Courting a Massey Harris 30

The tractor started and ran very well. The engine sounds powerful, though this may be a because of the newish muffler with working flap on top. Converted to 12v, it has a Delco alternator with a field- actuating switch on the instrument panel.
It read 20-25 pounds of oil pressure. I don't think the alternator gauge registered a charge.

Princess Auto black rubber headlights are installed on the front. The owner, who has had the tractor six years, said that the old radiator was inadequate, so he put a larger Massey rad on it and now the cooling is fine. The frame is improvised, but quite well built.

He bought the tractor from a guy who rebuilds them and claims the motor is "new". He is using 15w40 in it, as he does in all his other tractors. This tractor is up for sale to make space for his new, 4WD Case/International, about a 65 horse model.

His wife drove the 30 for raking hay only, as the seat hurts his back, he claims. She was there and seems fond of the tractor, but has learned how to drive one of the diesels now.

I ran the tractor through the gears. They all work smoothly, with none of the howl I used to get from third gear on the old one. Excellent brakes.

The front tires are recent, though they seem a bit small to me. One back tire is about six years old with little wear. The other has some cracks, though it should last for a while.

Paint is not bad, with new decals applied. The fenders are the full-coverage type, and are moderately dimpled but strong and serviceable.

There's a fair amount of fresh transmission oil at the bottom of the tranny directly beneath the instrument panel. Engine oil seems healthy and properly filled.

I did not try the drive pulley or the pto.

Steering is tight, though it feels a bit nose-heavy with the strangely small front tires -- about a 5.40x15 from the looks of them.

The ride with the spung seat is good, not choppy like my MF35. I remarked that I didn't recall the seat on the old one sinking down quite so far as on this one. The owner said that had more to do with my increased weight than the spring on the seat. He had me there.

The asking price is $1700 CDN firm. I think it's worth it. All I have to do is free up some money by selling the old Fergie.

How much should I expect to get from a 51 TEA20 with gimpy hydraulics and sticky valves but good rubber, tin, brakes and electricals?

My M-H 30 row crop I paid $1500.00. As far a weak points with mine, I haven't had any problems.

What do you mean by a field -actuating switch?

20-25 lbs oil pressure is good. The ammeter guage is easy to wire but one has to remember if
the tractor is converted to a 12V negative ground,
the wire to the ammeter meter has to be fastened
to the opposite post on the guage.

As far as the lights, ask the owner for the originals to keep the tractor original. I believe you can buy 12V seal beams to fit the cannister of the old head lights.

What engine is in it> should be a continenal 162 cu. in. Front tires size should be 5.00 x15 for both Std. and row crop. $1700.00 doesn't seem out of line.

Thanks for the response. I don't know its year but it has a pressed-metal pulley rather than the laminated paper model on the one I used to have, so I'd think this one is newer than a '51.

The 30 has a standard-width front end, with a 12v, negative ground conversion using a small Delco alternator. I have the same rig on my boat. You have to provide a hot wire to the alternator to activate it, but then must disconnect it or else drain the battery through the wire. The current owner hooked the system up with an additional toggle switch on the dash.

With a jury-rigged radiator and GM alternator this isn't going to be a collector's model, but I think it will run well. The current owner has a very well-equipped car repair shop and I think he made sure everything was shipshape on his wife's tractor.

Three out of four tires are recent. That's a bit better than par for the course, I'd think.

Is it easy to buy a steering wheel for it? I know they are cheap for a MF35.

Rod

By the way, where is Smith Falls near?

Smiths Falls is between Kingston and Ottawa on Hwy #15 and at the heart of the Rideau Canal system.