Thread: Antarctica and Tractors

Originally Posted by Dougal

The 135 should have been UK built. The 130 is one I've never laid eyes on.

Ref; MF100_1100

Orchard model


Vineyard model


The French built 135's were not thought much of here in Southern Tasmania, they had a lot of quality issues compared to the UK built one's.
I have never seen any USA built models here, so can't comment about those.

When rebuilding of the diesel engine MF 30's and 130's they ended up being a disaster, with constant engine trouble occurring, poor starting and burning oil excessively.

Big drums on the back of the 35/135's and 148 here. They do stop but are a royal PITA to keep in adjustment.
Never, ever lock the brake pedals together, because both sides never pull up evenly.

Don't lock together but using a heel toe maneuver pressing the two pedals down together did work ok.
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Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Ref; MF100_1100

Orchard model

That's the US model orchard version I spoke of earlier, it has inboard discs to let them fit smaller rims and bigger rubber. I don't know where they were built.

The UK built versions have the 135 badge on the front edge of the bonnet.
Here is a UK bent axle version, similar vintage to the 2135 industrial we were discussing earlier.


Here is a later straight-axle type.

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Vineyard model


The French built 135's were not thought much of here in Southern Tasmania, they had a lot of quality issues compared to the UK built one's.
I have never seen any USA built models here, so can't comment about those.

When rebuilding of the diesel engine MF 30's and 130's they ended up being a disaster, with constant engine trouble occurring, poor starting and burning oil excessively.



Don't lock together but using a heel toe maneuver pressing the two pedals down together did work ok.
.

The Vinyard and 130 versions I've not driven. What was the engine that was so troublesome? The AD3.152 in the 135's are damn near bulletproof and so cheap and easy to rebuild. We've even got two here with turbochargers added. Not for the power increase, but it makes them burn clean and stay cool.

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Originally Posted by Dougal

130 versions I've not driven. What was the engine that was so troublesome?

Ref; TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 130 tractor engine information

I haven't found out, but a retired MF mechanic told me the engine never settle down until a long while after a full rebuild.

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We had an MF30. Built in France. Wasn't a bad tractor as long as it wasn't over worked. 4 cylinder diesel with 4 speed gearbox with high & low.
Most people over worked the MF35's & its variations. Believing it could do more than it was built for. Most of the time it stood up to this abuse. Where as the MF30's couldn't.
The MF30 were a stop gap measure before the MF35's were readily available.

I had a TEA20 in Canada. I mostly used it for plowing snow on our driveway, and I only had it because we couldn't afford anything better. I used to plug in the radiator hose heater in the mornings so that the engine was warm enough to start in the afternoons. It only had a blade on the back, so I had to plow in reverse, but that worked pretty well. The ancient tyres were filled with that water-and-calcium mixture they use over there, but really I needed some chains as well. On the other hand, it was great fun to speed down a slippery driveway and then hit one brake and spin the steering wheel and do a 180. I really wanted to build tracks for it, but couldn't work out how, and it's probably for the best that I never saw pictures like these!

Dear oh dear, the hours I spent on that thing, out in the open, at -10c or whatever and with a high windchill factor. But despite the way I barely maintained it, it always ran very well and never actually broke down. I sold it for a fair amount before coming back here, too. I'm busting to get another tractor - but maybe not quite so vintage!

Originally Posted by Davo

------ I'm busting to get another tractor - but maybe not quite so vintage!

There should be few up at Kununurra.

Like this one perhaps.




click on above tab for link to Wattleup


That one would be a handy size for landscaping, using with a front end loader and a slasher ( Do you call Slasher's, Bush hogs? ) .

Should be light enough to tow behind a Defender.
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Ref;Parts - Wattleup Tractors