1958 Massey Ferguson TO-35 wont turn over

rafah

New User
Hello Everyone,
I know very little about tractors but I have an old Massey that was running recently and I am not sure what to do. It was my dads tractor but it has always had issues. Up until now it would try to crank over when holding the button that starts the engine. Now, when the button is pressed it cranks once and nothing after that. My mom had someone come look at it and he said it was the ignition. I replaced with an ignition kit. Continues to do the same thing. I attached a video that shows what I am trying to describe. I'm not sure if I should be looking at the starter or maybe the solenoid? Any recommendations are appreciated.


 
You replaced with an ignition kit? I don't know what was in that ignition kit but it sounds like you have a plain old dying battery. Get the battery charged. You had someone come out and take a look at it to tell you the problem was the ignition? Of course it's the ignition. The battery is where the ignition starts. Don't call that idiot again.

Charge the battery.
 
Thank you all for the replies but its not the battery. I put the battery on a battery charger and it still did the same thing. I also pulled a newer battery that I have on my truck to try that one out and it did the same thing.
 
You replaced with an ignition kit? I don't know what was in that ignition kit but it sounds like you have a plain old dying battery. Get the battery charged. You had someone come out and take a look at it to tell you the problem was the ignition? Of course it's the ignition. The battery is where the ignition starts. Don't call that idiot again.

Charge the battery.
Yes, he was very much no help and all we lost out on was some really old couches so Im not too worried about it. Thats how I found this website because it seems like it might be a better option than calling him out again.
 
Yes, he was very much no help and all we lost out on was some really old couches so Im not too worried about it. Thats how I found this website because it seems like it might be a better option than calling him out again.
Welcome to the forums.

A bit of history to set the record straight. Your TO30 is a Ferguson, not a Massey Ferguson. (Harry) Ferguson developed a hydraulic system and was partnered with Ford for a time. When they separated he built the Ferguson tractors for a few years prior to joining Massey Harris. That merger eventually lead to the Massey Ferguson we know now.

What is your general location, someone here might be nearby.

Some history of the tractor may help. You say you put an ignition kit in it, so one would believe it is gasoline engine. Is this tractor 6 volt or 12 volt? Was the tractor running well and this problem just appeared? Or has it been setting for an extended time and you are trying to get it going again? If you tow it, does it start?

I really can't tell what is going on in your video. If I understand correctly, you push the starter button and the starter turns the engine over one revolution, then stops turning the engine. Does it turn the engine over one turn, each time you push the button, but will not keep turning the engine if the button is held pushed?
 
Thank you all for the replies but its not the battery. I put the battery on a battery charger and it still did the same thing. I also pulled a newer battery that I have on my truck to try that one out and it did the same thing.
All that tells me it's in your wiring somewhere. As I've said before, A connection can look all clean and nice but still be bad. You need to take all the connections apart and clean the metal with a file or sandpaper. I've done the same thing on my 8N when it wouldn't start. Just a couple months ago, I had trouble with my MF202. Sometimes it would start fine and other times it wouldn't turn over at all. After going through all the connections with no results, I finally found the bad connection. It was the ground cable on the battery. It was grounded to the tractor frame. Trouble was that I could not even see the connection until I took the battery out. It's frustrating but believe me, your eyes can not see a bad connection. They may look fine causing you to overlook them but be the actual problem. Good Luck. You could try jump starting it right at the starter from another battery. If that doesn't work, at least you'll know that your solenoid or starter is bad.
 
All that tells me it's in your wiring somewhere. As I've said before, A connection can look all clean and nice but still be bad. You need to take all the connections apart and clean the metal with a file or sandpaper. I've done the same thing on my 8N when it wouldn't start. Just a couple months ago, I had trouble with my MF202. Sometimes it would start fine and other times it wouldn't turn over at all. After going through all the connections with no results, I finally found the bad connection. It was the ground cable on the battery. It was grounded to the tractor frame. Trouble was that I could not even see the connection until I took the battery out. It's frustrating but believe me, your eyes can not see a bad connection. They may look fine causing you to overlook them but be the actual problem. Good Luck. You could try jump starting it right at the starter from another battery. If that doesn't work, at least you'll know that your solenoid or starter is bad.
Thanks for the info, I think my brother and I are going to go over every connection and maybe change out the wires cause they are in rough shape.
 
Welcome to the forums.

A bit of history to set the record straight. Your TO30 is a Ferguson, not a Massey Ferguson. (Harry) Ferguson developed a hydraulic system and was partnered with Ford for a time. When they separated he built the Ferguson tractors for a few years prior to joining Massey Harris. That merger eventually lead to the Massey Ferguson we know now.

What is your general location, someone here might be nearby.

Some history of the tractor may help. You say you put an ignition kit in it, so one would believe it is gasoline engine. Is this tractor 6 volt or 12 volt? Was the tractor running well and this problem just appeared? Or has it been setting for an extended time and you are trying to get it going again? If you tow it, does it start?

I really can't tell what is going on in your video. If I understand correctly, you push the starter button and the starter turns the engine over one revolution, then stops turning the engine. Does it turn the engine over one turn, each time you push the button, but will not keep turning the engine if the button is held pushed?
Thanks for the reply, I just figured it was a Massey Ferguson based on quick searches.

I'm located in the Yakima Valley in Washington State.

The tractor is a gasoline engine. I believe it is a 6 volt and think I'm gonna get one of the conversion kits to get a new alternator on it since from what I've been told the alternator is bad. The tractor was sitting all winter since last year. Started it up in April. Ran fine for about a month. One day it would start and shut off after 5 seconds. My brother and I thought it was the fuel line and cleaned it out and it would start and die still. The next day it started doing what is shown in the video.

We push the started button and it does one revolution. It will turn over once and still holding the button it does nothing. Doing it over and over again will get weaker and weaker until it eventually doesn't do it.
 
Welcome. First, take a step back- Fail to turn well is not an ignition issue! 1 thing at a time. Figure out 6 V or 12. Charge bat and fix all connections. You may be pos ground- no matter- run a separate "jumper cable" ground bat to block, Just in case. If no luck rolling over- try to turn by hand- figure out stiff engine-bad- or starter/bat- not good, but reasonable. NOTE if motor stops in same spot-sign if internal troubles- best by hand turning. You may need to work on fuel, ignition, tires, generator, et cetera- BUT for now 1 thing at a time. Lastly note- if motor is free you can push start machine. Get a farm kid friend, or guy over 50 to assist. Best of luck- 1 thing at a time!! A minor repair to ignition or charging system is faster and cheaper that upgrading same, but ya ain't there now. Heads up- neglected points oxidize- a pass with a file can get ya going, once she turns. Use your hands- electrical troubles make heat. The hot component or connection or wire needs fixed first!
 
Park it on hill roll it down a bit pop the clutch
Drove a 53 Chevy for two years no money or brains
But got me where I wanted to go 🤣🚜
 

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