Massey Ferguson MF35 Reviews
Old Timer
Model Year: 1960
I use my tractor around my house by little things to do. It's a very handy tractor with a very small "turning circle". It always starts even during the winter. I also have a forklift which fits at the back of the tractor and is very handy.
Pros: Handy.
Cons: Small in power (kW).
Model Year: 1960
I use my tractor around my house by little things to do. It's a very handy tractor with a very small "turning circle". It always starts even during the winter. I also have a forklift which fits at the back of the tractor and is very handy.
Pros: Handy.
Cons: Small in power (kW).
My First Working Tractor
Model Year: 1958
With the purchase of a block on Lake Glenmaggie, we needed a general purpose tractor to manage the area. With a 6' slasher, PTO, posthole digger, and blade we set off to tame the wild. We have now added a stick rake and are making a leveler (smudger). The MF35 operated magnificently with my left leg getting a work out with the two stage clutch (appreciate a hydraulic clutch). The engine does not rev hard at ~1600 rpm for most operations. Disaster strikes after 150 hours, the original clutch gives out with a broken spring. I am hoping that the replacement operates for another 50+years (and I am still using the tractor). Great tractor with a quality build which lasts the distance.
Pros: Economical to purchase and run, classic fergie, parts available.
Cons: The mechanical clutch will give me muscles.
Model Year: 1958
With the purchase of a block on Lake Glenmaggie, we needed a general purpose tractor to manage the area. With a 6' slasher, PTO, posthole digger, and blade we set off to tame the wild. We have now added a stick rake and are making a leveler (smudger). The MF35 operated magnificently with my left leg getting a work out with the two stage clutch (appreciate a hydraulic clutch). The engine does not rev hard at ~1600 rpm for most operations. Disaster strikes after 150 hours, the original clutch gives out with a broken spring. I am hoping that the replacement operates for another 50+years (and I am still using the tractor). Great tractor with a quality build which lasts the distance.
Pros: Economical to purchase and run, classic fergie, parts available.
Cons: The mechanical clutch will give me muscles.
1962 MF35 Winter Project
Model Year: 1962
Bought this tractor in October of 2011. By looking at it I knew I was going to have to do some work on it. Thought I could spend $1000-$1500 and get it in good shape. When I started tearing it down there was more wrong than met the eye. Probably going to end up spending $2500 or so, but it will be just like new when I get done. The tractor was usable when I got it but I want it to be as good as I can make it. Doing all the work myself (did machinist and mechanic work all my life) Hope to have it done by spring plowing time. I'll post pictures when it's done. Tractorbynet has been a great help with some of the items I needed and for info I needed.
Pros: Reliable, great power for it's size, easy on fuel.
Cons: No power steering.
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Model Year: 1962
Bought this tractor in October of 2011. By looking at it I knew I was going to have to do some work on it. Thought I could spend $1000-$1500 and get it in good shape. When I started tearing it down there was more wrong than met the eye. Probably going to end up spending $2500 or so, but it will be just like new when I get done. The tractor was usable when I got it but I want it to be as good as I can make it. Doing all the work myself (did machinist and mechanic work all my life) Hope to have it done by spring plowing time. I'll post pictures when it's done. Tractorbynet has been a great help with some of the items I needed and for info I needed.
Pros: Reliable, great power for it's size, easy on fuel.
Cons: No power steering.
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Old but Still Pretty Good
Model Year: 1963
My old MF 35 with the Perkins diesel is a decent utility tractor. It has been reliable and reasonably fuel efficient. The biggest down side is the geometry of the 3 point, it just cannot get implements very high off the ground, much like the N series fords. It also has a minor issue of locking the transmission where two gears get engaged at once, but this is easy to fix. I also miss having a hydraulic output, but that can get spliced in by tapping the 3pt system
Pros: Cheap and reliable.
Cons: 3point is weak.
Model Year: 1963
My old MF 35 with the Perkins diesel is a decent utility tractor. It has been reliable and reasonably fuel efficient. The biggest down side is the geometry of the 3 point, it just cannot get implements very high off the ground, much like the N series fords. It also has a minor issue of locking the transmission where two gears get engaged at once, but this is easy to fix. I also miss having a hydraulic output, but that can get spliced in by tapping the 3pt system
Pros: Cheap and reliable.
Cons: 3point is weak.
My MF 35
Model Year: 1962
Just bought this tractor last week. Plan on complete restoration and using to tend gardens and mowing off fields. I like the tractor a lot, just wish it had power steering.
Pros: Powerful for its size.
Cons: No power steering, no live power.
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Model Year: 1962
Just bought this tractor last week. Plan on complete restoration and using to tend gardens and mowing off fields. I like the tractor a lot, just wish it had power steering.
Pros: Powerful for its size.
Cons: No power steering, no live power.
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MF35
Model Year: 1957
Petrol Standard Motor Co, 4 cylinder. Motor has probably had a rebuild about 30 years ago. Owner who sold to me said he had recently put new rings in. I have had to replace head gasket, one finger to clutch, several seals etc but nothing serious. Will pull a ten disc plough for firebreaks, launch a small boat and other light use. Will not run all day pulling heavy gear but starts well, as long as battery is not flat. Has been very useful but I am now looking for a smaller machine with a loader for mulch. soil and moving rubbish etc on five acres. Would like a hydrostatic drive so my wife can safely drive whilst I do pick ups etc!
Pros: Reliable easy maintained and plenty of parts available.
Cons: Nothing really just getting a bit old like me!
Model Year: 1957
Petrol Standard Motor Co, 4 cylinder. Motor has probably had a rebuild about 30 years ago. Owner who sold to me said he had recently put new rings in. I have had to replace head gasket, one finger to clutch, several seals etc but nothing serious. Will pull a ten disc plough for firebreaks, launch a small boat and other light use. Will not run all day pulling heavy gear but starts well, as long as battery is not flat. Has been very useful but I am now looking for a smaller machine with a loader for mulch. soil and moving rubbish etc on five acres. Would like a hydrostatic drive so my wife can safely drive whilst I do pick ups etc!
Pros: Reliable easy maintained and plenty of parts available.
Cons: Nothing really just getting a bit old like me!
Classic Tractor
Model Year: 1964
The MF35 with the Perkins 3-cylinder cross flow engine was one of the first of the modern tractors. Derived from the FE20 and related to the Ford 8N, it combined the Ferguson System with the experience and quality approach of Massey. Hundreds of thousands were made and are still found around the world. With the diesel one has power, easy starting and steady reliability, plus no Lucas electrics! With the pre-heated fuel system, this one even starts easily when freezing cold. It pulls a 3 bottom MF 66 plow with no difficulty at all.
Pros: Handy power, great basic performance.
Cons: No hydraulics (can be installed but not easy).
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Model Year: 1964
The MF35 with the Perkins 3-cylinder cross flow engine was one of the first of the modern tractors. Derived from the FE20 and related to the Ford 8N, it combined the Ferguson System with the experience and quality approach of Massey. Hundreds of thousands were made and are still found around the world. With the diesel one has power, easy starting and steady reliability, plus no Lucas electrics! With the pre-heated fuel system, this one even starts easily when freezing cold. It pulls a 3 bottom MF 66 plow with no difficulty at all.
Pros: Handy power, great basic performance.
Cons: No hydraulics (can be installed but not easy).
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Massey Ferguson 35 with Perkins Diesel
Model Year: 1960
When I bought this tractor a guy on a discussion board told me that "A Massey 35 is about as handy as a shirt pocket." I've never had reason to doubt his assessment. This was my beginning tractor. An old loader went onto it and it has served faithfully for loading logs, moving huge stones, work around buildings, even loading manure, as well as the bulk of the mowing for my tree farm for six years. Without power steering it's a load to steer, but as another guy told me, "You get used to it." It locks between gears occasionally, so a new owner has to learn the simple trick to get it back out of gear. The diverter valve is a pain when running the loader, but I bought another tractor that had the same set-up, so it mustn't be that bad.
Pros: Dependable, long-life, versatile tractor with a comfortable ride and sound.
Cons: The hydraulic system's crude, it and transmission have a learning curve.
Model Year: 1960
When I bought this tractor a guy on a discussion board told me that "A Massey 35 is about as handy as a shirt pocket." I've never had reason to doubt his assessment. This was my beginning tractor. An old loader went onto it and it has served faithfully for loading logs, moving huge stones, work around buildings, even loading manure, as well as the bulk of the mowing for my tree farm for six years. Without power steering it's a load to steer, but as another guy told me, "You get used to it." It locks between gears occasionally, so a new owner has to learn the simple trick to get it back out of gear. The diverter valve is a pain when running the loader, but I bought another tractor that had the same set-up, so it mustn't be that bad.
Pros: Dependable, long-life, versatile tractor with a comfortable ride and sound.
Cons: The hydraulic system's crude, it and transmission have a learning curve.