Taking up the 135 challenge

   / Taking up the 135 challenge #1  

PerryW

New member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Messages
11
Location
Hindmarsh Valley, Australia
Tractor
1968 MF135 for fun, MF3080 for work
So. apart from my introduction, this is my first post here.

I'm no mechanic but I'm keen to learn - I don't think I'm too old just yet.

With our new property we became the proud owners of two MF tractors. A 3080 that will be the general purpose workhorse and a 135 that, while it still has to earn its keep, is also going to be the machine that I cut my teeth on.

This post is about the 135.

MF135.jpg

As far as I can determine, it's a 1968 model:

PF135Plate.jpg

I guess my problem is that I'm not sure where to start (probably, hunting down a manual would be a good place but sometimes there are books and guides that are better than the original manual?).

It's tired, a bit tatty but it starts and runs well and I suspect that it's been reasonably well looked after - I checked the transmission fluid at the weekend and was pleased to see that, not only was it full, it was also clean and looked fairly new.

So, where should a newbie start? What jobs/checks should I do immediately?

Realistically, I'm not looking at a concourse makeover, my priority is to ensure that it continues to have a long and productive life.

Any tips?
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #2  
Start simple. Check the oil, antifreeze, air pressure in the tires, air filter etc. Tractor Supply and other farm supply stores sell basic service manual. MF 135s are relatively basic tractors. Ours is diesel is yours?

If you spend much time in that seat, you will quickly find hat a replacement cushion is necessary if not a seat replacement. We put on one with spring suspension and arm rests. The foam doesn't cushion as well as the upholstered cushion because the upholstered cushion traps some air.
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #3  
Step #1: get the factory manuals (operator, maintenance, parts) from AGCO--not that expensive
Step #2: check the two weep holes on the bottom of the clutch cover. There may be a cotter pin in these holes (sometimes they're missing so use a small twist drill or piece of wire to ream the dirt out of these holes). Look for fluid leakage. A few drops is normal--larger flow may indicate a leaking rear main engine seal or a leaking transmission seal.
Step #3: start the engine and observe the color of the exhaust smoke. Black: fuel system problem. Blue: oil leaking into the cylinders. White: coolant leak into the cylinders.
Step #4: drain the fluids and check for oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil. Add new fluids.
Step #5: remove and replace all the filters.
You may have to recharge the battery and clean the connections to the starter to get the engine to crank.

Good luck
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #4  
You sure about the year? They sure make them different in England.
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #5  
So. apart from my introduction, this is my first post here.

I'm no mechanic but I'm keen to learn - I don't think I'm too old just yet.

With our new property we became the proud owners of two MF tractors. A 3080 that will be the general purpose workhorse and a 135 that, while it still has to earn its keep, is also going to be the machine that I cut my teeth on.

This post is about the 135.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=301763"/>

As far as I can determine, it's a 1968 model:

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=301764"/>

I guess my problem is that I'm not sure where to start (probably, hunting down a manual would be a good place but sometimes there are books and guides that are better than the original manual?).

It's tired, a bit tatty but it starts and runs well and I suspect that it's been reasonably well looked after - I checked the transmission fluid at the weekend and was pleased to see that, not only was it full, it was also clean and looked fairly new.

So, where should a newbie start? What jobs/checks should I do immediately?

Realistically, I'm not looking at a concourse makeover, my priority is to ensure that it continues to have a long and productive life.

Any tips?

If your looking for a good source of hard to find items try ebay UK

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Massey+Ferguson+135&_sacat=0&_from=R40

I saw some service manuals and owners manuals there for sale. Since the European version of the 135 was sold in Australia I would just imagine parts are available there as well. I do know you can rebuild that tractor from a catalog. There are more parts made for your version than the U.S. version. The euro version was more road/street ready with rear view mirrors I closed cans, wipers turning signals, foot excelerator. They are nice tractors.

Sent from my iPad iOS 6.1 - TBN v1.6
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #7  
You may have a 68 model but it looks different than my 68. I don't have a pic of mine with all the sheet metal but I have the continental 4cyl gas. When I got mine I was thinking like you. However, I found it to be worn out and did a rebuild.
 
   / Taking up the 135 challenge #9  
 
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