3-Point Hitch Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility Tractor Front end Loader

jvb · Jan 2, 2015

I recently bought a 1960's vintage Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility tractor; front end loader. Everything worked fine until the 3 point hitch started acting up. It works sometimes and some time not. The slider control on the right side works sometimes. What is the knob and other piece on the control about? Do they need some kind of adjustment? I'm not sure how the 3 point hitch is powered. I don't see any hydraulic lines running to it. I'd appreciate any advice some one has to offer.

bucktaker · Jan 2, 2015

do you have a valve near your right leg under the seat? that valve if present could be in the wrong position.. Most utlilties came with a front pump mounted off the crank for the loader

jvb · Jan 3, 2015

There are 2 slider controls that come out from under the seat on the right side. One is marked Position and the other Draft. I can't get the Draft slider to move. A week ago when I had the problem I managed to move it slightly and next morning the 3 point hitch worked. Was it just coincidence or do I have to get the draft slider to move; ie is that the root of my problem?

SIMassey · Jan 3, 2015

jvb said:
I recently bought a 1960's vintage Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility tractor; front end loader. Everything worked fine until the 3 point hitch started acting up. It works sometimes and some time not. The slider control on the right side works sometimes. What is the knob and other piece on the control about? Do they need some kind of adjustment? I'm not sure how the 3 point hitch is powered. I don't see any hydraulic lines running to it. I'd appreciate any advice some one has to offer.

Do you have any hydraulic levers on top of the transmission between the shift levers and the seat between your legs?

doxford jim · Jan 3, 2015

I would recommend you buy yourself a manual for that tractor. You can buy them at

Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Parts and Online Community

I am not sure of the full details of the TPH mechanism, but I do remember a hydraulic filter that is inside the housing (below the driver seat) on my old MF65 - so I assume your setup will be the same. Maybe finding and cleaning the filter will help - it sure won't do any harm.

OldMcDonald · Jan 3, 2015

jvb, I am not familiar with the particular model you have, but the basic operation of the two levers is as follows:

Position control means that the implement (or empty link arms) is in the position set by this lever - up, down or somewhere in between.

Draft Control automatically varies the implement position in order to maintain a traction power that is constant.

The draft control lever should be in the fully "up" position for the position control to work properly. If you cannot move this easily then identify the problem and fix it. Having the FEL on the ground and unable to raise it is quite a problem. The tpl as invented by Harry Ferguson did not have external rams to activate the lift arms.

If I remember correctly (and it was a very long time ago) a certain sequence of moving the two levers meant that the position control did not work at all if the draft was in the down position. Back is up, forward is down.

To be honest I never quite got the hang of operating draft controls to a high degree of competency. I always seem to set it to a depth that suits only part of the area I am working. Like many people I often rely on simply raising or lowering the implement via the position control, although I do use the draft at times, particularly with implements such as a sickle-bar type mower where the skid plate runs along the ground. Pushing both levers forward means that the implement "floats" on the ground. It is also possible to "mix" the control - slightly complicated but useful if ploughing land that has very light areas in it and where the plough might engage deeper than is necessary, or you want it.

There is a lot of info on the web about how these levers operate, but some of the articles are not well structured and assume that the reader has a grasp of the technicalities and language of tractor engineers.

SIMassey · Jan 3, 2015

jvb said:
I recently bought a 1960's vintage Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility tractor; front end loader. Everything worked fine until the 3 point hitch started acting up. It works sometimes and some time not. The slider control on the right side works sometimes. What is the knob and other piece on the control about? Do they need some kind of adjustment? I'm not sure how the 3 point hitch is powered. I don't see any hydraulic lines running to it. I'd appreciate any advice some one has to offer.

I believe I can help you. I have a 135 with a loader which is the successor to the 35. Massey hydraulics can be complicated when trying to run a loader and three point hitch. Some of what I write here is very basic info and not meant to insult anyone. The solution to your problem could be very simple. All hydraulic levers must be in the correct positions for everything to work properly.

First, is the trans fluid to the correct level. Dipstick is on right side of the differential by your heal when in the seat. You did not mention anything about loader operation, so it's hard to comment on those hookups.

Second, you may have a two stage clutch. Push down part way, you should feel spot that feels softer,this stops power to the rear wheels. Push down all the way to the floorboard and this stops power to the PTO and hydraulic pump.

You may have an auxiliary valve on top the transmission in front of the seat between your legs. If it is a two spool valve, the left lever has to be pulled and held by the detent to operate the three point. The right lever needs to be centered. Right lever can be used to operate a loader or other implements. Draft lever needs to be pulled all the way back and position lever in the constant pumping position. Three point and auxiliary can be operated separately and not at the same time.

You may have a diverter valve in place of the before mentioned auxiliary valve. This must be shifted in the correct position to operate the three point or other implement. When in the three point position, both draft and position lever need to be in the transport position to raise the three point.

If you have a separate hydraulic system running the loader with a front pump, it may be a more serious problem.

Post back and let us know how you make out.

SIMassey

Al 2 · Jan 3, 2015

I don't know much about the hydraulics but have owned a 35 for 30 years and have had a couple of problems with the hydraulics that were easily fixed by someone who knew a bit about them. If you haven't already, I would suggest you change the hydraulic fluid so you know what you are working with. I think there is a hydraulic filter in the housing under the seat accessible from one of the side cover plates. If there happens to be a lot of water in the oil, it may work to some degree in the summer but will freeze up in colder temperatures. Big Dean was a MF mechanic for years and was a wealth of knowledge but has passed on . He had made some videos about MF tractors and repairs . Search him out and you may find more info about your tractor..
Al

jvb · Jan 5, 2015

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. Your information has been very helpful. I definitely need to change the oil in the transmission. Found myself a manual online and printed it so I could actually read it comfortably instead of having to peer at a computer screen to study it. I can't actually work on it much these days. I don't have a heated shop and its been -35 degrees Celsius up here the last couple of days. Fortunately we haven't had a lot of snow yet and haven't had to use my snow-blower attachment yet much; chained it in the up position so I could take the tractor into the back bush and cut wood. The front end loader bucket is handy for bringing out cut up logs; the front hydraulics work fine; it has its own pump on the front.

SIMassey · Jan 5, 2015

jvb said:
Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. Your information has been very helpful. I definitely need to change the oil in the transmission. Found myself a manual online and printed it so I could actually read it comfortably instead of having to peer at a computer screen to study it. I can't actually work on it much these days. I don't have a heated shop and its been -35 degrees Celsius up here the last couple of days. Fortunately we haven't had a lot of snow yet and haven't had to use my snow-blower attachment yet much; chained it in the up position so I could take the tractor into the back bush and cut wood. The front end loader bucket is handy for bringing out cut up logs; the front hydraulics work fine; it has its own pump on the front.

Now that we know you have a separate system for the loader, I have to believe the only levers that control the the hydraulics are the position a draft levers on the right hand side of the seat. Having the temperature swings we have had from fall to winter may point to water in the oil. If there is a filter screen in the 35 it may be frozen and restricting flow to the pump. Hopefully there is not enough water to freeze and cause more damage elsewhere. First warm up get it drained! Getting that draft and position freed up will be key for proper full three point operation also.

jvb · Jan 13, 2015

It's beginning to warm up here in Manitoba, Canada. I've been talking to my local mechanic guy who thinks his uncle owned a tractor like mine years ago. His uncle isn't around anymore but his Dad is. He was supposed to get back to me on what kind of oil goes into the transmission, but I haven't heard back and assume his elderly father isn't sure about the type of oil. I have a copy of the original service manual but can't find spec's on the type of oil I need. The 3 point hitch hydraulics are contained in the transmission and are separate from the hydraulics that operate the front loader. Can anyone out there tell me what type of oil I need?

jvb · Jan 14, 2015

Can anyone tell me where I can get an Instruction Book for my Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility Tractor Front end Loader. I have the original MF 35 Service Manual. In trying to determine the type of oil that goes into the transmission the manual keeps referring me to the Instruction Book. I know the capacity is 6.6 Imperial gallons (30.28 L). The transmission has an hydraulic system contained with in it that runs the 3 point hitch. Most sites online I go to offer service manuals but I can't find anything like instruction books.

jvb · Jan 14, 2015

My factory service manual directs me to the instruction book(owner/operator's manual?) when trying to determine the type of oil I need in my transmission. The transmission has an hydraulic pump within it that powers the 3 pt hitch. Anyone know where I can download one for free? I also need ignition parts. I found what I need on Antique Tractors - Yesterday's Tractors : Parts and Online Community but they do not ship outside of the USA. I'm up in Canada. Anyone no of an alternative site that does?

Xfaxman · Jan 14, 2015

jvb said:
I recently bought a 1960's vintage Massey Ferguson MF 35 Utility tractor; front end loader. Everything worked fine until the 3 point hitch started acting up. It works sometimes and some time not. The slider control on the right side works sometimes. What is the knob and other piece on the control about? Do they need some kind of adjustment? I'm not sure how the 3 point hitch is powered. I don't see any hydraulic lines running to it. I'd appreciate any advice some one has to offer.

Lots of good info in this Forum, in case you have not seen it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/massey-ferguson-classic-vintage/

SIMassey · Jan 15, 2015

jvb said:
It's beginning to warm up here in Manitoba, Canada. I've been talking to my local mechanic guy who thinks his uncle owned a tractor like mine years ago. His uncle isn't around anymore but his Dad is. He was supposed to get back to me on what kind of oil goes into the transmission, but I haven't heard back and assume his elderly father isn't sure about the type of oil. I have a copy of the original service manual but can't find spec's on the type of oil I need. The 3 point hitch hydraulics are contained in the transmission and are separate from the hydraulics that operate the front loader. Can anyone out there tell me what type of oil I need?

Just looked at Big Dean Austin's website yesterday on another issue and he states that older MF tractors prior to the 100 series should use a 80 / 90 weight mineral oil in the transmission / differential with a Massey spec of m1103. He further states that m1129a could be used if the hydraulics are in good shape. He also mentioned using the m1129a in winter and draining it, saving it, and using m1103 in the summer. Then reusing the same m1129a again next winter if the oil is clean.

jvb · Jan 15, 2015

Definitely a lot of good info in the Forum but not what I'm looking for as to the exact type of oil, but thanks for pointing me in that direction.

jvb · Jan 15, 2015

Thank you, Thank you . The info is exactly what I need as to the type of oil I need and also answers a question I had in the back of mind about winter/ summer viscosity differences . Perhaps a synthetic grade of transmission oil is available these days so I won't have to change the transmission oil seasonally. I use it in my 1991 Toyota 4x4 to save on wear and tear of the various internal gears. Regular oil doesn't really become effective till the various gears heat up which they probably do when there is insufficient lubrication. Please send me a link to Big Dean Austin's website if you don't mind and Thank you again.