08-24-2025, 08:41 PM
The MF 965 and Its Place in Massey Ferguson’s History
The Massey Ferguson 965 excavator, produced in the mid-1990s, was part of the brand’s effort to expand beyond its agricultural roots into construction-grade machinery. Massey Ferguson, founded in 1953 through the merger of Massey-Harris and Ferguson Company, had long been a dominant force in tractors and farm implements. By the 1990s, the company was exploring hydraulic excavators and backhoes to compete with JCB, Case, and Caterpillar in the European and global markets.
The MF 965 featured joystick controls, a compact swing radius, and a robust hydraulic system tailored for utility work, trenching, and light demolition. Though not produced in massive volumes, the 965 gained a loyal following in Ireland, the UK, and parts of Eastern Europe, where its simplicity and mechanical reliability were appreciated by independent operators.
Control Pattern Confusion and Operator Preferences
One of the most common frustrations among excavator operators is the mismatch between control patterns. The MF 965 was shipped with a joystick configuration that resembled ISO layout for slew and bucket crowd, but reversed boom lift and dipper functions—creating a hybrid “plus” pattern that confused seasoned operators.
Terminology:
Mechanical vs. Electronic Solutions
The most direct mechanical solution is to swap hydraulic hoses at the valve chest. This reassigns joystick movements to different actuators, effectively reconfiguring the control pattern. However, this method can be risky:
Terminology:
For tech-savvy owners, it’s possible to connect a personal computer to the MF 965’s diagnostic port using RS232 protocol. This serial communication standard is still used in industrial equipment and allows for low-level data exchange.
Connection parameters:
Terminology:
Software Compatibility and Troubleshooting
Not all terminal programs are compatible with the MF 965’s ECU. Users have reported issues where the ENQ message is received but no ACK response is accepted. This may be due to:
Field Anecdotes and Operator Adaptation
In Denmark, a contractor purchased a used MF 965 for site prep work and found the joystick layout nearly unusable. After learning about the RS232 method, he built his own cable and reprogrammed the controls in under an hour. He later trained his crew on both ISO and SAE patterns to ensure flexibility across machines.
In Canada, a retired operator recalled the early 2000s when control pattern switches were rare. He had to retrain his reflexes every time he switched between a Case backhoe and a Hitachi excavator. Today, most modern machines offer pattern switching via a toggle switch or touchscreen menu—something the MF 965 lacked but can now emulate with a bit of ingenuity.
Conclusion
The Massey Ferguson 965 excavator may be a product of the 1990s, but its control system can be modernized with a blend of mechanical and electronic solutions. Whether swapping hoses or interfacing via RS232, operators now have options to tailor joystick behavior to their preferences. With the right tools and a bit of patience, the MF 965 can be transformed from a confusing relic into a responsive, intuitive machine ready for serious work or hobby restoration.
The Massey Ferguson 965 excavator, produced in the mid-1990s, was part of the brand’s effort to expand beyond its agricultural roots into construction-grade machinery. Massey Ferguson, founded in 1953 through the merger of Massey-Harris and Ferguson Company, had long been a dominant force in tractors and farm implements. By the 1990s, the company was exploring hydraulic excavators and backhoes to compete with JCB, Case, and Caterpillar in the European and global markets.
The MF 965 featured joystick controls, a compact swing radius, and a robust hydraulic system tailored for utility work, trenching, and light demolition. Though not produced in massive volumes, the 965 gained a loyal following in Ireland, the UK, and parts of Eastern Europe, where its simplicity and mechanical reliability were appreciated by independent operators.
Control Pattern Confusion and Operator Preferences
One of the most common frustrations among excavator operators is the mismatch between control patterns. The MF 965 was shipped with a joystick configuration that resembled ISO layout for slew and bucket crowd, but reversed boom lift and dipper functions—creating a hybrid “plus” pattern that confused seasoned operators.
Terminology:
- ISO Pattern: International standard where the left joystick controls boom up/down and swing, and the right joystick controls dipper in/out and bucket curl.
- SAE Pattern: Common in North America, with the left joystick controlling swing and dipper, and the right joystick controlling boom and bucket.
- Slew: The rotational movement of the upper structure of the excavator.
Mechanical vs. Electronic Solutions
The most direct mechanical solution is to swap hydraulic hoses at the valve chest. This reassigns joystick movements to different actuators, effectively reconfiguring the control pattern. However, this method can be risky:
- Hose routing may not match factory specifications
- Incorrect flow direction can damage valves or cylinders
- Safety interlocks may be bypassed unintentionally
Terminology:
- ECU (Electronic Control Unit): The onboard computer that manages hydraulic logic, joystick inputs, and engine parameters.
- Calibration Unit: A diagnostic interface used to adjust machine settings, including control layout and sensor calibration.
For tech-savvy owners, it’s possible to connect a personal computer to the MF 965’s diagnostic port using RS232 protocol. This serial communication standard is still used in industrial equipment and allows for low-level data exchange.
Connection parameters:
- Baud rate: 9600
- Data bits: 7
- Parity: Even
- Stop bits: 2
Terminology:
- RS232 Protocol: A serial communication standard used for data exchange between computers and industrial devices.
- ENQ/ACK: Control characters used to initiate and confirm communication between devices.
Software Compatibility and Troubleshooting
Not all terminal programs are compatible with the MF 965’s ECU. Users have reported issues where the ENQ message is received but no ACK response is accepted. This may be due to:
- Incorrect parity or stop bit settings
- USB-to-serial adapters lacking true RS232 voltage levels
- Software lacking auto-reply functionality
- Customizable serial settings
- Hexadecimal input/output
- Auto-reply scripting
- Logging for diagnostic review
Field Anecdotes and Operator Adaptation
In Denmark, a contractor purchased a used MF 965 for site prep work and found the joystick layout nearly unusable. After learning about the RS232 method, he built his own cable and reprogrammed the controls in under an hour. He later trained his crew on both ISO and SAE patterns to ensure flexibility across machines.
In Canada, a retired operator recalled the early 2000s when control pattern switches were rare. He had to retrain his reflexes every time he switched between a Case backhoe and a Hitachi excavator. Today, most modern machines offer pattern switching via a toggle switch or touchscreen menu—something the MF 965 lacked but can now emulate with a bit of ingenuity.
Conclusion
The Massey Ferguson 965 excavator may be a product of the 1990s, but its control system can be modernized with a blend of mechanical and electronic solutions. Whether swapping hoses or interfacing via RS232, operators now have options to tailor joystick behavior to their preferences. With the right tools and a bit of patience, the MF 965 can be transformed from a confusing relic into a responsive, intuitive machine ready for serious work or hobby restoration.
