Accidental tractor

So, I bought my Massey Ferguson at auction--F-40 with loader. Same as MF50 as I've been told on this forum. Here is what happened: I was bidding on it just for the fun of it, expecting it to bring in more than $2000--judging by how the other tractor sales were going. Bidding stopped at $1600 and I was on top. So a friend and I trailered it back to my place--only about ten miles from the farm sale. I don't think I've ever been so pleased with a purchase--it runs and works the way I need it to, and has way more power than I need. Loader, rear lift, everything works. Does need a rear main seal, but that's for another day. My question is this: What would you do--maintenance-wise--when getting your hands on an old machine like this? I am new to hydraulics, am familiar with engine mechanicals, but I am treating the tractor like I've always owned it. I just start it and go, and of course make sure there's enough oil in the crankcase when I run it. Is there something obvious I should be paying attention to--loader hydraulics, filter, what-have-you? I appreciate any info, and will try not to follow up with a million questions. I've enjoyed this forum so much, and appreciate all the contributors.

One of the best little tractors ever made. I am assuming it is a farm model and not an industrial tractor. Keep that front end greased particularly where the axle pivot sets in the engine casting. They had an interchangeable front end and it is a little weird. I hope it has power steering with that front end loader.

Same as when I got my old AC-B that I mow with. Change the oil and filters and antifreeze, grease the zerks, belts if they need it, keep an eye on the clutch and brakes, and use it. Keep an eye on it until you get used to and know it. These old tractors have outlived many and will out live us. My little old mower B won't be any different. Sadly, there was a post here a couple of days ago, that final post for a fella that figures that he only had a day or few left, and in his case, he was leaving behind a tractor of yesterday. The amount of replies back to him from the folks here made me proud. I don't recall ever seeing that many posts. Bless his soul, and bless everyone that took a moment to think about what the fella was going through and facing.

Take that old tractor and use it. Fix what breaks if it breaks.

Best of luck.

Mark

That tractor should have the Continental Z-134 engine. That is a very good engine. I had three in Massey forklifts

Some of those old girls can get caught between gears if they sit awhile or you shift too quickly. Take the oil filler cap off and gently reach in and pry the gears. A wooden dowel works best. Gently I said.

Lucky lucky lucky me...I'm a lucky sun of a gun!

You should sing all year!

The very first thing I would do is order a shop manual!

Then change all the fluids.

Those are known for collecting water in the transmission, especially if it's been stored outside. Check the shifter boots and the top link boot under the seat.

Check the air cleaner canister. That is an area often overlooked, up inside where the mesh is.

As for the rear main seal leaking, I would let that be for a while, see how everything else does. Watch the engine oil pressure, work it, watch for oil smoke. See how the clutch and PTO work, transmission noises... That way when you do go in after the oil leak, you will know what else needs fixing, only split it once and do everything needed.

In the mean time, carefully monitor the engine oil, get an idea how much it is consuming, and try running it a little below the add line. That will usually reduce the main seal leak drastically. And,take the crankcase vent tube off, clean it out. If clogged it will build pressure and blow oil out the seals. Be sure the engine is coming up to temperature. If it's running cold it will have more blow by. When you change the oil, go with a 15-w40 diesel oil. That is a good happy medium for that engine.

Sounds like you got a heck of a deal! Ask as many questions as you like, that way we all learn something!

I would first make sure it has all good clean proper fluids. Then check where the rear main leak actually is leaking to, is it leaking onto the clutch or just a drip or a stream? IF just a drip and not onto the clutch I would work the tractor for a time changing the oil every couple hundred hours at most and see if that does not stop the drip as it just might do. Now a stream or onto clutch is a different story, onto clutch could mean loss of control of tractor. stream just would be wasting a lot of oil and frequently adding oil.

Pat, thanks. Yes it's power steering, steers easier than my car ;-)
Thanks for the lube tips. I'm big on proper greasing, don't want to miss anything. This is the farm tractor model, not Industrial

Thanks, I've been running the tractor usually couple times a week, have a lot of firewood to move around. I appreciate the info. And I did see the post from the longtime member facing his end days. I left him a note even though I didn't know him. What I realize now is this: Even though I signed onto this site because I like tractors and am a new tractor owner, there is also great sense of community and fellowship here. I probably appreciate that aspect of it as much as any technical info other members can share.

I am not always in front of my computer, but will try to check in as often as possible and see how everyone is doing.

Steve--thanks, good suggestion for the shop manual. I'll order it through this site. I'm assuming you include hydraulic fluid in the "all fluids" category? Never dealt with that before, but I'll find out how. I've already priced engine overhaul kits online, and they look reasonable. A little smoke on first startup, but then exhaust blows normally. I mentioned the overhaul because I agree that once the tractor is apart, I may as well deal with everything at the same time. I'll continue to run it and monitor. Right now I'm patting myself on the back because I have a good machine that's doing a ton of work, and it cost roughly what a new riding mower at sears would have run. I'm a happy tractor-owner (for now, anyway ;-)

Yes, it's the z134 engine. So far so good. I've talked with some other tractor friends and they're happy with that motor as well. Other option I believe is the Perkins Diesel.

Thanks for the tip, hope I don't have to use it but good to know. It looks like this machine was worked pretty regularly, didn't just sit around in a hedgerow. It needs some TLC but for now it's a good working machine.

Ha ha ha yeah I'm happy with my red F-40. Didn't count on being a tractor-owner that day, but glad how things turned out ;-)

Thanks--it's a pretty significant oil leak. I put a drip pan underneath the bell housing when I park it. As I mentioned in another reply, I'll see how the rest of the tractor is doing then block out some time where I can remove the loader, split the tractor and address all the issues at the same time. I appreciate your input ;-)