1951 MH 30 - Should I buy?

What should I beware of and why should I buy it? What do you think it is worth? I am new to tractors but see them as a better alternative to an ATV....all comments and thoughts are welcome.

The PTO is high on the differential housing. As the tractor was delivered, you get on from the rear which puts you next to the PTO shaft when mounting and dismounting. But you are supposed to turn off the PTO before dismounting.

The small Ferguson tractor is not much different than an 8N Ford. I have an 8N. It works fine for sickle mowing and brush hogging. It is virtually useless for pulling anything. Tires slip even when pulling a 16 foot double axle trailer when it is empty. Don't even think about pulling a big tree with an 8N. You have to cut it up into small pieces.

My 44 Special is heavier than a 30. The 44 is good at even pulling trees out of the ground. If it is on the ground, I've never seen a tree the 44 couldn't pull easily. The 30 would probably do well at tasks like this. Anything that is small like an 8N (Ferguson 20 or 30, MH 50 Etc.) will do very poorly.

I have a Duall loader on my 44. It would fit on a 30 also. Loaders are out there for it. The smaller tractors can lift but won't do well digging dirt - too light.

Lots of info but no conclusion. It depends on what is most important to you.

I had a decrepit 1951 30 back in the 70's for bush work and running a planer on flat belts. It would start anytime on a 6 volt system, even in sub-zero weather or if abandoned for months between uses.

A couple of months ago I bought a restored, 1948 model to move trailers around the property when my other tractor is attached to an implement (almost always). It's a good puller -- perfect for clearing brush by pulling stuff out by the roots. It's easy to get on and off. The springed seat is comfortable. I like how the 30 is quick to get going and stopped -- no elaborate rituals with fuel shut offs or pre-heating.

I would not buy this tractor to use with pto implements because the power take off shaft is right in the way as you climb over the draw bar to the seat. This is a safety issue. My Massey Ferguson 35 has seat access from in front of the rear tires, a much safer layout for pto work. As well it has hydraulics and a three-point hitch, making it a good bush-hogging, snow-blowing, ploughing machine. I also put a loader on it.

I use the 30 many more times in a week than the MF35, though the 35 does the bulk of the heavy work. They are both good on fuel. The 30 is the one I would start an inexperienced operator on, as it has excellent brakes, bone simple controls, and a pleasing personality.

One thing I would inquire about is the brakes. I read on this site that taking the back wheels off a Massey Harris is among the more difficult restoration tasks in tractorland. If the vendor can assure you that the brakes have been done, chances are it's a true restoration.

Maintenance: very easy to maintain. You will need a 9/16" wrench and a small hammer.

Implements: pull-type ploughs, disks, cultivators are available. Buy a good logging chain. I welded a piece of 2 1/4" square steel to the top surface of the draw bar to allow the use of a variety of 2" trailer-type ball receivers, allowing fast changes and easy chain hookups for towing. Because of terrific visibility the 30 is much easier to hitch up to a trailer than is an SUV with an expensive back bumper.

Snow removal: that will take some ingenuity, as snow blowers call for 3 pt hitches and pto. A front-mounted blade with an electric lift would work. The 30 has lots of mass to push stuff.

Cost: I paid $1650. CDN for a decent 30 with 12v system, loaded tires, rebuilt engine and brakes.

Just a thought: after you've had the tractor a while you could add a hydraulic system and front-end loader. It would make the steering stiffer but would greatly increase the utility of the tractor for snow removal and general work around the property.

For the loader and hydraulics I don't know. I just finished the whole beginner's routine with the MF35's loader, which I scavenged from my dad's ailing Ferguson TEA20 and equipped with new cylinders and controls. The only thing will be to take your time and look around. Usually something like a loader will find you.

I bought the 30 to replace a TEA20 because it has more mass, more power, starts in winter and can pull stuff without flipping over backwards. It also doesn't drain its gas through the carburetor or its battery through its voltage regulator when left, the way Dad's Fergie did.

Besides, I had a 30 in my salad years, liked it, and vowed to get another if circumstances permitted.

Good luck with your decision. You can't go wrong with a MF35 or 135 (either with a Perkins diesel), but I'd steer away from a Ferguson TEA20 in favour of a MH30.

If you plan to have a work tractor I suggest
a Ferguson or Ford tractor because of the 3 point
hydraulics and PTO. Especially for gardening the 30 has a wide turning radius and worst with a drawn implement (plow discs etc). The ferguson will turn on a dime and you can back-up to plow little corners with 3 point plow.

If it is for play and you like look of the 30 hen it should be ok. But for some $ more you can have a much manoeuvrable and functionnal tractor.

Here are my preferences for amateur farmer like us.

$ Ferguson TEA-20 or TO's
$$ Ferguson 35
$$$ Masey-Ferguson 135 (my favorite)

My 02 cents + taxes

Bart CA

personally id prefer to have a dogged 135 than a restored MH30. if you do however - get the diesel. if i rang about one and they said it was gas id leave it there. I dont like gas in a working tractor at all. the just wont do the same work when you ask it a question.

they will pull ALOT if you can get the power on the ground. (i have put a metal mesh under the back wheels of mine when pulling a big lorry out of some of the sticky stuff - and engage the diff lock and it will really pull (watch that front end lifting though)

they have a nice low reverse gear so would be ok on a snowblower, and a 3 point hitch so yo can use virtually any implement you like as long as you dont over do it (still small tractors)