MF7E Refurb project

Cub Cadet · February 12, 2019

Afternoon all, After a few busy months I finally had the chance to make a start on the massey! The aim is to get it running for a show late in July.

Heres some before photos in case you forgot

First job was to get the front up on some axle stands, remove the hood and front wheels. The steering needs some work as everything is very worn.

it needs some serious degreasing as well so the engine was next to come out, it also helps to have the engine on a bench as it will need a partial strip down.

here you can see just how worn the axle is, it is a very lightweight casting and unfortunately it is a bit twisted.

Next I made a new bush for the axle, should work just fine.

after a bit of cleaning up. the original paint is in excellent condition, just a shame someone painted over it.

These are going to require some attention at some point.

On closer inspection, one of the engine mount holes has cracked, just visible above, now welded up.

The idler pulley and steering column was removed and then everything given a good clean.

For a 56 year old machine, i'm surprised nothing is rusted solid, didn't even have to use any heat.

Next job when i'm home next is to replace the bearing in the idler pulley and sort out the worn steering components.

Westie1 · February 12, 2019

These little tractors look ace, I would love to find one some day.

I'll enjoy following this!

Ah I didn't realise this was you Ewan lol

Edited February 12, 2019 by Westie1

Stormin · February 12, 2019

You going to do a full refurb, Ewan, or just a sympathetic rebuild.

4x4forks · February 13, 2019

Cracking looking machine . Should keep you out of trouble for a while

Cub Cadet · February 13, 2019

On 2/12/2019 at 5:10 PM, Stormin said:

You going to do a full refurb, Ewan, or just a sympathetic rebuild.

A sympathetic rebuild, there is a lot of wear that needs sorting, the crankshaft bearings sound a little rough so the engine needs some attention. An serious degreasing and then something to seal the paint and rust

HeadExam · February 14, 2019

3 hours ago, Cub Cadet said:

A sympathetic rebuild, there is a lot of wear that needs sorting, the crankshaft bearings sound a little rough so the engine needs some attention. An serious degreasing and then something to seal the paint and rust

Here is the engine manual and a Massey 7E page so you can see original tyres and paint http://www.simplicityva.com/ymf/executive.html .You probably don't have the Kohler spec and serial number decal that was originally on the engine so you will have to look closely at the TP manual and find what sump, generator, air breather, rope start or electric start or both and other parts that were particular to your engine, by doing so you maybe able to determine the original 7 hp Kohler variant Duro Corporation installed into the Massey 7E. I would say it is real possible that it is a spec number of 2801 or very close to that. The TP manuals allow you to look up the spec number and cross reference which parts were used on your tractor.

K161-L161_7HP_TP1053A.pdf

Cub Cadet · February 14, 2019

7 hours ago, HeadExam said:

Here is the engine manual and a Massey 7E page so you can see original tyres and paint http://www.simplicityva.com/ymf/executive.html .You probably don't have the Kohler spec and serial number decal that was originally on the engine so you will have to look closely at the TP manual and find what sump, generator, air breather, rope start or electric start or both and other parts that were particular to your engine, by doing so you maybe able to determine the original 7 hp Kohler variant Duro Corporation installed into the Massey 7E. I would say it is real possible that it is a spec number of 2801 or very close to that. The TP manuals allow you to look up the spec number and cross reference which parts were used on your tractor.

K161-L161_7HP_TP1053A.pdf

Thanks Alain! yes, as you say there is no engine spec number decal, the small hp decal is present and after scratching off the paint we can determine that it is a 7hp model.

Anglo Traction · February 14, 2019

Good luck Ewan, I'll be following your progress .

Cub Cadet · January 12, 2020

After a busy year i'm finally getting round to posting some photos, nearly a year later!

so heres some photos.

Steering gear after a cleanup, I like the fact you can see red paint under the yellow. This is because a MF7E is a rebranded and repainted moto mower which were red.

Steering column, needed a good cleanup but been well greased so no wear.

Looking better after a bit of a clean.

Will try post some more photos later, having difficulty uploading them :banghead:

Cub Cadet · January 26, 2020

Finally worked out why my pictures wouldn't upload, stupid phone now takes photos in an unsupported format (by this website), managed to change it so here we are.