TO- 30

[oldmisterbill]

I am looking at a TO-30. Nice motor no smoke -needs s carb kit to run perfect - PTO shafe seal leaks -I have a seal-needs plugs & points (been sitting. Tires are almost new 95%. Straight clean very tight, The only problem I can find is it steers real hard (two handed tug & pull)-how do they normally steer when they are right? Includes a pipe style loader (LORD? maybe) & bush hog $2000 I think its a great deal. Just concerned about the steering. Any input would be nice.

Thanks MR Bill
 

[Jerry/MT]

With a loader they"ll steer real hard from all the weight on the front end and no power steering.
How do you know the carb needs a rebuild to run perfect? Could be bad timing, misadjusted points, fouled plugs, poor float setting, bad carb adjustment, burned etc, etc.

For 2 g"s with a loader and a bush hog, it could be a good deal.
 

[oldmisterbill]

The carb was filthy - I used a wire drill and open up the idle circuit,then use a grose jet forthe float valve.Next an electric fuel shutoff (I'm lazy & forget to shut the fuel off sometimes. Coat the interiorof the fuel tank an the fuel system is set for the next 20 years. The loader is off it now so it steers hard with no loader. I'm just not familuar with the massey steering. been around tractors for 50 yeaqrs. Love them -started plowing with a CC Case on steel in Massachsetts. ANy back to the steering how are they normally - I didn't see any play to worry about - maybe kingpins seizing - steering box adjustment -Havent looked to close - not a good idea when purchasing - just need to find the problems then the idiosyncrocies of them

Thanks Mr Bill
 

[ShadetreeRet]

Mrbill, even without power steering, it should not steer as hard as you describe. I have a TO30 and it steers easier than my truck, (which does not have P/S either.) I think you may be on to something when you mentioned that it had been sitting for some time the front axle spindle, bushing, or bearing could be tight from old grease, rust, or lack of proper lubrication/maintenance. Make sure the steering gearbox has sufficient lubricant and take a grease gun to every component in the steering that has a fitting. Just some thoughts, and good luck.
 

[samn40]

I would say it could be the steering spindles are siezed with rust/hard grease. Jack up the front end and see if it is still tight to steer. You may have to remove the top clamps from the spindles and drop them out to clean the old grease or rust off them. If you take off both front wheels you do not have to jack the front too high to get the spindles out as one side of the axle can drop quite a bit and lift the other side up high. Remember to completely remove the clamp bolt and woodruff key to release the spindle.
Sam
 

[Richard L]

I purchased a TO 35 w/FEL and that was steering way to hard. I looked in front of the crank pulley at the front axle and pivot pin I can see real close to 3/16" gap between the pin and axle pivot so I am sure I know where my hard steering comes from. Loaders on these tractors are not easy on the steering.
 

[oldmisterbill]

Thanks thatts what I was wondering. I remember driving a 9N when i was in my early teens -I thought I would remmeber if it was hard steering. The unit really is nice - straight clean ,the loader isn't on it ,and I wonder if it has ever been on it. Due to my poor typing I said I "used a wire drill on the carb I ment to say when I do Marvel carbs I use wire drills. The gross jet I mentioned was invented by a guy in MA. I consists of 2 small balls on top of each other in a screw in sleeve w/seat that replaces the needle & seat. The balls turn when the float moves them mking them self cleaning. I have one on my Case 300 its been in service since 1994. The solinoid fuel shut offs are just a back up. This is basically my plan here if I can sfford the Massey. It will be permantly hitched to the bush hog as it is difficult for me to unhook and hook 3pt attachments.I am on a fixed income so $$ are short sometimes. As usual when it comes to old tractors and such the people here are great,I spent 5 years hauling antique tractors and farm equipment ,covereng the Eastern 1/2 of the U.S. so many great people out there -many good memories. - thanks.
 

[phil(va)]

Should steer real easy without the loader. Good info from others. Complete steering boxes hard to find and people are proud of them, if it turns out to be that....
 

[Jerry/MT]

If the loader is off and it steers hard I"d suspect the bearings in the steering box are shot or at the very least, they may need adjusting. They don"t have lite steering forces statically but once you are moving they steer real easy.
 

[to30to35mf35]

My 30 got hard to steer I found the nut on the shaft in the column shaft had tightened up over time
 

[purecty]

hey phil.
u get nuff snow?. i didnt even get to use my to-20 down here in danville
bill