Description

Massey Harris 16/28, 26/40 Technical Manual – 55 Pages of Factory Maintenance Data

I’ve seen more than a few old Massey Harris tractors brought into my shop with seized up engines because the owner thought any grease would do. This Massey Harris 16/28, 26/40 Technical Manual (55 pages) is the original factory document out of Marquette-lez-Lille, and it spells out exactly which grease gun goes on which fitting every ten hours. If you’re restoring a 16/28 or a 26/40 and you don’t have this, you’re guessing — and guessing costs you bearings.

Lubrication Schedule: Every 10 Hours

Page 3 of the manual lists 21 separate grease points that must be hit daily. The engine oil filler (paragraph 1), water pump (3), governor control shaft (4), air cleaner (5), clutch control arm shaft (6), clutch control itself (8), rear wheel hubs (11), brake shaft (12), steering bar ends (14 & 19), reaction rod linkage (16), front wheels (18), coupling bar (20), and front axle kingpins (21). That’s not a suggestion—it’s a requirement. The manual gives the exact lubricant grade (Mobiloil BB for normal temps, Mobiloil A for freezing) and specifies hand-pump grease guns for each zerk. Miss one and you’ll find out which bearing fails first.

Engine Overhaul and Adjustment Procedures

The manual is titled “Réglage et Entretien” – adjustment and maintenance. It covers the governor shaft adjustment (item 4), clutch linkage adjustments (items 6 & 8), and brake shaft adjustment (item 12). There are also instructions for the water pump and fan maintenance (page 4 mentions the fan grease fitting). If you need to set the control rod lengths or check the air cleaner oil level, the factory method is right there. No aftermarket writer’s interpretation – this is what the engineers at Massey Harris intended.

Who Needs This Manual?

You. If you own a 16/28 or a 26/40 and you plan to run it, you need the factory lubrication schedule. Home garage enthusiasts tend to over‑grease or use the wrong type. Beginners skip the internal engine oil change intervals (30 hours on kerosene/heavy fuel, 60 on gasoline). Professional mechanics who work on vintage tractors know that without the OEM chart, you’re flying blind. This manual is for anyone who wants to keep that Massey Harris pulling a plow without pulling a piston.

Source Authenticity: Why OEM Documentation Is Non‑Negotiable

This isn’t a third‑party reprint with “adapted” specs. It’s a scan of the original brochure printed by Massey‑Harris in France. The document has the company header “Cte MASSEY‑HARRIS MARQUETTE‑LEZ‑LILLE (Nord)” and the page numbers run from 0001 to 0055. Every grease point, every interval, every lubricant reference comes from the factory. Aftermarket manuals often cut corners – they’ll say “use general purpose grease” instead of specifying the oil viscosity for the Mobil products. That kind of slop gets you a dry bearing at 1,000 hours. OEM documentation is the only source I trust.

7 Systems Covered: From Engine to Steering

The table of contents organizes maintenance into daily, 30‑hour, 60‑hour, and semi‑annual tasks. There’s a lubricant chart (TABLEAU DES LUBRIFIANTS A EMPLOYER) with paragraphs for different operating conditions. Air cleaner oil changes, oil filter cleaning (item 15), and wheel bearing grease are all in there. The steering system gets two separate grease points (14 & 19) plus the front axle pivots (21). For a tractor built in the 1940s or 1950s, this level of detail is what keeps the steering box from locking up while you’re crossing a field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual cover the Massey Harris 16/28 and 26/40 models?

Yes, it covers both models in one document.

Is this manual in English?

No, it is in French. But the lubrication diagrams and numbers are universal.

What lubrication points are listed?

The manual lists 21 specific grease points for daily service, including the engine oil filler, water pump, governor shaft, air cleaner, clutch control, rear wheel hubs, brake shaft, steering bar, reaction rod linkage, front wheels, coupling bar, and front axle pivots. Each has a numbered paragraph. The oil change intervals are 30 hours for kerosene/heavy fuel operation and 60 hours for gasoline. There is also a lubricant table for different seasons.

Can I use this manual for engine overhaul?

This is a maintenance and adjustment manual. It does not include full engine disassembly specs. You’ll need a separate service manual for that.

The brake shaft adjustment (page 3) is critical for safe operation; understanding LINK_ID_EXT_0: Manual Transmission principles helps with the clutch linkage. If you are troubleshooting shifting issues, a basic knowledge of LINK_ID_EXT_1: Manual Transmission operation is helpful.

If you need the smaller Pony model manual, check out LINK_ID_REL_0: Massey Harris Pony Technical Manual – 23-Page OEM Factory Specs. For the later Ferguson models, see LINK_ID_REL_1: Massey-Harris-Ferguson TEF20 1956 Workshop Manual – OEM Specs and LINK_ID_REL_2: Massey-Harris-Ferguson FF 30 GS 1957 Parts Catalog | OEM Fastener Guide.

Stop guessing about what grease to pump into your 16/28 or 26/40. Access the Factory Manual and get the exact intervals, grades, and procedures that kept these tractors running for decades. Your Massey Harris deserves the same treatment it got when it left the factory.