Massey Ferguson MF135 Reviews
Hobby Farm Horse
Model Year: 1970
Dad bought the 135 in the mid-80s from a neighbor who was getting up in years. It came with a tiller which was a nice asset. It was used to mow and rake hay as dad put up 2,500 bales a year to provide for a small group of beef cows. Bush hogging, towing a utility trailer and some plowing were occasional uses. Over the years, the 135 has been extremely reliable and rock solid. I recently went through the fuel system and put in a carburetor kit. Parts are readily accessible. Now it is primarily used to bush hog in its new neighborhood. It has and is serving our needs well.
Pros: Size, maneuverability, ample power, reliability
Cons: None apparent
Model Year: 1970
Dad bought the 135 in the mid-80s from a neighbor who was getting up in years. It came with a tiller which was a nice asset. It was used to mow and rake hay as dad put up 2,500 bales a year to provide for a small group of beef cows. Bush hogging, towing a utility trailer and some plowing were occasional uses. Over the years, the 135 has been extremely reliable and rock solid. I recently went through the fuel system and put in a carburetor kit. Parts are readily accessible. Now it is primarily used to bush hog in its new neighborhood. It has and is serving our needs well.
Pros: Size, maneuverability, ample power, reliability
Cons: None apparent
Bringing My MF135 Back to the Top
Model Year: 1968
The machine is a 1968 Model MF-135 built in the UK and exported to the Caribbean powered by the standard Perkins AD3 152 diesel motor (rope seal). It is my first tractor. It works okay with power to spare but rumblings in the engine (crankcase), excessive play on manual steering, transmission clatter/gear slippage, groaning in the rear end and erratic operations of the hydraulics strongly suggests that it might be getting ready to fall apart. Oil is also leaking from everywhere. I hope to start overhauling a spare lip-seal Perkins AD3 152 engine in the mean time for a possible swap-out, but I am not sure if the rope-seal engine interchange with the lip seal gearbox seamlessly? I have already sourced most of the major sheet metal parts, original electrical harness, lights, gauges etc. Already running a newly installed AC Delco 1-wire alternator in the system. Apart from the box itself, I am revamping the entire steering from steering wheel down inclusive of the column. From what I see, the last 5/6 previous owners never covered/shielded this machine from the harsh Caribbean coastline salt-blasted weather. Most of the bolts that are not oil-soaked have major corrosion deformation. Yet, the "brute" never needs a second crank to bring it to life on any day nor whimper at the heavy pulling and general landscaping tasks.
Pros: A machine built to last generations.
Cons: Hard to find high quality original replacement parts.
Model Year: 1968
The machine is a 1968 Model MF-135 built in the UK and exported to the Caribbean powered by the standard Perkins AD3 152 diesel motor (rope seal). It is my first tractor. It works okay with power to spare but rumblings in the engine (crankcase), excessive play on manual steering, transmission clatter/gear slippage, groaning in the rear end and erratic operations of the hydraulics strongly suggests that it might be getting ready to fall apart. Oil is also leaking from everywhere. I hope to start overhauling a spare lip-seal Perkins AD3 152 engine in the mean time for a possible swap-out, but I am not sure if the rope-seal engine interchange with the lip seal gearbox seamlessly? I have already sourced most of the major sheet metal parts, original electrical harness, lights, gauges etc. Already running a newly installed AC Delco 1-wire alternator in the system. Apart from the box itself, I am revamping the entire steering from steering wheel down inclusive of the column. From what I see, the last 5/6 previous owners never covered/shielded this machine from the harsh Caribbean coastline salt-blasted weather. Most of the bolts that are not oil-soaked have major corrosion deformation. Yet, the "brute" never needs a second crank to bring it to life on any day nor whimper at the heavy pulling and general landscaping tasks.
Pros: A machine built to last generations.
Cons: Hard to find high quality original replacement parts.
Great Little Machine
Model Year: 1968
Hi Everyone, About a year ago I acquired a used MF135UK Diesel tractor to help around my estate. It is a very reliable piece of machinery. However, being a small island in the Caribbean, nature and the salty environment have not been kind to it. The records indicate that before me, it had at least six previous owners. I suspect it was never sheltered before now. Yet the brute comes to life at the first crank of the oil-bleeding, back-pressuring motor. I hope to restore it in the best way I could. Ralex
Pros: Reliable workhorse.
Cons: Difficult to find parts.
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Model Year: 1968
Hi Everyone, About a year ago I acquired a used MF135UK Diesel tractor to help around my estate. It is a very reliable piece of machinery. However, being a small island in the Caribbean, nature and the salty environment have not been kind to it. The records indicate that before me, it had at least six previous owners. I suspect it was never sheltered before now. Yet the brute comes to life at the first crank of the oil-bleeding, back-pressuring motor. I hope to restore it in the best way I could. Ralex
Pros: Reliable workhorse.
Cons: Difficult to find parts.
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Massey Ferguson 135
Model Year: 1975
I love the look of this tractor. Might as well say I was drawn to it. Anyway, it's too early to write a review about this model as I have only had it three days so as requested by the admin this is all I have to say at this time as far as a review is concerned.
Pros: Just right size or small acreage.
Cons: Hub seal has gone.
Model Year: 1975
I love the look of this tractor. Might as well say I was drawn to it. Anyway, it's too early to write a review about this model as I have only had it three days so as requested by the admin this is all I have to say at this time as far as a review is concerned.
Pros: Just right size or small acreage.
Cons: Hub seal has gone.
Massey 135
Model Year: 1968
I recently purchased a Massey 135 to maintain my block of land, typically this includes slashing (I think you call it hogging in America), pulling stumps, carrying items in the carry all, using a jib to lift items to greater heights, spreading fertilizer and other typical day to day jobs. It is an old tractor (not sure of the date of manufacture) needing a lot of work to get it into reasonable condition. The tractor has the three cylinder diesel motor (Perkins) and starts and runs very well and all mechanicals seem to work as designed. It has been seriously neglected for many years but I can see potential in there somewhere! I also own a Massey FE35 with the 4 cylinder diesel motor but this tractor (presents and runs beautifully) has trouble starting in the cold weather and I live in a very cold part of Australia (in winter anyway) so she is to be replaced by the 135. I read the forums looking for information that has so far proved very useful in my efforts to get my 'new' tractor into good order.
Pros: The name, reliability.
Cons: None yet!
Model Year: 1968
I recently purchased a Massey 135 to maintain my block of land, typically this includes slashing (I think you call it hogging in America), pulling stumps, carrying items in the carry all, using a jib to lift items to greater heights, spreading fertilizer and other typical day to day jobs. It is an old tractor (not sure of the date of manufacture) needing a lot of work to get it into reasonable condition. The tractor has the three cylinder diesel motor (Perkins) and starts and runs very well and all mechanicals seem to work as designed. It has been seriously neglected for many years but I can see potential in there somewhere! I also own a Massey FE35 with the 4 cylinder diesel motor but this tractor (presents and runs beautifully) has trouble starting in the cold weather and I live in a very cold part of Australia (in winter anyway) so she is to be replaced by the 135. I read the forums looking for information that has so far proved very useful in my efforts to get my 'new' tractor into good order.
Pros: The name, reliability.
Cons: None yet!
Awesome Tractor
Model Year: 1970
Great little tractor. Just wish it had power steering. I have an Allied loader which makes the steering a bit tough, but does what I need it to do. I have a friend who has a good sized farm. He now uses International tractors (125 HP MXU). He called my tractor a "cockroach". When I stopped laughing and asked why, he said "because it will never die!"
Pros: Lots of power for my needs.
Cons: No power steering.
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Model Year: 1970
Great little tractor. Just wish it had power steering. I have an Allied loader which makes the steering a bit tough, but does what I need it to do. I have a friend who has a good sized farm. He now uses International tractors (125 HP MXU). He called my tractor a "cockroach". When I stopped laughing and asked why, he said "because it will never die!"
Pros: Lots of power for my needs.
Cons: No power steering.
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Massey Ferguson 135
Model Year: 1966
I recently purchased a Ferguson 135. It had been rebuilt 2 years previous. Considering it's age, the build quality is good and has a number of useful features. I haven't used it much yet, but hopefully next spring I will be able to see how it performs. It will only be used for light work as we only have 9 acres and that's mainly grazing.
Pros: A handy size, easy to work on and well made.
Cons: None at present.
Model Year: 1966
I recently purchased a Ferguson 135. It had been rebuilt 2 years previous. Considering it's age, the build quality is good and has a number of useful features. I haven't used it much yet, but hopefully next spring I will be able to see how it performs. It will only be used for light work as we only have 9 acres and that's mainly grazing.
Pros: A handy size, easy to work on and well made.
Cons: None at present.
Reliable Low-End 2wd Tractor
Model Year: 1968
I bought it used from a certified MF workshop in a complete refurbished condition. Had it fitted with extra hydraulic valves for operating hydraulic top-bar behind. It is a very good small tractor that hopefully will last long. Kids love it and learn to drive it from 3 years and up.
Pros: Easy starter, reliable.
Cons: Gearbox locks in gear from time to time, rust-prone thinsheets.
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Model Year: 1968
I bought it used from a certified MF workshop in a complete refurbished condition. Had it fitted with extra hydraulic valves for operating hydraulic top-bar behind. It is a very good small tractor that hopefully will last long. Kids love it and learn to drive it from 3 years and up.
Pros: Easy starter, reliable.
Cons: Gearbox locks in gear from time to time, rust-prone thinsheets.
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Massey 135: Great Small Farm Tractor
Model Year: 1966
I inherited this tractor from my grandfather and after almost fifty years, it still runs great. Plenty of power and easy to handle. It is a great small farm tractor for someone working no more than ten acres. It does not have the bells and whistles of today tractors but it has plenty of iron where you need it. The drive shafts are massive and the gas engine is very reliable. I replaced the points with electronic ignition something I recommend to anyone with a old tractor. 40 HP and can pull two bottom plow in second gear,pulls a disker in third.
Pros: Simple, reliable, powerful, easy on gas.
Cons: No hydraulic ports (can be added), direct drive PTO, and hydraulic pump (only lifts with the clutch out) LPP.
Model Year: 1966
I inherited this tractor from my grandfather and after almost fifty years, it still runs great. Plenty of power and easy to handle. It is a great small farm tractor for someone working no more than ten acres. It does not have the bells and whistles of today tractors but it has plenty of iron where you need it. The drive shafts are massive and the gas engine is very reliable. I replaced the points with electronic ignition something I recommend to anyone with a old tractor. 40 HP and can pull two bottom plow in second gear,pulls a disker in third.
Pros: Simple, reliable, powerful, easy on gas.
Cons: No hydraulic ports (can be added), direct drive PTO, and hydraulic pump (only lifts with the clutch out) LPP.
Rebuild 135
Model Year: 1971
I am in the process of rebuilding a 135 Perkins gas MF. I have found that some parts are hard to locate. Service manuals offered are incomplete.
Pros: These are great tractors. Very powerful for size.
Cons: Good service manuals hard to find.
Model Year: 1971
I am in the process of rebuilding a 135 Perkins gas MF. I have found that some parts are hard to locate. Service manuals offered are incomplete.
Pros: These are great tractors. Very powerful for size.
Cons: Good service manuals hard to find.
MF 135 French Vineyard Model
Model Year: 1965
I bought this tractor as a restoration project. Although the tractor was running and had been used regularly, it had been patched up as it went along with whatever came to hand in order to keep it going, which it was doing very well. Keep finding things that either don't work or are missing as I strip it down. Hydraulics worked okay, up & down, but now find the draft lever is seized, also the response lever has been removed and blanked off. The list goes on. Looking forward to a fully restored and repainted tractor.
Pros: All parts available either new or second hand.
Cons: Cost of some replacements and work you can't do yourself.
Model Year: 1965
I bought this tractor as a restoration project. Although the tractor was running and had been used regularly, it had been patched up as it went along with whatever came to hand in order to keep it going, which it was doing very well. Keep finding things that either don't work or are missing as I strip it down. Hydraulics worked okay, up & down, but now find the draft lever is seized, also the response lever has been removed and blanked off. The list goes on. Looking forward to a fully restored and repainted tractor.
Pros: All parts available either new or second hand.
Cons: Cost of some replacements and work you can't do yourself.
Industrial
Model Year: 1970
Bought in Md. Was told it was used by a school. Came with a mid mount snow plow. Steering cylinder had a wing broken off the cylinder. Bought a new one and fixed the stripped bolt hole (cause of failure). So now have steering but the lift only works intermittently. Drained fluid this morning, poured 3 gal diesel, waiting before waking neighbors to drive around, then drain and disassemble looking for problem.
Pros: Heavy.
Cons: Old.
Model Year: 1970
Bought in Md. Was told it was used by a school. Came with a mid mount snow plow. Steering cylinder had a wing broken off the cylinder. Bought a new one and fixed the stripped bolt hole (cause of failure). So now have steering but the lift only works intermittently. Drained fluid this morning, poured 3 gal diesel, waiting before waking neighbors to drive around, then drain and disassemble looking for problem.
Pros: Heavy.
Cons: Old.