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Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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quirks about TO-30 ?

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Bud

10-09-2003 18:14:11




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I am getting my first tractor this Sunday. A fergie TO-30 and I was wondering if there are any quirks or things that need paying attention to? Are they prone to any particular problem? How often do I change the fluids? It looks to be in great shape. It was a 2 hour drive to see it. The first time was at about dusk, in the rain. The guy couldn't be there and his wife knew about as much about it as I did (nothing). They both promised it would fire right up. It didn't that night. It did when my wife and I went back again. What I thought was the light switch turned out to be the master power switch(?). Which I never had pulled out while I drained the battery trying to start it. It was stone cold and it fired right on the second revolution! I'm also getting a finish mower, back blade, back bucket, discs, rake tine things, and 3 blade ground spade(?) all for the sale price of $3,000. WOW I am rambling....sorry. I am excited. Any help is greatly appreciated!

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Cosmo

10-10-2003 13:52:16




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 Re: quirks about TO-30 ? in reply to Bud, 10-09-2003 18:14:11  
The picture looks good. I think you got a deal.



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adam

10-16-2003 14:35:36




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 Re: Re: quirks about TO-30 ? in reply to Cosmo, 10-10-2003 13:52:16  
I had a to30 last year that I purchased It had a cracked block they seem to crack between the cyls. luckily I was able to repair the crack but the best way to tell if there is any block problems short of removing the head is to check for oil in the coolant remove radiator cap and look for oil it will float to the top and look sort of milky if you see anything like this be ready for some serious repairs. good luck (adam)

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Jerry/MT

10-09-2003 20:38:54




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 Re: quirks about TO-30 ? in reply to Bud, 10-09-2003 18:14:11  
Bud,
I've had a TO-30 since 1994. The things you want to look for are to make sure that the engine oil is free of water. Pull the dipstick out and look at it carefully.Also look along the side of the block for a set of nuts between the cylinders on the water jacket. The Continental blocks had a tendency to crack if the tractor was abused (read over heated or run without water) and a fix was to run threaded rods throught the water jacket between the cylinders to ull the cracks closed.If the dipstick is free of water than it's unlikely that the block has a serious crack in it. If it has the bolts on the side of the block but doesn't show water in the cranckcase it probably OK. I don't know what you mean by a "master power switch". Mine doesn't have anything that I can think of like that. Are you sure it isn't a light switch? My starts by turning the key to the on position and then moving the shift lever to the "S" position to engage the starter.
You need to check the 3 point lift. Start the tractor and with an implement attached (a heavy one), make sure the pump is engaged (under the seat on the left side of the tranny housing) and pull the hydraulic control handle all the way back. The implement should rise smoothly and stop at the top position and stay there. With the implement in that position drive the unit away in first gear. Make sure that the clutch engages and doesn't slip. do this in all fwd gears and reverse. Make sure the clutch engages smoothly. All gears should engage esasily and not be harshly noisy when operating. Check all the fluids(including the radiator coolant). they should be relatively clean. Put the mower on the PTO and check it out. If it doesn't have a ORC (overrunning coupler)be careful attempting to stop it with the PTO engaged. With the PTO running there should be no harsh noise from the PTO or the implement. If it all checks out Ok than I'd say you got a pretty good deal. Good Luck and welcome to the world of old tractors. By the way, there is a beter forum than this one if you become a TO-30 owner. Look through the forum list and hit "H.Furgeson'. It all abut TO-30's etc.

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bud

10-09-2003 18:47:53




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 Re: quirks about TO-30 ? in reply to Bud, 10-09-2003 18:14:11  
I posted a pic of it on this site. Boy, they sure look a lot like ford 8n's.



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Don-Wi

10-11-2003 22:16:13




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 Re: Re: quirks about TO-30 ? in reply to bud, 10-09-2003 18:47:53  
Well, you're right about that, they do, and that's because Mr. Ford and Mr. Ferguson used to be partners, then they split. Ford used a few 3pt. patents of the ferguson's and then came a law suit, Ferguson won as the same patent was used for many, many years. I believe it was advertised as the Ferguson System, and it was a way to distribute more weight to the front of the tractor while pulling somethings(like a plow or heavy disk) without adding weights to the front. They also had many other similarities as well. Some tractors you could probly switch some sheet metal and people wouldn't even notice it, other than maybe the paint.
Donovan from Wisconsin

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