Massey Ferguson 35 - 3 cylinder Perkins Diesel

[Darbz69]

After 20 months, I have finally finished fixing and restoring Dad's 1960 MF35 Diesel. It was built in Coventry, England and shipped to New Zealand. I am not sure of its history before we took ownership circa 2005.

Up until late 2023 it had been the typical, ultra reliable workhorse these tractors are known to be. Then, one November morning it just wouldn't crank. I was hoping it wasn't the started motor as I didn't want to have to pay $380 for a new one of those. Lucky for me (not) it wasn't and after stripping down the engine, discovered that one big end bearing had picked up on the crankshaft - and there it all started.

Was just going to fix the bearing, get the engine running again and put it back together but.........

 

[Paystar]

Wow that looks incredible!!! Those were good tractors. Nice work.

 

[sandman2234]

Wow that looks incredible!!! Those were good tractors. Nice work.

Definitely a nice job!
David from jax

 

[Darbz69]

Wow that looks incredible!!! Those were good tractors. Nice work.

Thanks Paystar. It has been fascinating working on it and appreciating the level on engineering of the time. They are great tractors and still going strong!

 

[BackRoad]

I have one of those, except it's gas, and not painted, and has old tires, and is not built in England...

Guess the only thing in common is the MF 35 emblem, but even that is different!

Very nice resto by the way!!!

 

[Darbz69]

Definitely a nice job!
David from jax

Thanks David

I have one of those, except it's gas, and not painted, and has old tires, and is not built in England...

Guess the only thing in common is the MF 35 emblem, but even that is different!

Very nice resto by the way!!!

Thanks. It has been very interesting looking at all the variations of these tractors on various youtube videos. US vs UK, Gas vs Diesel, 3 vs 4 cylinder, Grey/Gold vs Red/Grey.

 

[big bubba]

OP: commendable project. it sounds like your Massey is a Perkins 3 cyl, not the Standard Motors 4 cyl TO35 that i had for 28 yes (think it's predecessor). The Standard 4 cly was notoriously hard to start therefore hard on starter motors, i had mine rewound a few times in my 28 yrs of use..
I thought Perkins were made in Canada, not UK? i may be wrong. nonetheless, it's a stout tractor, but i could never go back. regards

 

[HamishMacCheap]

Impressive. You have some valuable skills.

 

[Darbz69]

OP: commendable project. it sounds like your Massey is a Perkins 3 cyl, not the Standard Motors 4 cyl TO35 that i had for 28 yes (think it's predecessor). The Standard 4 cly was notoriously hard to start therefore hard on starter motors, i had mine rewound a few times in my 28 yrs of use..
I thought Perkins were made in Canada, not UK? i may be wrong. nonetheless, it's a stout tractor, but i could never go back. regards

Hey Big Bubba, The 3 cylinder Diesel came out after the 4 cylinder and you are right, was a lot easier to start.
Perkins was founded in Peterborough, England in 1932 by Frank Perkins. It was subsequently purchased by it's biggest customer, Massey Ferguson, in 1959, with Perkins keeping its separate identity and branding.

 

[big bubba]

excellent. was the Perkins subsequently manufactured in Canada, or like my former TO35 Standard engine produced in England?

thx for getting back. looking back, i'd get a Perkins over Standard in that model tractor.....having said, once started, the 4 cly purred for any task as long as radiator was clean, regards