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About the Massey Ferguson 300 series
Massey Ferguson Limited is a major agricultural equipment company which was based in Canada, Ontario, Brantford before it was purchased by AGCO. The company was formed by a merger between Massey Harris and the Ferguson business farm machinery producer in 1953, creating the company Massey Harris Ferguson. However, in 1958 the name was shortened for the first time to coin the brand Massey Ferguson. Today the company exists as a brand name utilized by AGCO and remains a major dealer around the world
The firm was founded in 1847 in Ontario, Newcastle by Daniel Massey as the Newcastle Foundry and Machine Manufactory. The business started creating some of the world's starting mechanical threshers, first by assembling parts from the United States and eventually designing and building their own equipment. The firm was taken over and expanded by Daniel's eldest son Hart Massey who renamed it the Massey Manufacturing Co. and in 1879 moved the business to Toronto where it soon became one of the city's leading employers. The massive collection of factories, consisting of a 4.4 hectares (11 acres) site with plant and head office at 915 King Street West, became one of the best known features of the city. Massey expanded the company and began to sell its products internationally. Through extensive advertising campaigns he made it one of the most well known brands in Canada. The firm owed much of its success to Canadian tariffs that prevented the bigger US companies from competing in Canada. A labor shortage throughout the country also helped to make the firm's mechanized equipment very attractive.
Massey Ferguson developed a wide range of agricultural vehicles and have a large share in the market across the world especially in Europe. The company's first mass-produced tractor was the Massey Harris Ferguson TVO which was quickly replaced by the Diesel 20. In 1958 the MF35, the starting Massey Ferguson branded tractor (a Ferguson design) rolled off the factory floor. These tractors were massively popular and sold across the UK, Australia, Ireland and the United States.
In the mid-1980s, the short-lived 600 show was released. This included the 675, 690, 690T, 695, 698 and 699. The reason for poor sale was due to poor taxi and appearance awkwardness compared to its predecessors. In the late 1980s, one of the greatest selling tractors of all time was released- the 300 series Massey Ferguson. Excellent power, simplicity of cab, maximum number of gears and components made the MF 300 series a success especially in Europe. The range included the MF 350,362,375,390, 390T, 393, 394, 395, 398, and the most preferred and powerful Massey Ferguson 399 with horsepower ranging from 72HP to 104HP.
Massey Ferguson 300 series Tractor factory workshop and repair manual
- Safety first (do these before you touch anything)
- Disconnect the battery negative terminal to prevent accidental sparks and engine starts.
- Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and keep all ignition sources away from fuel vapors.
- Wear safety glasses and gloves. Have a fire extinguisher nearby if possible.
- Tools you will need (each tool followed by a brief description and how to use it)
- Socket set with ratchet (common sizes 8, 10, 11, 13 mm or 5/16", 3/8", 7/16"): used to remove the bolts holding the coil bracket and any nearby components. Use the correctly sized socket, place it over the bolt head, and turn the ratchet handle counterclockwise to loosen. Keep bolts in a small container.
- Combination wrenches (same sizes as above): used where a socket won’t fit. Place the open or boxed end on the nut/bolt and pull or push to loosen; use steady force to avoid rounding corners.
- Flat-head screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver: used for small screws, clips, or to gently pry connectors free. Use the correct tip so you don’t strip the screw. Use the screwdriver as a lever only gently.
- Needle-nose pliers: used to grab small clips, pull off spark plug boots, and bend small tabs. Grasp, then pull straight to avoid damaging boots.
- Wire cutters/strippers: used if you need to trim or re-terminate wires. Cut flush, strip only the insulation needed (about 1/4" / 6 mm), and use a proper crimp or solder joint for new terminals.
- Multimeter (digital, with ohms and voltage): used to test coil primary and secondary resistance and to confirm battery voltage. To measure resistance, set to ohms, disconnect coil wires, touch probes to the coil terminals, read value. To measure voltage, set to DC volts, probe battery terminals (red to +, black to -).
- Inline spark tester or spark gap tester (recommended): used to confirm presence/quality of spark without removing spark plugs. Connect between coil high output and plug lead; crank engine and observe spark. Blue strong spark indicates good coil.
- Feeler gauge set (if your tractor uses contact points): used to set the gap between points or any specified air gap. Insert the correct thickness blade between the surfaces to set correct clearance; adjust as specified in manual.
- Small wire brush or emery cloth: used to clean connection points and terminals for a good electrical ground/connection.
- Dielectric grease and/or anti-seize: dielectric grease protects electrical connections from moisture; anti-seize on threads prevents corrosion and makes future removal easier.
- Cleaning rags and a small container for fasteners: keep parts organized and clean.
- Masking tape and permanent marker: label wires before disconnecting so you can reinstall correctly.
- Optional but useful: ignition coil tester (bench tester) — tests coil under simulated conditions for a definitive check.
- Why each extra/special tool may be required
- Multimeter: necessary to test coil resistance to know whether it’s actually bad before buying a replacement.
- Spark tester: quick safe way to see if the coil is producing spark under load; cheaper than trial-and-error parts replacement.
- Feeler gauge: required if your ignition system has points — you must set the correct gap for proper timing and spark strength.
- Wire tools and dielectric grease: if wires or connectors are corroded you’ll need to repair or replace them for a reliable connection.
- Parts that may need replacement (and why)
- Ignition coil (primary part): replaces a coil with no/weak spark, visible cracks, burnt smell, or out-of-spec resistance. This is the most likely replacement for coil-related no-spark problems.
- Condenser (capacitor) — if points ignition: condensers commonly fail and cause weak spark or misfiring; inexpensive and should be changed with points.
- Contact points (if present): wear or pitting leads to poor gap and weak spark; replace and set gap if your system uses points.
- Distributor cap and rotor (if present): cracked caps or corroded terminals leak or short the high-voltage spark, causing misfires.
- High-tension lead/spark plug boots: brittle or damaged boots leak spark; replace to restore proper insulation.
- Spark plugs: fouled or worn plugs reduce engine ignition efficiency; replace as routine maintenance.
- Wiring or connectors: corroded or broken wiring to the coil can mimic coil failure; repair or replace as needed.
- How to check whether the coil is bad (tests to do before buying parts)
- Visual inspection: look for cracks, carbon tracking, burned spots, melted insulation, or oil/fuel soaking the coil.
- Primary resistance test with multimeter: disconnect coil primary wires and measure ohms across the primary terminals. Typical older-coil ranges are low (fractions to a few ohms) — refer to a service manual for exact spec. If reading is infinite or wildly out of range, the coil is likely bad.
- Secondary resistance test with multimeter: measure between the coil high-voltage output (where the coil lead to the distributor/plug connects) and the coil primary terminal or ground. Typical thousands of ohms; out-of-range indicates a bad coil.
- Spark test: use an inline spark tester to check for a consistent strong spark while cranking. No spark or weak intermittent spark suggests coil, wiring, or points/condenser issues.
- Removal of the old coil (general, safe procedure for a beginner)
- Ensure battery negative is disconnected.
- Label wires and take photo(s) so reconnection is foolproof.
- Remove high-tension lead or distributor/plug lead from the coil’s high-voltage terminal by pulling the boot straight off; use needle-nose pliers if stuck (protect the insulation).
- Remove the small wires on the primary terminals (usually two): one from the distributor/points (or ignition module) and one from ignition switch/kill wire. Pull off the spade connectors; if corroded, use pliers to gently coax them off.
- Remove the mounting bolts or screws holding the coil bracket using the socket or wrench. Keep fasteners safe.
- Take the coil out and inspect the mounting bracket and wires for corrosion or damage.
- Installing the new coil (general procedure)
- Compare the old coil with the new one: same mounting pattern, same terminal types and positions.
- Clean mounting area and terminals with a wire brush; ensure good ground and solid connections.
- Mount the new coil in the same orientation and secure the bracket bolts snugly (avoid overtightening). Use anti-seize lightly on steel bolts if desired.
- Reconnect primary wires to their original terminals (use your labels/photo). Use dielectric grease sparingly on spade connectors to reduce corrosion.
- Reconnect the high-tension lead to the coil output. Make sure boots seat fully for proper insulation.
- If your system uses points and the coil or points were adjusted, set the gap as per the service manual using a feeler gauge.
- Reconnect the battery negative terminal.
- Final checks and testing
- Confirm all wires are secure and routed away from hot or moving parts.
- Crank the engine and observe the spark tester or listen for ignition. Expect immediate change if coil was at fault.
- If engine still won’t run or runs poorly, check the condenser, points, distributor cap/rotor, spark plugs, and wiring in that order — replace any visibly damaged or out-of-spec parts.
- After a short test run, re-check bolts and connections for tightness.
- Notes on parts selection and sourcing
- Buy an ignition coil specified for your exact Massey Ferguson 300-series model and year — this ensures correct fit, mounting hole alignment, terminal layout, and electrical specs. Parts catalogs, online MF parts suppliers, or a local tractor dealer can cross-reference your serial/model number.
- If your system uses points and a condenser, consider replacing the points and condenser at the same time as the coil — they are inexpensive and improve reliability.
- Consider OEM or reputable aftermarket brands; very cheap coils sometimes fail sooner.
- Disposal and cleanup
- Dispose of the old coil and any damaged electrical parts according to local electronic waste rules.
- Wipe up any spilled fuel/oil, wash hands after handling greasy parts, and store tools properly.
- Quick troubleshooting pointers (if things don’t work after replacement)
- No spark after new coil: re-check wiring, grounds, and battery voltage. Test coil resistance values again.
- Weak or intermittent spark: check condenser/points or switch to replacing cap/rotor and high-tension lead.
- Strong spark but engine won’t start: verify timing, spark plug condition, fuel delivery, and compression.
End of instructions — follow these steps and tests in order, and replace the coil only after confirming it’s defective or when matching a trusted replacement part specified for your exact MF 300-series tractor. rteeqp73
AgriLand catches up with three stunning MF 300 Series tractors...at McCullagh Machinery https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/video-its-very-rare-to-find-3-of-these-in-condition-like-this/
How to restore a massey Ferguson 300 series A few more pictures as to what we do.
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