Very happy you found the answer. This thread may help someone else down the line. I bookmarked the link and my need their service before my restore of the Massey MF50A is over. Love to see the pictures and follow up when you get the time.
My kind regards. Bob
Roger that.
Bob,
Regarding your M-F 50A, to what extent are you restoring your machine?
I bought mine from a seller in Houston, TX. Mechanically it was in pretty good shape but all the fluids needed changing, especially the transmission oil. It was full of water. I had to take a hammer and cold chisel to get the spin on oil filter off. Other than that, the electrics were a mess but my 2003 vintage 231S is pretty simple in the electrical department. I quickly made friends with the local AGCO parts guy who spent considerable time researching my machine for the correct parts. I find that while my 231S was manufactured in Turkey, it has parts from all over the world. For example, the alternator is a Lucas made in Italy.
I actually needed very little in the way of OE parts. So far, I have about $300.00 in repairs and parts and everything works except the high beam headlamps (I believe the rear of the headlamp bulb connectors touch the front of the radiator fins opening the fuse). I enjoy electrical work...used to operate and maintain gunfire control RADAR in the Navy (it was all vacuum tubes back then).
The radiator had a bullet hole in the center of the core. A local rad repair fellow cleaned it up, soldered the hole and soldered in a new brass petcock ($50.00) and I haven't added any water in 2 years. I run Mobil Delvac 1300 15-w 40 engine oil with a Wix filter. The little Perkins uses no oil and starts and pulls like new.
After I complete the wiring of a rear facing LED light bar (mounted under the top of the ROPS) and get my hydraulic top link installed and working, I'll polish up
Fergie and send along a few photos.
BTW, your model 50A is equipped with a 4 cylinder Perkins? That engine is a beast with a 5.00 inch stroke. You must be able to pull stumps with it.
My work is leveling what used to be a field where mules were corralled for use in a coal washer plant (I am in the middle of old strip coal mining country north of Birmingham, AL). So far, I have found remains of a brick building, an old Briggs & Stratton engine, some female clothing (Hmmmm??) and parts of a still.
I'll be seeding Bermuda later this spring after I till in my Berseem clover cover crop, rake up the now exposed junk and do a bit more leveling. Ultimately I want to establish a small orchard (15-20 fruit trees) and then surround the property with either cypress or arborvitaes. So, my 45 HP 231S is just the right size and sips little fuel.
Am I mistaken or is your M-F the early yellow color? I recall the first M-F I saw was a backhoe. It was yellow. Keep us posted as to the progress of your restoration.
Best regards, Dennis
