MF 65 Stabilizer Anchor Bracket

[Stan56]

Slowly working through the oddities being found on the 1963 MF65. This one involves the stabilizer brackets attached below the fenders. The left side had a bolt that would in theory support the stabilizer arm. In truth one had to take a nut off, which was frozen of course, and put it back on after attaching the arm. The right side still had the original pin in but broken off flush on both sides of the bracket. A bit of heat, large hammer and equally large punch persuaded them to separate.

Once both were off the tractor, I discovered the left side is a standard clearance, 3-inch drop bracket and the right is a low clearance, 3 1/2-inch drop. So, off to Myers Ward salvage yard (near Fresno CA) tomorrow and see if perhaps a matching set of brackets and anchor pins can be found,

I would have included pictures of the two brackets, but my phone and my computer refuse to speak to one another! And since my phone is a flip phone with pretend internet access, bypassing the computer is not an option. Guess I need to find my little digital camera if a picture is needed in the future.

 

[Bob NY]

A half inch isn't enough difference between a standard and a high arch. It is more likely that your 3.5 inch drop bracket is from a 65 or early 165 and the 3 inch bracket is from a later 165. The later 165s have heavier (thicker) axle trumpets.

 

[Stan56]

A half inch isn't enough difference between a standard and a high arch. It is more likely that your 3.5 inch drop bracket is from a 65 or early 165 and the 3 inch bracket is from a later 165. The later 165s have heavier (thicker) axle trumpets.

According to what I have been able to find, it appears the 65 had three different height brackets. High clearance likely has a 6 1/2-inch drop under the axle as shown on the Tractoropolis website. Then there are two additional brackets listed - a 3-inch drop labeled standard clearance, and a 3 1/2-inch drop labeled low clearance. Perhaps this should actually be listed standard duty and heavy duty.

Unfortunately, none of the parts book sources I have (hard copy parts manual form Jensales) and the Agco online parts book have any drop dimensions listed. Oh well, I am just going to try and get a matched set today and make sure it is the proper match!

 

[Stan56]

Here are a couple of pictures. The first is the two, mismatched brackets that were on the MF 65 when I bought it. The shorter is a 3" drop, the other 3 1/2". I think the 3 1/2" is original to the tractor based on the red paint.

The second picture includes the 3" drop bracket, with the pin in that I found at the Myers Ward salvage yard yesterday. Actually Ted, the owner found it, but I was standing close by when he did! Now to get them mounted back on the tractor.

I am pretty sure, aside from the different drop, the two that came with the tractor were mounted backwards. The casting offsets the pin from center. When the flat is to the rear of the tractor (as they were mounted before I started all this), the pin is also to the rear of the lift link pin on the transmission by a couple of inches. I am thinking they are supposed to be in direct line with the lift link. If I am wrong about this, feel free to correct me.

Thank you in advance,

Stan

 

[Jim.ME]

The centers of the pins in the brackets need to match (level and fore/aft) the centers of the draft arm pins in the trumpets, for stabilizers to move without binding as the arms go up and down.