MFWD - front axle not working

[williamar]

I am gonna have a look at an absolute auction where there is a mid eighties Massey Ferguson 2625 for sale. Front Axle listed as not working. Though I am going to assume the tractor runs and drives other than that. I don't care about it being perfect, just need 100 HP. Does running a tractor with a non engaging front wheel axle pose any concern? I mean, I don't know which part of it is broken, the drive shaft, or the axle differential itself. Basically it is reduced to operating as a two wheel drive. Which works for me. Any thoughts on if this is an acceptable approach?
 

[mkirsch]

Like you said, depends on what's broken, and how badly it's broken.

If you've got pieces of differential or planetary carrier floating around in a gear case somewhere, you're going to tear things up in short order.

Missing driveshaft is a big DUH. Then again you need to ask WHY is it missing? What else is wrong?

Might be something simple like a solenoid/actuator, but the auctioneer surely would check this out because it's the quick easy fix. The tractor's worth a lot more with a functional MFWD.