Massey Ferguson 50B

[Baker9]

We are going to look at a 50B digger as we have some drainage work to do and as we are part time it would be handy to have a machine on site when we have a few hours free. I know there are more modern machines about but money is the problem
The digger is a 1980 one and after talking to the owner we are going to look at it at the weekend.
What are the important things to look at on this machine and our budget is light. This machine has the torque gearbox.
The only issue I am aware of is the jack legs do not fully go down, is there a lock on them or what would the problem be.

 

[How much]

They are not a bad old machine no lock on the legs if they touch the ground and stop could be the seals in them gone and they wont support machine weight or just short oil
The torque is very slow especially when cold even if its got no problems they are pretty reliable the machines are very simple to fix the slew actuator is pretty poor never hold oil and will not hold the rear digger in place while traveling, its not slewed by rams , the good side is only that there is by virtue less bushes to have play in.

The things people like least is that to control the back end is a bit like playing a Piano there are so many levers.

they work ok better than digging by hand but by modern standards slow

 

[agrimax]

Would a 1980 model maybe have 2 lever controls and perhaps the 4.236 engine rather than the 4.212? Easier to work and a little more grunt.....

 

[two-cylinder]

Yes 4.236 engine replaced 4.212 in 1977.
I don't mind the bank of individual controls.
Those in good working order generally make about 3k, runners start at £1k and immaculate ones can get to £4-5k

 

[Mursal]

I think this is a MK2 that @Baker9 is going to look at.
Never liked them with a third slice, as it means they were on the shear grab, so steering swivels will be well used, with plenty of play, but I can see where your coming from. Handy to do an hour now and again ......

For anything more decent your taking 6k click
And it probably has its own issues.

Just keep a wee eye on this (if the 50b doesn't work out) its in their yard a while and dropped in price click.
A bit more money, but not much ............

Probably be expecting VAT on that price so be prepared with cash if you want a deal .............

 

[fermerboy]

Had various 50Bs back in the day.
Good old buses really.

Sore points are slew motor for back actor as said,
Crap power steering, the linkage is a tricky job to get right, always seemed to work one way. Power steering pump can leak oil, lands in the engine which saves you having to top it up so often!!!
Bugger to change the fan belt on as the pump is driven off the front of the crank.
Perkins engine will likely be a bit worn, smoke under load and burn oil too, but as long as there is oil in it it will last forever.
The torque converter can leak oil to the gearbox and she will just stop moving, simple top up and it will be fine till next time. Some were converted to share gearbox oil which was fine but the thicker oil meant they were sluggish as hell till they warm up a bit.
There can be a fair bit of play in the pins which hold the backactor on which means it can wriggle about a bit if you are giving it some action, not a major problem but can be a bit disconcerting the first time.

None of the above are disastrous and when viewed in a list seem like the machines are rubbish, they aren't a bad digger at all and one of the best front loaders then and even today. Just dated nowadays.
We used to say a tidy one was one with all the glass in the cab.!!!

 

[Baker9]

Thanks for the replys everyone. It has the 4-236engine and all the glass seems to be in he cab. I was asking to find out what the obvious problems were. I did not realise that slewing was done with a motor and not rams. I have never driven a digger before so its going to be a learning experience.

 

[Henarar]

never had a problem with the slew motor on the 50 B I had
never did like the instant reverse transmission mine had a gearbox but it would be ok for what you want
cant see what the problem with the legs could be apart from the ram seals gone

 

[David_]

I run an MF 40 and it's a good little digger although slow as others have mentioned. In addition to what others have said above I'd look at the condition of the rams: Are they scratched or badly pitted? have the seals gone and leaking badly? Just had the majority of the rams on mine resealed and was not a cheap job. The alternative is to keep pouring oil in but it's messy and gets expensive! Buckets are also quite difficult to get hold of if doesn't come with many as they are different to JCB etc. on the mounting spacing. They pop up on ebay or you could make/adapt some but it's all extra cost so something to consider.

 

[Henarar]

40 buckets I think
I have some for a 50 B that won't fit the HX I have now

 

[Highway star]

I'd probably like to try taking it up a hill in both directions forwards & then in reverse just to make sure the torque converter was working ok if I was trying one to buy