Give me the low down on the MF 85
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=129915
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 10:31am
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Topic: Give me the low down on the MF 85
Posted By: thendrix
Subject: Give me the low down on the MF 85
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 7:07am
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One for sale local and I'm looking to sell my Long and get something else. I've read they're orphan tractors and parts availability is limited. Is this certain parts or all parts. It's a 4 cylinder Continental but I don't know if it's the early 223 or the 242. I'm looking for something to run a 6ft Kuhn disc mower and a NH 273. What do you guys think? ------------- "Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan |
Replies:
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 7:19am
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Hmm, do you know how the "live" PTO actually works? I'm guessing, and only guessing, it is like the 1968 MF 165 we had. You put the foot clutch 1/2 way down to stop the ground transmission, all the way down would stop the PTO. That was a pretty piss poor system IMO. So, IF it's like that, I would stay away. Our 165 did a poor job of baling, like the PTO clutch was "mushy", and sheared a lot of bolts. Same baler as you have! According to Dad, 1 year later, the 165's came out with a true independent live, and was much better. Even at that, I'd think she might struggle with your disc mower a little bit......IDK Maybe I'm all wet. I would check out how that PTO works for certain though. If it isn't like my 165 was, I wonder why the heck they did away with something "superior" for a few years, then came back to it? |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 7:33am
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I never actually used an 85, but I used a 235 and 245 a LOT. It looks like the 85's are similar just older. Think of it as a Ford with an improved transmission. Most of them are a 3 speed with a high-low for 6 speeds. The low range is really slow and grannyish which is great sometimes for mowing forward and back around stuff. Also nice to backing wagons slowly and such. I don't know about this one, but the later ones 135, 235, ect Did have the 2-stage clutch. I liked it. Not quite as nice as a true live-PTO, but you could still shift with the PTO running. IMO better than an Allis that you really can't shift with the PTO running. They make a great little utility/mowing tractor. |
Posted By: farmtoybuilder
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 7:36am
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A 165 would be much better than 85!! We sold MF when 100 series came out and they were a Great tractor! old 85's are obsolete! Parts are hard to find and get and I wouldn't want one. Most people loved the 2 stage clutch on 100's! Running a baler isn't a problem with 2 stage clutch! I prefer it over hyd. ones for lasting and low cost to fix. ------------- 5 different TT-10's,5 TT-18's Terra Tigers,B-10,2 B-207's,B-110,2 B-112's,HB-112,B-210,B-212,HB212,2 Scamp's & Homilite T-10. Still hunting NICE HB-112 & anything Terra Tiger & Trailers for them. |
Posted By: thendrix
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 8:17am
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Ok. I'll pass mainly for the obsolete reasons. Parts availability is the main reason I'm selling my Long. Don't want to sell one and wind up in the same spot. Thanks y'all ------------- "Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan |
Posted By: thendrix
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 8:19am
Since you sold the 100 series, what are the things to look for on the 165 and 175? ------------- "Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan |
farmtoybuilder wrote:Posted By: Dan73
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 8:53am
http://www.importtractorparts.net/Long.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.importtractorparts.net/Long.html Have you checked out that site? I was looking at a long recently and didn't buy it because I wanted the 4 wd and they said it was the one thing they really couldn't get parts for but it seems like they could get alot of the other parts. Might find what you need there. I think if you could get parts some of the diesel longs would be nice tractors. |
Posted By: thendrix
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 9:50am
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That's where the parts for the engine rebuild on mine came from. Problem is that's about the only place to get new parts and they're a long way off. If I needed parts in an emergency case I'd be SOL. With Massey, Ford, Case, International, and JD, I'd at least have a chance of finding something within driving distance. ------------- "Farming is a business that makes a Las Vegas craps table look like a regular paycheck" Ronald Reagan |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 9:51am
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Well, that certainly wasn't our experience with the 2 stage clutch. I guess that's why there are opinions, to each their own. Tractor data said they were a 8 speed, not the hi low 6 speed. (And ours had the multi-power for actually 12) |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 10:02am
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There were different transmission options, at least later one. Grand has a 235 6 speed and a 245 8 speed. I should probably say now, that the 2 stage clutch isn't a factor anymore. Either the PTO cluch is bad or the pedal has so much play in it that it never hits the 2nd stage. Just have to shut off the tractor and start with the bushog engaged |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 10:55am
Yes on your 235 and 245, but on the 85 that the OP asked about? I've never seen that. |
Posted By: Dan73
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2016 at 11:08am
| I wish there was hope of driving to get parts for anything. Well maybe if I buy kobota but that is the only dealer around here so all parts are mail order for me. |