French Massey Ferguson 135 from 1972

[martingsutton]

Hi
Have just bought a French version MF 135 first registered in 1972.
The type on the plate is 135 8S although on the reg doc it says 135 85.
Serial number is R522146 and says it was built by Massey Ferguson S.A. Le Plessey Robinson, France.
The first thing I want to sort is the type of engine. All early French versions had the Perkins A.3 - 144 engine. I have found a 500 page (in French!) service manual that gives info for the A.3 - 144 engine and the AD.3 - 152 that in France was fitted to later models such as MF 245 but was standard for the MF 135 in the UK and the USA.
Is there a straightforward way to check which engine I have? I assume at some stage they switched to the AD.3 - 152.
There are two numbers on the engine block, 37111280/4 is above the injectors and MC 25210 A is below. The gears are 6 forward and 2 reverse.
Can anyone advise please?
Thanks
Martin

 

[martingsutton]

By the way I posted in the pre-1970 forum because French versions seem to be based on older models! Hope that is OK.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To TBN Martin. Great old tractor. Does she still run? How many hours on her?

 

[Agvg]

All 100 series i have seen with the 144 engine was named 133.

 

[martingsutton]

:welcome:
To TBN Martin. Great old tractor. Does she still run? How many hours on her?

Hi
Only 4000 hours! Probably genuine as has been previously used as a second tractor by French farmer and then left in a barn for a few years.

She runs really well. All the bodywork is sound but needs a really good clean up. The loader is good although there is some sort of home made bucket release with some wire and a bit of rope.

 

[martingsutton]

For some reason the French 135's all used the 144 engine to start with. Perhaps using up old stock?

What I need is a simple way to tell if the engine is the 144 or the 152.

If anyone is interested I could download the Frence service manual. 500 pages with very detailed diagrams of all the Perkins engines used in the various MF tractors.

 

[Agvg]

Engine serial number should be on the right side and are stamped in to the block.

 

[Agvg]

 

[Agvg]

Did France have any strange tax or driver license rules? The 135 and 133 made ther used a slightly smaller version of the 3 cyl Perkins in the same tractor, doesn't make any sense.

 

[martingsutton]

Hi Agvg
Thanks for your posts. The plate is not visible because there is a different engine cover on mine, presumably because of the front loader.
I think you might be right about the French driver license rules. I need to check the figures but apparently below a certain horse power you can drive on the road with your standard license.
Anyway thanks to your info about the MF 133 I was able to find some clear clips of the A.3 - 144 engine and mine looks much more like an AD3 - 152. The Youtube clip of the MF 133 is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewTEyiaytvM

Also I found an advert for another French version here
1972 Massey Ferguson 135 85 Farm Tractors in France | Agriaffaires UK
(sorry not sure how to do a better link!).
Same year as mine, lower serial number R434043 listed as 44hp. The type is given as 135 85 but I think that should be 135 8S (8 speed gear and version "Special" with the 2 way clutch etc). On my plate it is definitely an S not a 5.
Final conspiracy theory I wonder whether 45hp is the limit for the purpose of the licence. I have seen the Perkins hp listed as 47 and also at 45.5. I wonder whether by describing it as 44hp it makes it more likely to sell.
Anyway thanks again for your help. I am pleased if it is the 152 engine!