MF 35 WON'T MOVE !!!

I have a MF 35 Deluxe that seems to have lost something in the drive train. It runs, the gears all seem to shift normally, etc., but now it just sits there. The PTO still works, and the clutch feels like it is still functioning normally.

It happened when my Dad was using the tractor. He was just mowing some brush, and says it originally lost the ability to go forward, so he tried to get it back by going in reverse, but eventually, that failed as well. He said it seemed that the tires were trying to move like a stripped gear.

I'm not familiar with tractor drive trains behind the clutch. Is there something that commonly fails or wears out on these tractors that I should look at first?

Any advice on starting points would be appreciated. I don't want to start ripping apart the differential and axles if there may be something "simple" wrong.

Kurt

I don't know what this should look like, but the small "spider" gear from the engine/transmission isn't in good shape, and the gears which must drive the axles (about 15" diameter?) look bads too. The 15" gears seem to have a lot of play, which I suspect was the original source of the problem.

Note: There is no locking differential on this model (another painful story), and the PTO seems fine, EVEN IN GROUND DRIVE POSITION. Yes, the PTO can be put in ground drive and still turns when the tractor is in gear and the clutch is released, even through the tractor doesn't move.

I assume that this means I need to completely disassemble the differential and remove all gears, bearings, etc. If someone else has a better of futher suggestions, I'm all ears (or electrons).

Thanks for the feedback,
Kurt

Kurt

It seems you have a tough job ahead of you.

If your pinion and ring gear is worn out, or missing teeths you need to replace the. I am just in the middle of this job on our MF 35.

The good thing about non diff lock differentials on MF 35 is that there is no bearing adjusment except for the pinion. On diff lock you need a very special tool and good skills to do this. A rather complicated service.

Well, since your MF 35 has no diff lock the only problem you gets into is the fastening of the ring gear. You need new bolts and nuts (12 pcs) and a special Loctite product made for Massey Ferguson. Then you need a real heavy screwdriver and you need a friend to assist you. No way you can do this alone.

Maybe it is cheaper to find a complete centerhouse with axle ends.... but it is possible to repair too. Cost quite a bit.

I am using a used pinion and ring gear.

If you need any info about repairing this, let me know as I have the original shop manual for the MF 35.

WELL..... .. I am not going to tell you oil changes are the cause of your trouble. But to all those who claim it is ok to drive on the same oil year after year with no cleanup..... well.... a differential damage is a common problem in tractors where the oil has never been changed.

A good cleanup, remove the left axle housing once every 10 year of use or so to clean up under the ring gear is a good way to prevent this kind of damage. Open left housing and you will find a lot of dirt, water, and metal under the diff.

Also, the hyd. pump will suffer from no oil changing, the pump on early MF 35 had no filter.

If the pinion and ring gear has all teeths and you only need new bearings, be sure the sleeve in front of the pinion is ok.... this is placed there to prevent any damage of the transmission and if it break you can't move the tractor, but the PTO will be find along with the hyd. pump.

Bill

: Doesn't look good folks. I removed the top differential cover (below the seat) and it's clear that there is severe wear on the gears which transfer the power from the lengthwise shaft (from then engine) to the axle shaft(s).

: I don't know what this should look like, but the small "spider" gear from the engine/transmission isn't in good shape, and the gears which must drive the axles (about 15" diameter?) look bads too. The 15" gears seem to have a lot of play, which I suspect was the original source of the problem.

: Note: There is no locking differential on this model (another painful story), and the PTO seems fine, EVEN IN GROUND DRIVE POSITION. Yes, the PTO can be put in ground drive and still turns when the tractor is in gear and the clutch is released, even through the tractor doesn't move.

: I assume that this means I need to completely disassemble the differential and remove all gears, bearings, etc. If someone else has a better of futher suggestions, I'm all ears (or electrons).

: Thanks for the feedback,
: Kurt

: I don't know what this should look like, but the small "spider" gear from the engine/transmission isn't in good shape, and the gears which must drive the axles (about 15" diameter?) look bads too. The 15" gears seem to have a lot of play, which I suspect was the original source of the problem.

: Note: There is no locking differential on this model (another painful story), and the PTO seems fine, EVEN IN GROUND DRIVE POSITION. Yes, the PTO can be put in ground drive and still turns when the tractor is in gear and the clutch is released, even through the tractor doesn't move.

: I assume that this means I need to completely disassemble the differential and remove all gears, bearings, etc. If someone else has a better of futher suggestions, I'm all ears (or electrons).

: Thanks for the feedback,
: Kurt

Sounds like the bearings went first and opened up the gear mesh which broke and ground off gear tops. Probably supplied steel powder to help grind up the transmission gears and hydraulic pump too. Likely will be easier to swap out the back half than to fix all that now ails it.

Gerald

: I have a MF 35 Deluxe that seems to have lost something in the drive train. It runs, the gears all seem to shift normally, etc., but now it just sits there. The PTO still works, and the clutch feels like it is still functioning normally.

: It happened when my Dad was using the tractor. He was just mowing some brush, and says it originally lost the ability to go forward, so he tried to get it back by going in reverse, but eventually, that failed as well. He said it seemed that the tires were trying to move like a stripped gear.

: I'm not familiar with tractor drive trains behind the clutch. Is there something that commonly fails or wears out on these tractors that I should look at first?

: Any advice on starting points would be appreciated. I don't want to start ripping apart the differential and axles if there may be something "simple" wrong.

: Kurt

It could be anywhere from clutch to axle shafts. Does it have a locking differential? Using that could identify a broken axle shaft or stripped splin an an axle shaft.

I'd check to make sure there's free play on the clutch pedal. Too much clutch slipping could have remove that free play and that's keeping the clutch from engaging. That's the most optimistic problem.

The next place to check is in the transmission. Maybe the gears have been only half engaged and the edges are worn off because the shifter forks are too worn. That begins to be messy. There's all kinds of places to grind off gears in the transmission and if depends on which transmission you have. You are going to want a shop manual and probably parts book if it isn't the clutch plate worn...

Does the PTO shaft work? Its often on a separate clutch from the drive line and would indicate at least that the flywheel pins haven't sheared to let the flywheel spin on the crankshaft.
Gerald

: I have a MF 35 Deluxe that seems to have lost something in the drive train. It runs, the gears all seem to shift normally, etc., but now it just sits there. The PTO still works, and the clutch feels like it is still functioning normally.

: It happened when my Dad was using the tractor. He was just mowing some brush, and says it originally lost the ability to go forward, so he tried to get it back by going in reverse, but eventually, that failed as well. He said it seemed that the tires were trying to move like a stripped gear.

: I'm not familiar with tractor drive trains behind the clutch. Is there something that commonly fails or wears out on these tractors that I should look at first?

: Any advice on starting points would be appreciated. I don't want to start ripping apart the differential and axles if there may be something "simple" wrong.

: Kurt

My MF25 had something simular. In that case it was the clutch, but the MF25 has a single clutch that operates the PTO and drive at the same time. The fastest way to check is removing the seat and top of the gearbox / drivetrain. Be careful not to drop the springs of the gearshifting handles inide when removing it. Your PTO is operating but with enough torque?