Massey Ferguson PTO

[jwright]

I looked at a Massey Ferguson TO 35 Deluxe today. On the Massey Ferguson site by the serial # it is a 1955 model. The owner says the only way to put the PTO in gear is when the engine is off and tractor is not running. Never heard of this--also on the MF site it says it has a two stage clutch. Don't know if the problem is in clutch or PTO. Any ideas. Thanks.

 

[Brendon Warren]

The clutch is likely out of adjustment or it could be worn.

 

[wellmax99]

When I got my tractor 1957 TO35 back from a clutch rebuild I had some of the same issues. Sometimes I had to turn motor off to engage the pto, but after a while of heavy bush hogging it works fine now.

I always idle down when I engage the pto, also be sure as I assume you have the two stage clutch that you push the clutch petal down to the metal floor board. Must have about 3/4" of free play, if more you may need to adjust the clutch pedal on the cross rod.

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi, I think that 1955 is too early for the 35 version. In the UK the Ferguson 35 was introduced around 1957/58 with the dual clutch. Assuming that this tractor has a dual clutch then it definately is not correct to have to stop the engine to engage the PTO. There are several possibilities here. Firstly the internal and external adjustments are out. The PTO pressure plate is not being lifted off the PTO plate to allow it to stop turning when the clutch pedal is pushed into the second stage. As mentioned this can be adjustment on the release bearing shaft or internal. Another possibility is that the PTO plate has broken up. This will allow a broken piece of lining to get sandwiched between a good part of the PTO plate and the flywheel or pressure plate. The feel of the pedal will be normal but the pressure plate cannot be moved back enough to free the plate. Remove the inspection plate under the clutch housing and have an assistant press the clutch pedal. Using a flashlight watch the operation of the release linkage. It should all move evenly and as soon as the pedal is pressed. If there is a delay you need to watch it to find out where the lost movement is.
Let us know how you get on.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[miner09]

Yes PTO side of clutch is worn or the bushings or shaft could be worn. I had same problem and when I took apart I found bushings worn out and worn shaft bad also. Built up shaft and machined down with new bushings and it works great. I had dealt with this for several years turning engine off to engage PTO. Some 55 TO35 didn't come with live PTO. Does the serial number show SGM?

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Oh David... I hate to sound like a bragging yank... but I believe there were experimental TO35's with Z134's and 2 stage clutches as early as summer of '54. perhaps Richard or Sam knows for sure... now this is no excuse to knock down more than one dead soldier...
Getting back to the problem, throttling down to an idle is usually as good as shutting down. Continental petrols are so powerful they create a planetary magnetism that spins the clutch plate around like.. like... Jupiter and Saturn or somthin...

 

[Jack in NB]

Poor PTO cluth engagement has been a consistent problem on 6 2 stage clutches in my collection.

After rebuilds with most of the slack taken out, the fix that worked was using 55 to 60 thou clearance on the adjusting cap screws, as opposed to the 90 thou the book says.

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi Tony,
OK I will bow to your superior knowledge if they were around earlier. It still intrigues me that what you call the TO35
has the bonnet(hood) of a TE20 but the back end of a Ferguson 35. Clearly someone made the decision to change to the
new hood.....sorry bonnet!!!!!!!!!!
DavidP

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Oh the bonnets are even more confusing! TO20 and TEA grills will not fit each other in a million years! Ask me how I know... some threads on the HF forum are from new owners who don't really know the correct model designation of their new toy. So set themselves up to order a 'wrong' right grill- at a C note or 2 a pop...
My MF35 with the famous smoking 23C, has a hood, doglegs, grill- and Harry Ferguson badge, all basically the same as my 1955 green and grey TO35. But with the later fuel door latch. I thought I should hunt for the rounded- FE35- style bonnet and grill.... but those in the know say mine is correct for a 1959 US model 35 with 23c engine....
btw David, you are the first person to ever bow to my superior knowledge on anything- except Zulu war Martini Henrys and Custer era Trapdoor Springfields.... never for anything I know on Ferguson at all..... so you must be ready for an early night- or you just had your flu shot.... you'll feel better in the morning...

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Yes, feeling better this morning!!! Don't know much about the Trapdoor Springfields but know a little about the Martini
Henry and don't forget the slightly later Mausers used by the Boers.
Cheers
DavidP