MF 165 175 Utility tractor

[Artifice]

I am going to buy a MF 165, 175 or there abouts for general use, haymaking etc.

Planned use is est at a low 150 hrs / yr, mostly summer, but occasionally used in the winter, 

but not daily anytime year round- should I think diesel or stick to gas for easier starting?

N E PA SE NT, anyone have one for sale?

Artifice,

[jrsiajdranch]

Arti I never was around the gas version but the deisils I was around were always good starters so My 2 cents is go with the deisl.  They were a handy little tractor really.  BUt it has been thirty years since I pasid close attention to one.  I didn;t think they had live pwer to the PTO so I would check to make sure on that. JR

[nwobcw]

I had a 165 gas for years.  Used it for planting, cultivating, and plowing snow.  Ours did have a live PTO.  You push the clutch half way down to stop forward travel and the PTO keeps running.  Clutch all the way down and everything stops.  Rebuilt the multi power once and engine once in 4000 hours.  But we probaly should have changed fluids more often.  I did have trouble with it running right after only unleaded gas became available even with getting hardened valve seats installed.  Had to use premium gas after they took the octane out of gas too.  I don't know how the diesels start in cold weather.  I did have a MF 180 diesel and it was the hardest starting tractor in winter I ever had.   Anything under 40 forget it unless it was plugged in.  Ether wouldn't help as it would lock up the engine and it wouldn't turn over.  Sold mine 5 years ago with the engine tired, 4200 hrs., and the multi power weak for $2500.

[Artifice]

Thanks guys.

Maybe I should look at a slighter newer model.