MF 204 work bull reverseomatic - stuck motor

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I purchased a non-running MF 204 work bull with the reverseomatic transmission.

SN: A 340967 and a 101 102 loader.

It also came with a back hoe attachment.

Owner reported the motor died and won't turn over.

I checked for the tranny selector being stuck, but that appears to refer to the 3 speed gearbox and not the reverseomatic.

Both sticks operate freely and hit their respective neutral positions - tractor rolls fine.

He said he pulled the starter and it checked out fine. He also took out the spark plugs and it still did not turn over.

Are there any other items that would stop the motor from turning other than a seised motor?

Thank you in advance

 

[boomer1025]

Any gear driven hyd pumps on the engine ?

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

From what I'm told, there can be up to 4 pumps on this machine?

Power steering, rear lift arms, hydrostatic pump for tranny, pump for loader.

 

[radios1]

it may be just a problem with the starting circuit. the starter needs to get 12volts on the large terminal, and on the solenoid, you can see if the motor is seized by putting a socket and ratchet on the flywheel and trying to turn it over, there is also tow starting that can be tried, sometimes that successfully will free a seized engine. if this has an HST, you may have to go fast enough to engage it..

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

it may be just a problem with the starting circuit. the starter needs to get 12volts on the large terminal, and on the solenoid, you can see if the motor is seized by putting a socket and ratchet on the flywheel and trying to turn it over, there is also tow starting that can be tried, sometimes that successfully will free a seized engine. if this has an HST, you may have to go fast enough to engage it..

I will be testing this theory this weekend. He smoked the starter solenoid, so I picked up a new one.

Once installed I'll check and see what happens.

The only problem is, he said it died while in use and then wouldn't turn over? He also said he pulled the starter and it checked out.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I took the starter off because I didn't hear the gear slamming forward.
Found it to be all the way out.
If I rotated it, the gear would retract.
Hooked to a 200 amp battery charger and it spins fine.
Taking starter to the rebuild shop to see if it is in correct working order.

 

[boomer1025]

Dave does the motor turn over by hand ? I wouldn't worry about the starter till you can get the motor to turn over.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Dave does the motor turn over by hand ? I wouldn't worry about the starter till you can get the motor to turn over.

No real good place to check, that I can see, until I pull the front hydraulic pump off.
Plus, if the pump is locked up, I think it would stop the motor? Pretty sure shaft driven, mechanically linked to crank.

Tried turning motor through the starter hole but didn't get much leverage.

Since it's hydrostatic, putting it in gear and pushing the rear tire didn't work.
Rotating the PTO didn't either, should have expected that really - lol.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Starter repair shop said starter is working fine.
I removed the front pump and it is not locked up.

The oil pan appears to be more than a pan. Was going to pop it off quick and check the motor bottom end.

Interesting design - youtube video I found (for a different MF model) makes it look like it can slide out if the tractor is supported with jacks on both ends?

 

[radios1]

Starter repair shop said starter is working fine.
I removed the front pump and it is not locked up.

The oil pan appears to be more than a pan. Was going to pop it off quick and check the motor bottom end.

Interesting design - youtube video I found (for a different MF model) makes it look like it can slide out if the tractor is supported with jacks on both ends?

don't rely on just jacks, use jack stands too, just in case the jacks decide to lower by themselves!. it DOES happen!..