New Massey Furguson owner from Texas

[plasticglock]

Recently purchased 50 acres in East Texas. Place was a hay farm, so I'll be building fences for a while.

Purchased a Massey Ferguson 261, 1997 production, with a MF front end loader, box blade, and 6' cutter. The tractor only has 177 hours on it, but has sun damage. It starts instantly when you crank it with no smoke so I feel like its solid. It runs and everything works fine but I am concerned that it may not have had maintenance in many years.

I am considering doing everything that would be included in a 50 hour, and the 250 hour service. I downloaded a manual and a parts manual so I can see what they recommend, but I do have a few questions.

1. The transmission and hydraulic system shows in the manual to use engine oil. Shows the same weight recommendations based on outside temperature. I was under the impression I should use a specific hydraulic oil? Can anyone comment on this?

2. Do you think it would be ok to use it to work on the driveway with just an oil change? I need to have some slag or rock brought in asap due to mud holes. I would just need the loader to spread it around. I will do the rest of the maintenance after but need to get the driveway improved asap.


Thanks ahead of time! I've had fun reading this forum for the past few months researching tractors.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder

Enjoy the site. There will be someone along who'll be able to assist you... or Catherine will shift your post over to the MF forum.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[Snobdds]

Welcome to the massy club.

This PDF might be of some use to you...

http://www.boonetractor.com/subpages/parts/mflube.pdf

 

[plasticglock]

Thanks for the welcomes, and thanks for the link Snobdds!

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome:

I'm going to move this thread over to our Massey Ferguson section for you. :tractor:

 

[Wagtail]

See! I told'ya she'd be by... Hi Catherine :wave:.

 

[Jonohio]

If it were me, I'd get it nice and warm to get out any moisture and then do a full fluid change.

 

[TSO]

Congrats, welcome to the MF'ing crowd

 

[PatrickS2222]

G'day, also from Down under, and :welcome: again! :laughing:
Just thought I'd let you know I'm green with envy at your luck - a 261 with such low hours! :thumbsup:
Sun-damaged? Maybe a light cut&polish over the bonnet will work wonders.

You've certainly got the right idea - maintenance is important. That said, after only 177 hours work it's just run-in, so realistically about the only issue would be the age of filters and fluids. Jono is correct - it's best to drain oils after having done some work, so everything's stirred up and warm which helps get rid of foreign matter, moisture, metal dust etc. Be aware oil may be really hot - enough to burn your skin.
Change the engine oil and filter, do the bit of priority work you mentioned, then carry out the remaining service items. Try to drain the transmission oil after a day's work, and let it drain overnight. Change all the filters - including fuel and air filters. Each is as important as all the others. Also, don't forget to renew coolant/anti-freeze - often overlooked, as well as checking hoses, belts and radiator cap condition.

Service and maintain this tractor and you'll get a lot of satisfaction from owning and working it. It will go forever.
Mine are all a lot older than yours, and have probably 50x the hours, and they're still wearing their work-wear! :drink: