Description

Massey Ferguson 187 Parts Catalog – 297 Pages of Factory Part Numbers

I’ve seen too many farmers guess a part number and end up with the wrong knife section or a bolt that doesn’t fit. One guy ordered a set of sections for his MF 187 combine, paid for expedited shipping, and when it showed up the holes didn’t line up. That’s a day lost and money burned. This Massey Ferguson 187 Parts Catalog eliminates that. It’s the actual factory document — 297 pages — not a copy from some third-party that swapped part numbers. Every rivet, every bolt, every finger and guide is listed with the original Massey Ferguson part number. You want to know if the knife assembly uses a 790863X1 section or a 206236M1? It’s on page 2. No guessing.

Knife Assembly Breakdown – 8′ and 10′ Configurations

The catalog opens with the knife assembly for both the 8-foot and 10-foot headers. Page 2 shows a full exploded diagram with 29 numbered items. Each item gets its own row with part number, quantity, and description. For the 8′ header, item 1 is a 403320M93 knife (two per assembly), while the 10′ header uses a 1723545M92. The manual flags variants — serrated sections (206236M1) versus smooth (210987M1). You also get the fasteners: 1442457X1 bolt metric, 339376X1 lock washer, 339402X1 nut metric. If you’re rebuilding the sickle bar, you need to know which rivets go where. The catalog gives you 391493X1 for the sections and 391498X1 for the head. No outdated cross-references.

Part Number Verification – Why OEM Beats Aftermarket

I trust a factory parts catalog because I’ve been burned by aftermarket books that list a “universal” part that doesn’t match the OEM thread pitch. This Massey Ferguson 187 Parts Catalog came from the manufacturer. The part numbers printed here — 403320M93, 790863X1, 1724506M1 — are what you’d order from a Massey dealer. You can compare them to your hardware and know it’s right. Aftermarket catalogs often omit the “Comments” column that Massey used to note fitment changes, like the serrated versus smooth versions. This manual includes those details. For a combine that’s been through dozens of harvests, you need the exact original spec.

297 Pages – The Complete Combine Breakdown

This isn’t just the knife section. The catalog covers the entire Massey Ferguson 187 combine — driveline, feeder house, threshing mechanism, augers, cab components. Each assembly is shown with its own exploded view and parts list. When you need a bearing for the beater drum or a belt for the clean grain elevator, you flip to that section. The document uses the same numbering system throughout: item numbers on the diagram lead directly to a row in the table. It’s the most efficient way to identify what you need without disassembling the whole machine and carrying a sample to the parts store. Keep it on the workbench in a three-ring binder.

Who Needs This Catalog – Audience Fit

If you own a MF 187 combine and do your own maintenance — or if you run a small repair shop that handles old ag equipment — this is the reference. Beginners: pay attention to the “Comments” column. It tells you if a part is superseded or has a variant. For example, item 29 on page 2 says “Not serviced, order 26.” That saves you from buying a non-available piece. DIYers often skip reading the comments and end up with the wrong rivet type. Don’t be that guy. The manual also includes quantity per assembly (Column Qty) so you order the right count for a complete rebuild. For a pro mechanic, this catalog cuts down the time spent searching online databases. Everything is in one place.

Exploded Diagrams – Read Them Right

Each page has a clear line drawing with callout numbers. The parts list next to it matches those numbers. If you’re working on the knife head assembly, look at items 8-11 on page 2. The rivets (391498X1) and head (1724499M91) are listed with the exact quantity for one side of the header. Don’t double up unless you’re doing both sides. The catalog also differentiates between left and right if there’s a mirror image — check the illustration. That level of detail is why I recommend this over a generic parts lookup. Massey-ferguson MF300 Parts Catalog – 607 Pages – Factory OEM covers larger machines, but for the 187, this is the only original source.

Source Authenticity – Factory Document, Not a Reprint

This is a direct scan of the original Massey Ferguson printed catalog. The part numbers, quantities, and illustrations are unmodified. I’ve seen online sellers offering “reprints” that are photocopies with blurred numbers or omitted pages. This one has 297 pages of clean scans, each page numbered. The PDF retains the original indexing. You can search for part numbers directly. Contrast that with aftermarket “universal” catalogs that try to cover 50 models in one book — they always miss a fastener or mislabel a bearing. Stick with OEM. For related reading, check the Massey-Ferguson MF500 1977 Parts Catalog – 517 Pages Factory OEM or the Massey-ferguson MF 500 B 1973 Parts Catalog – Factory OEM if you have other machines in the fleet. The Automotive Industry Overview might not be ag-specific, but the reliability standard is the same — factory data beats aftermarket every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this catalog include engine parts for the MF 187?

Yes, the 297-page document covers the entire combine, including the engine assembly, fuel system, and cooling components. Refer to the index for the specific engine section.

Can I use this for a 1970s MF 187 model?

This parts catalog covers the MF 187 combine across production years, including the 1970s. The factory part numbers reflect original equipment. However, if your machine has been modified or retrofitted, you may need to verify fitment by cross-referencing the serial number with the parts lists. The catalog includes multiple knife configurations (8′ and 10′) and notes variants like serrated versus smooth sections. For a machine that old, having the OEM part numbers printed in orders of magnitude is the only reliable way to source replacements without ordering the wrong piece. Always check the “Comments” column for supersessions — some parts are no longer serviced and have been replaced by newer numbers. The manual notes those changes.

You need the right part number the first time. Get it from the factory document. Access the Factory Manual and keep it by the workbench. Automotive Industry Overview offers background, but your combine parts research ends here.