Anyone know Massey Fergusons?

[JayBoRover]

I'm hoping to have a look at a Massey Ferguson 135 this weekend. I've been looking out for a tractor for a while but most seem to be those toy ones with +/-17HP and skinny, small wheels. Finally come across a 45HP, decent looking tractor with a FEL. Is there anything especially to watch for with MF135's? Also, how well do 2WD tractors manage with soft sand of firebreaks with 90 degree turns inside fences? I'm guessing that the weight of the FEL will help with steering in soft sand.
- Want the FEL for sorting out shed and house pad, some clearing and general building prep. Some patience could even see my firebreak boundaries done with the FEL.
- Want PTO for driving slasher for clearing long grass on 5 acre block and to drive heavy duty mulcher.
- Also will fit fork tines for pallet work on occasions for building materials and loading/unloading crated equipment.
- Carryall will effectively replace my 6x4 trailer for work around the block (and replace the S2a for that too I guess:( )

I have spent a reasonable amount of time working with an old MF35 and a David Brown 880 many years ago. Wanting to relive a childhood:D.

[Shortie]

Oh John, a little GREY TEA20 will do all that with ease and Dee Dee will have a new mate ;)

[JayBoRover]

I fully agree Shortie, but a good TEA20 with a FEL is hard to find. Besides, I think I'd love a TEA20 for a very different reason and probably wouldn't work it. I also don't think the wife would put up with me starting a tractor collection as well as the Landy's:D.

[Bradtot]

I just orderd one of these from china

Henan qianli Machinery Co.,Ltd (http://en.qljx.com.cn/products_detail/&productId=9a899660-c289-432a-b379-cf5758db53ab&comp_stats=comp-FrontProducts_list01-004.html)
Will be here just after xmas with a bucket and a backhoe and a slasher
about 13k landed...

all going well:)
Brad

[richard4u2]

turning in soft sand wont be a problem just use the side brakes as well as the steering with the forks on the front not so good in sand but can be very heavey steering they dont have power steering, if the motor sounds good then you should have sometihing that will last for some time

[mick88]

MF 135 Diesels are fantastic tractors but getting rather old, so give it a good going over. The Perkins AD3/152 are a great motor, start with the slightest touch of the key, have plenty of power and are so economical to use, even when working hard. I have a diesel and a petrol.
A FEL is a fair weight on the front end of a 135, make sure the front pivot pin and bushes, the wheel bearing and king pin bushes are all in good condition. If they need replaceing they are cheap enough and readily available and it's not a big job to install them.
Does it have the cast front axle or is it one of the later 135's with the steel tube axle. If it has the cast axle check it for cracks around the adjustment holes. The square tube axle would be a stronger unit.
Power steering can be fitted to a 135 and it would make it a lot easier to drive with that weight over the front end.
You will need some form of counterweight on the rear end, especially in sandy soil if you are lifting a full bucket and trying to travel along.
Don't forget to check that the rear wheels have water in them!


Cheers, Mick.

[JayBoRover]

I just orderd one of these from china

Henan qianli Machinery Co.,Ltd (http://en.qljx.com.cn/products_detail/&productId=9a899660-c289-432a-b379-cf5758db53ab&comp_stats=comp-FrontProducts_list01-004.html)
Will be here just after xmas with a bucket and a backhoe and a slasher
about 13k landed...

all going well:)
Brad
It's definitely worth a look at that site for the laugh. "Based on agricultural machinery for the benefit of millions of peasants". :D Classic! All the peasants in Australia will be very pleased to have such a nice new tractor.;) (Not suggesting for a minute that you're a peasant Bradtot:wasntme: :angel:)

I couldn't make any sense out of this one though: "Crane foreign birds wheeled tractors are driving cattle thousands of miles". :confused: WTF? Anyone on here speak Englese (or Chinglish)?:D

[Davo]

I think you should join a tractor forum. Because then you'll find all these experts who live and breathe particular tractors and know all sorts of odd little things that you'd never work out for yourself, saving you enormous amounts of trouble. Just like on here!

[42rangie]

MF's were and still are very good tractors. Used to have them on the farm all the time. Lots of them made. Should be plenty of spare parts around.

Les

[wrinklearthur]

Parts are cheap as chips.

Check that both stages of the clutch are working well and if it is a pressure control model the relief valve should be heard to be working if you place the position control lever briefly in the constant pumping position.
Have a look for any oil coming out of the brake drums, the wheel bearings will need to be pressed off in a workshop equipped with a large press then they can fit new seals.

The wiring loom looses the cloth coating especially were it passes under the battery carrier, that bituminous impregnated cloth insulation tape I find is the best to re wrap it with.

[mick88]

PS......I forgot to mention that if it has the "multipower" transmissionget someone who really knows Fergs to check it out for you...say a MF mechanic, as these can require some expensive parts if they are faulty.

Cheers, Mick.

[JayBoRover]

Thanks everyone (and the Mod for moving my thread to where it belongs):).
I went and had a look at the MF135 and took it for a bit of a drive around the car-park. The hydraulics all work, no signs of leaking or corrosion on the shafts, ran through all the gears in both ratios, brakes were good both sides, Perkins Diesel engine ran like a dream, everything was very clean and tidy although obviously not yet cleaned for sale (only just got traded on a new tractor), last owner for 6 years, no cracks at any bearing, pivot or load points that I could see, fairly faded paint (except for brand new battery compartment cover) but no cracks or dents anywhere in the bonnet or guards. It has obviously been very well looked after.

The only problems were a dicky FEL control lever box, the lighting was a bit iffy and one front tyre is looking dodgy. They will rebuild the control box (there's a kit they rebuild them with) and I'm pretty sure the wiring issues are just poor earth connections. All the lights worked but were intermittent and sometimes just glowed dimly, other times full bright. I'll sort the electrics out. They are also throwing in a second hand carry-all and agreed to give the whole tractor and hydraulics a full service. Finally they offered to deliver it - all without moving from the price of $10,950.

Now I need to sell a couple of Land Rovers and the 6x4 off-road trailer unfortunately:(. DeeDee the S2a will have to depart and I'll get the '55 S1 going so it can move on too. Then I'll have the D90 and the '50 S1 to play with:).

When I get the tractor I'll post a few piccies to close this thread out.:cool:

[JayBoRover]

Parts are cheap as chips.

Check that both stages of the clutch are working well and if it is a pressure control model the relief valve should be heard to be working if you place the position control lever briefly in the constant pumping position.
Have a look for any oil coming out of the brake drums, the wheel bearings will need to be pressed off in a workshop equipped with a large press then they can fit new seals.

The wiring loom looses the cloth coating especially were it passes under the battery carrier, that bituminous impregnated cloth insulation tape I find is the best to re wrap it with.
Thanks Arthur. Both stages of the clutch worked fine, although the gearbox clutch (top travel) was quite late in engaging (the lever travels quite well up before the engagement happens).
I never heard anything odd from the hydraulic selector in any of the three positions, so not sure on that one. I'll learn more when it arrives then.
There wasn't any oil obvious from either of the braked wheels.
The cloth coating could be the root cause of the issues I noticed, so thanks for that little gem of info.:)


PS......I forgot to mention that if it has the "multipower" transmissionget someone who really knows Fergs to check it out for you...say a MF mechanic, as these can require some expensive parts if they are faulty.

Cheers, Mick.
Hmmm. Not sure whether it was "multipower" transmission. I know it was 3 speed plus reverse, all "crash box" (no synchromesh) and dual range. Changed gear easily enough (drove the non-synchro S2a there for practice:D) so I don't think there'll be any issues. Is there a way to tell if it's multipower? (Sounds a bit advanced for this old thing;)).

[LandyAndy]

WHY do you need a tractor to do the firebreaks????
Surely a quick thrash of the Husky several times a week will keep the firebreaks maintained;);););) And if you cant steer the Husky at 90deg turns at speed perhaps you need to re-think your Dakar goal:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
ENJOY
Andrew

[JayBoRover]

Believe me Andy, the thought has crossed my mind many times! (Except with my stable of KTM's;)). I'll bet my neighbours are very glad I've never actually put the thoughts into action!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/852.jpg

I have elderly neighbours and look forward to offering to slash their paddock and do their firebreak boundary next year. They have looked after our place over the years if we've been away and been very understanding and patient when our trees have fallen across the boundary fence. (Why is it always our trees that fall to their side, never their trees falling to our side??). It'll be nice to do something useful in return. (Aside from the multiple trailer loads of cut firewood I have delivered to them over the years:angel:).

[oldyella 76]

To check if the multipower works, drive it up a rise with the lever up in high, then put your foot on the clutch. If the multi power works the tractor will not roll backwards and will be hard to get out of gear. If it is crook the tractor will not lock up and will roll backwards and be easy to get out of gear.
If it locks up push the lever down into low and it will then roll backwards.
Beware that with multipower you have no engine braking in low and if you are going downhill it will roll as if it is in neutral. Only drive down hill in high multi.
I have had one since new in 1974 still have it done over 10000 hours motor done up once very cheap and simple to do , clutch and gearbox not touched,
Don't take too much notice of those who talk of the tea 20 , the 135 has better hydralics live pto with a dual clutch. With the tea 20 when you put your foot on the clutch the pto and hydralics will cease to work and will be a pain to operate.
I have an owners manaul if you want some pages scanned. PM me.
Lindsay

[Tote]

With reference to post 13 if its a multi power unit it will have a lever on the dash to select high or low multi power.
It's the lever to the right of the steering wheel on the vertical face of the dash
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/789.jpg

Regards,
Tote

[JayBoRover]

My new toy got delivered today. I spent an hour or so "playing" in the paddock and already we have completed our first job together. There was an ugly pile of sand/dirt mounded over a small log in the middle of the paddock. Quickly lifted the log into the bucket and dropped it on top of the fire pile then scraped flat the remainder of the sand. Even scooped some up to fill a hole elsewhere and spread that out. Very happy with it. Used all the hydraulics and gears and dual range. The only bit I haven't used is the diff lock (although came close to needing it on the firebreak:eek:) and the PTO.

Anyway, here she is (crappy photo's due to crappy weather and phone camera):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/754.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/755.jpg

Also decided to get them to deliver a new slasher with it:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/12/756.jpg

I'll find a few other interesting things on it in the weekend and play a bit more. All seems good so far. Especially looking forward to trying the slasher, although my paddocks are all nice a short due to the wife paying someone to slash them with a tractor a few weeks ago. Might have to do the council's bit and slash the road verge;).

The repair kit the seller fitted is great and improved the FEL operation considerably. The new oil filters all have new dates and "158 hours" written on them to match the dash tractormeter.

[33chinacars]

Looks good. Enjoy your new " toy" Should last you a long long time

[mick88]

Chuck a tarp over it if you are leaving it out in the rain.
Water runs down the gearstick/s and if the rubber boot/s is/are knackered it gets into the gearbox and hence you know the rest!
And a soup can over the exhaust is a must too!


Cheers, Mick.

[wrinklearthur]

Chuck a tarp over it if you are leaving it out in the rain.
Water runs down the gearstick/s and if the rubber boot/s is/are knackered it gets into the gearbox and hence you know the rest!
And a soup can over the exhaust is a must too! Cheers, Mick.

Mick is right about this and so many Fergie tractors that have been used as a anchor for travelling irrigators, end up with their gearboxes full of water.

Besides the rubber boots around the gear stick, the other way water can get into the gearbox is past the top link mechanism through large spring, located behind the seat back.
.

[JayBoRover]

Thanks for the tips about the rain guys:). I think I got funny looks when I raced outside and quickly parked the tractor in the carport where the S2a used to be parked when it started spitting with light rain yesterday:D. Yep (I have to say it quietly here) I have ejected DeeDee from it's parking spot under cover and started parking "MuFin" (short for "MuFin-do-in") there.

I also bought a bead blaster cabinet recently and pulled the front grille off and cleaned it up a bit. Main purpose was to replace the headlight shrouds, as one was broken badly, but also I like pulling things apart, tidying them up and putting them back together;). I bought the correct MF "Silver Mist" paint in an aerosol just to do the stripes on the mesh grille. Later on I'll do the rest of the grille with the silver too, but that will have to wait until I've got a Series 1 86" out of the way.

So, here's the bead-blasted resprayed grille (yes, I'll do the horizontal brace in the top section soon:p):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/897.jpg

...and to prove the headlights work (tested on both high and low beams):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/898.jpg

I also had a play with the "135" side plaque. It is pretty corroded but I couldn't see any real issues with it so I had a play with some siple car paint cutting compound.
Before:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/899.jpg

After (Sorry about the loss of focus):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/900.jpg

Anyway, that'll be it for a while on MuFin while I build some Dakar funds by getting the '55 S1 out the door running.

Cheers
John B

[Shortie]

Thanks for the tips about the rain guys:). I think I got funny looks when I raced outside and quickly parked the tractor in the carport where the S2a used to be parked when it started spitting with light rain yesterday:D. Yep (I have to say it quietly here) I have ejected DeeDee from it's parking spot under cover and started parking "MuFin" (short for "MuFin-do-in") there.

Cheers
John B

WHAT ???? :bat:

[JayBoRover]

WHAT ???? :bat:
I just knew, absolutely knew, that you would suddenly pop up in here!:D The thing is, I've been driving DeeDee every day (earning the "Daily Driver" tag that morphed into "DeeDee") for the 54km commute each way to/from work, so DeeDee is outside most of the time anyway. Look at it as an indication of how confident I am in DeeDee's ability to cope with getting wet:p. (In reality I know the seat, floor and pedals get as wet in DeeDee as they do on MuFin when it rains, but at least DeeDee's gearbox doesn't fill up with rain water - because the floor lets all the water out quicker than it can puddle?;)).
Maybe I don't deserve DeeDee. I'm a bad series owner:(.
Does it help or make it worse that the new D90 also gets parked outside? (Mainly because it's far too tall for any of my sheds or car ports:cool:).