Exactly what IS "restored"

[scott_vt]

Looks like a lot of fun Scotty, but I think you got some more 'splainin' to do. A new venture for you? Kind of the other end of "restored", eh?

Evenin Rob,
Yea, definitely the other end of restored ! One big problem with this job is that everywhere you look you can find something interesting that would be a great restore, old trucks etc ... the list is just endless ! You just need to excersize the right amount of restraint !

 

[john_bud]

When you go from this

to this

to this

Actually, It's only refurbished. I chose different paint (yellow is wrong) and a different paint pattern (detail of the grill should be solid one color yellow) and I didn't replace the sheet metal. It's a worker that was refurbished to go back to work after an estimated 10,000 hours. 8500 on the original proofmeter that had no cable when bought.

Some might call it restored, but it wasn't done with an eye towards originality. Just functionality - and a lot needed just plain repair to yield functionality!

You may not be able to tell, but I don't really like the "sherman-williams" 15 minute "restorations"!

jb

 

[scott_vt]

Evenin John,
By the looks of it your just havin way too much fun son !

 

[billbill1]

Bill, as far as I am concerned, your 150 is refurbished and restored, anything you want to call it. You have kept it in excellent condition and it is as sweet as any I have ever seen. I know you have repainted it but I've seen pictures before and after, you certainly had a great machine before you did anything.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Bill, as far as I am concerned, your 150 is refurbished and restored, anything you want to call it. You have kept it in excellent condition and it is as sweet as any I have ever seen. I know you have repainted it but I've seen pictures before and after, you certainly had a great machine before you did anything.

Many thanks,

2-1/2 years ago, when I started working on the 150, all I intended to do was clean it up after near 35 years of farm use. It had the typical "old tractor" build-up of grease, dirt, scratches, and scars. I had just sold the farm and moved to our new place. There was going to be a lot less "dirty jobs" in the 150's future, so why not clean it up? One afternoon while things were slow at work, I was cruising EBAY and found a NOS steering wheel center cap. The original was faded and worn. I bid on the new one and got it!

And we're off and running!

Next I replaced the rubber headlight mounting rings, found an OEM PTO shield to replace the original that was mangled. New flasher lights for the fenders, along with the reflector brackets that hold the lights. Next, all new wiring. Oh, why not become obsessed with a perfect paint job? New decals all MF originals and not aftermarkets, Rebuild the alternator, starter, water pump, and power steering pump, even though they ALL worked just fine. Then new tie rod ends. New tires. New seat suspension parts and cushion. Pull the oil pan and replace rear gasket that's leaked almost since day one. Check bearings and oil pump while in there. (No measurable wear from original specs after 3000 hrs/36 years. VERY proud of that fact) Fan belt and all hoses replaced. Both power steering hoses replaced. My favorite MF dealer located an original remote flasher light plug that goes on the left fender. I have one of each of the 3 optional fixed drawbars, along with an original MF 7-hole 3-point drawbar. While moving, I found the original SMV mounting bracket that I'd replaced years ago. Ebay was again the source for a pair of rear wheel weights that'll probably stay in the barn for the time being. All parts to throttle linkage replaced. (LOTS of wear on originals)

Entire fuel system has been flushed, injector pump/injectors serviced by a certified Perkins engine center. All 3 cylinders compression test to specs. Radiator cleaned and pressure tested. Hydraulic system flushed, new oil, and system pressures test to original specs. About 3 years after I bought the 150, a friend that works at Republic Diesel helped me turn up the fuel screw. (inj. pump) Originally, the Perkins AD3-152 was rated at 38 hp (pto) We tuned 'er up to where it's cranking out 47 at the PTO. Still dyno's 47 to this day.

Both clutch's are still ORIGINAL. In 36+ years, they've only needed 2 minor adjustments, so they aren't significantly worn. They'll stay for now.

I've located a NOS steering wheel. It's on the way via UPS. Original has a couple cracks in it. The right fender has a couple dents where my dad backed into a fence post 25 years ago. I have a fender located and it'll be here before long. I may or may NOT replace that. Long story. I also have an OEM ROPS and canopy in the shed. That's the last thing to go on. (I keep the 150 in the garage near the house while I'm working on it. ROPS won't fit under door header. Once work has completed, the tractor heads to the barn where the ROPS will fit. I then start on the NEXT obsession. [Dads Ferguson F-40]) I've also got an NOS muffler packed away. It won't quite clear the door either. Once the ROPS goes on, so does the correct muffler.

Original tires were GoodYears. They don't offer the same tire, so I had to go NON-original there. Titans now. (Titan owns what was once GoodYear AG tire division) And the battery isn't quite "stock". NAPA gell-filled. Deduct 50 points for non-stock parts.

Just for effect, I MAY mount an original MF issue fender mount AM/FM radio I found on EBAY. Maybe not.

When I started, there wasn't anything mechanically "wrong" other than normal wear and normal aging of some parts. Hopfully, I've caught most any potential problems BEFORE anything breaks. The 150 would have been perfectly fine without all this attention.

ALL parts used in the resto/refurb were either NOS or OEM replacement parts, with NOS parts being favored. Even the paint is AGCO/MF. By my own definition, I still can't say for sure if this is a restoration, a refurbishing, or simply an obsessive old timer with a tractor that's served him well for his entire adult life that he wants to see treated as well as it treated him.

 

[flusher]

Many thanks,



And we're off and running!

Pull the oil pan and replace rear gasket that's leaked almost since day one. (LOTS of wear on originals)

.

FWJ:

Interesting.

Last Monday I had a contractor guy at my place checking the jobsite where I plan to have an equipment shed built. As predicted by many TBNers, I've outgrown my 24'x42' shop in less than 3 years.

He saw my 1964 MF-135 diesel in the shop and I told him the story about my "refurbishment".

He said that he's owned several MF 100 series tractors and so have some of his friends. According to him MF tractors have a reputation as leakers. How does that jibe with your experience?

Right now I have seepage out the pto rear shaft seal (the leak was there when I bought the 135 in July06). Now my 135 has developed an oil leak somewhere on the engine. I'll be under the tractor later this month troubleshooting that one. From your experience, I guess the oil pan gasket is the first place to look.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ:

Interesting.

Last Monday I had a contractor guy at my place checking the jobsite where I plan to have an equipment shed built. As predicted by many TBNers, I've outgrown my 24'x42' shop in less than 3 years.

He saw my 1964 MF-135 diesel in the shop and I told him the story about my "refurbishment".

He said that he's owned several MF 100 series tractors and so have some of his friends. According to him MF tractors have a reputation as leakers. How does that jibe with your experience?

Right now I have seepage out the pto rear shaft seal (the leak was there when I bought the 135 in July06). Now my 135 has developed an oil leak somewhere on the engine. I'll be under the tractor later this month troubleshooting that one. From your experience, I guess the oil pan gasket is the first place to look.

The rear pan gaskets (oil pan) leaked almost from the get-go. About mid production of the 100 series, a new gasket, as well as a slighly different oil pan was worked into the production of Perkins engines. The older pans were far more likely to leak, but even the new ones tended to seep oil after time.

The solution;

Get a replacement pan gasket set FROM AGCO/MF. The gaskets you get from them have been redesigned and are currently made from a different material. Aftermarket gasket sets are "old style" material and will start leaking in short order. I've replaced pan gaskets on my 150 as well as 3 MF135's. All 4 are cured!

Beyond that leak, I've had a small leak from the tachometer drive point on the rear of the cylinder head. Cured by tightening 2 bolts. And, a leak from rear of valve cover gasket. That was when the tractor was around 25 years old. I replaced the gasket. No more leaks. I'd say that's not abnormal for a 37 year old tractor.

 

[flusher]

The rear pan gaskets (oil pan) leaked almost from the get-go. About mid production of the 100 series, a new gasket, as well as a slighly different oil pan was worked into the production of Perkins engines. The older pans were far more likely to leak, but even the new ones tended to seep oil after time.

The solution;

Get a replacement pan gasket set FROM AGCO/MF. The gaskets you get from them have been redesigned and are currently made from a different material. Aftermarket gasket sets are "old style" material and will start leaking in short order. I've replaced pan gaskets on my 150 as well as 3 MF135's. All 4 are cured!

Beyond that leak, I've had a small leak from the tachometer drive point on the rear of the cylinder head. Cured by tightening 2 bolts. And, a leak from rear of valve cover gasket. That was when the tractor was around 25 years old. I replaced the gasket. No more leaks. I'd say that's not abnormal for a 37 year old tractor.

FWJ: Thanks for the info. I'll pick up that pan gasket from the MF dealer in Chico next time I'm down there.

 

[billbill1]

The 100 series MF's have always been a favorite of mine, there was a family in my hometown that bought one new when I was in grade school. They kept it waxed and it always looked brand spanking new. Their color scheme has always been very sharp looking IMO. My Grandfather bought a new D-14 Allis in 1957, I got to cut my teeth on that tractor. Not nearly as sharp as a MF though.