How Does Massey Ferguson Multi Power Work
We are often asked how the multi power system on models such as the Massey Ferguson 65, 135, 165 etc. works. What really seems to intrigue people is that the engine breaking system works when in high multi-power, but there is no engine breaking when in low multi-power………
With the multi-power system there is one hydraulic clutch pack and also a ratchet type assembly. When in low multi the hydraulic clutch is dissengaged and the drive goes through a pair of gears into a ratchet clutch which takes the drive to the gearbox. There is no engine breaking in low multi because of the ratchet clutch. When you move the transmission to high multi it locks up the hydraulic clutch and the hydraulic clutch gear drives another gear. Because the drive is now turning faster than through the low-multi ratchet clutch, this now becomes a free-wheeling device. It is for this reason that there is engine breaking in high multi power, but no engine breaking in low multi power.
This is also why if you are in high multi going up a hill and you depress the clutch pedal that whilst in gear no roll-back can occur because of the ratchet clutch. ie. both systems are locked together. The hydraulic multi-power clutch is not torque converter, but is merely a multi-plate hydraulically operated clutch pack. The good thing about this is that there is no loss of power through to the gearbox.
The clutch is a conventional clutch and so is the 3 speed gearbox.
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How do I know if my 135 has multi-power? It is a 3 cylinder Perkins gas.
Hi Herb,
Multi-power is the change-on-the-move gear shift operated by the handle on the dashboard. So if you can select a ‘half’ gear without clutching then you have got multi-power.
Beware, there is no engine braking when in low-multi. So take care when descending hills etc.
Steve.
Hi Steve,
My dashboard has the holes and slits, but no levers or cables. Was multi-power an option, or was it standard on all 135’s?
Thanks
Herb
Hi Herb,
Multi-power was an option.
what exactly is Multipower and how do you know you have it on your tractor? I have a MF 165 and am intrigued by the multipower and i want to know more about it
Hi,
If your tractor has multi power then it will have a lever on the dash. When you move the lever the tractor changes gear (up or down). You do not need to depress the clutch pedal for this gear shift to work.
Steve VTE.
i have a 1966 m/f 165 with the multi-power shift lever on the dash please get me up to speed on when and how to use it thanks for any help paul
Hi Paul,
You can basically use it as and when you wish in any gear. There are a few things to look out for though.
If the system is old and becoming worn then the multi-power can slip. It will only slip in High, so if there is a problem then (happens as soon as the oil gets warm) just shift back down into Low as it can not slip in low.
Sometimes it is difficult to change gear (main gear stick) when in High, so you need to change down into Low multi in order to change gear.
There is NO ENGINE BREAKING WHEN IN LOW MULTI. If you are descending a hill then select High and an appropriate gear before descent.
If the system is all working OK then there is no reason why you should not be in either Low or High when pulling hard such as when ploughing.
Steve VTE.
thanks steve i have one more question. last week first let me back up the tractor is 80 miles from where i live . but last week i tried to use it and i put the tractor in 2nd gear and then moved the lever up and down no change in rpm or speed did i not do this right also this tractor only has 1,600 hrs it is like new could the cable not be hooked up ? i will go out to the farm in the next few days . any thing i should look for? thank you for geting back with me so fast any help with this prob is appreciated thanks paul noel
steve i emailed you last week abouta 2nd question i understand that you have other work on plate. if you can get back to me be for this thursday for i plan to go to the farm and work on the tractor . sorry for pushing you on this but its 80 miles and i like to have more info before i make the trip thanks once more for your time paul noel
Hi Paul,
Sorry, have been away for a couple of days and only just seen your message. Obviously I have missed the Thursday ‘deadline’ when you were travelling to the farm.
How did you get on? Was it just a problem with the linkage, or did all the linikage appear to be working fine and therefore is it an internal problem with the mechanics of the system?
We have sometimes seen tractors that have had a replacement dash panel with a multi-power lever fitted, but no multi-power fitted to the original transmisssion. However, this has usually been on older tractors like the MF35X, which don’t have a cab and have been left outside and the dash has rotted.
Let us know if the lever + linkage are all working OK and if it is therefore an internal problem. It is a long time since we have been inside a 165 (as we mainly work on 35’s), but we may be able to advise.
Kind Regards (and apollogies for not getting back to you before you went ot the farm on Thursday),
Steve.
steve i sent you a email at the last email adress .i have gone back out and looked the m/power .the likage looks like it moves under the dash but moves real easy like ti is not hooked up .does it go into the side of the trans? need to look closer and if i couled please see if you can send me pic of a lay out . or a webb site that shows this.thanks once more for all of your time . paul
i have a massey 135 with mulipower that is stuck in reverse any idea on how to get it unstuck. have tried rocking back and forth and towing in forward and reverse?
My 65 has multipower, but has a fault, when under load ie going up hill it drops into
low ,any one know the problem
Phil.
Hello,
I have a 35x with Multi Power, but the Multi Power doesn’t work anymore. I’ve bought the tractor 5 years ago,and I’ve never saw it work, It was broken down before I bought it. What can be wrong,an what can I do to fix it, without seperating the belly of the tractor? On the annatefka site, they said the MP filter could be dirty. But can you clean this through the inspection holes on the side of the tractor? And what are the other possible things that I could do?
Thank you.
Best regards,
Davy
hello i have 1979 135 mp it is in the low at all times the linkage is working and i have changed the outside filter regulary it only has 2200 hrs what could be the problem thanks
Hi,
I have a massey 135 model year 1974.Sometimes it will get stuck in gear. I shown to take the sae plug out on the top and knock the shifter coller back. This gets to be a pain and wondering if there is a fix for it. I just traded our 1955 TO-35 to a friend for the tractor.He was the one that showed me trick to get it unstuck.
Thanks.
Craig
The transmission in my 135 appears to be working fine, but I must have the clutch in for the engine to start-if the clutch is engaged there’s a load on the engine and it won’t turn over. Once it’s started and I engage the clutch the engine bogs down under load, but I’m in neutral and not going anywhere! Suggestions?
I bought a 135 this time last year and the multipower was going well on it. On the road it was like giving it another 20% speed. Now it’s stopped working. I put it in Hi and it makes no difference. But I don’t notice any problems with descending hills. Could it be stuck in multipower Hi?
Hello,
I’ve looked in the belly of the tractor, and there was no MP pump! No wonder it didn’t work. So now I want to buy a MP pump for the 35x, but does anybody know the serial number of that pump? And are there any differences between a mp pump for a 35- 65-135?
Best regards,
Davy DC
I have a Massey 165 with a Perkins engine. The multipower was working great and has for years…but one day I was using the tractor and it stopped working. I have looked at the linkage and it appears to be working properly as it enters the top of the transmission. What can I do? Is this a major problem? THANKS for you help.
Moe and others,
This isn’t a major problem scrap the heap of complications and invest in a fordson major, problem solved!!