MF 304 Industrial w/loaderbackhoe

[canuckmatt]

Hello. I'm fairly new to owning/operating tractors. Anyways, As a fairly new homeowner as well, I felt the need for a backhoe. I found a 304 industrial with backhoe and loader for a good price near my home, and the owner is able to deliver it. I've got a few questions:

-As a bit of a newbie, I think I need to operators manual. There's a lot of levers and stuff going on. Where can I get this?

-The owner said that the injectors were leaking diesel and should be replaced before using. It started easily, but he shut it off immediately because he didn't want diesel in the oil. Are injectors difficult to replace?

-There are two hydraulic issues. The first and major issue is a hose needs replacing on the backhoe. It's a hose which goes through the outer boom, to the cylinder on the end which operates the bucket. I can change a hose, but how do you get to this one? Any tricks? The other leak is from the main joint where the backhoe attaches to the tractor and swivels. It's more of a steady trickle, and doesn't seem like a major concern.

Any other info on the age of this tractor, or things I should know, please reply with it. I'd like to learn.

Thanks!
 

[to_many_irons]

she putting fuel in the engine oil ?
a book would be a good thing to get .
never been around 304 .
pics are a good thing !
 

[canuckmatt]

Gonna try to upload a pic...

 

[chuck41]

Usually on these, I would check the fuel pump 1st
as this is common. The fuel will go into the oil.
Leave the lines to pump hooked up and unbolt the
pump and leave with cardboard underneath. See if
it leaks before you do anything with the injectors. Chuck
 

[canuckmatt]

Fuel pump? I"ll look into that. What numbers do I need to get off it to be able to source the correct parts, like the pump or injectors?
 

[Dieseltech]

Doubtful fuel getting into crankcase is from injectors. First check supply pump as mentioned, can also be at injection pump, have resealed several lately due to fuel in oil.
 

[304]

If the hose goes all the way through the boom, it's easy to replace. Put it in from the top. The other leak could be much more serious though if the machine has a rotary cylinder for the swing that is leaking. If it does, finding parts will be very difficult.
 

[to_many_irons]

fuel pumps [or the last time i got one ] was not much money .
had the front seal in the injecton pump go bad and put fuel in the base .
took it to the dealer and charged me 4 dollars .
that was a long time ago .
what part of the world are you in ?
 

[Mike in Mn.]

I had a 304 TLB,, it was a bear of a machine, but there an old dinosaur and most are beyond wore out!!The leak in the pivot on the one I had was non repairable.The hoe was so heavy you had to carry a bucket full of dirt to move around, Mine had fluid in the front tires but you still had to back up hills or it would stand right up. On mine the torque converter was bad so I didn't use the loader much, but it had a heck of a powerful back hoe. My advice would be, if your not a good mechanic with a lot of tools, walk away. Hire it done.
 

[Inno]

As Mike in MN has said, most of these old industrial tractors are VERY heavy duty but for the most part they were all very well used and probably pretty worn out. Check all the pins and bushings at any pivot point on the backhoe and loader. I would suspect it's pretty loose. If it's not maybe it's had some maintenance.
I must echo what Mike has said, unless you are a good mechanic, you would probably do well to find something newer even though it will cost more because you can/will dump a lot of money into one of these. Or depending on how much work you need it for, hire someone with a machine.
I have a 202 MF with loader and backhoe and the backhoe works but is very sloppy and has a few minor leaks. I wouldn't even dream of repairing everything that is wrong with it. I only fix the things that are absolutely necessary and hope for the best. I have just learned to go slow and easy with it and not dig close to anything I value.
Having said all that, if you like a challenge and have deep pockets, go for it!
 

[canuckmatt]

Thanks for the helpful info everyone. Just to shed a little more light though, here's some answers to a few of your questions:

I live in southern Ontario. The home I purchased desperately needs weeping tile. Instead of renting a backhoe, or hiring it to be done, I figured I'd buy a backhoe that's older, cheaper, and may need a couple things. What little money I have has been going into the renovation (the house was a foreclosure, and in very poor shape.) Then afterwards, I can use it to maintain the driveway, and dig the footings for the shop I plan on building in a few years or so.

I'd consider myself quite handy, and my time is free. I'm not a professional mechanic, but I've pulled and overhauled engines, rebuilt compressors, and fixed all sorts of other stuff. I have an acquaintance who works at a truck, coach and heavy equipment shop too. If I have to rebuild/replace a cylinder, replace hoses, or work on the injectors and pumps, and even if the machine leaks and has some slop to it, I don't mind as long as it can do what I need it to do and it's cheap.

By the way, it's being sold for only a couple hundred dollars more than scrap, and the engine was overhauled or rebuilt (not sure which) about 6 years ago. That owner was a mechanic; I don't know how long he owned it, but that leads me to believe it was probably cared for enough.
 

[Inno]

Just because a mechanic owned it doesn't mean too much, usually it's their equipment that gets serviced last. And maybe he knows more about it than he's letting on.

As far as your qualifications go I think the tractor would be a good fit for you. Sounds like you have done a lot of the things I have done and I love a challenge. I bought my 202 for many of the same reasons you are looking at this one for. Hiring it out or renting a machine is expensive and there are jobs I can do that I would normally not bother with if I didn't have a backhoe or loader at my disposal. My machine has done a LOT of work for me, might have saved me some money and I do enjoy working on it.
If the price is right......and I'd try offering him the scrap price, not much more unless he's driving a long way to deliver it 'cause that's likely all he's going to get if you don't buy it.
 

[MKinOntario]

Matt, You will want to be very careful digging around your foundation with that machine. If it needs weeping tile it's likely an older block foundation. Just a little slip with that baby and you'll be rebuilding the foundation --- or worse. Like MIke says, they are a real bear when working, but if it's sloppy, and you're inexperienced, trouble happens very fast. It's one thing to be digging out some stumps, or a hole out in the yard, but up against a house --- leave it alone! If you're intent on digging yourself, rent a small mini-ex from the local rental house. You'll be miles ahead, even if you have to take it over a couple of wknds and pay the float fees.
 

[to_many_irons]

most of the guys i work with and know .
put off working on there own stuff till the last they can get out of it .
unless its there baby .
i work in a truck and trailer shop .
before you get next to house try her out for a day or so , to get used to her .
i like the tims one the step .
 

[canuckmatt]

Thanks for the input. It's poured concrete, and about a foot thick. It's a bit of a strange house. I'll definitely try some other things out first, see how unwieldy it is before I do something like the house.