1951 Farmall M 3 point hitch

MWZad

Member
Good morning guys,

I am looking for some advice on installing a 3 point hitch to my Farmall M. I do have live hydraulics and a 2 way valve off of the hydraulic belly pump. I do have 2 hydraulic lines that run to the back of the tractor on the top of the operators deck. It is a class II hitch with 2 cylinders. I will try to upload some pictures to show the set up I am dealing with. If anyone has had experience with hooking one up or knowledge with the hydraulic set up on the M it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again!

-Mike
 
(quoted from post at 13:35:03 10/06/16) Good morning guys,

I am looking for some advice on installing a 3 point hitch to my Farmall M. I do have live hydraulics and a 2 way valve off of the hydraulic belly pump. I do have 2 hydraulic lines that run to the back of the tractor on the top of the operators deck. It is a class II hitch with 2 cylinders. I will try to upload some pictures to show the set up I am dealing with. If anyone has had experience with hooking one up or knowledge with the hydraulic set up on the M it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again!

-Mike

I also have a three point hitch on a 1951 M,, probably identical set up as you. Works great. Belly pump is not an issue, even with brush hog or finish mower, just gotta remember what makes the pto run. I did think about converting to live hydraulics since I have a 300 with live hyd and it is nice. I nearly pulled the trigger, but I have not found the belly pump an unworkable option. I suppose there are situations live hydraulics would be needed, but for my meager jobs the belly pump does the trick. Not sure what the pressure difference is between belly and live, someone will probably chime in. Can post a pick if ya want,,,,Butch
 

I just reread your post, you have live hydraulics, lucky you. I have two hydraulic lines running to the rear and I hooked my hitch to them, No problems. I will take a picture for ya
 
(quoted from post at 06:23:17 10/06/16)
I just reread your post, you have live hydraulics, lucky you. I have two hydraulic lines running to the rear and I hooked my hitch to them, No problems. I will take a picture for ya

Ok perfect thank you!
 
(quoted from post at 15:21:06 10/06/16)
(quoted from post at 06:23:17 10/06/16)
I just reread your post, you have live hydraulics, lucky you. I have two hydraulic lines running to the rear and I hooked my hitch to them, No problems. I will take a picture for ya

Ok perfect thank you!

41204.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 07:49:18 10/06/16)
(quoted from post at 15:21:06 10/06/16)
(quoted from post at 06:23:17 10/06/16)
I just reread your post, you have live hydraulics, lucky you. I have two hydraulic lines running to the rear and I hooked my hitch to them, No problems. I will take a picture for ya

Ok perfect thank you!

41204.jpg

Perfect! Thank you for the picture, looks great. Which line goes to the top of the cylinder and which one goes to the bottom? Thanks again!
 

I have a couple others, if you want them send me an email and I will forward.

The hitch is a saginaw three point and I believe he no longer makes them, did for I believe 25 years. Great hitch, great service, google and his business will come up
 
He doesnt specify wheather or not he has 'live' hydralics. A spoolvalve hooked to a belly pump can produce two way
hydralics,however they will not be 'live'.I have a SuperH and an M that have two way hyds from a belly pump/spool valve. Just
fasten the belly pump lever to the 'on' position for constant flow. Works satisfactory,you just have to have the clutch engaged
to get hydralics to work. Just like an 8N Ford...
 
Connection on the right goes to the top of the cylinders, of course left to bottom, but I do think the sequence matters, one of the hydraulic pro's will chime in I am sure.
 
Really doesnt matter which line goes where,as long as eech leg of the tee goes to the same port on both cylinders.I like to
hook up so the hitch raises when I pull back on the handle,lowers wqhen I push the handle foreward.
 
I had a dangerous experience, I discovered the things will fold up like a pair of scissors when raised or lowered with a chain and front end loader. BE CAREFUL, keep your helpers hands and arms FAR AWAY from the things when moving them. I almost cuts wife's arms off with one. Use long push poles to position the thing.
 
MW not trying to offend you in any way, but when you say the two way valve is "off" the belly
pump that confuses me! Do you mean that is just the location it is mounted? A live pump mounts
behind the distributor, this is what you have? In general a live pump will reliably provide 1200 psi,
the belly pump about 900.
 
(quoted from post at 10:10:31 10/06/16) MW not trying to offend you in any way, but when you say the two way valve is "off" the belly
pump that confuses me! Do you mean that is just the location it is mounted? A live pump mounts
behind the distributor, this is what you have? In general a live pump will reliably provide 1200 psi,
the belly pump about 900.

Yes the 2 way valve mounted on the top, next to the belt pulley. It has 2 control rods on it. And there is a live pump to the back of the distributor. From there, there is a long think hose that goes to the belly pump. I will try to upload a better picture when I get home.[/img]
 

Do you still have any other available pictures of the hydraulic set up? I installed the 3 point with really no issue just looking to get the plumbing ready so I can have it complete. Thanks!
 
(quoted from post at 16:47:00 02/06/17)
Do you still have any other available pictures of the hydraulic set up? I installed the 3 point with really no issue just looking to get the plumbing ready so I can have it complete. Thanks!

If you are asking me i can get pics if you want.i assume you would like to see vslve anf pump connections, cotrect.
 
(quoted from post at 16:47:00 02/06/17)
Do you still have any other available pictures of the hydraulic set up? I installed the 3 point with really no issue just looking to get the plumbing ready so I can have it complete. Thanks!

If you are asking me i can get pics if you want.i assume you would like to see vslve anf pump connections, cotrect.
 

dunno why pics are so large, I resized, something farkeled.

The larger line on the left of the valve goes to the belly pump right side as sitting on tractor. The other two from the valve obviously go to the rear three point hitch hydraulic lines. Hope this helps
 
(quoted from post at 10:31:47 02/06/17)
dunno why pics are so large, I resized, something farkeled.

The larger line on the left of the valve goes to the belly pump right side as sitting on tractor. The other two from the valve obviously go to the rear three point hitch hydraulic lines. Hope this helps

Great thank you for the pictures. It looks a lot like my set up so far. I will have to take some pictures tomorrow in the daylight and share them with you. I believe off the top of my head I do not have a hose going to the belly pump. I have the 2 line sets that go to the rear and I think they both come from the 2 way valve, but I will double check
 

ok, glad they helped and I am pleased you have a valve on your tractor, kinda spendy if you have to get one. If you have a valve, I would imagine the larger line from the valve to the belly pump may be there, hope it works for ya
 
(quoted from post at 11:31:21 02/06/17)
ok, glad they helped and I am pleased you have a valve on your tractor, kinda spendy if you have to get one. If you have a valve, I would imagine the larger line from the valve to the belly pump may be there, hope it works for ya

Sparky70, I have the same set up as your tractor. One more question, with the two line sets on the end before you changed over to new equipment. I have both old IH couplers, what do I need to for a male side to connect them to the old style or it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you again for all the help!
 
(quoted from post at 23:41:52 02/06/17)
(quoted from post at 11:31:21 02/06/17)
ok, glad they helped and I am pleased you have a valve on your tractor, kinda spendy if you have to get one. If you have a valve, I would imagine the larger line from the valve to the belly pump may be there, hope it works for ya

Sparky70, I have the same set up as your tractor. One more question, with the two line sets on the end before you changed over to new equipment. I have both old IH couplers, what do I need to for a male side to connect them to the old style or it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you again for all the help!

Well first of all you have me mixed up with a pro, there are several folks here that know far more bout hydraulics than me, but if I were you, I would take my coupler (or a pic) to a tractor dealer and spend some time over the counter.

OR

which may be easier, take a pic of what ya got and post here, if I cannot help I am sure someone will.

Sound reasonable???? BTW, you have a nice looking M
 
(quoted from post at 16:25:09 02/06/17)
(quoted from post at 23:41:52 02/06/17)
(quoted from post at 11:31:21 02/06/17)
ok, glad they helped and I am pleased you have a valve on your tractor, kinda spendy if you have to get one. If you have a valve, I would imagine the larger line from the valve to the belly pump may be there, hope it works for ya

Sparky70, I have the same set up as your tractor. One more question, with the two line sets on the end before you changed over to new equipment. I have both old IH couplers, what do I need to for a male side to connect them to the old style or it really doesn't matter that much? Thank you again for all the help!

Well first of all you have me mixed up with a pro, there are several folks here that know far more bout hydraulics than me, but if I were you, I would take my coupler (or a pic) to a tractor dealer and spend some time over the counter.

OR

which may be easier, take a pic of what ya got and post here, if I cannot help I am sure someone will.

Sound reasonable???? BTW, you have a nice looking M
45362.jpg
 

Those are the same IH connectors I have on my 300. Standard hydraulic line male connectors should fit that. I added a hydraulic log splitter to the fleet and the male connectors fit in there fine.

Your set up is far more enhanced than mine, you have live hydraulics, thats a nice touch. Be nice if you ever decide to add power steering.

Nice looking M
 

Yes, good up close pics.[/quote]

Ok perfect thank you! Do you know what size connectors they are? I measured them yesterday and can't remember now I think .5"?
 

Not off the top, headed to Dr appt. You should not have an issue finding male connectors. Tractor supply has a host of preassembled hoses you may opt to use. Good luck
 

Not off the top, headed to Dr appt. You should not have an issue finding male connectors. Tractor supply has a host of preassembled hoses you may opt to use. Good luck
 
(quoted from post at 09:15:22 02/08/17)
Not off the top, headed to Dr appt. You should not have an issue finding male connectors. Tractor supply has a host of preassembled hoses you may opt to use. Good luck

So I first have to say thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way with this project. I finally got around to get the hydraulic lines plumbed on the tractor. I came off both quick connects with a t fitting then ran a left and right line to the upper connection of each cylinder, then off the other t fitting ran a left and right line to the lower connections of both cylinders. Topped off the hydraulic system with 3 plus quarts of 30w. I started the tractor, let it warm up and tried moving both hydraulic rods and no movement on the 3 point hitch. One of the controls pulled the motor down, guessing thats the down pressure? At this point I am totally lost.... I don't know if I have to fill the hydraulic cylinders with fluid? I am not sure if I have the system plumbed the correct way? I took two pictures of my set up and hopefully you guys can give me some kind of input? Thank you again!
45870.jpg
 
So today I decided to give it another try. I am able to get lift up but no down pressure. Neither power down or float down. If I switch the line sets to the couplers on the tractor I can get the 3 point to lower back down but cannot get it to raise without switching the couplers over to the original position. My only control that works is my rod off of my two way valve and not the original long rod that is attached to the belly pump. I'm guessing there maybe something wrong with the 2way valve?
 

Boy I sure do not know from here, but why did you use 30W oil?

I have two levers on my M, the bottom pulls back to engage and the other raises and lowers the system. Not having live hydraulics my clutch has to be disengaged.

Did the hydraulics work prior to your piping? Dunno how long you have had the tractor, but I normally change ALL fluids if I buy a used machine. I only use hydraulic oil in the pump. You may need to put a gauge on it and see if you have pressure.

OR

I am a pure shade tree and do not care to spend allot of cash, so if it were me I would but a male connector in the IH female dual outlets and see if fluid comes out when you activate the levers.....assuming you never had the system working prior to.

told ya I am a shade tree. Flow meters and pressure test can get speendy quick if you have to call someone in.
 
(quoted from post at 16:05:43 02/21/17)
or just disconnect the hoses to your hydraulic cylinders and catch the oil in a can

Thanks for the reply back! Yes I changed al the fluids in the pump with 6 quarts of 30w. I does the lift cylinder off the belly pump have to be in a certain position? For the system to work? If I get lift on on coupler pairing I do not get down pressure. Then when I swap out couplers I get down pressure but no lift. The only control that makes any movement is the smaller rod with the bend in it off of the two way valve. The lift/lower is really strong movement so I am happy with that but for some reason it seems like the fluid is only going one way I'm thinking? Thanks again for the help! I'm trying to find someone in my area with knowledge about these systems but I'm having a very hard time. Thanks again!
-Mike
 

from your description, sounds like flow in one direction to me

someone in the local area would be best, hope it works out
 

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