Massey Ferguson 85_3
Information, reviews, photos, discussion topics, owner pages, and specifications about the Massey Ferguson 85_3.
50-100 HP Tractors
About the Massey Ferguson 85_3
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User Reviews (5)
Read what TractorByNet members think about the Massey Ferguson 85_3 Subcompact Tractor
MF 85
Model Year: 1962
This tractor was abused and just about worn out when I bought it for $1,500 in 1978. I had a valve job done, replaced a cracked piston, rings and rod bearings shortly after buying it. It was used on a vegetable and hog operation for the next 15 years. Lately it's been used for bush hogging and pulling a wagon around. Apparently the 85 was a "white elephant": not very popular compared to the 35's, 50's and 65's of the same vintage. Parts catalogs are full of parts for those other models I named, but parts for the 85 are few and far between. It was a strong tractor in its day, but its days are numbered due to lack of parts.
Pros: Reliable, can stand up to hard usage.
Cons: Parts are extremely hard to find.
Model Year: 1962
This tractor was abused and just about worn out when I bought it for $1,500 in 1978. I had a valve job done, replaced a cracked piston, rings and rod bearings shortly after buying it. It was used on a vegetable and hog operation for the next 15 years. Lately it's been used for bush hogging and pulling a wagon around. Apparently the 85 was a "white elephant": not very popular compared to the 35's, 50's and 65's of the same vintage. Parts catalogs are full of parts for those other models I named, but parts for the 85 are few and far between. It was a strong tractor in its day, but its days are numbered due to lack of parts.
Pros: Reliable, can stand up to hard usage.
Cons: Parts are extremely hard to find.
The MF85 Dilemna
Model Year: 1960
If a person is a following of the Massey Harris and Ferguson Ford story, obtaining a used tractor from the first years of the "marriage" can be a nervous undertaking. More so with the "end of model line" a the MF85 was. I had operated an MF65 on farm in southeastern Sask in the early 60's so was smitten by the opportunity to obtain the MF85. I fitted a top quality loader to it and have been satisfied with operation overall. The hydraulics are slow for the loader so may add a refit pump to speed up the lift/dump operation.
Pros: Lots of power with diesel engine, almost deceptive.
Cons: Slow hydraulics.
Model Year: 1960
If a person is a following of the Massey Harris and Ferguson Ford story, obtaining a used tractor from the first years of the "marriage" can be a nervous undertaking. More so with the "end of model line" a the MF85 was. I had operated an MF65 on farm in southeastern Sask in the early 60's so was smitten by the opportunity to obtain the MF85. I fitted a top quality loader to it and have been satisfied with operation overall. The hydraulics are slow for the loader so may add a refit pump to speed up the lift/dump operation.
Pros: Lots of power with diesel engine, almost deceptive.
Cons: Slow hydraulics.
Massey Ferguson 85
Model Year: 1962
This tractor was about worn out when I bought it in 1977. I replaced rings, bearings, 1 piston, and had the head reworked. It's had a rough life as a utility tractor but always started up and ran. The main problem is that it's somewhat of a "white elephant" in that it wasn't a popular tractor so unlike it's smaller brethren, the 35 and 65, it's almost impossible to find parts for. As a struggling, just-starting-out commercial vegetable producer/ hog producer I had the option of buying a MF35 for $2,500 or the MF85 for $1,500. $1,000 was a lot of money back then so I went with the 85.
Pros: Plenty of power, easy to work on.
Cons: Difficulty in finding parts.
Model Year: 1962
This tractor was about worn out when I bought it in 1977. I replaced rings, bearings, 1 piston, and had the head reworked. It's had a rough life as a utility tractor but always started up and ran. The main problem is that it's somewhat of a "white elephant" in that it wasn't a popular tractor so unlike it's smaller brethren, the 35 and 65, it's almost impossible to find parts for. As a struggling, just-starting-out commercial vegetable producer/ hog producer I had the option of buying a MF35 for $2,500 or the MF85 for $1,500. $1,000 was a lot of money back then so I went with the 85.
Pros: Plenty of power, easy to work on.
Cons: Difficulty in finding parts.
Massey Ferguson 85 Hi-Lo 4 Forward
Model Year: 1959
Gas tractor was actively used until the late 70s, but has been idle for 30 years. Worth restoring, but parts are not readily available and my skills may fall short. Tractor has Continental 4 cylinder vs. preferred Perkins engine.
Pros: Practical easy-on, easy off tractor. Right size for mowing, haying, augering feed.
Cons: Too light without front end weights to pick up 1200 pound round bales; Parts availability.
Model Year: 1959
Gas tractor was actively used until the late 70s, but has been idle for 30 years. Worth restoring, but parts are not readily available and my skills may fall short. Tractor has Continental 4 cylinder vs. preferred Perkins engine.
Pros: Practical easy-on, easy off tractor. Right size for mowing, haying, augering feed.
Cons: Too light without front end weights to pick up 1200 pound round bales; Parts availability.
Somewhat Rare Massey Ferguson 85
Model Year: 1962
Massey 65S were common, but 85S are rare. They are a good solid tractor that I have experience with since the 1960s growing up. The governor is mostly stuck which makes me wonder if there is something like an electric add-on. The original is too hard to repair. Also I need to install an alternator. It doesn't charge enough at idle or low RPMs.
Pros: Reliable.
Cons: Rare-hard to find parts.
Photo Uploads:
Model Year: 1962
Massey 65S were common, but 85S are rare. They are a good solid tractor that I have experience with since the 1960s growing up. The governor is mostly stuck which makes me wonder if there is something like an electric add-on. The original is too hard to repair. Also I need to install an alternator. It doesn't charge enough at idle or low RPMs.
Pros: Reliable.
Cons: Rare-hard to find parts.
Photo Uploads:
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Massey Ferguson 85_3 Owner Pages
View owner pages to see photos, customization and comments about member-owner Massey Ferguson 85_3s