Massey 35 weak lifting power

weekender7 · Jun 4, 2017

My Massey 35 gas tractor has what I would call weak lifting power in the hydraulic lift. I have an extra heavy duty bush hog and when the tractor is cold, (not been run), the hydraulic will lift the bushhog fine. As soon as the tractor gets good and warmed up, it will barely lift the bushhog off the ground. Same with round bales of hay. What is the likely cause of the weakening lifting power as the tractor warms up?

ohiojim · Jun 4, 2017

sounds like you have a worn piston, thicker the oil the less blow by you have.

weekender7 · Jun 4, 2017

Thanks Jim, any ball park guess as to a repair cost?

BobReeves · Jun 4, 2017

Not sure about your Massy but I fixed the same issue with my Ford with a $10.00 lift rebuild kit from this site and a few hours work.

Steve@Advance · Jun 4, 2017

You can take the round covers off below the seat, look up inside at the bottom of the lift cylinder. The oil level is right at the bottom of the cover, so you won't loose much oil. But remember, look, don't touch! Don't reach in there with it running!

Put a load on the lift, get a flashlight, look up at the cylinder. It is normal for it to seep some oil, but if it is streaming oil, and quickly creeps down when shut off, the lift cylinder seals are leaking.

I believe that uses an iron ring, so usually the cylinder wall will be bad too, but it's not a big expense to replace the whole thing.

If that doesn't appear to be the problem, look for oil swirling down by the pump, that can indicate a leaking pressure relief valve, another easy fix.

When the lift is going up, is the lift steady or jerky and slow? If jerky, the pump needs a rebuild. Common problem with the valves breaking and failing to seat.

Bob NY · Jun 4, 2017

Classic symptom of a worn out pump.

weekender7 · Jun 5, 2017

Thanks all for the replies. The lift leaks down immediately after shutting the tractor off, within a couple seconds. It doesn't just fall but goes down quickly. As far as it lifting steady or jerky I will have to check as I haven't paid attention closely to the motion. Does the cylinder come with a new pump or is it separate? I have ordered a shop manual but it hasn't come in yet.

ptfarmer · Jun 5, 2017

The pump is separate from the lift cylinder, as the lifting goes if it jerks coming up you can usually hear, feel, and or see it. If its jerky on the way up its usually the control valve in the pump. If it doesn't jerk going up than its usually the lift cylinder seals, it could also the stand pipe going from the pump to the top cover could be leaking. The piston ring style seals on the piston in the lift cylinder are prone to leaking anyways.

gtractorfan · Jun 5, 2017

This Massey Ferguson 165 surprised me with how much lifting power it has. I picked up and hauled 4 logs like this. The front bobbed off the ground on the biggest one. Ash wood laying on wet ground.

Massey 35 weak lifting power

weekender7

New User

ohiojim

Well-known Member

weekender7

New User

BobReeves

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Bob NY

Member

weekender7

New User

ptfarmer

Well-known Member

gtractorfan

Well-known Member

Similar threads