MF Model 65

So I had posted on here before about this tractor. I was having issues engaging the PTO with the clutch and was advised to replace the yoke at the end of the clutch rod to remove any "give" I had. I did the replacement and the new yoke was shorter and the pin is new and no extra play. So I picked up a great deal of slack.

So when I have nothing hooked to the PTO....I can easily slide the lever up to the live turn..or down to the tire speed turn.

My problem is when I hook my brush hog up to the PTO and have pressure on the tractor....the lever will not engage. It will just grind and never move to the up or the down position. I have to turn the tractor off....then put the PTO in gear and re start tractor with everything turning at once which is a heavy load to start that way.

So continued suggestions as to why the PTO lever will not engage when I have implements hooked up and ready? But will engage fine when nothing it hooked?

Appreciate the input.

Assuming it has a 2 stage clutch, sounds like the 2nd stage is not releasing.

Stuck or out of adjustment.

I would do this. Have some one help you and you watch the PRO with nothing hooked to it and have them shift it into gear. I bet you will find that the PTO shaft is already turning before it is shifted into gear so it shifts easy but with the Brush hog hooked up it cannot spin up so it causes the problem and as the other guy said clutch maybe sticking. If you can do so safely with the PTO in gear and the brush hog hooked up start the tractor with the clutch held down and see if the PTO stops or turns

As mentioned, clutch needs repair OR at least adjusted. Most likely the three PTO release bolts gap needs reset. Get a service manual, and set the three bolts gap through the lower inspection plate to .080 inch, then reset the side shaft clamp also. As the MAIN disc wears, the PTO release bolt gap increases on dual clutch models, resetting the gap gets the PTO to where it will release again.

correct.....with nothing attached...as soon as the lever is pulled up..the PTO shaft starts to spin. It is not spinning prior to pulling up the lever.

When the brush hog is connected....and clutch fully down when I start...the blades and PTO are turning. Pushing the clutch down while PTO is in gear does not slowing anything down. Which is what I thought the "Live" pto shaft was all about....once it is turned on it runs separately so that you can shift gears on the tractor and have it not slow down the spin.

Correct?

The live PTO is a 2 stage clutch and sounds like the PTO clutch is striking to the flywheel so the PTO spins even with the clutch pushed down so you need to load it up so as to free it up

all good info...and yes sounds exactly my problem.

So when you say I need to load it up to free it up....means what?

As I said before hook up the PTO and with the PTO shiftier in gear holding the clutch down start it up. That loads up the 2 stage clutch. But do so only if you can do it safely

ok..yes that is what I have been doing....killing the tractor....put the PTO in gear and then re start the tractor and everything goes live and I go cutting...

I was hoping replacing the clutch yoke to take away the play that I had would help the problem...I was told before the clutch was not going as low as it needed to in order to make the release. I picked up a great deal of slack now on the clutch rod and can tell the clutch is pushing down further than before. But again..as you said when tractor is running...and pto connected...when trying to pull of the pto lever..it just grinds on the flywheel and will not engage.

Not always safe to have it engage when I start the tractor..but is my only option for now but feel like it puts a strain on my old tractor trying to start it that way under a full load.

Guess I need to get the service manual and look at the adjustments the other guy talked about to see if that will make a difference. Saw some utube videos on the clutch....looks more complicated that what I can do and some expense.

This is the only PTO implement that I use...my plow..disc...and bale spike don't...so not sure if it is worth putting out the money...when it will not be a full time used mower.

Appreciate all the input...this at least helps me understand and learn more about what is wrong.

appreciate the input.....will get the service manual...and see if this is something I can do with my limited mechanic skills.!!!!

but I am learning,.

Yes I would do as the other guy says and check the adjustments. Of course if doing his adjustment does not fix it that means good chance you need to replace the clutch pack

Follow "Dieseltech" information...I followed his advise and he was "correct"


Bob...

Dieseltech's advise is the way to go. You have to do the adjustment from underneath the tractor and you need two high quality 1/2 / 9/16 wrenches. Do not use poor fitting tools or you will round the bolts and then you will have to split the tractor to do the job.

If you have to split the tractor replace the whole clutch unit and the oil seals into engine and transmission. Sounds like a big job but there are good instructions in the Research & Info on the left of the page. Go to Articles then MF 35 (and up) Tractor Assembly Notes by Jack Wetmore

If you shop around you will find that the whole clutch unit for the 65 is readily available and not expensive. Makes a huge difference to the tractor if yours has a warn clutch