I have a Massey Ferguson 231S and the 3 point hitch goes down very slowly. I've tried adjusting the drop rate lever all the way to the "+" but it does not change the drop speed at all. Even with an implement attached it doesn't drop any faster. It raises perfectly and all other aspects of the three point hitch seem to work fine. It did have water in the hydraulic fluid due to the shift boots being cracked. I drained and flushed the hydraulic fluid and checked the pickup screen in the bottom of the transmission and it was very clean. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Massey 231S 3-point lowers very slowly.
- Thread starter Cwburrell
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the old grind
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:welcome: Cwburrell!!
When you said 'water' in hydro fluid (and under boots) I immediately remembered a similar situation where a valve got gummed up and stayed that way after water in fluid and a refresh. What I'd try first is to turn the valve in until some resistance is felt. If that's not bottomed out in the - position, turning it in a bit more might free things up to be backed off. (I'd do this with some weight on the 3PH)
If it gets slower then and stays that way you might have to do some disassembly to free things up. Let us know as it goes. Hope this is an easy one for ya. t o g
When you said 'water' in hydro fluid (and under boots) I immediately remembered a similar situation where a valve got gummed up and stayed that way after water in fluid and a refresh. What I'd try first is to turn the valve in until some resistance is felt. If that's not bottomed out in the - position, turning it in a bit more might free things up to be backed off. (I'd do this with some weight on the 3PH)
If it gets slower then and stays that way you might have to do some disassembly to free things up. Let us know as it goes. Hope this is an easy one for ya. t o g
Thanks for the welcome! I haven't had a chance to get back online over the weekend. What valve are you referring to? There appears to be some type of adjustment on the top cover down in front of the seat. I can get a better description of it tomorrow.
the old grind
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The lever is typically only a 'position control' .. sets/maintains how high the 3 PH goes and stays when the engine is running. We want to park with the hitch lowered considering what could be under/near and also because unlike a Front End Loader whose position will also reliably drift down in a matter of hours or days, a 3 PH would jump to the last position on restart if the lever hasn't been moved.
A knob under the front seat pan is to control how fast the hitch lowers and only when going down. It's a 'flow control' that allows you to reach down and adjust 'rate of drop' for heavier or lighter attachments. Turn in to slow the drop. out to quicken. Example: I use a box blade to pull snow away from barn/garage doors. Sometimes the snow pack in and won't drop out when I lift. I can back off the knob to a 'faster' drop and shake the stick to jar the box and loosen it. Yes it borders on abuse and I'll turn the knob back in to recover the smooth steady drop. (btw, helps to know when to spray on more fluid film to minimize wet snow 'sticking'.)
Anyway, we're here 27/7/365 (spread the word!) so get to things when you do. There will be plenty of time for us to tease you about our lust for pictures and how many will want to know your location, all in good fun of course, but sometimes you get quicker help ('localized advice/services/dealers?') from a member in the next county than one in the next time zone or 600 mi closer to the equator. jon
A knob under the front seat pan is to control how fast the hitch lowers and only when going down. It's a 'flow control' that allows you to reach down and adjust 'rate of drop' for heavier or lighter attachments. Turn in to slow the drop. out to quicken. Example: I use a box blade to pull snow away from barn/garage doors. Sometimes the snow pack in and won't drop out when I lift. I can back off the knob to a 'faster' drop and shake the stick to jar the box and loosen it. Yes it borders on abuse and I'll turn the knob back in to recover the smooth steady drop. (btw, helps to know when to spray on more fluid film to minimize wet snow 'sticking'.)
Anyway, we're here 27/7/365 (spread the word!) so get to things when you do. There will be plenty of time for us to tease you about our lust for pictures and how many will want to know your location, all in good fun of course, but sometimes you get quicker help ('localized advice/services/dealers?') from a member in the next county than one in the next time zone or 600 mi closer to the equator. jon
Jon, I'm in south Texas just west of San Antonio and there don't seem to be many old MF experts around here. I took a better look at it this morning and what I was thinking might be an adjustment down in front of the seat is just a small cover held on by 4 bolts with a small Allen wrench plug on one side. The drop rate is supposed to be controlled by a small lever located on the right side of the transmission housing. It's down below the position and draft levers. Moving it toward the "+" should make it drop faster but it doesn't change at all.
the old grind
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Can't get myself to a Massey to see up close, and I realize the convenient commonality of so many MF models/parts.
On my Cat-2 Deere, a few smaller toys will never drop fast regardless of control position unless hydro oil is darned hot (angle-blade, Landscape rake) but I won't hang onto that one. As easily as my draft control becomes an easy button for position control, there's a working 'groove' for that I more often stumble upon than quickly choose.
That said, if fluid isn't stone cold, implement isn't your lightest, and position/draft control levers aren't combining in a rare instance, I'd want to learn where we might look inside first if that's next. (4-bolt cover yet?) These guys seem to offer access covers that can, say, spare splitting a tractor to service some powertrain bits.
btw, Please don't think I'm talking down to you in my ignorance regarding Massey details, your experience with the 231S, or the looks, speeds, and sounds when she's running. I've scrounged that 3-PH troubles with these (much info from TBN, btw) aren't the easiest to describe due to the interaction of pos & draft levers, and with some even clutching one 'stage' to raise. ("Ferguson System")
IMO it's hard to imagine water entrance might cause such an issue and not affect something else as noticeably, unless perhaps that a few drops settled into and rust-froze a valve or linkage after parked for days or more. Tough to picture that in an oil-filled environment.
Anyway, some of this being more brand-specific than 'typical' is how I started off so sloppy on this one.
I'm getting fired up to learn more about these Masseys, will keep searching for possibilities, (cold, rainy ) and hope someone will notice our quest and join in.
On my Cat-2 Deere, a few smaller toys will never drop fast regardless of control position unless hydro oil is darned hot (angle-blade, Landscape rake) but I won't hang onto that one. As easily as my draft control becomes an easy button for position control, there's a working 'groove' for that I more often stumble upon than quickly choose.
That said, if fluid isn't stone cold, implement isn't your lightest, and position/draft control levers aren't combining in a rare instance, I'd want to learn where we might look inside first if that's next. (4-bolt cover yet?) These guys seem to offer access covers that can, say, spare splitting a tractor to service some powertrain bits.
btw, Please don't think I'm talking down to you in my ignorance regarding Massey details, your experience with the 231S, or the looks, speeds, and sounds when she's running. I've scrounged that 3-PH troubles with these (much info from TBN, btw) aren't the easiest to describe due to the interaction of pos & draft levers, and with some even clutching one 'stage' to raise. ("Ferguson System")
IMO it's hard to imagine water entrance might cause such an issue and not affect something else as noticeably, unless perhaps that a few drops settled into and rust-froze a valve or linkage after parked for days or more. Tough to picture that in an oil-filled environment.
Anyway, some of this being more brand-specific than 'typical' is how I started off so sloppy on this one.
I'm getting fired up to learn more about these Masseys, will keep searching for possibilities, (cold, rainy ) and hope someone will notice our quest and join in. 
def38
Platinum Member
My 231S is a 2003, made in Turkey. The 3 PH drop speed is NOT controlled by the position control. The inner lever on the position/draft control controls the position of the 3 PH.
The 3 PH drop speed is controlled by the rabbit/turtle lever on the RH side of the trans/hydraulic case, alongside the gearcase dip stick and under the draft/position controls.
When I got my 231S used, I too had a gearcase full of milkshake hydraulic fluid. New oil was installed after a filter cleaning along with new shift lever boots. Gearcase oil remains pristine after a couple of years.
The rabbit/turtle control shaft was a bit corroded and needed a dose of PB Blaster which freed it up. It now works fine but seems to have somewhat limited range of movement but does control 3 PH drop rate just fine. Try some PB Blaster on the rabbit/turtle control lever and see if it doesn't free up and work OK. BTW, the rabbit/turtle lever is sensitive so small adjustments are warranted.
I suggest you get your hands on the M-F 1857 139 M1 Operator Manual. There is a wealth of info therein.
The 3 PH drop speed is controlled by the rabbit/turtle lever on the RH side of the trans/hydraulic case, alongside the gearcase dip stick and under the draft/position controls.
When I got my 231S used, I too had a gearcase full of milkshake hydraulic fluid. New oil was installed after a filter cleaning along with new shift lever boots. Gearcase oil remains pristine after a couple of years.
The rabbit/turtle control shaft was a bit corroded and needed a dose of PB Blaster which freed it up. It now works fine but seems to have somewhat limited range of movement but does control 3 PH drop rate just fine. Try some PB Blaster on the rabbit/turtle control lever and see if it doesn't free up and work OK. BTW, the rabbit/turtle lever is sensitive so small adjustments are warranted.
I suggest you get your hands on the M-F 1857 139 M1 Operator Manual. There is a wealth of info therein.
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def38
Platinum Member
I purchased my M-F 231S from
Eddie Knox
Knox Tractor Company
8023 Airline Drive
Houston, Texas 77037
You may want to give them a call. These tractor folks likely have lots of industry contacts that can help you.
Mine doesn't have a rabbit and turtle but has + and - on the drop rate lever on the side of the transmission. It moves freely but doesn't change anything. My next try will be to remove the cover that the lever goes through. Maybe I can see if it's actually attached to anything inside. Maybe it came loose. I just haven't had time to get back to it. Thanks for the info, I might try to give them a call.