MF 304 problems

[SuburbanBen]

Hi all, finally picked up a real tractor for myself. Problem is, I got it in a trade and it's pretty rough. All I know about it is it's an MF 304 industrial, apparently at one time it had a backhoe and loader, but now is just the tractor. Has the 3.3 Perkins diesel. I'll add pictures in the next few minutes as I take them, I'm hoping someone on here can give me some help pointing me in the right direction. My main questions are these:
Parts seem slim for this tractor, is that the case?
When loading the tractor, about a gallon of water spilled out of the open pto hole on the back of the rear end. How worried should I be?
It appears the previous owner chopped the loader arms, am I screwed trying to get a loader onto this thing eventually? What loaders fit these things? I haven't been able to find anything on the 300 series loader or where to find one/parts for one
What should I do about the large trans crack?
And finally, what is that lever on the top of the bent 3pt arm? Sorry for such newb questions this is my first legitimate tractor, going to this from a 66 suburban 10. Any help is much appreciated and I plan to hunt through the site for anything I can find. Thanks!

 

[Jim.ME]

Hi all, finally picked up a real tractor for myself. Problem is, I got it in a trade and it's pretty rough. All I know about it is it's an MF 304 industrial, apparently at one time it had a backhoe and loader, but now is just the tractor. Has the 3.3 Perkins diesel. I'll add pictures in the next few minutes as I take them, I'm hoping someone on here can give me some help pointing me in the right direction. My main questions are these:
Parts seem slim for this tractor, is that the case?
When loading the tractor, about a gallon of water spilled out of the open pto hole on the back of the rear end. How worried should I be?
It appears the previous owner chopped the loader arms, am I screwed trying to get a loader onto this thing eventually? What loaders fit these things? I haven't been able to find anything on the 300 series loader or where to find one/parts for one
What should I do about the large trans crack?
And finally, what is that lever on the top of the bent 3pt arm? Sorry for such newb questions this is my first legitimate tractor, going to this from a 66 suburban 10. Any help is much appreciated and I plan to hunt through the site for anything I can find. Thanks!

To me the cracked case needs to be replaced, the hydraulics, internal and front mounted, will be suspect setting open as they are, many missing pieces (at least they are not visible in your pictures), bent 3-point link. for some things. What is the engine condition? Doesn't look like you heard it run. The loader can likely be restored, if you have all of it, however it will take a knowledgeable and skilled welder/fabricator. That's just from your pictures, who knows what else will be found as you work on it. I will guess $5K or more and a lot of time will disappear at a minimum. How much mechanical work are you set up for and comfortable doing? If you are going to have to hire some of it out, the cost will go up.

Others may have a different view on this. I like to see tractors saved, however my thoughts on this one are that you are going to have way more money in making this a useable tractor, much less making it a useable loader tractor, than letting it go to a tractor salvage yard (if possible, not just to a scraper) and buying a running tractor.

 

[SuburbanBen]

Motor is in surprisingly good shape no cracks in the block or head, just did a head gasket and everything is free and moving. Starter is currently being rebuilt to see if she'll run. I don't have any parts to the loader only what is in the pictures. I have no idea the condition of anything internal, have yet to start digging but the front pump was inside and is in good shape, and the hydraulic lines I did remove were full of fluid. A friend is a welder and has hopes of welding the cracked case with nickel rod, but I'm a bit skeptical. I'm not afraid of mechanical work, just the sourcing of parts mainly. Here in western MA it's damn near impossible to find a decent tractor without paying an arm and a leg and I just need to move stuff around the yard, nothing crazy. Honestly would I be better just parting it out? If so I'm looking at 8ns and 9ns as my options for a replacement, though they don't seem to take a loader great.

 

[Will_Steve_NS]

Damn, that is rough. You might be better parting and sending the rest for scrap weight - put the money towards a different tractor. (If you do part it, I need a couple things for my 302 lol!)

 

[Jim.ME]

Motor is in surprisingly good shape no cracks in the block or head, just did a head gasket and everything is free and moving. Starter is currently being rebuilt to see if she'll run. I don't have any parts to the loader only what is in the pictures. I have no idea the condition of anything internal, have yet to start digging but the front pump was inside and is in good shape, and the hydraulic lines I did remove were full of fluid. A friend is a welder and has hopes of welding the cracked case with nickel rod, but I'm a bit skeptical. I'm not afraid of mechanical work, just the sourcing of parts mainly. Here in western MA it's damn near impossible to find a decent tractor without paying an arm and a leg and I just need to move stuff around the yard, nothing crazy. Honestly would I be better just parting it out? If so I'm looking at 8ns and 9ns as my options for a replacement, though they don't seem to take a loader great.

You are going to be searching salvage yards for many parts, like the cracked case, then there will be shipping if not where you can drive to pick such up. Some things are available from MF dealers and in the aftermarket. You will want to get familiar with the 304 parts book, on the AGCO site, so you can have part numbers to search with. Without a loader you don't need the front pump. The internal pump runs the three point.

I am not going to say one way or the other on parting it out, that is up to you. You have an idea of your budget and time you want to put into it.

What is an arm and a leg and what tractors are you referencing when you say that. If I look on Facebook I can see some (not just the 2, 8, 9Ns), in what I would call western MA, for under 3K to 5K I would look at. There is a MF 204 in Hampden for 3200 that might be worth a look

 

[Brown David]

My advice would be to find another one in better condition and use this one for parts.

 

[Stan Coryell]

I looks like someone already started parting that one out. Is the PTO shaft missing? How long has the transfer case cover been off?

 

[Bob H from Missouri]

If you are close to Southwest Missouri, I have a 303 that I am parting/scrapping out. Including the loader. Instead of the Perkins, it has a Continental motor.

Bob

 

[SuburbanBen]

I appreciate all the replies. Bob, unfortunately I'm in western Massachusetts or I'd be on my way to buy parts from you.
Update; a local welder was very excited to hear I had something cast for him to weld. He is confident he can weld the cover back together into one piece, provided I make a plate to hold the internals in place rather than use the cover to do so. He's also going to weld the large crack in the case, apparently he's very confident and several local farmers have his name on their machines. The wheels are coming off today as it's 60 here for some reason so I'll be able to see inside the rear end and assess. I pulled all the hydraulic parts still there and they all had good seals and no water. The radiator leaked, that came out and am searching for a new one. We put it behind a pickup and it is still in neutral and not locked up. The clutch/needing to split the tractor intimidates me. What's the best way to take the rear tires off? The 4 bolts to the rim or the 8 on the hub? Also, any ideas on where to go for used tractor tires? I've asked the local tire shops and everyone says they don't work on tractors. I can't seem to figure out how to get the 3pt arms off either. Took the cotter pin out of the top pins and they don't budge.

 

[SuburbanBen]

Update: well, I've found another tractor that I'm probably going to purchase. Anybody that was asking about parts, feel free to message me about them I'll be stripping this down for anything usable over the next few days. Thank you for all your replies and assistance

 

[Louchie]

Hi Ben, I just came across this and was wondering if you still have any parts left from the 304. I'm looking mainly for some sheet metal, especially the hood with side panels. I'm in Western Vt so not too far. I have two 304's that run ok, one with loader and one backhoe and a spare trans/ engine, and just need a good kick in the butt to start on getting one restored. Looking for some brake cylinders as well. Thanks