MH 30

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

I have a MH 30. I use it to pull round bales around. Last night I started it up and left it running for a minute to warm up. I got talking to my wife and when I went out there it had run out of gas. Put gas in it and it wouldn't start. Figured the battery was dead. Now it's acting like the engine is stuck. Can't turn the flywheel. Onn another tractor I have this happens sometimes and I just rotate the flywheel with the handcrank a little-- this one won't budge. Any solutions?

Ericp351 · Jan 3, 2023

pull all plugs. Add light oil (trans fluid- marval mystery, diesel, et cetera). Let sit and try to rotate by hand. If needed- wait try again, again, et cetera.

wore out · Jan 3, 2023

ASSUMING nothing ''bad'' has happened to the engine, the starter drive MAY be jammed against the flywheel ring gear.

BE SURE THE IGNITION IS ''OFF'', then if you have some help, put the transmission in the highest gear and rock the rear wheels forward and backward to jar it loose.

Or, loosen starter mounting bolts, and note if starter is jammed, and it should come loose.

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

I removed the starter and it still wouldn't budge.

used red MN · Jan 3, 2023

Any coolant in it?

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

Yes. Radiator is full.

rustred · Jan 3, 2023

Maybe it stopped because it ran out of oil not gas. First in the list would be to say if it has oil in it.

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

Yeah-- I checked. It didn't have a lot of oil in it-- a little-- I added.

rustred · Jan 3, 2023

His much u add. ?? Need facts to help u

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

I added about a quart and a half-- now it is about halfway up on the running range on the dipstick.

rustred · Jan 3, 2023

These little engines only hold about 4 quarts I think. Right? So its possible the pump could have stopped pumping. Plus running from the bottom of the pan who knows how much sludge is in there. Best to pull the pan and do a check. See it the rods will no be sideways on the crank. Or they are stuck. Even remove a rod to check it. An engine will not run long without oil. Very handy to check oil on these too.

rustred · Jan 3, 2023

Dam phone puts what it wants. I said to check the rods to see if you have side clearance and not stuck. Plus u will see if they got hot.

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

Ok. I had checked the oil not too long ago. Yes it's four quarts. Maybe it was using more than I thought. Thanks for the help.

stevieb49829 · Jan 3, 2023

Harry, did you notice if it had oil pressure when it WAS running? I think the 30 has a gauge, right?

jm. · Jan 3, 2023

Bad news sitting there idling with low oil it starved and locked up. Like the other poster said start by pulling the oil pan and taking a look b ut bet the mains are locked up .

Harryaroo · Jan 3, 2023

ok-- if that's the case-- engine rebuild?

rustred · Jan 3, 2023

if you want to put a few thousand in a 500.00 tractor. your money your call.

stevieb49829 · Jan 4, 2023

Harry, if it froze up, there are parts available for a rebuild. I'm assuming its the Continental F162 flathead 4, right. There are cranks and bearings available. And if you toasted a rod or two, they are available used. I might have one or two for you. If it spun any of the mains in the block, then you are looking at serious $$ to do the machining. Or do like I'm doing right now: searching for a good running engine. steve

Harryaroo · Jan 4, 2023

Thanks. I haven't had time to inspect further yet but I think I will either fix it or find an engine. The MH tractors are pretty common here in northern Maine but not the 30's. It's a tractor I got for $200 so at least I haven't spent too much to start. Thanks for the help. I'll be in touch.

Koolaid · Jan 4, 2023

You may get lucky and it only lightly stuck one of the rod bearings. If that's the case, you may only be into it for cleaning one journal up while it's still in the tractor and slipping in a new bearing (if they are insert style in these?).

This post was edited by Koolaid on 01/04/2023 at 12:39 pm.

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