Massey 732 mower restoration

[Jsmith2211]

Hello, so this a continuation on my last forum post on the restoration of the mower - I think I will post updates below this post if anybody is interested. Bar is off and with the local mechanic to be straightened. I found the serial number and it is 17005. Would anybody know how to deciefer this and maybe get a date from it?

The other thing is that I have recently acquired an operators manual for the mower. The thing is, the picture in the manual does not show the large spring at the back or the linkage to go with it. It only mentions the spring in the exploded parts diagram. Does anybody know what this spring is and why it isn't in my manual?

Thanks

James

 

[Exfarmer]

Is it either a break back mechanism or a knife suspension to assist folding

 

[WullieG]

Cut a few acres with one of these.....
IIRC that long spring supports the cutterbar when it is in the operating position and the hydraulics are raised (eg at the headland etc).
The breakaway spring is the smaller vertical one just behind the RH linkage pin.

 

[Jsmith2211]

Cut a few acres with one of these.....
IIRC that long spring supports the cutterbar when it is in the operating position and the hydraulics are raised (eg at the headland etc).
The breakaway spring is the smaller vertical one just behind the RH linkage pin.

Ok. so how would I go about adjusting it? If it is a support for the bar, then surely it would impact the height of said bar and so be covered under the manual section on adjusting the height of the bar?

 

[Dry Rot]

Ok. so how would I go about adjusting it? If it is a support for the bar, then surely it would impact the height of said bar and so be covered under the manual section on adjusting the height of the bar?

In theory, I think you are correct but you are meant to know these things! I had two of these mowers, long departed I fear. You adjust the nut on the end of the long spring so the bar floats. Obviously, you can't get that right without the bar installed complete with knives and fingers (so the weight is correct). Simple really. If it tends to lift in use, unscrew the nut a bit. But have it too long and the end of the bar may tend to dig in so leading to a bent bar. Yes, the smaller spring is for a breakaway mechanism. Get them adjusted right, with dry grass not too thick, and it's surprising how well they cut.

I picked up a two drum mower that had obviously not had a lot of use. I got a few smiles and knowing looks so I knew something was wrong. When I tried it out, the drums kept breaking back. It had to be that (smaller) spring but I had it tightened up as far as it would go. Finally, after lots of head scratching, I counted the coils. The spring was definitely shorter than the one illustrated in the manual. Changed the spring (the local dealer had a selection) and that mower did me well for a good few years.

 

[smallholder85]

Hi. Does anyone have part numbers to the mower. Got the manual and parts diagrams but no numbers to go with it.

 

[Dry Rot]

Post photos and ask on here. Probably no numbers back then!