MF 50EX FARMHANDLER DRIVE PROBLEM

[skidless]

I have a 1989 MF 50EX FARM HANDLER , which is a brilliant loader tractor for me but I am having a few issues with it at the moment and was hoping someone may have a few ideas what is the problem/problems ,
firstly the forward shuttle has started playing up and only works intermittently , when it doesn't work if you shake the loader it sometimes works , the other problem is starting , it starts everyone so often first time , other times you turn the key and there is nothing there , I realise it is an old machine but to me it is such a good loader tractor that it is invaluable to me , so any advice is really appreciated as I would like to get her up and running .

 

[essexpete]

Presumably the shuttle is an electric type?

 

[agrimax]

Sounds like loose wires somewhere. Been a while since I was on one,but isn't there a dump switch on the loader control lever? Check the wiring and switch.If the wires get bare and touch,it'll be the same as pressing the button.Same for the button and wires on the gear lever.
For starting,Does the gear lever need to be in neutral? Again,safety switch on the gearbox and wiring to check out.Also the battery connections and key switch terminals.All sounds like lose wiring to me.

 

[Henarar]

but isn't there a dump switch on the loader control lever?

there is a dump switch on the floor under your left foot, I don't think they had one on the loader control or the gear leaver like a HX would have
IIRC

 

[Henarar]

firstly the forward shuttle has started playing up and only works intermittently , when it doesn't work if you shake the loader it sometimes works

only a problem with forward shuttle and reverse is ok ?
if so it maybe the switch or the wiring down to the solenoid check you have power to the solenoid which is under the floor I think you have to take the floor out to get to it easily

 

[Mursal]

Gently wiggle the wiring loom rather than the loader to pinpoint the bad connection on the shuttle, you wont find it first time, but be patient.
Same with the starting (probably loose small wire on the starter solenoid (round bit on the top)) get someone to hold the key and move the loom until you get cranking.

Just be careful working on the machine, with someone else in the seat.

 

[agrimax]

there is a dump switch on the floor under your left foot, I don't think they had one on the loader control or the gear leaver like a HX would have

Perhaps it's the 3rd service button on the loader lever I'm thinking of...... The one I drove had a button on the gear lever but trying to get a clear picture on Google images doesn't show one there either. It was probably moved from the floor as an afterthought. Nevertheless I would think the wiring linked to it will be the problem.

 

[Henarar]

Perhaps it's the 3rd service button on the loader lever I'm thinking of....

no 3rd service button on the loader lever, there are two leavers one back and forward for up and down the other operates the 3rd service as you push it back and forth and you move both leavers side to side for crowd and dump
I may be wrong about the dump button its a long time ago I had one but I don't see why you would need one when as I said there is a peddle on the floor you can use with your left foot, remember you cant left foot brake with an EX like you can with a HX as the brake peddles are on the right rather than in the middle

 

[Henarar]

 

[Mursal]

Can you not throw your leg over?

 

[Henarar]

Can you not throw your leg over?

 

[dannewhouse]

the 1 I drove is a bit newer than that, it has the brakes on the left. it does have a button on the joystick for neutral but not on the floor. I'm sure it doesn't have a button on the gear lever either

 

[agrimax]

Yes,I remember a bit more now too. It had one loader lever. Back and forward for up and down and left and right for crowd and dump. Push the button at the same time as left and right and the tine grab opened and closed. An excellent machine for buckraking silage. There was no pedal on the floor and the button didn't always work on the gear lever so you flicked the shuttle lever into neutral before changing gear. This one had the brake pedals in the middle, so left foot braking was the norm. Must 'av been a few variations in them.

 

[dannewhouse]

Yes,I remember a bit more now too. It had one loader lever. Back and forward for up and down and left and right for crowd and dump. Push the button at the same time as left and right and the tine grab opened and closed. An excellent machine for buckraking silage. There was no pedal on the floor and the button didn't always work on the gear lever so you flicked the shuttle lever into neutral before changing gear. This one had the brake pedals in the middle, so left foot braking was the norm. Must 'av been a few variations in them.

yes as the 1 I drove the button on joystick was for neutral not 3rd service as it had the second lever for that

 

[classic cutter]

we had trouble with the forward reverse switch i took it to bits and a spring had moved i reassembled it and it been no more trouble i have been told the dump button or wiring on the hydraulics joystick can cause trouble as agrimax says the safety start switch can cause problems but its been a great machine for us

 

[dannewhouse]

we had trouble with the forward reverse switch i took it to bits and a spring had moved i reassembled it and it been no more trouble i have been told the dump button or wiring on the hydraulics joystick can cause trouble as agrimax says the safety start switch can cause problems but its been a great machine for us

everyone who has them loves them but what to replace with as theyre getting old now?
a solid boom pivot in midlle style machine?
a pivot in middle machine but extendable?
a solid chassis telehandler! < ex men seem to hate these!
or a loader tractor?

all at what cost £££££

 

[Mursal]

JCB 3CX?

 

[dannewhouse]

JCB 3CX?

tall though aren't they for low buildings that would also be a problem with bigger loader tractors,
the 1 I know of has about 1ton on back + tyres filled unloads fert 3 bags at a time no bother

 

[Henarar]

tall though aren't they for low buildings that would also be a problem with bigger loader tractors,
the 1 I know of has about 1ton on back + tyres filled unloads fert 3 bags at a time no bother

what size bags ? use to take off 4 bags 500kgs at a time with my 50E
lifted a tree trunk with the HX the other day, chap reckoned it was 3 ton

 

[dannewhouse]

what size bags ? use to take off 4 bags 500kgs at a time with my 50E
lifted a tree trunk with the HX the other day, chap reckoned it was 3 ton

600kg uses muck fork dunno if hes tried pallet tines and 4 I would think it wouldn't do it as 3 is near limit and them other 2 are a long way forewards