Is there an easy way to drop the fuel tank off an MF4225?

[JVM]

Engine has been starving for fuel: revs vary despite fixed throttle setting, until eventually the engine dies. Continues on after bleeding the fuel system, for maybe 10 minutes, then plays up again. Fuel lift pump has been changed; fuel filter changed and checked a second time as clean. Supply of fuel to the lift pump from a non-tank container has the engine apparently running normally, and there are no leaks on the pressure side of the lift pump, so I'm forced to the conclusion that the 27 year-old rubber hose from tank to lift pump has a crack. Since it is extremely difficult to get at the tank connection with the tank in situ, I'm thinking I might as well remove the tank, check that it is clean and make an easier job of replacing the hose. I presume the guard plate comes of separately?

JV

 

[daveydiesel1]

Steps off,wheel off, fuel tank straps off and slide tank out. Empty tank first

 

[JVM]

Steps off,wheel off, fuel tank straps off and slide tank out. Empty tank first

Thanks for your quick reply daveydiesel1. Fuel is out, but I was hoping for a simpler way than yours. I spose the tank will be a bit heavy and awkward to simply drop down, then lift back up with everything else still in place.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Thanks for your quick reply daveydiesel1. Fuel is out, but I was hoping for a simpler way than yours. I spose the tank will be a bit heavy and awkward to simply drop down, then lift back up with everything else still in place.

Its really not that big of a job, only a guess but the wheels on that size of tractor wont be that hard to handle. Theres a good possibility youl need new tank straps as theyl most likely be siezed and rusty so will probably just buckle when you go to remove them

 

[JVM]

Its really not that big of a job, only a guess but the wheels on that size of tractor wont be that hard to handle. Theres a good possibility youl need new tank straps as theyl most likely be siezed and rusty so will probably just buckle when you go to remove them

Agree about the wheels, since they are not water ballasted. You could be correct about the tank straps, although the outside bolts appear to be well oiled with (presumably) spilled diesel, so I might be lucky. Thanks for the warning.


JV

 

[Sausage]

Thanks for your quick reply daveydiesel1. Fuel is out, but I was hoping for a simpler way than yours. I spose the tank will be a bit heavy and awkward to simply drop down, then lift back up with everything else still in place.

I’m not sure you’ll get a simpler way. Many a time I’ve tried a shortcut, to waste time and have to do it the way I knew it should have been done in the first place.

 

[manhill]

Don't know the layout of your tractor but would it be useful to have a plastic container strapped on somewhere as a small tank. Would have to top up more often. Just a thought. I might do this when an old tank eventually fails.

 

[JVM]

Don't know the layout of your tractor but would it be useful to have a plastic container strapped on somewhere as a small tank. Would have to top up more often. Just a thought. I might do this when an old tank eventually fails.

Good point manhill. I've sort of done that to test part of the system, by supplying the lift pump from an open bucket, thus eliminating the tank/hose part of the fuel supply. The tractor can be done without for a time, so I don't need go to the extent of a temporary tank. Appreciate your suggestion.

JV

 

[JVM]

I’m not sure you’ll get a simpler way. Many a time I’ve tried a shortcut, to waste time and have to do it the way I knew it should have been done in the first place.

Oh yes! Thanks for your comment Sausage. Well aware of the old short-cut/time wasting caper ;-)

JV

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Re the straps.
Preemptive maintenance being paramount!
Imagine the disaster is a full diesel tank strap fails whilst pulling a loaded trailer on a busy road.
10,000 youtube views and all the publicity does not bear thinking about!
SS

 

[JVM]

Re the straps.
Preemptive maintenance being paramount!
Imagine the disaster is a full diesel tank strap fails whilst pulling a loaded trailer on a busy road.
10,000 youtube views and all the publicity does not bear thinking about!
SS

Not wrong, SS! Fortunately, in this neck of the woods said tractor is on a busy road for only a couple of hours each year - but then there is Murphy's Law # 34. Part 2 (a).......

 

[JVM]

May the bites of a thousand fleas for a thousand days afflict the last bloke to tighten the wheel centre nuts! Clearly, a young fella who did not know when enough was enough with the rattle gun. With a long bar for a handle, I was making the socket extension flex, but not moving any nut. I'll try a knock from a big hammer once I have the rim out of the way, hopefully avoiding the use of heat.

The next problem could be the step studs. I've moved all three, but it is hard to tell if the movement was in the threads - or the beginnings of the studs shearing! They've had a dose of Ballistol, and I'll try another nudge in the morning.

daveydiesel1 did not say, but it looks as if, with the two impediments removed, the tank will slide out sideways.

JV

 

[suffolksmallholder]

May the bites of a thousand fleas for a thousand days afflict the last bloke to tighten the wheel centre nuts! Clearly, a young fella who did not know when enough was enough with the rattle gun. With a long bar for a handle, I was making the socket extension flex, but not moving any nut. I'll try a knock from a big hammer once I have the rim out of the way, hopefully avoiding the use of heat.

The next problem could be the step studs. I've moved all three, but it is hard to tell if the movement was in the threads - or the beginnings of the studs shearing! They've had a dose of Ballistol, and I'll try another nudge in the morning.

daveydiesel1 did not say, but it looks as if, with the two impediments removed, the tank will slide out sideways.

JV

Good to read that you are doing the job. Sorry to hear it is a b1tch though!
SS

 

[JVM]

Good to read that you are doing the job. Sorry to hear it is a b1tch though!
SS

The good news (which I forgot, in my grumbling state of mind) is that the strap bolts will be no problem, having been liberally coated with diesel, presumably since their first day!

JV

 

[daveydiesel1]

May the bites of a thousand fleas for a thousand days afflict the last bloke to tighten the wheel centre nuts! Clearly, a young fella who did not know when enough was enough with the rattle gun. With a long bar for a handle, I was making the socket extension flex, but not moving any nut. I'll try a knock from a big hammer once I have the rim out of the way, hopefully avoiding the use of heat.

The next problem could be the step studs. I've moved all three, but it is hard to tell if the movement was in the threads - or the beginnings of the studs shearing! They've had a dose of Ballistol, and I'll try another nudge in the morning.

daveydiesel1 did not say, but it looks as if, with the two impediments removed, the tank will slide out sideways.

JV

If its a single tank itl be just slide it out, if 2 tanks the pipe between them willl need took off but id say its a single tank on that tractor. You might want to use heat on the step removal as if you break the bolts in your in for alot more torture

 

[dave6470]

If its a single tank itl be just slide it out, if 2 tanks the pipe between them willl need took off but id say its a single tank on that tractor. You might want to use heat on the step removal as if you break the bolts in your in for alot more torture

I those captive nuts they use on steps are crap
One if mine I welded studs in

 

[JVM]

If its a single tank itl be just slide it out, if 2 tanks the pipe between them willl need took off but id say its a single tank on that tractor. You might want to use heat on the step removal as if you break the bolts in your in for alot more torture

Yes, single tank, and yes, well aware to the risk of further torture, so I'll do my best to avoid it! Heat and time plus Ballistol might save me.

JV

I those captive nuts they use on steps are crap
One if mine I welded studs in

Thanks, I'll take a close look.

JV

 

[Mur Huwcun]

From what I remember of them pretty sure you can drop the tank down just enough to get at the pipes or does the cab not have an access panel? Cab floor has to come out to split 62s etc I remember that

 

[JVM]

From what I remember of them pretty sure you can drop the tank down just enough to get at the pipes or does the cab not have an access panel? Cab floor has to come out to split 62s etc I remember that

Good question Mur Huwcun. I have not looked for an access panel, so I'll lift the mat to check. Looking at the support brackets, it seems clear that the tank will slide out sideways. Bolts in awkward places would make dropping the brackets difficult if not impossible, I suspect.

 

[mac102004]

Not a big job, had ours off recently only took maybe 30 minutes to slide the tank out to re-seal the fuel sending unit and put the tank back.