My 1966 Massey 135 Tractor (Pics)

[murphy1244]

Massey, What years was the 135 produced? I ask cause according to tractor data.com its 64 thru 75 yet there is a 91 and a 93 135 on tractor house.

 

[Mike476]

Today, I removed the draft response control quadrant cover to gain better access to clean the transmission/axle sumps. I hadn't intended to remove the hydraulic lift cover until I was ready to rebuild the hydraulics, but have begun to think about doing it now so I will have more room and better visibility. In fact, I think I may do precisely that.

That'll just about complete the rebuild, for this tractor. Now when you get the diesel you won't be distracted with having to some day down the road get back to it. A good decision IMHO Massey.

 

[MasseyWV]

Hello MasseyWV,

Hubby and I for one have found this thread very informative and love your attention to detail. Massey, we currently own a MF150 Diesel with a fel and just recently purchased a MF135 Continental Gas. Kinda of a His and Hers.....lol! Upon your suggestions we also purchased the OEM manuals for both tractors, including parts manuels. They are both in need of some TLC, and as cash flow allows will fix them both up over time. The MF150 is fully functional as is with some cosmetic issues, backyard paint job, not a good one, with rattle can over spray on engine and other parts. I really don't understand why some do not want to take the time to at least mask something off before painting if they are not doing a total tear down and restore. Anywho, the little 135 will need a total engine overhaul and hubby has the front end all tore apart. I'm thinking as he takes parts off, we ought to repaint this ole' gal. I noticed in your thread mentioning that you prefer PPG or Martin Senour Acrylic enamel. I also notice you are using a clay colored primer. May I ask why you chose a red primer over a gray primer for the MF gray colored areas? Just curious. May I also inquire of the color name you are using on the primer and the name of the "red" and "gray" massey finished coat colors you plan to paint with? We are not prevy to a sandblaster, so hand sanding will be the time consuming job I'm afraid, any tips there? Hubby does have a good air compressor and paint gun from his repainting old car days, but I'm curious, and I know the finish may not be as pristine, but can you recommend a real good brand of rattle can paints as an alternative to paint these tractors with instead of a paint gun? I'm pretty good with cans, I'm an artist type and pay attention to detail. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for this informative thread and what an awesome job you are doing too.

:tractor:--MasseyLady

Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying my restoration thread.

The rattle can primer I'm using is Rustoleum red oxide, which is an alkyd (oil) based primer. I like it because it inhibits rust while giving good coverage, but most importantly it's cheap and readily available. The only drawback is that alkyd primer takes a long time to dry, but I've found that placing freshly primed parts out in the hot sun for a day greatly reduces the time it takes to dry. Since my project is spread out over such a long period of time, primer dry times weren't much of a concern, but had they been more important to me I might have elected to use acrylic enamel primer instead. The color of the primer (red oxide) is just a personal preference of mine, mainly because it tends to show through areas where there is insufficient paint coverage when applying the top coats of paint.

When it comes time to paint everything, I'll most likely use my spray gun to cover the tractor body with custom mixed flint gray metallic acrylic enamel paint because alkyd takes too long to dry properly. However, I remain undecided about how I plan to cover the sheet metal with Massey Ferguson red paint. I'm torn between covering it with acrylic enamel for ease of maintenance, or urethane base/clear for a beautiful long-lasting finish. Note that because acrylic enamel and urethane tend to be incompatible, the type of primer I use on the sheet-metal will depend upon the type of paint I decide to use for the final finish. Regardless of which method I use, I'll probably use PPG paint because it's proven itself to be durable and is locally available from a number of different paint suppliers.

I'm afraid I don't know of any specific brands of rattle can paint that I can recommend. Besides, painting with rattle cans would likely give poor coverage (paint thickness) and would be more expensive than simply buying a gallon of any given brand of paint and using a spray gun, which would give you the added advantage of being able to use hardener and fish-eye formula in your paint mix. Using a spray gun for the final finish is more work, but in my opinion the results are more than worth it. Note that I don't mind using rattle can primer in cases like this because it has ample time to dry and the final finish is much less important because it's sandable. If it were a car, I'd use urethane for everything.

As you know, I prefer to sandblast everything whenever possible. However, sandblasting isn't always possible, as was the case with my engine block. In cases like that I like to use my 4 inch grinder to knock down any casting flash, followed by either my Dremel rotary tool or my Dremel MultiMax tool. Hand sanding is only used as a last resort in tight places or on delicate parts.

 

[MasseyWV]

Massey, What years was the 135 produced? I ask cause according to tractor data.com its 64 thru 75 yet there is a 91 and a 93 135 on tractor house.

I believe the US version of the Massey 135 tractor was built from 1964-1975 and the UK version was built until 1979. As far as I know, 1979 was the last year the Massey 135 tractor was produced, so any Massey 135 tractor advertised as being newer is likely because of a mistake of some kind in the advertisement.

 

[MasseyLady]

Thanks Massey, good info and wisdom. I agree the biggest down fall of rattle cans is trying to get equal coverage. I do believe Hubby will need to practice his paint skills again and get out the paint gun. Thanks, take care, such great work you are doing, indeed.

:tractor:--MasseyLady

 

[MasseyWV]

Thanks Massey, good info and wisdom. I agree the biggest down fall of rattle cans is trying to get equal coverage. I do believe Hubby will need to practice his paint skills again and get out the paint gun. Thanks, take care, such great work you are doing, indeed.

:tractor:--MasseyLady

Thank you for your kind words. I think it's great that you and your husband both enjoy tractors, but more importantly, you enjoy them together which is what really counts the most.

My wife enjoys hearing me talk about working on my tractor, but sadly she is unable to participate with me because she is still suffering the after effects of multiple Breast Cancer surgeries. Suffice it to say that after having experienced Cancer first hand, I would not wish it on anyone. In any case, working on my tractor has been great therapy for me, where one could say that it's my own personal retreat from the harsh reality of life, even if only for brief periods of time.

If you have any questions during the course of my restoration, please feel free to post them here or if you prefer you may PM me and I will do my best to answer them.

 

[MasseyWV]

That'll just about complete the rebuild, for this tractor. Now when you get the diesel you won't be distracted with having to some day down the road get back to it. A good decision IMHO Massey.

I agree that rebuilding the hydraulics now is the best course of action. In all honesty, I've been thinking about doing it all along, but didn't want to commit myself (mainly for financial reasons) until I was sure it was what I wanted to do. After careful consideration, I finally came to the conclusion that it was time to stop procrastinating and get to work. If it gets expensive it'll just take a little longer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, depending on one's perspective.

Most of the parts I'll need to rebuild the hydraulics (gaskets and o-rings) are relatively cheap so it shouldn't impact my budget too much. The only thing that concerns me is the internal hydraulic pump which can be somewhat expensive to repair if much is wrong with it. Thankfully, the hydraulics were working fine before I began the tear-down process, so I don't anticipate many problems will be found. At the very least, I'm certain that everything will benefit greatly from getting a good cleaning.

At this point, I can only dream about getting a Massey 135 with a Perkins diesel to restore, and some people might think I'm crazy for even thinking about buying another one to restore while I'm this far into my current restoration project, but that's what happens when you're bitten by that pesky little tractor bug.

 

[Mike476]

You have to have a dream Massey, whether it happens or not isn't what's important, I'm sure you realize that now more than ever. I hope your wife is doing well, having almost lost our daughter five years ago to cancer, the year long chemos and radiation were something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Both our daughters share our love of country living but it was that lifestyle and the love of her horses that played a large part in her recovery, and a little tractor riding with pops.

 

[MasseyLady]

Thank you for your kind words. I think it's great that you and your husband both enjoy tractors, but more importantly, you enjoy them together which is what really counts the most.

My wife enjoys hearing me talk about working on my tractor, but sadly she is unable to participate with me because she is still suffering the after effects of multiple Breast Cancer surgeries. Suffice it to say that after having experienced Cancer first hand, I would not wish it on anyone. In any case, working on my tractor has been great therapy for me, where one could say that it's my own personal retreat from the harsh reality of life, even if only for brief periods of time.

If you have any questions during the course of my restoration, please feel free to post them here or if you prefer you may PM me and I will do my best to answer them.

Massey, I totally understand you and Mike's experience with cancer first hand, I lost my Dad four years ago and also my Grandfather to it. My Dad's sister has had breast cancer also and watched all three go through the struggles and heartache it causes. I too don't wish this dreaded disease on anyone either. It is not just hard on the loved ones we see go through it, but it's so hard on those of us that are close to them. We all need a hope, we all need a retreat to get our minds off of anything we struggle with, and yes we should all hold onto our dreams.

Mike I love the picture of you and your daughter...yes, there is something about a girl and her horse isn't it? Horses are my first love too. I have often been asked by hubby, what is it about girls and horses....simply put, it's a bond, a relationship, two are one, much like a guy and his car and yes a guy and his tractor. Massey and Mike, if I may, ((Hugs)) and to anyone else that struggles and dealing with, as Massey puts it the "harsh realities of life," and cancer being one of them. Keep going Massey, keep hoping, and ((Hugs)) to your wife too, thanks again for this wonderful thread and I wish you and your wife the best.

:tractor:--MasseyLady

 

[MasseyWV]

You have to have a dream Massey, whether it happens or not isn't what's important, I'm sure you realize that now more than ever. I hope your wife is doing well, having almost lost our daughter five years ago to cancer, the year long chemos and radiation were something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Both our daughters share our love of country living but it was that lifestyle and the love of her horses that played a large part in her recovery, and a little tractor riding with pops.

View attachment 275379

That's a great picture of you and your daughter, the toboggan hat she's wearing really brought back some memories of my wife's hair loss after her chemotherapy treatments. Likewise, I hope your daughter is doing well. My wife is doing as well as can be expected, but she still has a long road ahead of her.

Massey, I totally understand you and Mike's experience with cancer first hand, I lost my Dad four years ago and also my Grandfather to it. My Dad's sister has had breast cancer also and watched all three go through the struggles and heartache it causes. I too don't wish this dreaded disease on anyone either. It is not just hard on the loved ones we see go through it, but it's so hard on those of us that are close to them. We all need a hope, we all need a retreat to get our minds off of anything we struggle with, and yes we should all hold onto our dreams.

Mike I love the picture of you and your daughter...yes, there is something about a girl and her horse isn't it? Horses are my first love too. I have often been asked by hubby, what is it about girls and horses....simply put, it's a bond, a relationship, two are one, much like a guy and his car and yes a guy and his tractor. Massey and Mike, if I may, ((Hugs)) and to anyone else that struggles and dealing with, as Massey puts it the "harsh realities of life," and cancer being one of them. Keep going Massey, keep hoping, and ((Hugs)) to your wife too, thanks again for this wonderful thread and I wish you and your wife the best.

:tractor:--MasseyLady

Cancer does cause a lot of pain and heartache, but I've learned that it can also be a source of strength. In my case, I've gained more strength from the experience than I could have ever imagined. With each new challenge that arises, I somehow find a way to cope regardless of how difficult it might be. In this case, I'm coping by restoring my tractor.

Speaking of my tractor, my wife doesn't know it yet, but to commemorate her struggle with breast cancer, I've been thinking of adding a small pink ribbon somewhere on it after it's finished. By the way, I've made a lot of progress with the hydraulics and will post about it soon.