: : I just got a MF 135 with a front loader.: : Some questions: : : The PTO has three positions--what do each do. I have to shut it off to engage the one that seems to actually turn the PTO. Is something wrong? : : The back tires are loaded but it still seems to need more weight in the back--what is the best solution (best=cheapest while still safe). : : How hard is it to change the brakes? Can a lightweight mechanic do it? : : Thanks,
: : Brad : With the three position PTO shifter, you should have a two position clutch. Push it beyond what stops the tractor to operate the PTO clutch (it takes MUSCLE!). Then you should be able to shift to the rear position on the PTO shifter for power. The front position is ground driven, middle is out of gear. : On mine with a MF236 loader, I once had the back tires fulled as full as possible with chloride solution and it was still too light for loader work. One thing that made it easier to move with a load in the bucket was to put 11L-16 front tires on 8" wide rims (1/4" offset). That keeps the front tires from sinking in the dirt from the weight of the load. Eases steering too when stopped because the tires aren't wedged in rutts. : I was thinking about making a 3 point platform to hold 500 to 1000 pounds of concrete for rear ballast. I've seen loader tractors in municipal survice with a 55 gallon drum filled with concrete on the 3 point. My MF-135 wouldn't lift that. : I did have a shorter bucket made, that's only 16" front to back (still 72 inches wide) with the bucket pivots INSIDE the bucket to move the loading edge a couple feet closer to the tractor. It helped considerably. : To get to the brakes you have to remove the wheels at the center disks, then the drums. Unless some of the studs are loose in the flange, its not a really big task, except for rolling those 800 pound filled tires around. How'd you get out from under one if if fell over ON you? After a tire split and sprayed the tractor and me with CaCl that rusted it nearlly instantly, I didn't put that stuff back in and I won't again. : I'm about finished with moving the MF-236 loader to a JD4020 which has enough rear ballast and enough front beef to handle it without fear of another broken front axle. I didn't break the MF-135 axle but I can see where its been welded. : Gerald use a 30 gallon drum with sand and rocks cheap
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