Suddenly addicted to our MH50!

George2615 · Oct 25, 2015

Since its gas you should have a choke on the carb with a cable to close it for cold starts. If you have a choke cable check to make sure it closes all the way when you pull the cable.
Can't help with front mounts for attachments. You may find some searching on line or may have to make your own. What kind of attachments are you planning to front mount.

PHPaul · Oct 25, 2015

I suspect your starting problem is one of (or a combination of) two things:

1. Make sure you have a good gas supply to the carb, lines are clear, filter (if any) is clean and a good flow.

2. Make sure the choke is working properly. Don't know about your application specifically, but typically on tractors that old, the choke is just a butterfly plate on the air cleaner side of the carb with a rod or cable opening and closing it.

Is it running good once it does start? Plenty of power, smooth idle, good throttle response?

Ivan49 · Oct 25, 2015

Couple of things to check, make sure your choke is working, use the oil like was suggested, and change your plugs and check the timing. If worst comes to worst hand a light under a cover on it at night or install a block heater. That is a nice looking tractor

snuppaelena · Oct 25, 2015

George2615 said:
Since its gas you should have a choke on the carb with a cable to close it for cold starts. If you have a choke cable check to make sure it closes all the way when you pull the cable.
Can't help with front mounts for attachments. You may find some searching on line or may have to make your own. What kind of attachments are you planning to front mount.

My son and I will look for the choke. We will need it on cold days soon here in North Idaho.

Front mounts: My son has a 4-H steer, and we have horses and goats, I would love to be able to move round bales with a spear, possibly have it as an attachment on a front bucket. For rear attachments, possibly harrow and plowing field.
We often have to pull stumps and would like to have the option of pulling from the front for safety.

snuppaelena · Oct 25, 2015

PHPaul said:
I suspect your starting problem is one of (or a combination of) two things:

1. Make sure you have a good gas supply to the carb, lines are clear, filter (if any) is clean and a good flow.

2. Make sure the choke is working properly. Don't know about your application specifically, but typically on tractors that old, the choke is just a butterfly plate on the air cleaner side of the carb with a rod or cable opening and closing it.

Is it running good once it does start? Plenty of power, smooth idle, good throttle response?

I will locate the choke. The fuel sediment bowl assembly and fuel on/off valve have been newly replaced. Once it starts it has power, sounds smooth and throttle response is good. When we are done we do have to shut off fuel and close the fuel sediment bowl assembly or it will drip gas.

snuppaelena · Oct 25, 2015

Ivan49 said:
Couple of things to check, make sure your choke is working, use the oil like was suggested, and change your plugs and check the timing. If worst comes to worst hand a light under a cover on it at night or install a block heater. That is a nice looking tractor

Ivan, I am looking into a heat lamp to have for the colder days if this continues. Possibly will look into a block heater. We will need the tractor for plowing this winter, the ol Subaru can only handle a few feet of snow!

jimmysisson · Oct 26, 2015

Choke knob is under dash on left side and pulls a rod, not a cable. I had an MH 50 40 years ago. Continental 4 cyl gas. Normally started down to zero in a turn or two. Before winter make sure your ignition system is in too shape, too.
Sounds like a fuel-to-carb problem, or float in carb is set too low and running past. A block heater will help too.
You will like the power. You won't be moving round bales up front unless you get a loader. I'd recommend a 3-point hitch bale spear. That tractor was designed before loaders were so popular. With tire chains that rig will push a lot of snow. Nice to see the old girl.
Jim

snuppaelena · Oct 26, 2015

jimmysisson said:
Choke knob is under dash on left side and pulls a rod, not a cable. I had an MH 50 40 years ago. Continental 4 cyl gas. Normally started down to zero in a turn or two. Before winter make sure your ignition system is in too shape, too.
Sounds like a fuel-to-carb problem, or float in carb is set too low and running past. A block heater will help too.
You will like the power. You won't be moving round bales up front unless you get a loader. I'd recommend a 3-point hitch bale spear. That tractor was designed before loaders were so popular. With tire chains that rig will push a lot of snow. Nice to see the old girl.
Jim

Thank you! We did locate the choke, she started right up yesterday morning when it was 34'F with a slight adjustment of the choke. Good idea on the three point hitch bale spear. My father never removed the chains and they are wearing thin. We removed them and will replace when snow flies. She is a gem. I feel honored to have this Massey!