The Massey Ferguson 178 was built for only three years, from 1968 to 1971, and during that time it was the most powerful tractor of the 100 range at 72 ch DIN. It answered a clear demand from owners of Massey Ferguson tractors for more power in the 70 hp class.
Massey Ferguson 178 at a glance
| Maker | Massey Ferguson |
|---|---|
| Production | 1968–1971 |
| Built at | Beauvais, France; Coventry, England |
| Engine | Perkins AD4.248 four-cylinder diesel, unsupercharged |
| Bore × stroke | 101 × 120 mm |
| Displacement | 4,065 cm³ |
| Power | 72 ch DIN at 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8 forward and 2 reverse; 12 and 4 with Multi-Power |
| Power take-off | 540 rpm |
| Four-wheel drive | Optional, with a Landini front axle |
| Licence version | Ebro 178, Spain |
| Replaced by | Massey Ferguson 188 |
Based on one source: the French Wikipedia article on the 178. English Wikipedia has no article on this model.
History of the Massey Ferguson 178
From the 175 to the 178
The first generation of the 100 range, presented in 1965, ended with the 175 and its 66 ch DIN engine, but farmers kept asking for more power. Rather than design a completely new tractor, Massey Ferguson improved the 175 with a new engine and more complete equipment. The result was the 178, with 72 ch DIN, although its career was brief: it was built only from 1968 to 1971 at Beauvais and Coventry, and the following year the 188 took over with no significant mechanical change, only more equipment fitted as standard.
Why it sold
The 178 found buyers because the bigger 1080, at 88 ch DIN, was not reliable enough. It was also built under licence in Spain by Ebro as the Ebro 178. Owners liked its performance and the long list of options — power steering, a reinforced linkage, a gearbox with reduction — but criticised the pedals, the access for simple maintenance and the abrupt hydraulic clutch of the PTO.
Design and features
- Perkins AD4.248: a 4,065 cc four-cylinder giving 72 ch DIN at 2,000 rpm.
- New eight-speed gearbox: two more forward speeds than earlier models, or twelve with the optional Multi-Power.
- Landini front axle: the optional four-wheel drive improved grip at the cost of a wider turning circle.
- Long options list: power steering, reinforced linkage and a reduced gearbox let buyers specify the tractor to their own needs.
- Known faults: heavy pedals, awkward maintenance access and a harsh PTO clutch.
Massey Ferguson 178 versions
- 178 (1968–1971): the standard two-wheel-drive tractor.
- Four-wheel drive: with a Landini front axle.
- Ebro 178: Spanish licence production.
- Successor: the 188, mechanically similar but better equipped.
The 178 followed the 165 and gave way to the 188. More tractors are in the Massey Ferguson collection.
Video: Massey Ferguson 178 with a hay turner
Video by mfpiggy on YouTube.
Sources
- Massey Ferguson 178, French Wikipedia: production, engine, gearbox, options, Ebro licence
