Massey Ferguson 135 and 165

[DanL99]

Basically, tomorrow I have my tractor certificate test, it's either going to be on a 135 or 165, I've only ever driven modern tractors so I'm abut nervous, I need to drive it, hitch it up to a trailer using a pickup hitch then reverse, has anybody got an tips and how you use the pick up hitch, everyone else in group has driven one but me, so I'm worried, any tips driving it and using the hitch would be grateful, thanks

 

[joe soapy]

Inportant thing with pickup hitch is letting linkeag down a bit after latching to avoid straining the rods.
Reversing, remember its easy to overcorrect with power steering.
Also use the low range when doing difficult manouvers, saves clutch wear

 

[Cowabunga]

Try to drive the 135, because you just can't see the hook on the 165. The round top outer lever [draft control], needs to be fully 'up', which is to the rear. Leave it there. You will use the square topped lever, [the Position Control] to lift and lower the links. On the 165 and 135 built after around 1970, there will be a front and back section for this lever. You will use it in the back section and it will work to lift the links. Use the back section where moving it further back will lower the links and forward will lift. The movable stop should be set for you so the the links lift to near the top at the stop. To release and lower the puh you need to push the lever to the side slightly to slide the control lever slightly forward to the 'constant pumping' section, only enough to lift the links that extra inch or three to allow you to operate the hitch release lever which is behind your right shoulder. Then push the quadrant lever rearwards to lower the hitch.

You will find that you should twist and use your left hand on the quadrant lever while your right pulls the puh lever to unlatch it.

To raise the hitch, pull the position control lever forward to the stop and that bit further to 'constant pumping' until you hear and see the hitch hook and lever engaging. Then lower the links slightly to check that the hooks have safely engaged and to take the strain off the hitch raising linkage.

If the 135 is older than a certain age, it will probably not have the front 'Pressure Control' section to the square quadrant lever. In which case the links will still raise when the quadrant lever is at the top but will work the opposite way, with forward movement lowering the links.

It is not quite fair that you have not had some time to practice with these tractors, but don't worry, read the above again and realise that it is much simpler than it sounds.

 

[Mursal]

As above, here is the quadrant showing the round and square lever

.........................

It will be quite easy, just take it steady and be safe at all times.

Good luck, let us know how it goes ............

 

[Cowabunga]

As above, here is the quadrant showing the round and square lever

.........................

It will be quite easy, just take it steady and be safe at all times.

Good luck, let us know how it goes ............

That appears to be a mirror image. The OP should be made aware that it is on the other side. That one hasn't got pressure control and it is probable that the 135 will and certain that the 165 will.
Also the round top lever [draft control] should be at the very top of its travel and left well alone there.

 

[Mursal]

Sorry about that @DanL99 , only trying to help

Good luck with everything , tomorrow

 

[multi power]

Don't forget there is no syncromesh or powershift and you will have to de clutch for every gear change

 

[Timo@hattonfarms]

I wouldn't worry to much about it, just ask if you don't know, no one knows everything!

Just go steady and you will be fine. the examiner will give you plenty of goes at it there usually farming related people anyway

 

[Mursal]

Good point @multi power and high reverse is quite quick, I wonder would low reverse be better?

 

[multi power]

To start the engine remember the small gear lever needs to be in neutral

 

[multi power]

If you can't see the hitch when it's down remember it's directly under the pto shaft (but that's not any help if it's got a guard above the shaft, it's quite common just to have a cap over the shaft)

 

[multi power]

Big gear stick all the way left and towards dash is reverse, straight back to seat is first, all the way right and forward to dash is second gear and straight back for third
I expect first and reverse maybe second will be all the gears you need. The short stick is low, towards dash and high back towards seat

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Is this a college test or similar? I find it hard to belive that they will expect you to do the test without any practice, have you explained this to anyone there? Have a word first and I'm sure they'll understand.

 

[Mrs Brown]

Just to confuse and worry you a bit more ,if it happens to be a Multi-power they can lock the gearbox if in high MP when the clutch is depressed while in a forward gear and the tractor freewheels rearwards or visa versa to counteract this either depress the clutch pedal all the way to the foot step or place the multi Power lever in low .On a 135 the lever will be right of centre on lower dash and bright chrome on 165 it will be on left of steering wheel again a chrome lever. Have a go on the tractor before your test and if its MP try it out to find out whats High and whats Low. There is no engine braking in low either

 

[blackbob]

What modern tractors have you used, @DanL99 ? Have you used the pickup hitch on them? If so, the principle is no different on these older tractors, apart from them not having (or needing) a ram to push the hook outwards so you can see it, or even a mirror on the back window for the same purpose.

Good luck!

 

[Mursal]

Well if they give you one with Multi-Power we'll come over and sort them out for you ................
Did anyone tell Dan where the pick up hitch lock handle is? From memory, its behind the drivers seat sticking out of the cross shaft? You lift fully and it will be easy to unlock allowing you to lower the hitch.

 

[Mrs Brown]

Doom and gloom here again it could be an old cross tree T bar with latch on the piece like the top link

 

[Mrs Brown]

How did you get on?

 

[Mursal]

+1 ............

 

[DanL99]

Sorry for the late replies, I've been really busy this past week and my connection has been terrible, first of all, I passed, so that's good, but last minute it changed from a 135 to a JD 6800, lucky I more familiarly with that machine, but neverless thank you for all your advice.