I am helping a friend with a MF65 where the clutch will not disengage. I pulled the inspection plate and a 3” pin fell out. Closer observation showed that the 6:00-ish release lever pin was partially dis-engaged. This pin, and the pin I had were the same. The previous owner’s family (tractor was an estate sale find) indicated that the clutch was serviced at some point. As far as I can tell the cotter pins/safety wire was not re-installed on the ends of these pins and the one was found loose in the clutch housing, and at least one other is ½ way out. These pins are item 42 in the attached parts sheet. I presume the tractor will have to be split to get at the clutch face. Do you think these pins can be re-installed without removing the clutch from the engine? i.e. Do you think I can get away with just installing them and going with that or should I plan a full clutch inspection (this would be beyond my current knowledge). May 5, 2015.
From your description, the groove pins holding the pivot pins have come out, there are several reasons why this could have happened: Whoever rebuilt the clutch did not install new groove pins when they reassembled the clutch. This is an absolute must do. After the new pins are installed the hole in the cover should be slightly distorted with a pin punch to help keep the groove pins in place; The pivot pins, and/or the holes for the groove pins are worn and should have been replaced when the clutch was rebuilt. Given the possibility for failure I almost always replace the upper pivot pins when I rebuild a clutch; and, if the clutch cover is damaged, or the area where the holes the groove pins go is cracked or broken, the clutch cover will require replacing.
You should be able to manage the disassembly and rebuild if you have a shop manual. If you don’t have a 65 shop manual, the clutch section of the 35 or 50 manual is the same. I can scan also send you the appropriate pages from the MF shop manual if you like.
When you have the tractor apart you should check for leaks at the clutch input shaft. Multi-power equipped tractors are prone to leaks in this area. As a result changes were made in the support bearing and input shaft housing. A sleeve bearing was replaced with a roller bearing and different seal. This improved assembly became standard on the 100 series tractors.
The 165 assembly should be used to replace the original 65 assembly. If the clutch cover is cracked or damaged where the groove pins fit, you may find it is cheaper to purchase a rebuilt clutch assembly.
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