Questions About MM RTU

I have this MM RTU, and today when I was out looking at it today, I noticed that it had an interesting Hyrdolic setup on it, and I was wondering if it was a factory option, or an add on??

I don't currently have a good picture of the tractor, but I edited one online so that you can see what I am talking about!!!

On the left side of the engine, kind of towards the bottom, there is a 2 way valve set up (up and down) then there is a lever that runs up to where the steering wheel is, and there is a flat plate. the plate says (from left to right in a half moon pattern) UP - NEUTRAL - DOWN - SAFETY

There is ONE line running from the 2 way valve along the top of the transmission to the back of the tractor (right above where the PTO comes out) and then the line just ends with a female.

When I got the tractor, the previous owner and I had to un hook a JD No. 5 mower from it, he said that it was a dedicated mowing tractor for a diary operation, and that the mower had been on it for as long as he could remember. He said that the little knob thing under the steering wheel controlled the mower, which makes sense me.. Rather than using it as a lift system or something on the tractor, they were running it as a remote!

Soooo, is this a factory option?? I have been trying to do a bunch of research, but I am not really finding anything?? The tractor is REALLY rough... I will see if I can get a good picture of the system tomorrow, but for now, here is the drawing!!!

Red = Where the pump is
Black = The line
Blue = The control rod/panel

Thanks for any info!!! Bryce

I think MM used that set up in the mid to later 1940's. It is factory, and from what I have heard it uses engine oil to operate, so there has to be the correct amount in the crankcase. It runs off of two lobes on the camshaft. If you post a picture on the MM forum Im sure there will be someone on there that has more info.

I am a Case guy, and not knoledgable on MM tractors, but this 1940 RTU was bought new in 1940 by a neighbor and still runs like a top.
I bought it about a month ago and drove it home. about three miles. The last it had been run was 2005+-. It will start on 3rd-5 flop of the crank. No electric starter.
It has no hydraulics.
Debating on keeping it, or selling it in its work cloths, or repainting it to better than it's original glory. It would look great in it's sunday's best, but then it is no longer original.
Loren, the Acg.

Yes, Moline used a hydraulic pump mounted on the engine to operate a hydraulic cylinder to lift implements. The pump used the engine oil for hydraulic fluid. It is the same hydraulic pump that Case used on the VAC tractors for the belt pulley hydraulic pump.

This one is a very early 1946, just a plain Jane RTU, but it does have the hydrolics. Come to think of it, it does have a battery/electric starter, but no lights? I will have to think about it a little more, but I don't think that it does!!! Thanks for the info! I will have to get some pictures of this old beast posted! Bryce