Howdy,
I posted on here last year and got a lot of great advice. Unfortunately life happened and a lot of things got in the way of my "new" backhoe so everything went on the backburner. I also never got the chance to say thanks! Anyway, here's what I posted last year and I'll update accordingly in addition to asking some new questions on the start of this project.
"1979 Massey Ferguson Backhoe Transmission/Operation Questions
...I bought a 1979 Massey Ferguson MF60 Backhoe from a guy for a very low price because he inherited it and had no use for it. He claims it has a bad transmission with worn bands but doesn't know much about it. From my initial inspection today, I have a number of questions I hope some of you can answer for me. The tractor appears to have been drained of hydraulic fluid but he has 15 gallons available for me. It has a full tank of diesel. The coolant is empty, he said he drained it before the winter. No idea why but the radiator cap is also broken.The engine starts and runs good, however, the exhaust manifold has a lot of oil in it(?). I cannot find the transmission dipstick nor the fluid type and capacity. Bear in mind this was a quick initial inspection and brief start up. (I will be working on it in earnest tomorrow if I get off work early enough). We will be starting it up tomorrow and attempting to move it. I have zero experience with a 79 MF60 but I have a decent amount of experience operating much newer backhoes. I need to know some critical information about fluid types and capacities and dipstick/filling locations if possible. I know where the fuel and hydraulic reservoirs are located as well as the engine oil filler and dipstick. I believe I read the transmission dipstick is under the driver seat? My first goal is to check and fill the transmission with the correct fluid if possible. Hopefully it is something easily available at a rural NAPA auto parts. Can someone help me by listing fluid capacities, types, and specs for this particular model?
Additionally, he claims the backhoe will run and operate all hydraulics very well, but the transmission will not shift into forward or reverse at all. If I'm extremely lucky, perhaps it will be related to the threads I am reading about sticking pedals? When I pressed the forward/reverse pedal cluster the pedals would NOT operate independently. They appear to be sticking like in the other thread I read through. Also, I asked him if he checked the transmission fluid (before we got there) and he said yes, and that the level was low, barely registering on the bottom of the dipstick. The fluid capacity here will help me to top it off. Also I read something about checking the shift linkage is tight from underneath the pedals to the transmission? Are there any other "Quick fixes" I can try before abandoning all hope and borrowing a trailer and winch? The tractor is 9 miles down the rural highway so if we miraculously get it running we will just drive it home. He also said the brakes don't work but when I pushed the brake pedal there was good pressure and the pedal didn't go all the way to the floor..."
UPDATE: 23 Aug 2016
I got the backhoe home and what an adventure that was! Read below if you want a laugh/shake your head. Otherwise feel free to skip to the bottom.
I got the fluids topped off as best I could. I put Permatrans in the transmission (It was very low) and filled the hydraulic oil. The only thing I couldn't and still can't find is the filler plug for the torque converter. Possibly as a result, I still couldn't get it to shift and the forward/reverse pedals are sticking together. The hydraulics worked great aside from some pretty good leaks from sun rotted hoses. Brakes did not work at all except thankfully the parking brake (Cable driven I'm pretty sure).
The guy I bought it from was being a real obnoxious pain in the butt and didn't want me working on it on his property for any length of time. Turns out he was a meth head and that was why he sold me the backhoe he inherited for practically nothing. He was denying me access to it to even haul it off unless I brought a truck and trailer with a winch. Bear in mind the deal was done and I had all kinds of paperwork signed by him with SN's and everything. I had a bad feeling from the start but couldn't turn down the price. I am 95% sure it isn't stolen. Even checked with the sheriff. There was an identical, slightly newer one parked next to it that belonged to his dad and wasn't for sale.
Unfortunately I could not get access to a big enough trailer with a strong winch or a semi to haul it. Before involving the sheriff, I told him I would get it off his property in less than an hour if he would just let me on his property. He started acting ignorant again and said I couldn't possibly do it without a trailer. He again stated I wasn't allowed to mess with it unless I brought a trailer and winch. Being pretty irritated at this point I kept my word and went over there anyway. Do not tell an Army vet who's been through some serious BS and improvisation he can't do something! Lol. I brought my neighbor and my 07 Ram 3500 this time. We started it right up and rechecked fluids. Lifted the bucket, outriggers, and stowed the backhoe and I just hooked up my heavy duty chain to everything. Together we pulled it off his property in about 10 mins and down the highway. I live in rural Utah in the mountains and there were a fair number of hills and about 9 miles from his house to mine. We towed it all the way there with only a few issues. On the last stretch we had to go down this steep canyon where I had some serious concerns given there was only the handbrake. Right at the mouth of the canyon and start of the downgrade the front right tire blew. We stopped and my neighbor (A cantankerous old Vietnam vet himself) said screw it, let's keep going. So we continued with the blown tire and I kept going with my truck in 1st gear. The whole trip took about 2 hours with the canyon being the most difficult part. Funny thing was had the tire not blown he probably would have been unable to stop with just the handbrake given the steep grade. It slowed us down enough he didn't stat rolling out of control. We had the backhoe running the entire "drive" to keep the hydraulics in place and the steering up. We got it home and parked with no more trouble and I started messing with it that weekend.
TLDR:
Since it has been home and that experience happily out of my life I had some new hydraulic hoses built and I also had entirely new battery and ground cables built for it. The old ones were in really rough shape and completely unsalvageable. The rear hydraulic ram for the hoe leaks a little but not too bad and I have fixed all of the bad hose leaks. Again, the hydraulics work fantastic. Very strong. I still haven't figured out if the transmission is bad. I am planning on digging into it again with my limited knowledge. Maybe I'll get lucky and it is just a low fluid level in the torque converter or a problem with the pedals. I'll post some pictures later to show you what I'm looking at. Maybe someone here can help me find the filler plug for the torque converter via the picture? I pressure washed the entire thing and sprayed decades of dried oil and dirt from the underside to a limited extent. The little Perkins diesel runs like a champ. After it had been supposedly sitting for 10 years it fired up within seconds of cranking it (And with no ether or fresh fluids either. I merely verified the crankcase was full and oil looked ok). 2725 hours on the hour meter assuming it still works. My only concern with the engine is there appears to be oil in the exhaust manifold but it could possibly be some kind of sludge buildup or something from sitting uncovered with rain for over 10 years. I'll take a picture of it in a bit. I'm guessing worst case regarding the transmission is I'll need to split the backhoe and pull it. I'll make sure to replace the Perkins rear main seal and any other suggestions you guys have if it comes to that. I really hope it doesn't come to that. I have no idea where to start with that... For those wondering I traded an old motorcycle (I was into it about 900$) and 250$ cash for the backhoe. I think it was a decent deal even if it is quite a project.
A couple of starting questions:
-I found a 598 page service/repair manual for Massey Ferguson MF60 backhoes on Amazon for 98$. The 148 Page Owner's Manual is 47$. I checked Agcopartsbook.com and could not find anything for Massey Ferguson MF60 or any combination of the other acronyms I found. Perhaps I was wording the search arguments incorrectly though? I am going to list the different codes I found on the data plates, maybe one of you can help? I'd like to avoid spending that much on the repair manual but I will if that is my best option. I will need something like it to help me if I end up needing to split it/rebuild the transmission. Also found a really old fat binder on Ebay with 2 manuals for 200$ that looked like it came from a tractor repair facility. Does anyone by chance have any PDF's on this backhoe?
What I have found on the plates:
Massey Ferguson MF60
MF60TL S/N 9E100567 (Above the battery compartment driver's side front)
MF60BH-CM S/N 9E100567 (In the rear by the backhoe arm)
The guy told me it was a 1979 backhoe.
-What other things would you guys recommend looking at?
I apologize for the really long read. Thank you so much in advance for the help and for bearing with me on this interesting journey so far. Pictures coming shortly
-
I posted on here last year and got a lot of great advice. Unfortunately life happened and a lot of things got in the way of my "new" backhoe so everything went on the backburner. I also never got the chance to say thanks! Anyway, here's what I posted last year and I'll update accordingly in addition to asking some new questions on the start of this project.
"1979 Massey Ferguson Backhoe Transmission/Operation Questions
...I bought a 1979 Massey Ferguson MF60 Backhoe from a guy for a very low price because he inherited it and had no use for it. He claims it has a bad transmission with worn bands but doesn't know much about it. From my initial inspection today, I have a number of questions I hope some of you can answer for me. The tractor appears to have been drained of hydraulic fluid but he has 15 gallons available for me. It has a full tank of diesel. The coolant is empty, he said he drained it before the winter. No idea why but the radiator cap is also broken.The engine starts and runs good, however, the exhaust manifold has a lot of oil in it(?). I cannot find the transmission dipstick nor the fluid type and capacity. Bear in mind this was a quick initial inspection and brief start up. (I will be working on it in earnest tomorrow if I get off work early enough). We will be starting it up tomorrow and attempting to move it. I have zero experience with a 79 MF60 but I have a decent amount of experience operating much newer backhoes. I need to know some critical information about fluid types and capacities and dipstick/filling locations if possible. I know where the fuel and hydraulic reservoirs are located as well as the engine oil filler and dipstick. I believe I read the transmission dipstick is under the driver seat? My first goal is to check and fill the transmission with the correct fluid if possible. Hopefully it is something easily available at a rural NAPA auto parts. Can someone help me by listing fluid capacities, types, and specs for this particular model?
Additionally, he claims the backhoe will run and operate all hydraulics very well, but the transmission will not shift into forward or reverse at all. If I'm extremely lucky, perhaps it will be related to the threads I am reading about sticking pedals? When I pressed the forward/reverse pedal cluster the pedals would NOT operate independently. They appear to be sticking like in the other thread I read through. Also, I asked him if he checked the transmission fluid (before we got there) and he said yes, and that the level was low, barely registering on the bottom of the dipstick. The fluid capacity here will help me to top it off. Also I read something about checking the shift linkage is tight from underneath the pedals to the transmission? Are there any other "Quick fixes" I can try before abandoning all hope and borrowing a trailer and winch? The tractor is 9 miles down the rural highway so if we miraculously get it running we will just drive it home. He also said the brakes don't work but when I pushed the brake pedal there was good pressure and the pedal didn't go all the way to the floor..."
UPDATE: 23 Aug 2016
I got the backhoe home and what an adventure that was! Read below if you want a laugh/shake your head. Otherwise feel free to skip to the bottom.
I got the fluids topped off as best I could. I put Permatrans in the transmission (It was very low) and filled the hydraulic oil. The only thing I couldn't and still can't find is the filler plug for the torque converter. Possibly as a result, I still couldn't get it to shift and the forward/reverse pedals are sticking together. The hydraulics worked great aside from some pretty good leaks from sun rotted hoses. Brakes did not work at all except thankfully the parking brake (Cable driven I'm pretty sure).
The guy I bought it from was being a real obnoxious pain in the butt and didn't want me working on it on his property for any length of time. Turns out he was a meth head and that was why he sold me the backhoe he inherited for practically nothing. He was denying me access to it to even haul it off unless I brought a truck and trailer with a winch. Bear in mind the deal was done and I had all kinds of paperwork signed by him with SN's and everything. I had a bad feeling from the start but couldn't turn down the price. I am 95% sure it isn't stolen. Even checked with the sheriff. There was an identical, slightly newer one parked next to it that belonged to his dad and wasn't for sale.
Unfortunately I could not get access to a big enough trailer with a strong winch or a semi to haul it. Before involving the sheriff, I told him I would get it off his property in less than an hour if he would just let me on his property. He started acting ignorant again and said I couldn't possibly do it without a trailer. He again stated I wasn't allowed to mess with it unless I brought a trailer and winch. Being pretty irritated at this point I kept my word and went over there anyway. Do not tell an Army vet who's been through some serious BS and improvisation he can't do something! Lol. I brought my neighbor and my 07 Ram 3500 this time. We started it right up and rechecked fluids. Lifted the bucket, outriggers, and stowed the backhoe and I just hooked up my heavy duty chain to everything. Together we pulled it off his property in about 10 mins and down the highway. I live in rural Utah in the mountains and there were a fair number of hills and about 9 miles from his house to mine. We towed it all the way there with only a few issues. On the last stretch we had to go down this steep canyon where I had some serious concerns given there was only the handbrake. Right at the mouth of the canyon and start of the downgrade the front right tire blew. We stopped and my neighbor (A cantankerous old Vietnam vet himself) said screw it, let's keep going. So we continued with the blown tire and I kept going with my truck in 1st gear. The whole trip took about 2 hours with the canyon being the most difficult part. Funny thing was had the tire not blown he probably would have been unable to stop with just the handbrake given the steep grade. It slowed us down enough he didn't stat rolling out of control. We had the backhoe running the entire "drive" to keep the hydraulics in place and the steering up. We got it home and parked with no more trouble and I started messing with it that weekend.
TLDR:
Since it has been home and that experience happily out of my life I had some new hydraulic hoses built and I also had entirely new battery and ground cables built for it. The old ones were in really rough shape and completely unsalvageable. The rear hydraulic ram for the hoe leaks a little but not too bad and I have fixed all of the bad hose leaks. Again, the hydraulics work fantastic. Very strong. I still haven't figured out if the transmission is bad. I am planning on digging into it again with my limited knowledge. Maybe I'll get lucky and it is just a low fluid level in the torque converter or a problem with the pedals. I'll post some pictures later to show you what I'm looking at. Maybe someone here can help me find the filler plug for the torque converter via the picture? I pressure washed the entire thing and sprayed decades of dried oil and dirt from the underside to a limited extent. The little Perkins diesel runs like a champ. After it had been supposedly sitting for 10 years it fired up within seconds of cranking it (And with no ether or fresh fluids either. I merely verified the crankcase was full and oil looked ok). 2725 hours on the hour meter assuming it still works. My only concern with the engine is there appears to be oil in the exhaust manifold but it could possibly be some kind of sludge buildup or something from sitting uncovered with rain for over 10 years. I'll take a picture of it in a bit. I'm guessing worst case regarding the transmission is I'll need to split the backhoe and pull it. I'll make sure to replace the Perkins rear main seal and any other suggestions you guys have if it comes to that. I really hope it doesn't come to that. I have no idea where to start with that... For those wondering I traded an old motorcycle (I was into it about 900$) and 250$ cash for the backhoe. I think it was a decent deal even if it is quite a project.
A couple of starting questions:
-I found a 598 page service/repair manual for Massey Ferguson MF60 backhoes on Amazon for 98$. The 148 Page Owner's Manual is 47$. I checked Agcopartsbook.com and could not find anything for Massey Ferguson MF60 or any combination of the other acronyms I found. Perhaps I was wording the search arguments incorrectly though? I am going to list the different codes I found on the data plates, maybe one of you can help? I'd like to avoid spending that much on the repair manual but I will if that is my best option. I will need something like it to help me if I end up needing to split it/rebuild the transmission. Also found a really old fat binder on Ebay with 2 manuals for 200$ that looked like it came from a tractor repair facility. Does anyone by chance have any PDF's on this backhoe?
What I have found on the plates:
Massey Ferguson MF60
MF60TL S/N 9E100567 (Above the battery compartment driver's side front)
MF60BH-CM S/N 9E100567 (In the rear by the backhoe arm)
The guy told me it was a 1979 backhoe.
-What other things would you guys recommend looking at?
I apologize for the really long read. Thank you so much in advance for the help and for bearing with me on this interesting journey so far. Pictures coming shortly
-
79 Massey Ferguson MF60 Questions
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire