MF 1085 3pt lift problem

Saturday morning I went to put out my first round bale for the year and I noticed that my 3 point hitch did not seem to want to move.... I moved both the levers (one I assume is the draft control and the other to move the arms, however, the labels have long since been gone.) but nothing happened but after moving the levers back and forth a couple of times it started working. So, I drove the tractor over to where the bales were stacked (400 yards) and lowered the 3 pt hitch and backed into the bale. However, the arms would not lift, so again I moved the levers back and forth several, several times and it picked up the bale. But when I got to the pasture to put the bale down it would not lower, soooo I worked the levers again..... ..... finally they dropped and away I went. However, after the tractor had been running 45 min and I got back for my 2nd and 3rd bales it seemed to work okay with only a little adjustment of one or the other lever....

The only other tractors that I have are a 5211 Zetor...(my first tractor ever) and a Farmall M-TA that my grandfather left me, so I am not very tractor savvy, but I would greatly appreciate any help you could send me on the massey.

The rear tires on my MF are really dry rotten and need to be replaced but the tread is still very good but there are huge cracks all around the outside. However, my budget is pretty low with the purchase of a farm, 20 cows and ect. So, I would like to know if you know anywhere I could purchase a good set of used tires??? 16.9 x 38

Thanks
MC

You bought a good tractor but it does have a few querks built into it. You need to get a hold of an operators manual or MF maintinance manual if you are going to keep it as they will answer most of your questions. For the 3pt to work in position control the outside lever needs to be all the way back. Then take the inside lever move it all the way back and the 3pt should lower it's self. Then slowly move it forward till the 3pt arms raise and stop when you can hear the hyd. pump start to labor. Back off the lever just a bit and set the lever stop. Now if your 3pt still doesn't work you have some problems with the pump/valves and will have to split the tractor to repair it. You can do a work around to get you by till you can fix it proper. Look strait down while sitting on the seat and you should see a hole in the floor pan and right below it is a hex head high pressure hyd. cap (it is the pressure test point for the 3pt.). Take that cap off and install a hyd hose (you will need some special fittings)and hook it to your aux. hyd outlest. Now you are operating your 3pt with your your aux. hyd. pump.

Good Luck
Merle

Big Dean sent me an email last night and I believe that you both are telling me that my lever settings should be the main cause of the problem. I will try your suggestion tonight when I get home.

The only other promblem I am having and it may not even be a problem??? Is that when I move the outside lever all the way back the inside lever will move with it... same if I move it all the way forward. The levers are little difficult to move anyway and not smooth at all.

Thanks for all the help.

mike

The levers sticking together tells me the tractor has set outside most of it"s life. Try to get them lubed up so they don"t move together store it inside and give her a lot of TLC.

Merle

Thanks again for the help,

Mike

You will need to crawl up into the area where the levers go into the rear housing and spay some lube into the linkage. Start out with WD-40 to loosen them up then get some spray lithium grease to finish the job. As far as the tires go an 18.4-38 tire will fit on the rim. In our area you can pick up a set of duels with decent tires on them at an auction for next to nothing. Take the tires off the duel rims put the tires on your tractor and use the old rims for burn barrels.

Good Luck
Merle

MC

Sorry, to ask stupid questions but I warned you guys I don't know much about this.