Old MF Tractor Questions

[Greg mgm]

My friend has an old MF tractor that isn't currently running. He says the carburetor is messed up, but not sure why. He also says the carb is the same as what's used on older aircraft, and his aircraft mechanic neighbor can't repair it. I believe the tractor is a early 60's model...not sure, but for sure it doesn't seem realistic that a professional mechanic can't repair an old carburetor.

My questions are- Is it possible that these older MF tractors share the same carbs as aircraft? Are they hard to rebuild?

I've rebuilt many automotive carbs and can't believe it would be difficult to get his tractor running, if the carburetor is actually the problem.

Thanks for any help!

 

[MFRED]

As for the aircraft end, I can't say. You should be able to get a rebuild kit for $20-30. Unless there is a serious problem with pieces missing, about any one can rebuild one. If it is missing major components that can't be bought a replacement carb is usually available, for more money of course.

 

[Greg mgm]

That's exactly what I was thinking, but good to hear it from someone else. I don't know about the aircraft relationship....might be bs. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm familiar with all the Massey Ferguson gassers from the merger through the 70's. If any of the carburetors MF used appeared on ANY aircraft, I ain't flyin' on 'em!

Most of 'em, especially the early Carter carbs wouldn't hardly run right on a steep hillside, muchless in a barrel roll.

SOME of the earliest Massey Fergusons (1957, early 58) used a model of Carter carb that's rather hard to find the correct kit for it. Later models used MS carbs and kits are available at any dealer who carries TISCO parts, NAPA, ect. Look and ye shall find replacement carbs galore on EBAY.

Get a specific model (of tractor) preferably with a serial #, and I'll get you a carb manufacturer and hopefully a carb #/part#.

 

[Greg mgm]

OK, I laughed when I read your first sentence! I'll steer clear of those aircraft too!

It's possible the carb is a Carter model with the hard to find rebuild kit, like you said, I don't know. And yes, Ebay is your friend for almost anything.

The best I can do is pass your info to my "nonrunningtractor" friend and see what he wants to do. I'll try to get model and serial #'s as well.

Thanks a lot for your reply!

 

[tomb700]

Here's what to do to diagnose the problem:
- remove the spark plugs and make sure they are not oil fouled, or otherwise damaged, replace with correct ones if yes
-with the plugs out, hold a thumb over each hole while cranking to be sure there is compression (i.e. no burned valve or hole in piston etc.). The compression should blow your thumb off the hole. If you can get a compression tester, all the better.
- If compression is ok, check for spark. Hold the center wire from the coil to ground (e.g. a place on the engine, about 1/2 inch gap) and crank the engine (plugs out). there should be a good snap and visible spark. If not, could be bad points, defective condensor, no power to the coil, or a bad coil. Replace the points and condensor and retry. While distributor cap is removed, turn it over and look inside for black carbon tracks or cracks. Replace cap is anything is visible. make sure the rotor is installed, and rotates when the engine is cranked.
- If compression and coil spark are ok, install the plugs, etc. and pour into the carb about 1 ounce of FRESH gasoline. Reinstall the airfilter (in case of backfire) and try to start it. If it starts with the gas added to the carb, there is a fuel issue...carb or fuel pump.
- Before rebuilding the carb, make sure the fuel pump is working. Remove the fuel line from the carb and have someone crank the engine while holding the line over a small container like a plastic 1 liter soda bottle. If the pump delivers fuel (you'll see a good amount pumped) then the carb is the issue.
- Normally an old carb will be plugged up with dried particles and only need to be cleaned. Don't mess with float adjustment...they don't change by themselves. Carefully disassemble the carb and blow out all the holes with compressed air and carb cleaner from a can. Adjust the idle screws to gentle closed, then open 1 and 1/2 turns open.
There are more complicated reasons for "no start" like a jumped timing chain etc. but these steps should likely get you running.
Old gasoline will burn but not start an engine because the "light ends" of the gas that have to vaporize for the spark, are evaporated. Make sure the carb has fresh gas in it.
Hope this helps.

 

[scott_vt]

I'm familiar with all the Massey Ferguson gassers from the merger through the 70's. If any of the carburetors MF used appeared on ANY aircraft, I ain't flyin' on 'em!

Most of 'em, especially the early Carter carbs wouldn't hardly run right on a steep hillside, muchless in a barrel roll.

Good Mornin Bill,
Thanks for the chuckle !

Im thinking along with the others, if you cant get a rebuild kit, replacement carbs are available !

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Good Mornin Bill,
Thanks for the chuckle !

Im thinking along with the others, if you cant get a rebuild kit, replacement carbs are available !

Howdy Scotty! Good to see you 'round these parts again. I got a bit of a laugh myself at the thought of an old Fergie's carb on an airplane. Although, Harry Ferguson was sort of the Charles Lindberg of the British Isles back in the day. A neighbor just bought a new Land Rover. Harry's design for an all-wheel drive system is still alive and well under that pricey little SUV. Harry was quite the inventor!

 

[Greg mgm]

I've been away from the forums (building a fence and other honeydo's) and see some replies to my question. Thanks a ton for the great info. The posts by Farmwithjunk and Tomb700 were very helpful.

On another note, my wife and I have decided next year to find a compact tractor for around our property in Idyllwild, CA. where we live. I'll be posting on this site when I have questions but there's plenty to read here in the meantime.

As for the tractor that won't run, I'm giving him the info from this thread... but the ball's in his court now.

Thanks again!

 

[WilliamBos]

Howdy Scotty! Good to see you 'round these parts again. I got a bit of a laugh myself at the thought of an old Fergie's carb on an airplane. Although, Harry Ferguson was sort of the Charles Lindberg of the British Isles back in the day. A neighbor just bought a new Land Rover. Harry's design for an all-wheel drive system is still alive and well under that pricey little SUV. Harry was quite the inventor!

Thankfully, MF cannot be blamed for the fact that Carter never could and still can't build a carb.

I did not know that Harry Ferguson invented the AWD system under the Land Rover. I know the gas V8 Range Rover uses is a Buick V8 they bought from GM years ago.

What else did Harry Invent?

I got a chuckle out of that statement too.

Take care,

 

[WilliamTO-35]

My 1955 Ferguson TO-35 uses the Carter UT carburetor . All of the aftermarket fuel system parts I've found are now made in China, and they range from poor to useless in quality. I bought a replacement fuel shutoff with glass sediment bowl assembly from Tractor Supply. It's a Chinese job. No fuel would flow through it when I first bought it, and I had to do some drilling to solve that problem. Also, the shutoff valve leaks, so overall the unit is worthless. Also, I've had a heck of a time stopping the carburetor float bowl from flooding since changing to the Chinese needle and seat. I've had three of them in , and after a few days they all start to leak and flood the carburetor. That problem is driving me nuts, and I have to use a shutoff valve I installed at the carburetor to make sure the fuel is shut off unless the engine is running. I have an aftermarket fuel filter in line, and I've had the carburetor off at least half a dozen times to look for the usual problems such as a blocked vent, a sticking or misadjusted or leaking float, a bad gasket at the seat base, etc. Everything looks ok every time, with no evidence of dirt getting in.
Prior to this, the oddest carburetor flooding problem I ever encountered was with my riding mower. There was a tiny float chamber air vent that got clogged by a mud wasp, and the mud survived my carburetor cleaning. That took a few tries to find !