Massey Ferguson 1740M Hydro: LOSS OF POWER when hot!

[Dmacleo]

If that's the case, I did change both fuel filters now twice, thinking originally this was the issue.

Not sure how you could ever tell if there an air pocket in there or not, it's just not a visible aspect I could pursue in any workable to visual inspection.

gotcha, GC series has clear "bowl" (lower housing) that you can see fuel in.

 

[Southernspeed]

If that's the case, I did change both fuel filters now twice, thinking originally this was the issue.

Not sure how you could ever tell if there an air pocket in there or not, it's just not a visible aspect I could pursue in any workable to visual inspection.

Yes it was the sediment bowl I was referring to, bad description on my part! I had a problem on a 1739 that the dealer couldn't find. When the tractor got hot, usually under strain too ( running a bush hog for example) and I had power/running issues, I noticed the sediment bowl had a low fuel level in it. I'd park the tractor, let it cool and it would be ok again. After much searching it turned out to be a bug in the fuel tank. Dealer had already cleaned the tank but I did it again and found it. It would settle on the bottom once the fuel flow would stop then get sucked up again once the warm fuel started started circulating and demand was higher under load. Bizarre but there you go. I also removed the small inline filter right down by the tank (not sure if you have one there?) as it was very restrictive also. The tractor was trouble free for over 1000 hours after that until I traded up.

 

[LouNY]

Out of curiosity what does your tractor have for a feed pump to the common rail pump?
It might be interesting to tee a fuel pressure gauge in just before the injection pump to see if the feed pressure is dropping from a restriction showing up or a lift pump going out.

 

[Yander]

Went to do a job about 14 miles away on our MF 1750m and was pulling an 8ft. pull behind cutter. I drove the tractor to the job as my trailer isn't quite up to the task. When I was going up slight inclines in the roadway it slowed way down, very underpowered going up hill. Then when bush hogging it would do as the OP has described and it really struggled going up slight inclines in the field I bush hogged. I got it done but I'll be honest, I think I could have done it as fast on my little SA425 with a 5' cutter.

It sounds like we are experiencing similar issues. I will say, might be in my head, but when I went back home after bushhogging for about 5 hours, it seemed to do a little better on the road going up hills.

 

[Southernspeed]

14 miles road work!!! There's dedication for ya!

 

[TopSpeed1]

Yes it was the sediment bowl I was referring to, bad description on my part! I had a problem on a 1739 that the dealer couldn't find. When the tractor got hot, usually under strain too ( running a bush hog for example) and I had power/running issues, I noticed the sediment bowl had a low fuel level in it. I'd park the tractor, let it cool and it would be ok again. After much searching it turned out to be a bug in the fuel tank. Dealer had already cleaned the tank but I did it again and found it. It would settle on the bottom once the fuel flow would stop then get sucked up again once the warm fuel started started circulating and demand was higher under load. Bizarre but there you go. I also removed the small inline filter right down by the tank (not sure if you have one there?) as it was very restrictive also. The tractor was trouble free for over 1000 hours after that until I traded up.

Understood but no sediment bowl on the 1740M. No inline filter other than the 2 large spin on fuel filters, 1 is mounted low by the right foot step and has a built in plunger primer pump, then the other is up on the side of the engine block. Both have been changed as mentioned.

 

[TopSpeed1]

Out of curiosity what does your tractor have for a feed pump to the common rail pump?
It might be interesting to tee a fuel pressure gauge in just before the injection pump to see if the feed pressure is dropping from a restriction showing up or a lift pump going out.

Beyond what I want to do TBH, if the dealer wants or has the need to "Tee in" a spot so they can monitor this then I'd certainly give the go ahead. But honestly, I would need (or want) a higher level (than myself) to do this especially while it's under warranty.

 

[TopSpeed1]

Went to do a job about 14 miles away on our MF 1750m and was pulling an 8ft. pull behind cutter. I drove the tractor to the job as my trailer isn't quite up to the task. When I was going up slight inclines in the roadway it slowed way down, very underpowered going up hill. Then when bush hogging it would do as the OP has described and it really struggled going up slight inclines in the field I bush hogged. I got it done but I'll be honest, I think I could have done it as fast on my little SA425 with a 5' cutter.

It sounds like we are experiencing similar issues. I will say, might be in my head, but when I went back home after bushhogging for about 5 hours, it seemed to do a little better on the road going up hills.

Boy oh boy, it sure sounds like you're in the exact same club! Your 1750M is the same model as mine but with 10 more ponies. I was actually trying to originally buy (or order in) this exact model, but my dealers salesperson said I couldn't do an underbelly mower with it. Understood and another reason why I even had to go with the smaller diameter turf tires.

So, not good. Your tractor sounds like it surely fits right in with this Massey problem/issue. I would be thankful if you subscribed and contributed to this thread, the more that we can provide a supporting cast, the more maybe we can get attention to this problem.

 

[TopSpeed1]

Speaking of the problem, it's been ME showing this loss of power (to my dealer) because it doesn't happen until under work load and around 40 minutes. I also asked if they had a 3pt. hitch [load] or a dyno, but my service Mgr. (Matt) said no. UGH! This load tool is what I believe is needed for any in-shop diagnostics like this.

Today (Weds 6/19/24) it was 94F and very humid here in upstate NY. So, I mowed and the logy/lack of power kicked in the earliest it ever had, I didn't time it, but I would guess easily at 20-25 minutes. I also dis-engaged the mower when it went in sluggish mode, still same effect. In fact, with mower dis-engaged, I put hand throttle full forward and could not get near 2K RIPS, in fact the engine speed did not go up at all w fully pegged hand throttle. Temp gauge was 3 bars, that's not even half way and is normal op range.

I parked her in the shade, went in and had dinner because at that point, it's basically a worthless POS!.... After dinner I came back out and had about 10 minutes of "normal" full power run time mowing. Then being frustrated again, I parked it in the pole barn, it's just too frustrating and too slow, you basically have to creep and the PTO speed is not anywhere near the 540 range. As I type this now at midnight, tomorrow I'll hopefully get the other half mowed. Maybe.

 

[JWR]

To clarify, in that Wed 6/19 situation a few hours ago, where you disengaged the mower and could not get the engine to rev on up to 2000 rpm... was that on the level, or up a hill ? .., in fwd motion with controls calling for more forward speed ? Not just sitting there, right ? I assume so...