Massey Ferguson 390

stephenmc16

Hi,

Just wondering does anyone know much about the 390 tractors.. Bought one recently and just getting used to it.. Anyone know what all the levers/switches do?
Thanks in advance

Reggie.

stephenmc16 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering does anyone know much about the 390 tractors.. Bought one recently and just getting used to it.. Anyone know what all the levers/switches do?
Thanks in advance

Which levers and switches

Say my name

DO NOT PRESS THE RED BUTTON!

Say my name

The 390 would be one of the most simplest tractors to operate mostly unchanged since the Ferguson 35.

When I went to ag college one of the requirements was to purchase an owner's manual of the tractor on your home farm.
It was one the best pieces of advice I've got and the fact it was mandatory gave you no excuse for not learning all about the different functions of the tractor and how to maintain it. It stood to everyone I'd say doing the course.

They're not that dear.
http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/MHOMF350SER_9923.htm

But recommended if you are to get the full value from the tractor and for avoiding unnecessary garage visits.

stephenmc16

Reggie. wrote: »

Which levers and switches

These few thanks

emaherx

stephenmc16 wrote: »

These few thanks

1. Handbrake, PTO on off, PTO speed (540/1000 RPM)

2. Spool valve levers, 3pt linkage position and draft.

3. Spool valve levers (used for remote hydraulics such as a loader or any implements with hydraulic rams/motors etc)

4. Diverts oil from 3pt linkage to spool valves (disables 3pt linkage but increases oil flow at spools)

5. 4WD and Difflock Switches.

Who2

First one is a handbrake with your pto select 540 versus 1000 rpm the other beside it is to engage or disingauge. The next one is your lift arms the small one in blue and yellow locks the lift arms and increases the flow to the spools. :very important if you want to use your loader or even a back end grab quickly.

stephenmc16

Who2 wrote: »

First one is a handbrake with your pto select 540 versus 1000 rpm the other beside it is to engage or disingauge. The next one is your lift arms the small one in blue and yellow locks the lift arms and increases the flow to the spools. :very important if you want to use your loader or even a back end grab quickly.

For the pto which speed would you use for the slurry tank, disc mower, fert spreader? Our other tractor only has one speed. Go

And say for opening the ram on the tank which lever is it?

Thanks

emaherx

What are or will you be using the tractor for?

I assume you don't have much experience with tractors as these are fairly basic features on any tractor built since the mid 70's.

Maybe you have a close neighbour who could give you some pointers before you go attaching any machinery.

A user manual as suggested above is well worth it.

stephenmc16

emaherx wrote: »

What are or will you be using the tractor for?

I assume you don't have much experience with tractors as these are fairly basic features on any tractor built since the mid 70's.

Maybe you have a close neighbour who could give you some pointers before you go attaching any machinery.

A user manual as suggested above is well worth it.

We only had a ford 4600 before this and not many levers to work with on it.

emaherx

stephenmc16 wrote: »

For the pto which speed would you use for the slurry tank, disc mower, fert spreader? Our other tractor only has one speed. Go

And say for opening the ram on the tank which lever is it?

Thanks

540 will be the same speed as the other tractor that you have. Don't use the 1000RPM speed on any machines unless you know it is designed to be worked at that speed.

For opening the tank use the levers marked 1-2 or 3-4 (depends which spools you use on the back, but there should be a picture). Pipe goes into either top spool if there is only one pipe. There is also a screw at bottom of spool that needs to be turned one way for rams with one pipe or the opposite for rams with 2 pipes, again there is a picture to show you which is which

Who2

The draft lever just leave up. The one with the blue and yellow just leave down unless if you have a loader on. Everything else you’ll see just as stated don’t run machines on the 1000 rpm unless designed. I rarely use the diff lock button and only 4 wheel drive when you need it.

kk.man

There are a great tractor. I've one but notice recently starter not as reliable as it was once. I got a tip on this site which is very good. Turn the key and leave it for a minute before you start the engine. This will heat your starter plug especially on a cold start.

Reggie.

kk.man wrote: »

There are a great tractor. I've one but notice recently starter not as reliable as it was once. I got a tip on this site which is very good. Turn the key and leave it for a minute before you start the engine. This will heat your starter plug especially on a cold start.

I think some got a high speed starter put onto them but that's a sign the engine is getting tired I think

emaherx

Reggie. wrote: »

I think some got a high speed starter put onto them but that's a sign the engine is getting tired I think

Some may have tired engines, but not unknown for them to develop lazy starters either. Early models are now 30 years old. Our 390T still starts first tip with over 8000 hours on it. Mind you our 698T has the exact same engine but has received the high speed starter but it's nearly gone around the clock for the second time. (It does start first tip with it's new starter)

kk.man

Reggie. wrote: »

kk.man wrote: »

There are a great tractor. I've one but notice recently starter not as reliable as it was once. I got a tip on this site which is very good. Turn the key and leave it for a minute before you start the engine. This will heat your starter plug especially on a cold start.

I think some got a high speed starter put onto them but that's a sign the engine is getting tired I think

By getting 'tired' are you saying the engine is on the way out?

Reggie.

kk.man wrote: »

By getting 'tired' are you saying the engine is on the way out?

Nah just getting worn and a few horses might have escaped

emaherx

kk.man wrote: »

By getting 'tired' are you saying the engine is on the way out?

That could be a subjective question, tractor like that the engine could be described as on the "way out", but on most farms that "way out" could take the best part of 20 years. On the other hand a set of rings may well bring it back.

twin_beacon

stephenmc16 wrote: »

For the pto which speed would you use for the slurry tank, disc mower, fert spreader? Our other tractor only has one speed. Go

And say for opening the ram on the tank which lever is it?

Thanks

The two PTO speeds you have are 540, and 540E. The E stands for economy, it just means its geared much higher so you can get the 540 rpm on the PTO at much lower revs. The 540e is handy for implements like a power washer that done require much horse power to drive it. it allows you to save on diesel. I would have expected there to also be a 1000 box on a 390 instead of a 540e. Most implements work off the 540 box anyway, I think trailed harvesters and slurry agitators work off the 1000 box.

the leaver with the yellow/blue is really for loader work. It basically turns off the oil going to the linkage and diverts it all to the loader, so the loader works much faster. We have it on our 4245, I was using it one day, and never changed it back, my dad thought the lift was broken when he was using it after me! Handy little thing to have, especially if stacking bales of hay, or cleaning out a shed with a loader.

emaherx

twin_beacon wrote: »

The two PTO speeds you have are 540, and 540E. The E stands for economy, it just means its geared much higher so you can get the 540 rpm on the PTO at much lower revs. The 540e is handy for implements like a power washer that done require much horse power to drive it. it allows you to save on diesel. I would have expected there to also be a 1000 box on a 390 instead of a 540e. Most implements work off the 540 box anyway, I think trailed harvesters and slurry agitators work off the 1000 box.

the leaver with the yellow/blue is really for loader work. It basically turns off the oil going to the linkage and diverts it all to the loader, so the loader works much faster. We have it on our 4245, I was using it one day, and never changed it back, my dad thought the lift was broken when he was using it after me! Handy little thing to have, especially if stacking bales of hay, or cleaning out a shed with a loader.

Never noticed the 540e on the first photo, would be a rare enough option on the 390, must be a fairly late model.

Blue/yellow lever is useful any time you want higher oil flow at spools, like emptying large tipping trailers or working the back door on a baler, wouldn't say it's just useful for loaders.

FeelTheBern

Noticed a bit of a knocking noise from front right hand side when turning steering to the right on MF390 4WD this week - just wondering what it's likely to be, and how serious (expensive!!). Thanks