1970 37hp value

[daro]

I have just heard about a 1970 MF 37hp perkins. I do not know the model # but know it is a one owner with 2486hs. and was barn kept when in storage. I hope to see it soon. Any idea as to the value? Asking 5K
Thanks for the time and knowledge?
Daro

 

[billbill1]

Hopefully Bill -aka -Farmwithjunk will see this and chime in, he's the Massey expert on this board. I have no idea.

 

[daro]

Thanks Bill
Daro

 

[JJ. in B.C.]

Sounds like its probably a 135, could be worth close
to $5000 if its a diesel, good cond.,good rubber,straight
sheet metal, no obvious problems, leaks, ps etc.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I have just heard about a 1970 MF 37hp perkins. I do not know the model # but know it is a one owner with 2486hs. and was barn kept when in storage. I hope to see it soon. Any idea as to the value? Asking 5K
Thanks for the time and knowledge?
Daro

It's PROBABLY a 135. In their era, (1965-1975) they were the best selling tractor worldwide. (Production ran past 1975 everywhere EXCEPT US) (They were built in the U.S. [Detroit], The Banner LAne plant in England, also France, and Turkey) Also, it COULD be a 150. They had the same powertrain as the 135 with a heavier front axle, better power steering, bigger fuel tank, and all the options of a 135 as standard equipment. They were a "row crop" version of the 135 for the most part. They were also available as a "high arch" tractor. (38" rear wheels, much more ground clearance) My PERSONAL OPINION is, the 150 was the best utility tractor EVER built.

Easiest way to tell the difference for the "untrained eye" would be the US market 135's had radius rods running from the "swept back" front axle to just under the steering column. The 150 had a "straight axle" and no radius rods.

There's also ANOTHER possibility. It COULD be an industrial tractor. (2135, MF 20 ect) The "AG" tractors had a "medallion" on the side of the hood with model designation. (i.e. 135, 150, ect) The industrials (with the EXCEPTION of the 2135) had the model designation PAINTED on the hood.

GOOD 135's are selling upwards of $5000 nowdays. Decent 150's are selling over $6500.

That "little" PErkins AD152-3 is one of the most efficient engines ever built. It went into production in the mid 50's, and STILL is used today in an updated form. (Sort of the small block Chevy of the tractor world) In addition to great reliability, outstanding fuel efficiency, and great performance, it's without question the cheapest engine to rebuild on this or any other planet. A complete rebuild "kit" will set you back just over $400. Better yet, they'll go 5000 hours and up before they need any attention other than routine maint. (A neighbor has a 135 with 11,000 hours on the original engine. Yeah, it smokes a bit. But that's more than double the life expectancy of most diesels)

37 HP was a VERY conservative estimate of HP. Mine dynoed at 42 when serviced during pre-delivery. I turned up the injector pump a few years later to its present 47 PTO HP level.


Here's my 150! It's a 1971 Perkins diesel, 3025 hrs. It was the first new tractor I owned. I wouldn't take $10,000 for this one!

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Got a question for you. What is the approx weight of a 165D? Someone on another forum asked me what mine weighed and it been so long since I had it I couldn't remember. Know it was a lot larger tractor than my Yanmar and it tips the scales @ 4k# with me in the saddle.

Sure loved the 165 and the Perkins made it a dream. Wish I could have justified keeping it when I got out of the haying business but just couldn't, too large for my small acreage.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Got a question for you. What is the approx weight of a 165D? Someone on another forum asked me what mine weighed and it been so long since I had it I couldn't remember. Know it was a lot larger tractor than my Yanmar and it tips the scales @ 4k# with me in the saddle.

Sure loved the 165 and the Perkins made it a dream. Wish I could have justified keeping it when I got out of the haying business but just couldn't, too large for my small acreage.

According to 1972 Massey Ferguson sales literature, a 165 diesel "standard" has a "wet weight" (Yes to fuel, oil, ect, NO to fluid in tires) of 4950 lbs. That's a 6-speed w/ multipower. "row crop" version (38" rears) 5050 lbs. Those are averages. Options can add more weight.

 

[JJ. in B.C.]

Got a question for you. What is the approx weight of a 165D? Someone on another forum asked me what mine weighed and it been so long since I had it I couldn't remember. Know it was a lot larger tractor than my Yanmar and it tips the scales @ 4k# with me in the saddle.

Sure loved the 165 and the Perkins made it a dream. Wish I could have justified keeping it when I got out of the haying business but just couldn't, too large for my small acreage.

...........................................................

They are rated at about 5100 lbs with the gas engine.
Shouldn't think tha diesel is a whole lot different.
JJ.

 

[daro]

Thanks for all of the input. I just talked with the person who heard of this tractor and am on the way to meet with him and ride over to the barn where the tractor is. He informed me this morning that the tractor is actually a 43hp.
Any feedback on this update will help me in my decision and I should have a model #, a look at this tractor,. and a repost w/i a couple of hours.
PS. can these be otfitted with a FEL?
Thanks,
Daro

 

[daro]

Thanks for all the help and I apologize for the lack of correct info.
Just back from a look so here is some more info.
MF 135 (1970?)
Engine block casting #: 37111450 X
Left rear axle casting #: 897-030-M1
Tranny casting #: 897-719-M2
3LNPM<F>LN43B
Rear tire size: 13.6-28

The tractor looks 30 yrs. used but no major leaks. Tires are dry rotted but holding air. Overall, a basic good tractor by looks. The owner was not home so I couldn't give it a go but my UIL heard it run yesterday.

My wife had the DC so no photos.

Any idea to the value?
Thanks,
Daro

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks for all the help and I apologize for the lack of correct info.
Just back from a look so here is some more info.
MF 135 (1970?)
Engine block casting #: 37111450 X
Left rear axle casting #: 897-030-M1
Tranny casting #: 897-719-M2
3LNPM<F>LN43B
Rear tire size: 13.6-28

The tractor looks 30 yrs. used but no major leaks. Tires are dry rotted but holding air. Overall, a basic good tractor by looks. The owner was not home so I couldn't give it a go but my UIL heard it run yesterday.

My wife had the DC so no photos.

Any idea to the value?
Thanks,
Daro

Those casting numbers will be the same on most all 135's. They are just that CASTING NUMBERS, and NOT serial numbers. The actual serial number will be on a 2" x 3" metal plate, found on the sheet metal that forms the lower portion of the dash, riight behind the shifters, and under the battery access panel.

As far as the horsepower....... 135's are 38 HP on the PTO, 43 ENGINE hp. This site is the only place I've ever heard people referring to ENGINE hp as the number for comparison. Since the beginning of mechinized power on farms, PTO (or BELT HP before pto's were common) was the only real USEFULL number.

GOOD 135's sell for anywhere from $3500 to $5000 and even higher in some cases. I'd consider offering less as a starting point.

If you get the opportunity to see the tractor RUNNING, check underneath the bellhousing and transmission for a couple small "weep-holes". They'll (SHOULD) have a cotter pin sticking out of them. That is to allow any oil that leaks into the bellhousing to drip out. I haven't seen a 135 yet that doesn't drip a tad bit. If it's more than a drop or two every few minutes, it has one of a number of issues. The rear oil pan gaskets tend to leak. There is a replacement gasket that cures that problem. HEAVY leaking may be a sign of the rear main seal starting to leak. TRANSMISSION oil usually means the front seal is going. If the tractor has multipower, the seals on that may be going out. Other than that, check the 3-point lift for function, check power steering (if it has that option) and check drive clutch AND PTO clutch if possible.

135's tend to wear front end parts IF it's had a loader mounted. Check for excesive wear in center axle pivot, steering links, and spindles. It IS a 35 year old tractor, so things won't be tight as new, but too much wear means buying lots of expensive parts.

These are still very useful and efficient tractors. Just avoid one that has been abused.

Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Bill

Should you buy the 135, go to AGCO (Masey Ferguson) and get the OWNERS manual, SERVICE manual, and PARTS manual. They'll be invaluable as you strive to properly care for your tractor.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Thanks for the info on weight. Was in the range I was thinking but 25 yrs is a long way back to recall. My 165 started out as a row crop model but I soon swapped parts with a friend and turned it into a std model.

 

[daro]

Bill,
Thanks for the valuable info. I looked all over for a serial plate but it was on the dark side of dusk when I arrived. I have not heard back from the owner so my thought is the tractor may be sold.
Guess I'll keep loking for an orange one.
This forum is invaluable and I am greatful to the many posters who share their valuable time and knowledge(wisdom).
Again, many thanks Bill.
Daro

 

[magicalj]

I know my uncle has a 1972 135 but for some reason I keep thinking is was painted mostly grey. Did they ever paint any of these grey or are they all red? I would just like to know if I'm thinking correctly or just smoking crack.

Thanks

AJ

 

[flusher]

Thanks for all the help and I apologize for the lack of correct info.
Just back from a look so here is some more info.
MF 135 (1970?)
Engine block casting #: 37111450 X
Left rear axle casting #: 897-030-M1
Tranny casting #: 897-719-M2
3LNPM<F>LN43B
Rear tire size: 13.6-28

The tractor looks 30 yrs. used but no major leaks. Tires are dry rotted but holding air. Overall, a basic good tractor by looks. The owner was not home so I couldn't give it a go but my UIL heard it run yesterday.

My wife had the DC so no photos.

Any idea to the value?
Thanks,
Daro

If it's a 1970 model, the average retail price (dealer price for a "clean " tractor) is about $4400. To determine a fair price, I deduct what I estimate to be a reasonable dealer prep ($400), giving $4000. If the tractor has high hours (more than 5000) I deduct another $400. If the tractor looks used (crappy paint, gauges not working, cracked steering wheel plastic, worn tires, loosing steering joints, old battery, lights not working, etc), I deduct another $400.

Last July I bought a 1966 MF-135 diesel for $3600 (big tires, squat look since it's an orchard tractor). The average retail is $4700. It looks used, has some non-functioning gauges and worn tires. But the hour meter is working and shows about 4600 hours and the seller said that he had rebuilt the engine at 3100 hours. Also the seller fixed a problem with the 3pt hitch hydraulics before putting the tractor on the market. I'm satisfied that I paid about what that tractor was worth.

 

[Alan Pottow]

date of manufacture of MF 135 Multi Power - Serial Number 151049F

 

[murphy1244]

This is the site you want to use to look it up on---http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/4/743-massey-ferguson-135.html

Your # at least here should start with a 9

 

[lambs]

date of manufacture of MF 135 Multi Power - Serial Number 151049F

Prior post is 8 years old though.