Massey 35

[Shantycoke]

My brother is needing a tractor for a tree farm. He found a Massey 35, built in the 60's for around 3,000.00. He says it's in really good shape, but I haven't seen it yet. Any info anyone would have about these and their reliability would be appreciated. He just needs it mostly for brushogging, pulling a wagon, etc. Thanks.

 

[SDT]

The MF-35 is the predecessor to the 135 and a nice little tractor.

That said, there are several versions out there. The most desireable are those with the Perkins 3 cylinder diesel engine, live PTO, via dual clutch and without multi-power. Next would be the same tractor with the Continental 4 cylinder gasoline engine. Those with the Standard Motors 4 cylinder diesel are notoriously hard starters in anything but warm weather.

If the tractor is equipped with power steering, check it for proper operation and leaks when up to temperature. Parts are hard to find and expensive.

If equipped with multi power, check that it pulls well in both ranges when up to temperature in a higher gear.

SDT

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My brother is needing a tractor for a tree farm. He found a Massey 35, built in the 60's for around 3,000.00. He says it's in really good shape, but I haven't seen it yet. Any info anyone would have about these and their reliability would be appreciated. He just needs it mostly for brushogging, pulling a wagon, etc. Thanks.

I can't speak to the specifics of that particular tractor without seeing it, but in general, the MF35 was a great little tractor. They were essentially the 3rd generation of Ferguson tractors. (TO/TE20, TO30, TO35/MF35) When Ferguson and Massey Ferguson merged, they continued for a short while with seperate identities. Once they combined names and became truely ONE COMPANY, the TO35 became the Massey Ferguson 35.

The 35 came with a Continental Z134 4-cylinder gas engine, or in late production some were equipped with the Perkins AD3-152 diesel. Gassers were rated at 32HP (PTO) and diesels were rated at 38 (PTO) Either are top shelf engines. Parts are still readily available through AGCO. A VERY few MF35's were produced (as economy models) without a 2-stage clutch, but most had "live power" (via that 2-stage clutch)

The hitch (in good shape) is more than capable of handling anything the tractor itself is up to. They are a very well balanced tractor, and have handling characteristics that are second to none for a tractor of their era.

Things to look for;

Under the transmission and bellhousing, you should find 2 "weep holes" with round ends of cotter pins sticking through. They are there to let any oil leaking into the clutch area seep out. The Perkins diesel has a habit of the oil pan gaskets leaking. That would be the most likely source of engine oil in the bellhousing. So long as it's just a drop or 2, no harm. Any more oil, and the pan gaskets need changing. If it's tranny/hydraulic oil, the front input seal may be leaking. If the tractor is equipped with the MULTIPOWER option (hi/lo shifter on dashboard) they have seals that can give problems resulting in oil in the bellhousing. If no oil, or just a very small amount appears, worry not.

If the transmission has a lot of wear, some 35's have a tendency to hang in gear. shift up and down several times to see if it hangs.

EVERY Ferguson/Massey Ferguson owner needs to know about BIG DEAN. (Dean Austin) I can pass along the link to his website if you need it. HE DA MAN!

The MF35 went on to become the Massey Ferguson 135, one of the, if not THE most respected small utility tractor ever produced.

 

[tater digger]

I just bought a MF35 a month ago, it is the first tractor I have owned and I must say that I picked a good one. I had been looking for a long time and had my sights set on something diesel and 4wd. I got neither, but I probably would never have gotten all my stumps pulled with one of those grey market jobs,(I live just north of New Orleans and all the tall trees blew over in hurricane Katrina leaving giant balls of root and earth sticking up in the air.) The Continental gas engine is easy to work on and has plenty of power for being 46 years old. It sits lower than most tractors it's size, so it is an excellent pulling tractor, especially if you will be working on any grades. I have gotten the front wheels off the ground a few times and it did'nt feel like I would roll over too quick. The pto has a unique feature called "ground speed" which is only on the deluxe 35's, if the one you are looking at does not say "ground" next to the pto lever, it also does'nt have the two stage clutch. Some drawbacks are that the parts are not cheap (but they will last forever), operating manual brakes and steering all day will keep your chiropractor busy and remote hydraulics are difficult, expensive or both to add on (but not impossible). $3000 is a good price if everything works and the tires are decent (guages and lights do'nt count), better get it before someone else does.

 

[bcsawyer]

We have a 35 special- gas, no live pto- that my grandfather puchased new in late 1959. It has been an excellent tractor although I think I need to have the valves ground because it spits back, but then again it has done that all my life. I would certainly buy one if I was in the market and found one at a fair price.