Multipower or MF135

gholian

Hi,

I have tried to read up on multipower used on the Massey Fergusons but I can't understand it. I even went and asked a local Tractor enthusiast but came away just as confused. High Multipower, low multipower, no engine braking on low multipower whatever that means. I am attempting to restore my Fathers 1965 MF135 which had multipower originally but was removed before he bought it back in 1976. I was wondering should I put it back in if that is possible. I know there is a lever on the panel below the dash. But what is it? Is it a module that goes somewhere or something in the gear box? I don't know anything about tractors and the technical jargon confuses me. I was wondering could someone explain to me in layman's terms what it does and is it possible to put it back in without too much hassle.

Thanks.

The Sidewards Man

Multi power on a 135 was as useless as bicycle peddles on a wheelchair.

gholian

okay, and why was that? Was fitted on 35's as well as far as I know. What is it supposed to do.

Testacalda

Multipower is designed to allow you to increase or decrease forward speed of the tractor, without having to put your foot on the clutch and change gear. This can be very handy when pulling heavy loads up hills or when operating machines that require you to vary the forward speed of the tractor.

The change is done hydraulically in the gearbox, and the multipower unit was squeezed into the existing MF 135s gearbox. The lever on the dash board allows you to change between low and high multipower, this is a separate low and high to the ones selected by the small gearstick. Multipower only increases or decreases forward speed by a small amount.

It was an innovative system, but it had its flaws. When in low, the tractor has no engine breaking, which means the tractor will essentially freewheel as you're driving down hills.

Also when the multipower is in high, it will stop your tractor from rolling backwards or forwards when stationary, even if you have your foot on the clutch and the brakes are off. Annoyingly, this feature also stops you from being able to select a gear with the main gearstick when stationary. You have to move the multipower lever back to low to select a gear. Of course when you’re moving you can change gears as normal.

Multipower wasn’t really that necessary on smaller tractors, and in my opinion makes the likes of the MF 135 more awkward to use. It does however give it a faster top speed on the road. My advice would be to leave it alone and not bother trying to reinstate the multipower system, unless the originality for the tractor is something that is important. Finding the parts and getting the system to work correctly could be a very difficult task.


The system is not that reliable in older tractors anyway, generally due to lack of maintenance over the years. It is crucial the gearbox oil is kept fresh and clean, in order for the system to operate correctly. MF 135s, fitted with multipower, should have an extra hydraulic oil filter fitted just above the injector pump on the engine, with pipes leading to a cooler fitted in front of the radiator.

gholian

Testacalda wrote: »

Multipower is designed to allow you to increase or decrease forward speed of the tractor, without having to put your foot on the clutch and change gear. This can be very handy when pulling heavy loads up hills or when operating machines that require you to vary the forward speed of the tractor.

The change is done hydraulically in the gearbox, and the multipower unit was squeezed into the existing MF 135s gearbox. The lever on the dash board allows you to change between low and high multipower, this is a separate low and high to the ones selected by the small gearstick. Multipower only increases or decreases forward speed by a small amount.

It was an innovative system, but it had its flaws. When in low, the tractor has no engine breaking, which means the tractor will essentially freewheel as you're driving down hills.

Also when the multipower is in high, it will stop your tractor from rolling backwards or forwards when stationary, even if you have your foot on the clutch and the brakes are off. Annoyingly, this feature also stops you from being able to select a gear with the main gearstick when stationary. You have to move the multipower lever back to low to select a gear. Of course when you’re moving you can change gears as normal.

Multipower wasn’t really that necessary on smaller tractors, and in my opinion makes the likes of the MF 135 more awkward to use. It does however give it a faster top speed on the road. My advice would be to leave it alone and not bother trying to reinstate the multipower system, unless the originality for the tractor is something that is important. Finding the parts and getting the system to work correctly could be a very difficult task.


The system is not that reliable in older tractors anyway, generally due to lack of maintenance over the years. It is crucial the gearbox oil is kept fresh and clean, in order for the system to operate correctly. MF 135s, fitted with multipower, should have an extra hydraulic oil filter fitted just above the injector pump on the engine, with pipes leading to a cooler fitted in front of the radiator.

Thanks for taking the time to do this explanation. I understand it now and don't think it is worth reinstalling it. There is no extra hydraulic filter or cooler in front of radiator on the tractor so that would be an expensive undertaking for little benefit.

marlyman

One more thing to consider, 135 with working mp are more unique and more desirable to collectors. Although you are a novice it wouldn't be hard to reinstall it if you had the origonal mf workshop manual. It guides you step by step how to get the job done. You Ightfield have to fill in a few blanks yourself though. Let me know if you need a copy. I got a pdf one if you want a copy

gholian

marlyman wrote: »

One more thing to consider, 135 with working mp are more unique and more desirable to collectors. Although you are a novice it wouldn't be hard to reinstall it if you had the origonal mf workshop manual. It guides you step by step how to get the job done. You Ightfield have to fill in a few blanks yourself though. Let me know if you need a copy. I got a pdf one if you want a copy

Yes a copy of the workshop manual would be of great benefit to me if you wouldn't mind making a copy. I can send on postage cost or if you can email would be great.

Multipower is undecided as the tractor was never maintained in 39 years so everything needs to be replaced.

Thanks.