New to me MF 50

Chris50

Member
Hello Everyone! Well I bought my 1st tractor ever. Im a 52 year old guy who has grown up in the automotive industry as a mechanic for 20 or so years. My new to me 1964? Massey Ferguson 50 needs some TLC but thats ok with me. 1st order of business is fixing the power steering leak below the steering column. Any words of wisdom before disassembly? If I wanted to ditch the power steering could I convert it to manual? Thanks in advance!
 
(quoted from post at 03:25:13 08/03/20) Hello Everyone! Well I bought my 1st tractor ever. Im a 52 year old guy who has grown up in the automotive industry as a mechanic for 20 or so years. My new to me 1964? Massey Ferguson 50 needs some TLC but thats ok with me. 1st order of business is fixing the power steering leak below the steering column. Any words of wisdom before disassembly? If I wanted to ditch the power steering could I convert it to manual? Thanks in advance!

My first suggestion would be to get a service manual for your model. I got mine from Steiner tractors.
https://www.external_link/

My second suggestion would to to fix the power steering, do not remove it.

Two reasons for this;

1. I personally believe a tractor will perform at it's best, when it is returned to the condition in which it was built. Now this isn't to say I'm not in favor of upgrades ( 12v charging systems, one wire alternators etc etc), but removing an amenity such as power steering, wouldn't be an upgrade.

2. If you add any heavy implements to the front, such as a loader, power steering is a must.

I have never worked on a 50, my leak on my MF30, was the power assist cylinder out front, so I can't help you there.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Removing the power would be a big mistake. If you are able to do mechanical work yourself you can fix it. Parts are available in many
places and make a dealer your last place to look as they will be the highest price. IMO
 
(quoted from post at 05:41:30 08/03/20) Removing the power would be a big mistake. If you are able to do mechanical work yourself you can fix it. Parts are available in many
places and make a dealer your last place to look as they will be the highest price. IMO

Thank you Phil! Do you have any suggestions on parts suppliers? Obviously this website but any others?
 
If by steering column, you mean where the steering wheel is attached, you shouldn't have a power steering fluid leak at that location. The power steering on an MF50 is up front behind the grill. You should have a PS pump on the front left of the engine if it's gas, or the front right if it's a diesel with hoses running up front the the power steering value and piston. If you have a leak at the steering box under the steering wheel, it is just gear oil and not part of the power steering.

Dan
 
Dan,

Thank you for that information! I took the tractor off the trailer last night and didnt get a chance to look at it to thoroughly. I did notice the cylinder behind the grill. I will go home tonight and do a little digging to see what I find. Thanks again for your help!
 
Although not required, a service manual and parts diagram are helpful for many repairs,

Parts Book - You should be able to find a parts diagram for your tractor here:
https://apb.agcocorp.com
Click "VIEW BOOKS" under "GUEST USER". At the search page, choose the Brand Massey Ferguson and enter 50 in the search area. You should be able to scroll down to MF 50 tractors. There are two listed and I'm not sure which you have. Post here if you can't pinpoint which set of diagrams are for your tractor - I'm sure you'll get help. Once you figure out which diagrams apply, you can search by the parts book number and bring it up right away.

Service Manuals - There a choices for service manuals, but most here would recommend the MF service manual from the dealer. AGCO now carries MF parts and you can get one there. These are available from other sellers, but some have complained about the print quality. IT is another manual that is good, although most consider it a supplement to the MF manual.
 
You can find the correct publication numbers for the manuals for your MF50 on line at the AGCO publications web site. http://www.agcopubs.com/ . They do sell them their as well. Use the search area on the left side of the AGCOpubs home page to get the manuals to select from. With the publication number you can check eBay and other places to find the right manuals. You can often find good used OEM ones on eBay.

Yes, some aftermarket reprints are very poor quality. And I see I&T as a supplement manual in most cases.
 

Well after some digging I found the front cylinder leaking. Its leaking right around the small top cylinder. Time to remove and reseal.
 
The MF50 is a good tractor. Mine is new to me every time I start it. I bought mine used 28 years ago. It needed rings and sleeves then but I used it till 2008 and the smoke was starting to choke me so I tore it down and rebuilt it.
Repair parts are plentiful and so is the service information. Once you get everything straightened out you will have a hard time wearing it out again.
I think a lot of these tractors just were not taken care of very well in their lifetime..
You will have fun with it.
 

Ok need some guidance to get the steering cylinder out. Its like a
Brain teaser! I have the front mount bolts out along with the Back mount for the steering arm but I cant seem to drive the pin on the back of the cylinder out without it hitting the front frame of the tractor. Repair manual time?
 
I don't have my service book here so trying to remember how I did that job 15 years ago. If you are talking about the small tube leaking above the cylinder, I think I may have left the pedestal end of the cylinder attached and just removed the long bolts holding the cylinder together and pulled it apart enough to get the tube out. I put two O-rings at each end of the tube and it hasn't leaked since.
cvphoto52405.jpg
 
. I got it out! I removed the curved lower steering arm and managed to get enough wiggle room to work the pin out of the end of cylinder. Now to reseal!
 
ok found my O ring problem! The control valve end o ring was very loose. I believe there was a dust cap on the end but thats long gone. I believe over time dust and dirt just wore out the o ring. I will source some new o rings and reassemble.
mvphoto59777.jpg
 

I found something interesting while looking at the air filter assembly. There is a crumpled up screen and foam in the tube to the engine. Anyone ever see this?
mvphoto59778.jpg


mvphoto59779.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 17:47:38 08/05/20) Power-steering fixed!
Next question I have is this is my 1st diesel tractor so not really sure their characteristics? To get her to start I need to give it about 1/3-1/2 throttle. Is this normal and I get some blackish/grey smoke on acceleration. If I blip the throttle it smokes for a second then clears up. If I bring the rpms up to say 1500 rpms theres a little smoke then it clears right up and will run at the RPM nice and clean with out any popping or sputtering. Think I might check injector timing next then pull injectors to do a visual? Thoughts?
 

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