Just got my first tractor: '71ish MF 135 Diesel

[SaltH2OHokie]

Based on the recommendations of a lot of neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc. I sought out a MF 135 and found this one about 45 minutes from my house. Came with a 5' Howse cutter. No idea on hours, the tach/hour meter isn't hooked up and only shows 79 hours, so it is neither original nor functioning.

Got a few questions:

Without a serial # tag, how can I determine the year for sure? Sold to me as a 71, but I'm not a trusting person.

I'd like to replace/hook up the tach. Best source for correct tach?

Tranny/Hyd/Diff fluid change, oil change, anything else to freshen up?

Any way to add a diff-lock?

Any tips in general?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[stapleford]

Hi we have a tatty 1969 135 with FEL that we have just redone the hydraulics on
get a manual off ebay, thery go for around ｣3 over here so guess same over in the states
invaluable info and pdf drawings on there

Anyway, the oil filter and tx oil change is probably a good investment as it speeds up no end when changed if oil is at all milky in clour (takes 30 litres though!!)
You shoud have a diff lock ast they are standard, its situated under the rear axle on the rh side so your right foot can heel it. Dont engaeg if the wheels are already spinning though, dip the clutch first
Ours sits out all winter and starts even after 2 weeks sub zero with the fergie hot start electro diesel flame start. Turn key right to point where you would start and hold for 30 seconds. You should hear a pop in the manifold as it kicks in. If not check the voltage to it. Firts thing to check if it wont cold start.
Looks VGC from your pics
Nige

 

[whistlepig]

Very nice tractor. I had a 1964 135 diesel for about 25 years. It's an overbuilt tractor with a lot of power. I think they are one of the best mowing tractors ever made. They really are good on steep hills. I don't see the differential lock pedal in the picture of your tractor.

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

Thanks for the compliments.

Yeah, no diff-lock on mine...wish it had one though, hoping to retrofit later if not too terribly much trouble. No lights either.

Topped up the tranny fluid to hold me until I can get under there and change it out next weekend.

Still getting a feel for it, but I'm hoping to maintain my 44 acres of mixed woods, logged pastures and swamps with her (and a few attachments of course).

 

[Texas Blues]

Nice 135 salt. My '71 135 has a serial number plate on the lower left side of the dash. I can see in your picture there is a plate there but not in the same place as my plate. I take it, that the plate in the picture does not have a serial number on it? My plate is lower and to the left of yours, mine may have been rerivited to its current spot, I do not know for sure. Anyway, thats good looking 135. TB

 

[flusher]

Based on the recommendations of a lot of neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc. I sought out a MF 135 and found this one about 45 minutes from my house. Came with a 5' Howse cutter. No idea on hours, the tach/hour meter isn't hooked up and only shows 79 hours, so it is neither original nor functioning.

Got a few questions:

Without a serial # tag, how can I determine the year for sure? Sold to me as a 71, but I'm not a trusting person.

I'd like to replace/hook up the tach. Best source for correct tach?

Tranny/Hyd/Diff fluid change, oil change, anything else to freshen up?

Any way to add a diff-lock?

Any tips in general?

Thanks,
Ryan

Congrats on your 135. Mine is a 1964 diesel Deluxe with multipower.

With that generator on your tractor, I doubt it's a 1971. MF went to alternators in 1969 for the 135.

There might be an ID tag on the right side of the battery tray (that's where I found it on my 135). You need to remove the air filter assembly to see it.









Tachometer: try here

Massey Ferguson 135 Tachometers, Oil Pressure Gauges, Voltage Gauges, Water Temperature Gauges, Temperature Gauges, Fuel Gauges, Amperage Gauges,

Diff lock---it's an option on the Deluxe model. I doubt that it can be retrofitted into a 135 that came without it. Check with a service guy at your local MF dealer.

Good luck.

 

[Texas Blues]

Man flusher, they dont want you to find that serial number very easy do they? lol. I wonder if, even though I have a serial number tag on the dash, if there is also a tag under the battery like on yours. Guess I'll take a look seeing as I dont have an oem air filter assembly on the tractor it will be easy to spot. TB

 

[flusher]

Man flusher, they dont want you to find that serial number very easy do they? lol. I wonder if, even though I have a serial number tag on the dash, if there is also a tag under the battery like on yours. Guess I'll take a look seeing as I dont have an oem air filter assembly on the tractor it will be easy to spot. TB

Yep, you're right--it's really located in an inconvenient spot.
As you can see I inadvertently sprayed over the tag when I painted the tractor a few years ago. Dumb. But the important info, the s/n, is embossed on the tag so it's still easy to read.

 

[Texas Blues]

Flusher, I actually had some pictures of that area on mine when I had it apart. There is no tag there, its pretty rotted out, but no signs of there ever being a tag there. I guess they decided to move it by 1971. TB

 

[dle47]

Recommend you try looking through the Vintage Tractor Engineer site. This site is by a guy in the UK and he has heaps of information about every model of the Massey Ferguson, including S/N versus year of manufacture, where to look for S/N plates etc etc.

I have a MF35 deluxe (predecessor to the MF135) and I get all my info from this guys site.

Cheers

David

Based on the recommendations of a lot of neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc. I sought out a MF 135 and found this one about 45 minutes from my house. Came with a 5' Howse cutter. No idea on hours, the tach/hour meter isn't hooked up and only shows 79 hours, so it is neither original nor functioning.

Got a few questions:

Without a serial # tag, how can I determine the year for sure? Sold to me as a 71, but I'm not a trusting person.

I'd like to replace/hook up the tach. Best source for correct tach?

Tranny/Hyd/Diff fluid change, oil change, anything else to freshen up?

Any way to add a diff-lock?

Any tips in general?

Thanks,
Ryan