Massey 65 field find -- going to try and get her running and working

[Cecil Stults]

Ok I did not see that you already had it running. Never mind my 2cents.

 

[The kid]

Nice find. A really nice find. I'm sure you should be able to find sheet metal for it in the many salvage yards throughout the U.S. Try to salvage that seat base. They are very rare option not many bought. Who ever put it in the barn must have run it out of gas before abandonment. Good thing too. Round yourself up a service manual and dig in. Keep us posted on your progress. -kid

 

[GPintheMitten]

That "dried up" hydraulic oil looks like dirt and dust collected on the oil. I would power wash it. If you feel like it, scrape some of the sludge off first, then power wash it, being careful not to get water inside where it doesn't belong.

And if me, I'ld focus on all mechanical systems before worring too much about paint or seat. Heck, just put on old pillow under your butt for awhile.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the help, guys. I hesitated when writing the subject as a field find... it is the benevolence of my friend to "donate" this tractor to me. I am going to sell my 8N to pay him back once this is up and running and reliable for winter (hopefully I can get it to that point before the snow hits).

I purchased the owners manual -- lots of good info in there. Thanks for the advice on power washing. I live out on some beautiful acreage and don't want to get too much of this gunk all over my ground so I will try to scrape it first. We have a septic system so I really try to limit what goes down a drain here.

Actually, that leads me to a good question, when you guys scrape off paint, power wash, etc. do you just let the oil and gunk go to the ground or do you try to keep everything limited to a certain area?

 

[aczlan]

When you pick it up, take it to the local carwash on the way home. $5 and all the oil does down their drain and into their oil/water separator.

Aaron Z

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks for the help, guys. I hesitated when writing the subject as a field find... it is the benevolence of my friend to "donate" this tractor to me. I am going to sell my 8N to pay him back once this is up and running and reliable for winter (hopefully I can get it to that point before the snow hits).

I purchased the owners manual -- lots of good info in there. Thanks for the advice on power washing. I live out on some beautiful acreage and don't want to get too much of this gunk all over my ground so I will try to scrape it first. We have a septic system so I really try to limit what goes down a drain here.

Actually, that leads me to a good question, when you guys scrape off paint, power wash, etc. do you just let the oil and gunk go to the ground or do you try to keep everything limited to a certain area?

Good to pay your friend something after you sell your 8N. I suspect after his wife died, he just isn't motivated. You might try and help him around his place instead of or in addition to money.

Good advice on stopping at a car wash on the way home.

I power wash stuff away from the well head, but I don't typically have a lot of oilly stuff when washing. I don't pour old oil on the ground but I'm not too worried about an oily film when washing.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Good call on the carwash -- I didn't even think of that! Agreed GP, thanks.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

This won't be happening for a while if ever. Rented the trailer for $68 this past Friday. They hooked up the trailer and all connections and off we drove. Got the tractor loaded up and drove off -- the trailer disconnected from the hitch (it is likely it was never latch on to the ball fully) 1/2 mile down the road and nearly flipped the vehicle we were in. Went into the oncoming lane of traffic and rolled the trailer with the tractor on it. Luckily no one was hurt.

The tractor has loader frame damage, and least one of the front spindles is bent, and the radiator, air filter are shot, and steering wheel. What concerns me the most is the bent loader frame -- I'm not sure how you can fix that.

Surprisingly the trailer just had dented fenders and was in good shape. They flipped it and drove it back to the rental shop.

 

[The kid]

That is crazy. Amazing no one was hurt. Wish you well with your near miss recovery. Bummer on the tractor. I see an insurance battle on the horizon. Good luck.

 

[LiveRoll]

I'd hate to say it, but perhaps loading the tractor backwards onto the trailer may have saved you, it looks like the majority of the weight is behind the rear trailer axle and may have actually been lifting on the trailer hitch as you were pulling it. I always always back my medium weight tractors onto the trailer to put some weight onto the trailer. Thankfully no one got hurt, it could have been a terrible wreck.

Cheers

Roger