MF 50 info

I am looking at a MF50 diesel tractor.dont know year but has the split grill. Power steering,4 speed with Hi/lo. good tin and fair paint.Good rear tires. Not run in 4 years. What to look for as far as weak points or high wear areas. what would be a fair price for this machine if running? Thanks,Jim.

Inspection Checklist when buying a MF tractor:
1) On the bottom of the clutch (bell) housing there is a weep hole. It should have a cotter pin head sticking down: twist it around and check there for leaks. A little dampness around the weep hole is acceptable but there should not be a steady drip of oil. If the cotter pin head is not there, insert a pointed tool in the hole and move it around to make sure it is not plugged. A plugged weep hole can conceal very expensive transmission leaks.
2) Bring the tractor to normal operating temperature by letting it idle for a few minutes then speed it up about 1500 RPM. There should not be any blue smoke coming from the exhaust.
3) Place a load on the three-point (the heavier the better), raise it up and shut off the engine. It will probably come down slowly. This is normal but it shouldn't fall steadily. This check is best performed when the hydraulic oil at normal operation temperature (i.e. hot).
4) Shake the rear wheels sideways to check if the axles are tight. Also check for any signs of a leakage right behind the wheels.
5) With live power the clutch should stop the tractor half way down and the PTO should still be turning. The PTO should stop when you push the clutch all the way down. With the independent PTO, it is best to get the transmission oil close to operating temperature. With something hooked to the PTO engage the PTO. It should start to turn immediately. If it hesitates that is a good sign the clutches or the seals are bad.
6) Check the hydraulic fluid level using the dipstick. The level should be within range.
7) Check the color of the hydraulic fluid: if the fluid is white or light gray this means the fluid has water in it.
8) Check the oil & coolant levels & be sure to check for coolant leaks or major oil leaks.
9) Check that the brakes have a good pedal and stop the tractor. If not, repair could be costly.
10) For the MF50, the power steering cylinder is located behind the grill. If it hasn't been cleaned up it will be covered with oil and dirt. Look for any “clean” spots which are caused by leaks. There should not be any visible oil there.
Thanks to Big Dean Austin for these tips.

Thanks for the points to check. I have made an offer on the machine and will wait for the reply. Jim.

You are very welcome. Good luck!