Help Identify model/year of older MF tractor!

[truthsmiles]

How many cylinders have it? 3 or 4?

It's a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel. I assume it's a 2.5 liter, but don't know for sure.

Have the old style center link system, the light rear axel with drum brakes and no reduction gear so its a rear end from a small MF, picture of the front axle? It might be a bastard made from different tractors.

Here are some poor night-time photos of the front axle:


Also, here's a link to my imgur post with a bunch more detailed pictures: Old Massey model/year? - Album on Imgur

Thank you!

 

[Agvg]

A brand new head for the engine doesn't cost much. But it looks like a small MF, don't think it has any heavy duty front axle.

 

[truthsmiles]

A brand new head for the engine doesn't cost much.

Yes I've seen them for about $400, but that's a lot for a free tractor haha! I think I'll try the JB weld first, and then solder or brazing if that doesn't work. I don't think the cracks are anywhere except the thermostat housing and one place on the head that looks like it might have been repaired previously.

But it looks like a small MF, don't think it has any heavy duty front axle.

What does this mean? Is it NOT a 245? If not, what is it?

 

[redman135]

The dash, bonnet, and front grill say 200 series, not 135. Also the photos didn't show the rev counter clearly, if it runs right to left(anti clockwise) then 200 series.
Good luck.

 

[Agvg]

You could just contact a dealer with the serial number and they will know whath it is, I do believe a 245 as the 145 has the HD rear axle with square axel housing and wet brakes, the same rear end as a 265 but with the AD3-152 engine.

 

[truthsmiles]

You could just contact a dealer with the serial number and they will know whath it is, I do believe a 245 as the 145 has the HD rear axle with square axel housing and wet brakes, the same rear end as a 265 but with the AD3-152 engine.

I contacted a few dealers today. Most wouldn't/couldn't help me, but one after telling me they couldn't look up by serial number, asked me to email photos, which I did. I haven't heard back yet.

 

[truthsmiles]

The dash, bonnet, and front grill say 200 series, not 135. Also the photos didn't show the rev counter clearly, if it runs right to left(anti clockwise) then 200 series.
Good luck.

The RPM gauge is definitely "backwards", so it seems pretty sure to be a 200 series. I guess the question now is whether it's a 235 or a 245 (or something else?)

 

[Working on Rust]

The grill is certainly a 200 series.
On the 236/248 four cylinder Perkins the block serial number is lightly stamped on a machined surface on the upper front left right below the exhaust manifold. It is always very dirty and hard to read. I am not sure about the 152 Perkins.

A image search show both 235 and 245 with both round and square fenders so that is of little help.
I cannot tell if your tractor has outboard drum brakes or if it has inboard brakes.

My understanding is that the 235 was the 200 series replacement for the 135 but had a bad front axle and was only made for a few years. It was replaced by the 245 with a much better front axle.
I also think that I read somewhere that it is possible to put a 245 front axle on a 235.

 

[truthsmiles]

The grill is certainly a 200 series.
On the 236/248 four cylinder Perkins the block serial number is lightly stamped on a machined surface on the upper front left right below the exhaust manifold. It is always very dirty and hard to read. I am not sure about the 152 Perkins.

Okay I just went and took a look but did not see anything. That's not to say there's nothing there. I still have the loader in the way, which I'm working on getting off. Once removed I plan to degrease and closely look over the engine. I'll let you know if I find anything.

A image search show both 235 and 245 with both round and square fenders so that is of little help.
I cannot tell if your tractor has outboard drum brakes or if it has inboard brakes.

Yes from my understanding the square vs round was a UK vs US thing.

My understanding is that the 235 was the 200 series replacement for the 135 but had a bad front axle and was only made for a few years. It was replaced by the 245 with a much better front axle.
I also think that I read somewhere that it is possible to put a 245 front axle on a 235.

Can you tell from my images whether I have the "good" front axle or the "bad" one?

 

[truthsmiles]

@Working on Rust - Here's a video of a guy doing maintenance on a 245. At 7:49 you get a pretty good look at his front axle. My eyes aren't trained to know, but it looks pretty identical to mine(?) Massey Ferguson 245 Maintenance, Paint and Fix up - YouTube