seeking A/C opinions--

[JD convert]

Hello, all! I am seeking some opinions/advice on which way to jump. We just finished a Massey 1085 from the scrap heap--and are wondering what some of you guys think about the A/C in these tractors. The cab on this one is in really good condition--but since the tractor has beens etting for at least 10 years-- the A/C is totally gone. I am thinking about a rooftop mount 12V self contained modern air conditioning unit. I also have used a complete lit from Abilene Machine to resotre the A/C in our 4040 Deere-- and it has been excellent. My contact at Abilene machine says he can put together a kit for this Massey also, complete from compressor to cold air. The money is about the same--give or take a few bucks--but not couinting the refrigerant--making the kit a little higher. I'm wondering what some of your experiences may be?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[wore out]

Hello, all! I am seeking some opinions/advice on which way to jump. We just finished a Massey 1085 from the scrap heap--and are wondering what some of you guys think about the A/C in these tractors. The cab on this one is in really good condition--but since the tractor has beens etting for at least 10 years-- the A/C is totally gone. I am thinking about a rooftop mount 12V self contained modern air conditioning unit. I also have used a complete lit from Abilene Machine to resotre the A/C in our 4040 Deere-- and it has been excellent. My contact at Abilene machine says he can put together a kit for this Massey also, complete from compressor to cold air. The money is about the same--give or take a few bucks--but not couinting the refrigerant--making the kit a little higher. I'm wondering what some of your experiences may be?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

If you are talking about the rooftop units with the electric condenser fans I am not a fan of them on tractors that get used in the dirt and/or haying or harvesting chaff.

On the other hand, even though I do AC service work it's been a LONG time since I've worked on a similar Massey and don't know, offhand of any quirks or failings in the OEM system that could be an issue if one were to re-do it with a modern axial compressor.

 

[JD convert]

If you are talking about the rooftop units with the electric condenser fans I am not a fan of them on tractors that get used in the dirt and/or haying or harvesting chaff.

On the other hand, even though I do AC service work it's been a LONG time since I've worked on a similar Massey and don't know, offhand of any quirks or failings in the OEM system that could be an issue if one were to re-do it with a modern axial compressor.

Yes, I am talking about the rooftop units with the electric condenser fans. This will be a hay mower tractor-- using a disc mower. Not much chaff, but sometimes lots of dirt. I do appreciate your comments.
If I go the OEM re-do route-- it is with a modern axial compressor, evaporator, etc. complete--even down to the blower motor. The controls and vents I'll need to do something different with --as the plastic has deteriorated to the point that when merely touched-- it crumbles.
Thanks again for your response-- looking forward to some more opinions!

 

[jm.]

Can't think of a MF 1085 being a high dollar tractor but in my opinion IF you ever decided to get rid of it the factory set up might make it bring a little more .

 

[Harry in Ky]

You want opinions? Here's one more.

Having seen a number of different roof top models on earlier trucks and tractors that didn't come A/C equipped, it seems they were effective enough on trucks but didn't like the dirt associated with tractor work. Poorly sealed fan motors didn't hold up well.

On the other hand, if you go with a "kit" that's geared for your tractor model (and it all fits as expected) you have a fairly simple system by today's standards. Old school type expansion valve, nothing but a thermostat switch and blower motor switch. No computers or vent door motors involved. Modern replacement double shaft squirrel cage blower motors probably all come from third world origins, so quality there may be an issue. That's going to apply to most all the parts anyway so you take your chances either way. The deteriorating plastic in the cab. If you can put all these parts in place, I'm sure you can fabricate something to replace a broken piece of plastic. Replacement vent louvres are available in different sizes so that shouldn't be a deal breaker. If the price is even reasonably close, I would go with the kit.

 

[craigco]

I just put a roof top a/c on my 1105. Replaced the swamp cooler that just never got it cool. Paid around $400 for the a/c from ebay. One wire to positive one to ground and it blows cold air. You do have to be ready to cut a 20"x20" hole in your roof. Mine already had a hole in it from the swamp cooler so just made it larger. Used it yesterday disking and it seemed fine. Will see how it does in the middle of summer. They make mini splits 12volt so you wouldn't have to cut a large hole just feed 2 lines in to cab. This is what I got. Price went up.

 

[Texasmark]

I just put a roof top a/c on my 1105. Replaced the swamp cooler that just never got it cool. Paid around $400 for the a/c from ebay. One wire to positive one to ground and it blows cold air. You do have to be ready to cut a 20"x20" hole in your roof. Mine already had a hole in it from the swamp cooler so just made it larger. Used it yesterday disking and it seemed fine. Will see how it does in the middle of summer. They make mini splits 12volt so you wouldn't have to cut a large hole just feed 2 lines in to cab. This is what I got. Price went up.
View attachment 107468

Hmmmmmm! About 6 months ago I bought a CIH 895 and decided against any money spent on a possible AC upgrade....although I bought this tractor to pull my round baler and AC would be super. I bought 3 ea 12v, 8" fans and put one on either side of and one on top of the console. Works OK but you got my attention with this. Thanks I'll check it out.

I just pulled this up on ebay where several sellers have them for sale. First off 10k BTU of cooling doesn't come out of thin air. Something has to consume that energy plus losses to transfer that energy to power (consumption of energy). Being 12v, like a regular piston compressor, it would be driven off the fan belt. Spec. read max 60 Amps from a "replacement" (probably) alternator would be required and for longevity, you would want an alternator rated at twice that I'd think. For a 3/8" V belt that's asking a lot. I'd think that you would need a 1/2" HD belt at least or a flat belt like is on most cars today, both requiring pulley changes on the crankshaft of the engine and an idler wheel of sorts, being it the water pump or the alternator itself being used for power and as an adjustable idler. If the crankshaft had the room, a separate pulley might be added for the sole purpose of driving the alternator. Hmmmmm!

With that thought, since the current alternator is usually the adjustable idler pulley, and you still have the water pump to drive, then you have to have a place to put the new alternator if you are only using the crankshaft, leaving the current one in place, electrically disconnected, just to support the water pump rotation.

I had a JD 4230 (100 hp) cab that had a dual pulley setup for the upgraded 4430 (125 hp) with a turbo. That would lend itself very well for this application as the pulleys were sized for 1/2" belts and there was room to drive another alternator off a bracket on the side of the tractor....but that would require removing the side screen on one side and they are necessary to keep chaff out of the radiator. This installation would require more thought!

Good luck on those of you that decide to go for this. Would be interested in your outcome and methodology so keeping us posted would be great.

But all that could be investigated and probably incorporated rather easily if the tractor modifications required didn't get too extensive. Worth checking out and this summer when I am baling hay, I might just up the ante and move that experience up to place #1 on my list of things to do/contemplate.

 

[craigco]

The 1105 has a 2 belt pulley driving the alternator. I think they are 1/2 but not sure. They are new as well as the alternator. I belive it's a 70 Amp alternator I am sure there are formulas and a guy could loose him self trying to out guess all the what ifs. That's not me. The few hours a week it will be used I will see what happens. I did have the thought to check the wires off the master switch where they are tied in to see if they were hot after 3 hours off use. No noticeable heat in the wires.

 

[Texasmark]

The 1105 has a 2 belt pulley driving the alternator. I think they are 1/2 but not sure. They are new as well as the alternator. I belive it's a 70 Amp alternator I am sure there are formulas and a guy could loose him self trying to out guess all the what ifs. That's not me. The few hours a week it will be used I will see what happens. I did have the thought to check the wires off the master switch where they are tied in to see if they were hot after 3 hours off use. No noticeable heat in the wires.

One of ther plusses on alternators is that they are fan cooled. That helps trying to run a CW alternator at full power. Bad news is that when its the hottest ambient, aka cooling air to the alternator, the AC is at the max requirement.

If I had the pulley setup that you mention, I'd be all over a newer, higher capacity alt. and the AC system being discussed here.

 

[JD convert]

Well, Gentlemen--thanks for all your responses! At this point-- we're seriously leaning toward the kit. This tractor has, as is the case 98% of the rebuilds like this, has wound up costing more to get back into production that we budgeted. As one commentator mentioned, and rightfully so-this is not a high dollar tractor-- it's is an inexpensive --almost dedicated mower tractor-- that, if it is anything like the 285 that we have ran for years- (same engine, transmission, etc.-- the 285 is a utility, open station) -- it will be very economical to operate. It amazes me how little fuel the 285 uses compared to our 4020 and 4040 Deeres. I'm attempting to get my better half and number one hand ( wife) of this little custom hay operation into a cool cab--and we had this 1085 setting with a destroyed crank. She is a Massey fan--she just likes how the Massey's operate-- she won't run one of the Deere's unless she just has to. Then grouses about the Deeres ride at the end of every day when she is forced to run one of them. She also keeps the books, and keeps tab on fuel and maintenance costs for each tractor--If one bleeds green like I do-- the differences are kind of embarrassing!

Thanks again, guys! I'll post back on here the results and how it works out!
Take care, all!