right tractor for his needs. I know, I know condition is what you all want to know but all i hope to know is can this tractor work as he wants. Thanks

Dieseltech · Jan 3, 2022

Depends what transmission the tractor has. If it's the four speed torque convertor drive he won't want it as when reverse is used the PTO also reverses.

Janicholson · Jan 3, 2022

The only issue with Industrial tractors is why they are on the market. Many are just fine and have been cared for and maintained well. Others have been used by inexperienced operators or have had many heavy hours of use. Some look great, or have been touched up to appear OK with major issues inside.
With those Ideas having it looked at by a competent mechanic/operator, and operating it for at least 2 hours to get oil and pumps/cylinders to operating temps. It would be a good choice if it is operationally sound. Jim

redforlife · Jan 3, 2022

I have a 235 MF. Its a handy little tractor. Your buddy will need one larger than 235. Not sure if 3165 will be big enough for your friend. But if its the size I'm thinking, its going to be in the ballpark of the size he needs. He's going to want a tractor large enough to pick up a large round bale on the back with 3 point forks. I know he wants a loader on it. But it needs to also be big enough to be able to pick up a big round bale on the back.
My only complaint I have with my MF, is I hate working on the thing. It just not the easiest thing to wrench on. I'd lot rather wrench on any other tractor I have (not MF) than that one. But its also the handiest one I got to use. So, it does have its pros to go along with the cons.

lugnuts2030 · Jan 3, 2022

A 3165 has a about 15 more HP than a 135. If he wants a little bigger tractor then yes, but if needs a alot bigger tractor then no.

sotxbill · Jan 3, 2022

for bailing? round bailing 5x? bales? No, not nearly big enough!! Square baling? Yes. 4x4 bales? Maybe.

ed in cny · Jan 3, 2022

Some have asked about baling hay, he will be using an old sq baler. Not round bales. Sorry hadn't thought of that. So presently no round bales to deal with.

I'll check on the transmission to see if pto runs like he needs in reverse. Didn't know that nor a reason to run backwards either.

Thanks for the advice guys. Always know I'll get a proper response here. Not always what I want to hear but what I need to know.

ss55 · Jan 3, 2022

A 165 and 3165 Massey is around what 50 - 55 HP, about 40 to 50 percent more than the 135 (38 hp?)? That would be plenty for an acreage under 40 acres.

Some industrial tractors have rear tires with wide flat lugs for long wear, rather than the thin deep lugs for traction on soft ground that are on most farm tractors. Industrial tires may have poor traction in mud and snow unless you add tire chains.

An industrial loader and the front axle of an industrial tractor will be stronger than a farm loader and front axle for the same farm tractor, but the industrial loader will not be easy to remove and reattach. Plan that the loader will always stay on the tractor.

I would look over a 50 plus year old industrial tractor over pretty closely, they were probably used as hard as a tractor from a feedlot or dairy farm (used every day).

504 · Jan 3, 2022

Another thing to watch for is hydraulic remotes,some of the industrial MF, did not have the capacity to have remotes. Just looking ahead. We replaced the entire top cover so the city could have the remote.

miangus · Jan 4, 2022

If it has a loader, hopefully it has the front pump. Installing remotes just requires tapping into the loader circuit. My 202 with a loader has a 3 point, a 2 stage PTO clutch and a normal transmission. A loader run off the belly pump can be a little slow and under powered. Using both the three point and the loader on a belly mounted pump requires a knowledge of how the system works and can be a pain. I have a MF 65 with a Freeman loader run off the belly pump.

Will this tractor do?

ed in cny

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Dieseltech

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Janicholson

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redforlife

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lugnuts2030

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sotxbill

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ed in cny

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ss55

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504

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miangus

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