What a great tractor!

Now I've gutted the transmission and am replacing a couple bearings, new seals and gaskets, and getting everything cleaned up. While it's split, I'll turn the flywheel and install a new clutch and pressure plate.

Still lots of work to do on the rest of the tractor. It has a cultivator rockshaft, and I've been debating fabricating 3 pt. hitch arms for it once it's done.

I've been pretty impressed with the design and engineering that went into these old Molines.

Dale

Dale

I too have just a few weeks ago purchased a UB MM. Mine has the live hydraulics, but not the live PTO, which was an option. I think you will find by checking the serial numbers that you have the UB Special. This is significant because there were some different parts used on the special. The one issue that I have bumped up against already is the different oil filter. The filter on the Special is located inside of a can inside of the crankcase oil pan. It has a removable cast iron almost round cover plate at the left rear side of the oil pan. It seems some of the parts dealers want to sub in the filter used in the external vertical can of the U and maybe UB tractor. That filter just plain does not fit the special. The MM # of the correct filter for the special is 10A6865 = Wix 551114 = NAPA 1114. But it seems that Wix is no longer producing this filter (and they made it for NAPA) so both of those sources are now out. I did find a real MM dealer in western Minnesota who did have the MM 10A6865 in stock, and when I opened the box, it is really a Fleetgard #LF 3301, with a thick paper outer shell. This Fleetgard filter is 1/4" smaller in outside diameter than the real 10A6865, but the other dimensions seem to be the same.

I do have a ZB also and enjoy driving that tractor. When I got it about 15 years ago, the engine was rusted tight from mouse pee in 2 valves. I did a valve job, gave it new rings and crank bearings. It starts very easily now and steers much better than my Farmall H.

I'm sure there are many mysteries yet to be discovered with the UB Special, but I look forward to the challenges. I suspect that by way of this forum, we will be exchanging many notes about the new discoveries we each make.

Best wishes!

Paul in MN

Dale

From what you have just described, I agree it is probably a UB that you have. The earlier lighter grill is a real tip off. But I did not know that the UB had a factory power steering option, and that is why I thought you probably had the Special. If the UB has the external vertical oil filter, how did the steering shaft clear the filter housing base? Maybe the Special used a longer frame extension between the front of engine and front bolster, thus creating the oil filter interference with the steering shaft.

Mine is the UB Special (although I didn't make that real clear in the prior post). Yesterday I took the oil filter can out of the side of the cast iron oil pan. This gives access to the bottom inside of the oil pan and the years of accumulated crud that have settled out of the oil. It is still below zero at night here and just a few degrees above in the daytime so it is awful cold to try to flush out accumulated gunk. It is like almost solid tar.

My current curiosity has to do with how the power steering works. There is some kind of a cylindrical hydraulic device behind the rear of the hydraulic pump. Is this some kind of priority valve to give the steering priority over the remote cylinder? Mine has been plumbed for a loader with power down, and hyd tilt bucket. The hyd hoses hook up to a double valve, probably open center, but does this mean something inside the hyd power resevoir box has been modified, and if so, has that affected the action of the power steering. Right now the tractor is nearly impossible to steer, but that could be due to linkage or spindle problems. With the next warm spell (upper 20's or better) we get, I am going to try to find out if the linkage and spindles are binding up.

Gotta go for now!

Paul in MN

If your UB Special is anything like the factory power steering on my Farmall 450, then it would indeed have a priority valve between the pump and the hydraulic valve to maintain steering hydraulics before the pressure powers the remainder of the hydraulic system. Several things could be causing your hard steering. Of course the pump may be getting weak, or there may be a restriction or air in the system. (I was getting air in the 450, which caused it to steer hard for a while).It may also be an obstruction in the torque motor. Lastly and to a lesser degree, it could be the pedestal bearings or gunk in the worm and sector gearbox. Hopefully it will warm up some so you can tear into it soon!

Dale

The U's had live hydraulics, and a live PTO? that is fantastic. I guess the farmall 300's did so why not the molines. I am not real familiar with the U's yet.

Awesome to hear that about a moline from a person whom has worked with other makes of tractor. Usually it seems like once a person touches one tractor they become pretty darned bias.

I think I would get bored working on the same color all the time. Half the fun of restoration is to discover how the design engineers solved a particular issue. One thing's for sure . . .there's a lot of cast iron in the old Minnies!

Dale

Dale,
U can't beat a Minnie.

Paul

Dale