MF135 Front End Loader Install

[Mike Parsons]

I recently purchased a Front End Loader for my 74 MF135. This thing came off of the same model Tractor. I am not really certain I have all the parts, been scouring the internet for pictures of other tractors with Front-End Loaders to see how they are mounted. I also need to see how the hydraulics hook up. Can anyone help? I am a graphic person where I need pictures and instruction manuals....I can send pictures of what I have if that would be helpful. Would appreciate any assistance I can get..my wife is beating on my daily for what I spent on this thing and I really need to get'er off my back!!<;-))
Mike

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hello Mike,
If you are in the UK I can probably help you with the fitting and hydraulic connections etc. If not I would be more than happy to help with any info.
Please forward any photos that you have of the loader and brackets etc.
Cheers
DavidP, South Wales

 

[Anonymous-0]

The MF-236 loader that came with my MF-135 used two mounting frames. One that bolted under the front and has arms rising a couple feet terminated in 3" square tubing stubs that are horizontal for the loader to hook on. The other one bolts under the bell housing in place of the bottom housing plate. You NEED the operator's manual for the loader. It will show how to install and all the pieces needed.

As for hydraulics, mine came using a pump on the PTO with a double valve on the loader. It used one of the frame pedestals for the oil reservoir. It worked OK though the pump volume was too great for the loader and that tended to slip the PTO clutch. Then I had to take the loader off everytime I wanted to use the PTO shaft for a mower. After some lowlife stole that pump, I mounted a pump running off the crankshaft. That way I didn't have to take the loader off for using any PTO driven implements and I sized the pump to match the loader needs, about 5 GPM.

The alternative is to use a double remote adapter and the internal hydraulics. Then the loader has to come off to use any implements that need hydraulics. The separate loader hydraulic system is better.

My MF-236 loader stored with the frame on its nose and mounted by rolling that frame to the rear with the tractor in the right place. It took longer hoses than what it took just to hook it up when in place to allow that motion for mounting and removal. The previous owner had short hoses.

You need the owner's manual for that loader, then it can be worked out.

Gerald J.

 

[lmartine3]

So how do you go about sizing an external pump?

The internal belly pump (on a 165) is supposed to be good for 4 GPM @2000? PSI, which is useable but too slow for many people, is 5GPM really sufficient?

What is the impact of using too big a pump?

(quoted from post at 13:09:34 06/01/08) The MF-236 loader that came with my MF-135 used two mounting frames. One that bolted under the front and has arms rising a couple feet terminated in 3" square tubing stubs that are horizontal for the loader to hook on. The other one bolts under the bell housing in place of the bottom housing plate. You NEED the operator's manual for the loader. It will show how to install and all the pieces needed.

As for hydraulics, mine came using a pump on the PTO with a double valve on the loader. It used one of the frame pedestals for the oil reservoir. It worked OK though the pump volume was too great for the loader and that tended to slip the PTO clutch. Then I had to take the loader off everytime I wanted to use the PTO shaft for a mower. After some lowlife stole that pump, I mounted a pump running off the crankshaft. That way I didn't have to take the loader off for using any PTO driven implements and I sized the pump to match the loader needs, about 5 GPM.

The alternative is to use a double remote adapter and the internal hydraulics. Then the loader has to come off to use any implements that need hydraulics. The separate loader hydraulic system is better.

My MF-236 loader stored with the frame on its nose and mounted by rolling that frame to the rear with the tractor in the right place. It took longer hoses than what it took just to hook it up when in place to allow that motion for mounting and removal. The previous owner had short hoses.

You need the owner's manual for that loader, then it can be worked out.

Gerald J.

 

[Anonymous-0]

And that 5 gpm was at a high engine speed and I was happier with the engine about 1250 to 1400 rpm.

How much is enough depends on the diameter of the cylinders. It takes about 5 gpm to shove a 3" diameter cylinder 8" in 5 seconds. A smaller diameter cylinder moves faster, because of the smaller volume. Faster means you hit the ends of the cylinder and you move the loader in jerks until you develop very sensitive finger tips so you can just barely open the valve. With the pump doing 4 or 5 gpm on my MF-236 loader I can wear stiff leather gloves and hang on the valve full stroke and not make the tractor leap. I like it that way. I play double bass and often my finger tips are about hard enough to drive nails so I don't have that delicate touch.

I have it mounted on my JD 4020 which has a 21 GPM pump so I have flow restrictor valves for the loader and back hoe taps, set to about 5 gpm which is also the standard setting for the 4020 remote valves.

Gerald J.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Industrial models used a 17 GPM pump. 10 to 12 would be OK. 5 is still slow. Putting a good seperate control valve on makes it much smoother than using the valve on the tractor. The seperate control valve will have better metering that will let you lift slow or fast depending on how far you pull the lever. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

On a related (hopefully) note, we are picking up a MF 203 (early 70s?) with a front-end loader. The previous owner said it is essentially the industrial variant of the MF135, and that specs and parts for the 135 are correct for it. I've not been able to verify. Is this true? Also, since it came equipped with a front-end loader, perhaps the way it is mounted would be applicable to answering the 135/front-end loader questions being asked here. If so, I'm glad to help with photos, etc.

 

[Mike Parsons]

For everyone that has replied, "THANKS". I have been out of town this past week and just catching up on all of your comments. I am also fairly new to this post so I don't know if I am responding correctly. I fully agree that I need a manual, just need to figure out which model loader I have. I am providing a URL to this post so you can see pictures. Any additional help would be greatly appreciated. I am going to try to mount the carriage frame today, will mount the other stuff as I figure it out. I am still a bit in the dark on the hydaulics. I am reading suggestions on auxillary pto pumps and then attaching one to the tractor...or do I have that wrong? After looking at the pictures, if you know the model number please share, then I will try to find a manual.
Thanks again for taking time out to help. I love this old tractor and just want to make'er better. My next goal is to tackle the wiring, eliminating the old alternator and external voltage regulator.

Mike - Yellow Springs, OH
MF 135 Front End Loader