Ferguson System/Draft Control

Sorry if I am doing this incorrectly by posting again. Let me know if this is a no-no.
OK, we have a 50s TO30. In it's later life the machine was used for pushing snow. The Ferguson System/Draft Control is broken and missing parts. We have included pictures.
We are hoping to be able to use the tractor to pull a single bottom plow, a disc, and a tater plow. We gave the tater plow a go today. It was the easiest to install and I had already smashed my fingers three times. Anyway, the lift arms lift nicely, but is very slow to come down. And it also creeps down on it's own. We may try and add weight or put the disc on. I'm sure that not being used for so long contributes to not working well. That's where we are so far. Oh, I am going to replace the hyd, diff, gear oil. I bought 6 gal of 15W40. Wow, expensive. For some reason my mind was thinking 6 qts, DOH.
Is it safe to try do so without the Ferguson Draft Control system?
If not could some one point me to where I may find the parts?
Thank you very much for your help in advance.
Mike
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In order to make everything work properly you must replace the draft control spring and rod. See how that rod has broken? The spring is also missing. Parts shouldn't be expensive. Personally I'd recommend the expense of getting a shop manual and parts manual from Massey. The Operator's manual is available as a FREE .pdf download from a certain Ford N series tractor club. Google for them and it's listed under manuals.

You can also access the parts book online through agcopartsbook.com your dealer will help you set up an account. It's useful for the exploded parts diagram to help reassemble.

The shop manual is a must because it will show you how to adjust the draft control spring assembly once you've replaced it. The draft control/hitch linkage will not function properly broken. You might have to pull the top cover and that will require a engine hoist.

Hope this helps,


Christos
 
I answered this in the other post. No it isn"t safe at all. No tractor was safe before the Ferguson system. Without a functioning system what happens if the plow hits a big rock? There is no way for the top link to transfer the energy to the front wheels to keep them down with your pieces missing. You could flip it over backwards trying to plow without the system working. Adding weight will only make it worse. The parts you need are available on this site. I would fix it before I used it anymore.
 
Looking at the pictures I d bet the system is full of crap and water.
Why not find a tractor wrecker even if you have to go to UK or Northern Ireland and pick up the whole hydraulic system and include also the hydraulic pump unit which can be overhauled with a new kit
Personally I d be looking for another Fergy say with a seized engine but a good back end if your engine is OK. Just break the tractor open at the clutch housing and replace the oil seal from the gearbox shaft when you re at it
 
Thanks for the answers guys. I have an operator manual and a parts manual. A shop manual would be nice. Jason, I did a repost because I wasn't sure I was explaining my question correctly and I added the pictures to help me as well as whoever answered my questions. Today I connected the potato plow and gave it a go. I didn't realize that a live PTO meant that the clutch had to be engaged for the lift to work as well as the shaft. With the poor performance of the lift, not lowering, it was extremely difficult to drive, watch the plow, and feel safe. Yeah, I need those parts. I haven't had success finding the parts on here but I'll keep trying. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
 
It was ok to repost with the pics. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt using the tractor with a non functioning lift. I wouldn't go looking for a parts tractor just yet. Drain some of the hydraulic fluid out until you can take the side cover off where the dip stick is. Take a look inside and see what you find. Those pumps are tough and pretty forgiving considering the conditions they have to run in. The biggest thing that gets the pumps is if there is water in the hydraulic oil and if it freezes in can bust the pump. If you look inside and it looks ok in there as in you don't see any broken or bent pieces, I would order the parts you need to hook up the draft control spring assembly and then you can test the hydraulics fully. If you look in the upper left hand corner of the page you will see where it says tractor parts. Click on it and select Ferguson TO20 and go to hydraulics and you will see the parts. I saw the yoke and plunger listed, I didn't notice if the spring was on there or not. If it isn't just go to the Ford 9N page and get a spring for a 9N. It will work on the Ferguson. The yoke and plunger more than likely will be 9N parts too since they are aftermarket pieces but Harry Ferguson designed both systems and they are very similar and the draft control spring assembly will work. The bad news is you will have to take the top cover off to install the plunger, it isn't a bad job but make sure you disconnect the control valve before you try to lift the cover off or you will have a broken control valve. But we aren't quite to that step yet and when you are we will gladly walk you thru it. When you get a manual get a reprint of the original Ferguson shop manual. It has tons more information in it than those I&T manuals. But first thing is look inside at the pump and see if you see anything broken or bent. Keep us posted.
 
You are on the right forum. An easy way to find parts is by simply entering the part number into Google search. Many times you will find what you need.

I just entered the Spring part number 180998M1 and the plunger rod part number 181052M1 into Google and immediately found places I could order them. Didn't have such immediate luck with the spacer but I know they are out there.

You will need a service book because you will need to remove the top cover to install the parts. Don't just take out the bolts and pull the cover or you will break your control valve, you must disconnect it from the pump first.

The pictures show what the underside of the top cover on a TO30 looks like.

Dan
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The TO20 as far as I m aware was the same as the Coventry produced TE20
Engines could have been different however.
I live in Western Australia and have 4 Fergies
 
Dan is on the ball mate
I d follow his advice
Lots of spares via UK suppliers like BARECO, SPAREX, AGRILINE,Tractorstoreuk etc
The latter are really competitive price wise
 

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