MF-135 at local trator lot

[LC '92]

Howdy all. I found a pretty neat little 3 cyl diesel MF-135 at a local tractor seller. It has the 3 speed transmission and manual steering. It had been sitting on his lot unmoved for 4 weeks. It started right up. Has 1988 hours on it. I drove it and all gears worked properly. Only one rear brake works, PTO spins, 3-point works good. Differential fluid is slightly white, due to water going in around the cracked shifter boot I think.

I need a tractor to maintain about 15 acres, shredding, finish mowing, and occasionally discing. I offered them $2500.00 and they change the differential fluid. The salesman thinks the consignment seller will accept that.

What say all ye to this deal?

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[Farmwithjunk]

At that price, jump on it. That tractor would bring north of $4000, maybe even $5000 here. It appears to be in decent condition with just a few minor details needing attention. Good rubber. I see a differential lock. That means it's NOT the plain jane model without live power. Good sign. Perkins diesel is worth $500 to $1000 more than a gas model. Best little diesel ever built. They run forever on a tank of fuel too. Inoticed the injector pump is still sealed. Good sign.

Parts are available either at AGCO/MF dealers or aftermarket. Even John Deere dealers sell aftermarket parts for the 135. You won't find an easier tractor to maintain.

During it's production run, there were over 270,000 135's built in England at the Banner Lane plant (1964-1979) and over 240,000 built in Detroit Michigan (1964-1975) . They still remain VERY popular.

Check 3-point with an implement on it if you can. See if it raises smoothly. Good chance the hitch will drift down slowly once you shut off the engine. 99% of Masseys will. Also look below the bellhousing. You should find a weep hole with the tail end of a cotter pin sticking through. That's to allow any oil leaking from the engine or tranny to escape the clutch area. The rear oil pan gaskets tend to leak on that Perkins model. There's a new retrofit gasket available (ONLY through AGCO/MF) that solves the issue. The common misconception is that the leak is the rear main seal. That's no more likely to be the case than with any other engine. If you see tranny/hydraulic oil there, front input shaft seal may be leaking, but again, no more likely than with any other model or brand. It's not uncommon, nor is it a problem to see a drop or 2 of oil coming from that weep hole. Excessive amounts usually means dropping the oil pan for new gaskets.

Brakes are relatively easy to change, and shoes are less than $100. That might even be a simple adjustment issue.

If you get it, post back and I'll furnish you a link to "BIG DEAN" Austins website. Big Dean is in bad health these days, but his son (Scott?) is manning the computer. They sell a CD ($25) that covers diagnostics and repairs to the 100 series Massey's that is BETTER than any manuals on the market. Big Dean is THE MAN!

Get a genuine MASSEY FERGUSON owners manual, service manual, and parts manual. (easy to find on ebay) Those, along with a handful of basic tools and you can do just about anything there is to do on a 135. They were designed to be maintained out under a shadetree in the barnyard by anyone even remotely handy with tools.

At $2500, I'd buy it sight unseen even if someone told me there were "problems". That is a buy.

I take care of 45 acres with a Massey Ferguson 150. That's essentially the same tractor with a heavier front axle, slightly longer wheel base, and a bigger fuel tank. It's MORE THAN ADAQUATE for the task of caring for your acreage.

EDIT: After looking closer at the pictures, it appears that the left (clutch ) side running board is missing also. Those are available aftermarket. There's a set (used) on EBAY right now.

 

[chh]

Pretty straight looking tractor. I think I would jump on that deal. Most of the ones like that around me have been beaten by brush and the metal doesn't look that nice. It should any of the jobs you described very well.

 

[LC '92]

Thanks for y'alls input fellows. And Farmwithjunk, thanks for the detailed information. I'm gonna go up there tomorrow and pick that little gem up. I'll post back here when I have it and/or when I have used it.

With best regards,
Jeff in Texas

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks for y'alls input fellows. And Farmwithjunk, thanks for the detailed information. I'm gonna go up there tomorrow and pick that little gem up. I'll post back here when I have it and/or when I have used it.

With best regards,
Jeff in Texas

Great! Another happy Massey owner!

Here's the "BIG DEAN" link

Big Dean's Massey Ferguson tips

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. In time you'll figure out I'm obsessed with the "DX" series (100 series) Massey's. Best bang for the buck to ever wear tractor tires

Here's a few pictures of what happens when you have a 100 series and too much time on your hands! This one has been with me since new in 1971.

 

[chh]

FWJ if you'd clean that tractor up a little it might look a little better. Really, I remember those when they were new I don't remember them looking that sharp then. LC there is something for you to shoot for when you decide the 135 "needs" cleaned up a little. Hope the tractor works out good for you.

 

[WarrenF]

Holy Hawkeye FWJ...that is beautiful. Now if I can get my 165 remotely close to what you have, I will be a happy man!!!

 

[BTI]

FWJ-Nice.......
Truck matches tractor too.
I remember going to my grandpas farm. I loved his Massey, sounded strong.
165 Multi-power

BTI

 

[WarrenF]

LC'92.....we are all sitting here with baited breath, wondering if you did the dirty deed and buy the tractor.....report in please

 

[LC '92]

That little 135 is resting nicely in my barn as I type this. I think its the first time it has been under roof in years. It should stay nice and dry in there and last many more years I'm hoping. Note my updated signature!

At any rate, went to the dealer today and he said OK to the $2,500.00. Also said OK to changing the differential fluid in that cost but that it would be next week before they could get around to it. Said that it was normally a $150.00 charge for doing it. I said, "why don't you just knock off the $150.00 and I'll change it myself?". He says OK and I write him a check for $2,350.00. He power washed it for me and I load it on the trailer for the trip home. He scrounged around in the back of this shop and found and included an original owners manual for it.

Stopped off at the gas station and fueled it up. ($3.45 a gallon!) Didn't get to play with it much but did discover that it does not have a live PTO.

This weekend I'll change the differential fluid and motor oil. What kind of oil do y'all run in the Perkins diesel?