common problems with TO30

[okie old guy]

The first tractor my granddad put me on as a kid was a Ferguson 30. It still has a soft spot in my heart. I have an opportunity to buy a 1953 and want to know any one's knowledge of any major common problem with this tractor. I was told by one person that this tractor's motor was designed with extremely little separation between cylinder walls and as a result the motor had high failure rates. I tend not to believe it since I ran one for several years on the farm as a kid and we never had any problem. Any quick replies would be appreciated as I am due to check it out in a couple days.

 

[jvin248]

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Leaking coolant into the oil is common on that engine. If no trouble when you look over the tractor to buy then probably all ok (like the one you had as a kid).
Make sure you check coolant mix provides protection against freezing.

There's a TO-30 for sale less than ten miles away with the leaky coolant into the engine problem. It's been for sale since spring without takers and the price is pretty attractive.

My folks had one on the farm that sat the whole time I grew up and the reason was 'cracked block' (assumed not actual problem). Friends of the family own a tractor repair shop so my father took it in a decade ago to get the tractor fixed so he could use it at the 'second farm'. The went through it, pronounced the problem 'fixed' and my father drove it the five miles home from the shop. He checked the oil and found coolant mixed in. They were great friends so rather than raise a stink about it he parked it in the shed and it sits there fifteen years later. I did a trade this last summer and got a second engine to put in that tractor for another go-round.

However, this '20' engine video could be the type of problem the TO-30s had with the sealing, crud getting under the liners and then leaking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnnapV6gjvE&list=PL8J1SVzcr2oQ7iodaoGilVNn3NMTjusd5&index=8

.

 

[Tom H.]

That is the common problem with the TO30 Z129 engine, which is basically an overbored Z120, TO20 engine, so a little less metal between the cylinder
seats. As long as it was cared for, ie antifreeze in the coolant system, there should be no problems.

I am familiar with these as I have had four engines repaired using the pinning method, simply a bolt closing up the crack in the lower part of the block.

Should be a good machine

 

[Steve@Advance]

Block cracking is a common problem, but from what I've come to understand, it's
caused from freezing, which can hardly be blamed on a defective design.

The biggest problem will likely be age related. Unless you just happen to find
one that's already been gone through, and we're not talking restoration via spray
paint, you can expect to find problems.

Assuming it does run, that is a big plus. Not running brings the value down to
the going scrap rate per ton.

Not running and a stuck engine, be ready for an overhaul and new piston/liner
assemblies, along with whatever else that might be wrong once inside.

Clutch, if it hasn't been run, the clutch may be rust stuck. Sometimes it can be
freed up, sometimes it can't.

Tires are a big issue. They are expensive. If it needs tires keep that in mind
and be ready to dig deep. Wheels may be rusted out too.

Electrical, unless it's been rewired it will need new wiring. Not really
expensive or a hard job, but some people are just terrified of the prospect.

Gas tank, again unless it's been replaced or it's a very rare barn find, be ready
to replace it.

Radiator, same thing, probably bad.

Front suspension and steering are not the best, especially if it has or ever had
a loader on it. Steering gear will probably be dry, maybe full of water. Front
axle pivot is likely worn, along with the spindle bushings.

It it's been stored outside, 100% chance the gear cases are full of water. Good
news, it usually doesn't hurt anything unless it hasn't been moved in 20 years!

Not sure what your intentions are for it, but if it runs at all, and you do buy
it, I would suggest you keep it running as is (so long as nothing is self
destructing), long enough to put it through it's paces. If you have any
implements, put them on, take it out and work it.

Get a log book and start writing down every issue you find. That will help you
decide how deep you want to go into it. Also fixing it once is always better than
going together only to find it has to come back apart because something else was
wrong that wasn't noticed before!

Let up know how it goes!