Buying Advice 1967 M/F 135 Diesel

[Gale Hawkins]

I have never had to get a new injection pump but just got the diesels in 2009 and 2010. I my case there is just no need for a small diesel tractor. In that era the small diesel market was really small in this area. I just never saw a diesel that would start better than a gas tractor in sub freezing weather. I think diesel vs gas in 50-60 year old tractors is a personal preference since both can be risky.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Gale,
I am skeptical of diesel for "my" use which would be maybe 50 hours a year.
Will look for a gas engine.
Have a customer that is to show me his IH 350 in the next week or so.
Thanks

I've got a '67 135 Delux with the Cont. gas engine...starts every time...most of the time I just look at it and its running..(grin)...Does that Diesel 135 have a generator or an alternator on it...in '67 they came with a generator...if its been changed to an alternator, the the hours are on the clock are probably incorrect....also like someone else noted, if you aren't gonna use it more than 50 or so hours a year, it won't matter whether you have a gasser or a diesel.....NOW, on the IH 350...it may have a 2pt Fasthitch on it... if it does, you won't be able to use 3 pt hitch equipment with it unless you get a conversion for it...(about $300 or so...). If its a 3pt already, forget I mentioned the 2pt...good luck. BobG in VA

 

[murphy1244]

Some Perkins Diesels like mine came with a Alternator.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

When we bought our 1989 F700 with the gas big block there were a lot of the F800's around with the diesel as well has Internations but I was buying it to keep for the next 20 years so I would only consider gas to side step old diesel engine issues since it may only see 20 hours or less use a year. The battery requirements for a diesel can be a put off as it can be hard to jump them from gas engine size batteries. In the old trucks and tractors gas is just easier to find parts, service with lower associated cost. A tractor that is parked 99% of the time still gets 87.6 hours put on it a year.

If one has owned the old diesel for 50 years that is one thing but to go out and buy a 50 year old tractor just is risky for most of us. In my area these small diesels were worked into the ground in most cases by the farmers who paid the premium to get a diesel back then.

 

[murphy1244]

Most compacts now are Diesel and a lot of people don't put many hours on them. I have had mine for two years and put less than 3 hours on it since its waiting for a restore.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

It has been years since I saw a new gas tractor for sure. Gas/diesel options will not be discussed 50 years from now.

 

[murphy1244]

It has been years since I saw a new gas tractor for sure. Gas/diesel options will not be discussed 50 years from now.

That's for sure true. What are the gas tractors now?

 

[The kid]

Looking at a 1967 135 Diesel. Local M/F has one for sale. Fresh paint, tires look good, 2200 hours.
I will take a look at it tomorrow and drive it. Dealer did send me 4 photos and first impression is positive.
My concern is it being diesel. Have no experience with diesel and am concerned about the cost to maintain and repair.
Dealer is asking $4900. It has 5 gauges on dash, which makes it the upgraded model. Also, exhaust is under tractor which I want for brushhogging trails in my woods.
Thanks!

Fresh paint, $4900 has got to be their asking price. Fresh paint can cover alot of bad especially on a diesel. Check the cotter pin on the bottom between the engine and tranny. Wip it with your finger to see if it's wet. Check the PTO out shaft too for possible leaks. If the injector pump hasn't been rebuilt then that too needs to be carefully checked. If the dealer can't show documents proving recent work deduct at least $500 off the top. Check the clutch to see if it will stall the engine at medium to low revs letting it out quickly. Five gauges means it's a Deluxe and probably has a duel clutch. Are the gauges new or original? If original, does the gauges work and light up? Diesel vs Gas. I'd go diesel. They sip fuel and have more torque than gas. The Perkins diesel is a proven workhorse and is the engine of choice all over europe. Diesels are pricy to work on, but if maintained properly will outlast the gas two to three to one. If it has working Multi-Power which mean kind of like a tranny two speed axles then the price asking is getting close. If it has working power steering as well then the price is pretty much right on if all is well with it. Good luck. It's always good to take an experienced tractor person with you to help evaluate. If you have pictures, how about posting them. You know the old saying about pictures. :thumbsup: -kid

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Post WWII I think the rest of the world moved to diesel only tractors .

 

[redman135]

My father bought a 1964 multipower model brand new . I inherited it in the early 80's and only sold it in 2007 due to stopping farming and not having space to store it. It had done about 12000 hours or more ,the hour meter hadn't worked for years. We go down to -6 degrees here and only need 50 seconds heat start (parked outside, less in the shed). It did about 4 hrs work /day in winteron feeding out to stock. Hay in summer and was noted for excellent fuel economy and reliability. It did about 500 hrs/year up until the late 90sthe dropped to about 100hrs/year after that.
Change the oil each year(condensation buildup) and at your low use you will be good for years.