1970s–1980s Massey Ferguson MF 550, 560, 565, 575 & 590 Tractor Workshop Service Manual (P/N 1856 072 M1)

This Massey Ferguson MF 500 Series service manual covers the 1970s and 1980s MF 550, MF 560, MF 565, MF 575, and MF 590 tractors. Publication 1856 072 M1 includes the original workshop sections, revised pages, and Supplement A1/1856 072 M1.

• Engine repair: Cylinder-head servicing, valve-seat work, timing gears, crankshaft removal, piston and connecting-rod inspection, and cylinder-liner replacement.

• Clutches and transmissions: Dual and split-torque clutch servicing, tractor splitting, gearbox overhaul, and separate standard, Multi-Power, and Mk II transmission sections.

• Rear axle and PTO: Differential adjustment, epicyclic hub servicing, brake repair, PTO shaft replacement, and independent PTO clutch and control-valve work.

• Hydraulic diagnosis: Lift-cover adjustments, pump servicing, auxiliary flow tests, Multi-Power pressure checks, and independent PTO hydraulic testing.

• Hydrostatic steering: System bleeding, steering-pump servicing, cylinder repair, and Danfoss Orbitrol hand-pump inspection and seal replacement.

• Electrical equipment: Wiring diagrams with component and wire-color keys, battery testing, harness removal, and starter, alternator, switch, and lighting replacement.

• Cab and sheet metal: Seat suspension servicing, window and trim replacement, heater components, cab removal, and hood, grille, and radiator-support access.

Written for Massey Ferguson dealers and distributors, this manual calls for dedicated service tools and workshop lifting equipment for major disassembly.

Engine, Fuel and Cooling Service

Separate engine sections cover the Perkins AD3.152, AD4.203, A4.236, and A4.248. Beyond removal and installation, the procedures address valve guides, crankshaft thrust washers, oil pumps, and engine-balancer servicing where fitted. Engine fault-finding charts connect operating symptoms with possible causes.

The fuel section covers C.A.V. injection-pump and injector removal, lift-pump servicing, Thermostart replacement, and fuel-system bleeding. Injection-pump dismantling requires experienced personnel and appropriate equipment. The manual also warns that cranking before the pump is filled and bled can damage it through inadequate lubrication.

Cooling-system coverage includes overheating diagnosis, thermostat testing, radiator removal, and engine-specific water-pump overhaul.

Tractor Splitting and Drivetrain Repair

Eight model-specific splitting procedures cover separation at the front axle, engine, transmission, spacer housing, and center housing. They identify supporting equipment such as the 270 rail trolley. Follow the manual’s lifting and support precautions when handling these heavy assemblies.

The reassembly notes warn that pulling unmatched housing flanges together with bolts can damage the clutch, transmission, PTO, or main-drive components.

Gearbox differences: Separate sections address Mk II constant-mesh, Multi-Power, and synchromesh arrangements. Dual-clutch sectional drawings and Multi-Power exploded views identify internal components, while the procedures cover selector mechanisms, bearings, clutch packs, and synchronizer assemblies.

Final drives and brakes: Rear-axle procedures distinguish drum-brake assemblies from Girling oil-immersed disc brakes and epicyclic hubs. Differential preload, brake balancing, and independent PTO clutch and brake servicing extend the coverage beyond routine adjustment.

Hydraulic Testing and Steering Variants

The hydraulic chapters explain Draft, Position, Response, and Pressure Control through operating illustrations and component views. Lift-cover linkage settings, pump overhaul, and control-valve servicing are covered separately.

Pressure and flow tests using the 840 test kit, with application-specific adapters such as MF 810-6, distinguish auxiliary, Multi-Power, and independent PTO circuits. These tests help narrow a hydraulic complaint to the affected circuit before major assemblies are opened.

Supplemental sections cover Kontak spool-valve installation, combined-flow connections, trailer-tipping equipment, and spool-block servicing.

Steering procedures distinguish Plessey and Aeroquip pump arrangements. The Orbitrol hand-pump section explains its service limits: scoring of the spool, sleeve, or body calls for replacement of the complete unit.

Cab Access and Electrical Reference

Cab work includes XL/XH seat shock absorbers and weight-adjustment mechanisms, interior trim, heater hoses, the heat exchanger, and blower components. Sheet-metal procedures cover hood and grille removal and radiator-support-frame access.

The electrical drawings separate starting, charging, instruments, and cab equipment from lighting, indicators, hazards, and trailer connections. Component keys and wire-color codes support circuit tracing; battery hydrometer and capacitance tests provide additional diagnostic reference.

Standard torque-loading charts, conversion tables, and special-tool lists support the component-specific procedures.

A Preview of Valve and Driveline Settings

For the MF 550, the specification section lists inlet and exhaust valve-tip clearance at 0.30 mm with the engine cold.

The MF 565, MF 575, and MF 590 spacer-to-center-housing procedure specifies a shear-tube check dimension of 0.4–2.5 mm with the rear-drive-shaft spring fully compressed.

The Multi-Power pressure test specifies 200–230 psi at idle and 230–270 psi at 2,000 engine rpm, in either HIGH or LOW, with the test-kit restrictor fully open.

PDF Bookmarks, Diagram Detail and Page Count

Navigation and reading: PDF text search is not available. Fourteen embedded bookmarks provide access to the main sections and supplemental pages. Small terminal numbers and wire codes in the wiring diagrams are readable when enlarged.

Supplied as one printable English PDF with 531 pages: one cover page, 393 pages in the main manual sequence, and 137 appended supplemental and revised pages. All cover, divider, and supplemental pages are included in that total.