Massey 135 multipower speeds/rearend

[beernuts]

I purchased a 1967 MF 135 not too long ago, and I absolutely love it aside from a few small issues (leaking oil pan and wiring). I am impressed with how easily the little perkins starts up and how well it runs. I started it today in 19 degree weather with no issues (like a gasser) and plowed snow for 2 hours. I was just curious what the travel speed in the lowest range and lowest gear of all of the transmission configurations would be (6spd, 8spd, and Multipower). I think that the multipower is 1.2 mph in the lowest range but I can't confirm that, and I have no idea on the others at all. The reason I selected the Multipower was because of the low bottom speed for tilling, but if the others are close, I am told that they (6spd, 8spd) are more reliable. I also like the idea that they can be pull-started as opposed to the multipower version. Don't get me wrong, I love my tractor. I am now looking at an orchard version with the beefy rear axle, straight front, and 8 spd. I can never decide on what I want.

I also am curious if all 135's have the gear shift pattern cast into the rear housing? Mine does not have the shift pattern cast into it. I wonder if it is the original rear or if it was changed out with an industrial model, as I see some yellow paint beneath the silver. The tractor has differential lock now, and I wonder if that was something that it did not have before. Does anyone know how to see if this rear is original to the tractor?

I am new to the tractor community, any help would be appreciated. I was hoping to get FWJ to weigh in on this, as I have read many of his posts before, and he seems to know his stuff on masseys. I appreciate any and all help I get on this.

My wife says I need less tractors, I tell her that I need more land.

 

[flusher]

I purchased a 1967 MF 135 not too long ago, and I absolutely love it aside from a few small issues (leaking oil pan and wiring). I am impressed with how easily the little perkins starts up and how well it runs. I started it today in 19 degree weather with no issues (like a gasser) and plowed snow for 2 hours. I was just curious what the travel speed in the lowest range and lowest gear of all of the transmission configurations would be (6spd, 8spd, and Multipower). I think that the multipower is 1.2 mph in the lowest range but I can't confirm that, and I have no idea on the others at all. The reason I selected the Multipower was because of the low bottom speed for tilling, but if the others are close, I am told that they (6spd, 8spd) are more reliable. I also like the idea that they can be pull-started as opposed to the multipower version. Don't get me wrong, I love my tractor. I am now looking at an orchard version with the beefy rear axle, straight front, and 8 spd. I can never decide on what I want.

I also am curious if all 135's have the gear shift pattern cast into the rear housing? Mine does not have the shift pattern cast into it. I wonder if it is the original rear or if it was changed out with an industrial model, as I see some yellow paint beneath the silver. The tractor has differential lock now, and I wonder if that was something that it did not have before. Does anyone know how to see if this rear is original to the tractor?

I am new to the tractor community, any help would be appreciated. I was hoping to get FWJ to weigh in on this, as I have read many of his posts before, and he seems to know his stuff on masseys. I appreciate any and all help I get on this.

My wife says I need less tractors, I tell her that I need more land.

I have a 1964 MF-135 diesel with multipower. It's been altered into an orchard tractor configuration although it's not really a factory-built orchard tractor (doesn't have the beefy rear axle like you find on the MF-150 and MF-165).

The ground speed at 1500 rpm in MP low range, tranny low range and 1st gear is 1.03 mph with 12.4/11-28 tires and 0.98 mph with 14.9/13-24 tires. This should be slow enough for decent rototilling.

Can't help you on your other questions. Sorry.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I purchased a 1967 MF 135 not too long ago, and I absolutely love it aside from a few small issues (leaking oil pan and wiring). I am impressed with how easily the little perkins starts up and how well it runs. I started it today in 19 degree weather with no issues (like a gasser) and plowed snow for 2 hours. I was just curious what the travel speed in the lowest range and lowest gear of all of the transmission configurations would be (6spd, 8spd, and Multipower). I think that the multipower is 1.2 mph in the lowest range but I can't confirm that, and I have no idea on the others at all. The reason I selected the Multipower was because of the low bottom speed for tilling, but if the others are close, I am told that they (6spd, 8spd) are more reliable. I also like the idea that they can be pull-started as opposed to the multipower version. Don't get me wrong, I love my tractor. I am now looking at an orchard version with the beefy rear axle, straight front, and 8 spd. I can never decide on what I want.

I also am curious if all 135's have the gear shift pattern cast into the rear housing? Mine does not have the shift pattern cast into it. I wonder if it is the original rear or if it was changed out with an industrial model, as I see some yellow paint beneath the silver. The tractor has differential lock now, and I wonder if that was something that it did not have before. Does anyone know how to see if this rear is original to the tractor?

I am new to the tractor community, any help would be appreciated. I was hoping to get FWJ to weigh in on this, as I have read many of his posts before, and he seems to know his stuff on masseys. I appreciate any and all help I get on this.

My wife says I need less tractors, I tell her that I need more land.

First off, you'll be disappointed if and when you attempt to use a tiller with a MultiPower equipped tractor in low range. Your ground speed will be whatever the tiller decides to push you along at! MultiPower freewheels in low range. There is NO compression braking in low. MP uses an over-riding ratchet effect. High gear over-rides low. You'll need to till in 1st gear, low range (HI/Lo shifter) and HIGH range in the MultiPower. Owners manuals have speed charts for all gear types. That said, you'll still have plenty of power and lowest gear range in hi MP will still be sufficiently slow.

Low gear between 8-speed and 6-speed is ALMOST the same. So is high. The 8-speed gives you a little better split in ratios. The 8-speed divides between 2nd and 3rd being just a tick lower and just a tick higher than the 2nd in a 6-speed.

My 8-speed DOES NOT have the shift pattern cast into the tranny. It's shown on the shifter knob.

Back in the day, the 135 was HUGELY popular as a commercial/municipal mowing tractor. There were large numbers mowing roadsides across America. It's easy to find old "state highway" tractors that were once painted yellow that have since been repainted with "standard" MF colors. Also, there was a 2135 and a 135 Turf Special. (Industrial and golf course models) Many 135's and 150's came originally with a diff lock. Not an add on.

And you're right about the Perkins being an easy starter. I bought my 150 in 1971. I bought a Ford 3000 Gasser in 1973 so I'd have an "easy starting gas tractor" to do winter feeding with. I can't tell you how many times I had to pull-start that cold natured Ford WITH THE MASSEY FERGUSON 150 in cold weather! (Ford 3000 had a loader... I needed it running or I would have simply used the 150) My 150 STILL starts quickly in the coldest of weather. No block heater, no glow plugs, no engine pre-heater.....Just hit the key and off she goes! Nowdays it lives in a heated shop. Wasn't always the case though.