Buying Advice Early '60's MF 35 Utility

flusher · Oct 28, 2015

Wagtail said:
G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site... Honestly, that sounds like a wonderful deal. What with your concerns about moving it, I'd hire a flatbed wrecker to come, winch it up and deliver it to your home/workshop. As long as the brakes aren't seized it should be all right.

Right on. Did that exact thing with an really nice 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF wide front tractor I found a few years ago about 60 miles from my place. Cost about $220 to have a rollback wrecker pick it up and deliver it into my shop. No muss, no fuss. Problem solved.

Garycw · Oct 28, 2015

Give him some $ down on it. I don't think you'll lose any on it. The bucket going down, but not up it prop ably a stuck valve. There's plenty of people on here that'll help you get it going. Wished I could find one like you've described for $1k. Those old tractors are bulletproof.
Post some pics!

shaeff · Oct 29, 2015

I spoke with the seller yesterday evening, he said I can come and tinker with it Saturday morning, and that in the meantime he'll hold it for me. (apparently, I was the only polite person he spoke with so he wants me to buy it)

I may give him a down payment tomorrow anyway, just to be safe. He's out of town today.

Garycw · Oct 29, 2015

I've seen those for around $4k without the loader. Pwr steering is a big plus too.

shaeff · Oct 29, 2015

I sure wish I'd joined here sooner! Now I'm on edge until I can get back there!

davesl708 · Oct 29, 2015

Great deal. Well worth some work.
Shoot a small amount of oil in each cylinder before cranking it over to help lube the rings. You may have to crank for awhile to get the fuel flowing. I would not use either during the first startup. There has been no oil circulating for several years. Parts will be dry.

shaeff · Oct 29, 2015

Good call, Dave, I hadn't thought of that! I'll let it crank a bit before I really try to get it to fire!

Kenneth S · Oct 29, 2015

Take a good, fully charged battery, (some good jumper cables, and a couple quarts of engine oil just in case). Crank it over with the spark plugs out it will lesson the load on the bearings, starter, and battery while you get it to build oil pressure.

shaeff · Oct 29, 2015

Based on all of your recommendations, I called the seller and told him I want it for sure, I called a wrecker company and it's only going to cost $140 to get it to my father's garage where all my tools live. Hopefully I'll be in possession Saturday before noon, and have access to all my tools to make this happen.

Pulling the plugs is a great idea. You guys are great, thanks!