55 Massey Harris model 22 - wont pull

jdu007 · Sep 6, 2017

I have a 1955 Massey Harris Model 22 that has been working fine all summer. I was using a brush hog to clear about an acre of tall grass (about 2 to 3 feet tall - not heavy) and things were going fine. I got to the end of the row and turned around to come back up a slight grade and the tractor would not pull itself back up. Not a hill, a very slight grade, maybe 1 foot rise every 15 ft. I disengaged the PTO to the brush hog...no improvement. I tried to go in reverse and it backed up about 3 feet and stopped moving (engine sounds like it is running fine the whole time). I tried 1st, 2nd and 3rd forward gears...it moved forward about 2 feet and stopped moving. I could push on the tire treads and tell the tractor wanted to move, almost like it was trying but couldn't. Got an ATV and pulled the tractor back up to the barn. Unhooked the brush hog. When I put the tractor in 1st gear and release the clutch it hesitates for approx 2 seconds and then starts slowing moving forward. It moves forward on flat ground okay but if I try to go up the slightest grade the tractor quits moving. It cannot even attempt to pull an attachment now. The engine sounds normal - no sputtering, doesn't sound bogged down...just wont move.
I thought it was a transmission problem but my son thought since it has a manual transmission and goes into gear fine that it could be a power issue with the engine. I don't know how to test that. I did replace the 4 spark plugs. One does look oil fouled (#4 I think). I cleaned the distributor cap and rotor. I checked the point gap - set at .020. Not sure how to check timing. After plug replacement and checking points I still have the same symptoms. Any ideas? Thanks!

TnAndy · Sep 6, 2017

Sounds like a clutch issue......as in it's gone. Engine running fine, power not transferring to the transmission.

Any oil leaking at the engine/transmission joint ? Leaking rear main seal could 'wet' the clutch to the point it won't work.

jdu007 · Sep 6, 2017

Thanks TnAndy - well there are some minor leaks all over but ironically not at the engine/transmission joint. On the MH model 22 it looks like I have a short drive shaft behind the transmission going into the differential housing. I'm a little confused on the naming because the clutch pedal operates a lever that goes into the transmission assembly mounted right behind the engine but the gear selector for forward and reverse gears goes into the differential housing...I would have thought the gear selector function would have been in the transmission??. It looks like I may be able to remove the short driveshaft and then remove the transmission from the engine. I've been looking online and keep hearing about splitting the tractor? Can't find a lot if info specifically in the MH model 22.

WilliamTO-35 · Sep 9, 2017

I agree it does sound like a clutch problem. The hesitation after you release the clutch pedal is a sign . I had a clutch problem in my Ferguson
TO-35 several years ago. In that case, the clutch suddenly would not disengage , and I stuck the front end loader through my garage door before I could push the gear shift lever out of gear. I solved the problem by spraying some solvent up into the clutch and flywheel from below, and it unstuck the clutch. It was probably due to oil leaking from the rear engine oil seal. I haven't had any more problems for at least 15 years. You might try the solvent spray approach if you don't find an obvious mechanical failure, such as broken clutch to flywheel bolts. I don't know much about the MH 22 tractor, but it may have some special feature that has failed, and might even be an easy fix.

jdu007 · Sep 9, 2017

Thank you William TO-35. I appreciate the info.

be0354 · Oct 10, 2017

This sounds like the clutch is slipping, not fully engaging. Might be an adjustment, but more likely worn out. The clutch is in the bell housing on the rear of the engine, in front of the drive shaft connected to transmission.