Can I change the axle on a MF 135 vineyard to a standard width?

[Cassian]

Hi,

I'm looking for some help. I own a MF 135 3-cylinder diesel vineyard model manufactured in France. I use it a lot for spraying, discing and bush cutting around my vineyards. I'm looking to move to another property that has a lot of wattle growing on it. I want to use the 135 for hauling logs and ripping. I would like to have greater width for better stability. Is it possible to replace the narrow axle on the MF 135 for a standard 35 or 135 axle? If so, what needs to be done?

Many thanks

Cassian

 

[flusher]

Hi,

I'm looking for some help. I own a MF 135 3-cylinder diesel vineyard model manufactured in France. I use it a lot for spraying, discing and bush cutting around my vineyards. I'm looking to move to another property that has a lot of wattle growing on it. I want to use the 135 for hauling logs and ripping. I would like to have greater width for better stability. Is it possible to replace the narrow axle on the MF 135 for a standard 35 or 135 axle? If so, what needs to be done?

Many thanks

Cassian

Just guessing. But I'd think you need to replace the two axle assemblies (axle shaft and trumpet housing). Here's a view of the rear axles on my 1964 MF135 diesel.



I'd suspect that these longer axle assemblies would be pretty expensive from AGCO (the current owner of the Massey Ferguson brand name). You'll probably have to buy them used on eBay or from the salvage yard. I'd start looking at All States Ag Parts. If they don't have the axles, they probably know where to find them.

Tractor Salvage Yards | All States Ag Parts

Good luck.

 

[toddol1971]

buy a different tractor. It will be cheaper.

 

[Cassian]

Just guessing. But I'd think you need to replace the two axle assemblies (axle shaft and trumpet housing). Here's a view of the rear axles on my 1964 MF135 diesel.

View attachment 416517

I'd suspect that these longer axle assemblies would be pretty expensive from AGCO (the current owner of the Massey Ferguson brand name). You'll probably have to buy them used on eBay or from the salvage yard. I'd start looking at All States Ag Parts. If they don't have the axles, they probably know where to find them.

Tractor Salvage Yards | All States Ag Parts

Good luck.

Many thanks,

Sorry to see you sold the tractor, it looks great. I'll shop around for used parts. I guess I need to weigh up the cost against replacing the MF135 with another tractor. But it has been a good worker and I'd be sorry to part with it.

Cassian

 

[TomSeller]

Can you just flip your wheels around to gain more width? If not you should be able to buy some turf wheels and flip them around.

 

[toddol1971]

Well I dont know how rare the vinyard tractors were but I'd check. You might get enough to buy another straight up. Maybe cash left over. If you do swap out, Keep the old parts.

Many thanks,

Sorry to see you sold the tractor, it looks great. I'll shop around for used parts. I guess I need to weigh up the cost against replacing the MF135 with another tractor. But it has been a good worker and I'd be sorry to part with it.

Cassian

 

[toddol1971]

Thats a good idea.

Can you just flip your wheels around to gain more width? If not you should be able to buy some turf wheels and flip them around.

 

[Cassian]

Well I dont know how rare the vinyard tractors were but I'd check. You might get enough to buy another straight up. Maybe cash left over. If you do swap out, Keep the old parts.

Thanks,

The vineyard 135s sell for quite a bit more than the standard models. I'll definitely keep the old parts if I change the axle. I need to check out the hydraulics. It wont lift a full disc. So maybe a good time to look at the axle swap.

Appreciate the help.

PS. What's the performance difference in the gas and diesel MF 65?

 

[Cassian]

Can you just flip your wheels around to gain more width? If not you should be able to buy some turf wheels and flip them around.

Thanks for the suggestion.

One of the reasons I'm looking at a wider axle is that I could then fit a roll-bar on the MF 135. I have the specs for a roll-bar that can be bolted onto the standard axle.

Appreciate your suggestion.

 

[TomSeller]

Thanks for the suggestion.

One of the reasons I'm looking at a wider axle is that I could then fit a roll-bar on the MF 135. I have the specs for a roll-bar that can be bolted onto the standard axle.

Appreciate your suggestion.

I would tend to do a custom roll bar over an axle swap on that tractor. I think yours is a 8x6" lug nut pattern? There were standard wheels, turf wheels and orchard wheels. My turf wheels have the bolt pattern all the way at the edge of the wheel which makes the outside tread at 96". Those same wheels on yours might give you a decent width. This is not my tractor, but the wheels are the same. I would make sure my hubs fit inside the wheels you go with if you choose this option.

 

[toddol1971]

Thanks,

The vineyard 135s sell for quite a bit more than the standard models. I'll definitely keep the old parts if I change the axle. I need to check out the hydraulics. It wont lift a full disc. So maybe a good time to look at the axle swap.

Appreciate the help.

PS. What's the performance difference in the gas and diesel MF 65?

Well, go to TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors and look up anything you want. My opinion is there isnt enough of a diff between the two to sway me one way or the other. Gas is a little easier to maintain, and burns a little more fuel under load. Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 a gallon hr. I'll be honest with ya I like how 4cyl gas engines sound lugging down pulling plows. I like how some diesels sound, but not many sound great to me. As far as utilty tractor I think it wont matter if your only gonna use it here and there. You'll see on tractor data that they make right around the same power. I have a diesel truck and I hate plugging it in in cold weather. Where you live that may not matter though. Gas will be a little cheaper to maintain. Depending on your mechanical abilities gas tractors are easier to work on. If I were buying I'd buy the tractor with the best compression, less leaks, best documentation of work done etc. Power vs not power steering etc.

 

[redman135]

Hello Cassian, have you considered dual wheels? The stability has to be experienced to be believed. Also the extra rubber means you gain on traction, especially going across the slopes, and it "feels" far better than on single tires. Lastly 2 tires going through a hole are way smoother riding.