Massey 50 Hydraulics

Hello. I own a Massey Ferguson 50 high arch row crop. My Dad bought it 30 years ago and has been used every year that we've had it to put in hay. I rebuilt the motor about 10 years ago and other than a steering issue I've never had any trouble with the tractor. Until now. The other day I started it up to go put a bale of hay in and when I walked away from it I heard a loud boom. I found the lift arms came up and it split the top housing cover under the seat. It split it between the 4 nuts that have studs coming up through the housing. I haven't taken it apart yet because I've never been inside this part of the tractor and I'm reading as much as I can and gaining as much info as I can on how to fix it. I have read it's either a faulty relief valve and or out of adjustment. The relief valve should be no problem but I can't find anything on how to adjust it so it doesn't happen again. I can buy a new bare housing for 300. How hard is it to take the guts out of one and put in the new one? Thanks for any help I can get.

The relief valve is threaded into the hydraulic pump, replace it to prevent it from happening again. Valve is not adjustable, and is most likely stuck closed.

there is an excellent video available from this site

Ok. Thank you. Where do I find this video. I tried finding it. I'm using my phone because my computer is down and am having a hard time navigating around with my phone. Thanks again. I'm hoping it was just a stuck relief valve. Is the fee any way after I get it apart to be able to tell if it was or is stuck.

Hello. to add a little to what Dieseltech has said;
You can slacken the four nuts on the top of the cover but do not attempt to remove the cylinder without first removing the hydraulic cover. Yes, the relief may have seized in the closed position but it could also be due to the fact that someone has re-adjusted or removed the Position Control lever stop screw on the quadrant. At the top end of the slot there should be a 1/4" unf screw and nut with a thick flat washer on it for the lever to make contact with. These screws are removed or adjusted incorrectly to gain more height on the three-point linkage. The result of this is that the ram arm makes contact with the casing and pushes against it with full pressure. Either the casing will eventually break or the cylinder will try to break free from the cover. The adjustments MUST be carried out correctly to ensure that the system is placed in neutral before 'lock-up' occurs. This is done by setting the stop screw. When correctly set you should be able to lift by hand the lower lift arms a further one to one and a half inches when fully raised by the hydraulic system. You may have wear in the 3-point which is another issue that should be corrected.
Let us know how you get on.
DavidP, South Wales

On this website go to Market place,tractor parts,dvd,massey.hydraulic repair. $24 plus shipping. It is very informative. If it worked here is a link.
Steven
dvd