Is this worth it? (MF35 w/ loader, Bush-hog + blade)

[shiver]

Hi All,

I'm looking at picking up a 1958 Massey Ferguson 35 which, according to the
Serial number (SNM) is a Perkins Diesel w/ Two-stage clutch.

What comes with it is a Bush Hog SQ60 and a Rhino Blade (looks to be about a 5').

And, they put a custom loader on the front (or at least I believe it is a custom loader). The bucket needs to be replaced and it has a leaky lift pump, plus, I believe that the hydraulic for the bucket may need some work, but not clear.

They removed the stock fenders from it (no clue why) and bolted/welded
their own, new ones in. I'd be going back to Stock.

I *really* want a diesel with a two-stage clutch/live pto. The Perkins diesel
seems to be the cats meow in both power and longevity, plus the parts are
common and affordable.

There's a listing of 1542hrs on the tractor.

They are asking around $3600 Canadian.

The purpose I will be using it for:

- Initially, bush-hogging overgrown farm field (20+ years overgrown).
- Moving dirt (which means likely new bucket)
- Grading a driveway

Then general land upkeep after.

Thanks!

 

[radman1]

According to tractor data, the 1958 was only made in the UK. Can you still get parts for it? Is it the same as the USA made tractor?

I would be suspect the hours are not correct. That is about 37 hours/year. You will need to assume there are many more hours. By "custom loader", I assume it is homemade? Given the work needed on the loader, lets assume there is no value to the loader. If if runs good, and no other major mechanical flaws, I would say that is a good deal with the blade and mower.

 

[shiver]

According to tractor data, the 1958 was only made in the UK. Can you still get parts for it? Is it the same as the USA made tractor?

I would be suspect the hours are not correct. That is about 37 hours/year. You will need to assume there are many more hours. By "custom loader", I assume it is homemade? Given the work needed on the loader, lets assume there is no value to the loader. If if runs good, and no other major mechanical flaws, I would say that is a good deal with the blade and mower.

Good points about the UK, it definitely states it was made in Coventry. I'm going to need to look into that more, to see if they are the same between
what was in the UK and what was in the US.

As for running great, I know it supposedly does and I know it starts up.. I need to spend some time with it, get to know it alittle better, see how it
pans out. Maybe even buy it a drink

I agree, 1500 seems really low.

 

[flusher]

Hi All,

I'm looking at picking up a 1958 Massey Ferguson 35 which, according to the
Serial number (SNM) is a Perkins Diesel w/ Two-stage clutch.

What comes with it is a Bush Hog SQ60 and a Rhino Blade (looks to be about a 5').

And, they put a custom loader on the front (or at least I believe it is a custom loader). The bucket needs to be replaced and it has a leaky lift pump, plus, I believe that the hydraulic for the bucket may need some work, but not clear.

They removed the stock fenders from it (no clue why) and bolted/welded
their own, new ones in. I'd be going back to Stock.

I *really* want a diesel with a two-stage clutch/live pto. The Perkins diesel
seems to be the cats meow in both power and longevity, plus the parts are
common and affordable.

There's a listing of 1542hrs on the tractor.

They are asking around $3600 Canadian.

The purpose I will be using it for:

- Initially, bush-hogging overgrown farm field (20+ years overgrown).
- Moving dirt (which means likely new bucket)
- Grading a driveway

Then general land upkeep after.

Thanks!

In Jul06 I paid $3600 USD for a 1964 MF135 diesel (Perkins) deluxe with multipower. Had 4600 hours on the engine. If that 1542 hours can be verified, then you have a real cream puff there. Check the tires for dry rot, cuts, cracking, etc (rear tires are expensive).

Make sure it starts OK, no smoke after a short warmup (~ 1 minute), that the tractor works OK in all gears, that the 3pt hitch works OK, and no excessive leaks (old tractors drip fluids usually).

 

[sweettractors]

In Jul06 I paid $3600 USD for a 1964 MF135 diesel (Perkins) deluxe with multipower. Had 4600 hours on the engine. If that 1542 hours can be verified, then you have a real cream puff there. Check the tires for dry rot, cuts, cracking, etc (rear tires are expensive).

Make sure it starts OK, no smoke after a short warmup (~ 1 minute), that the tractor works OK in all gears, that the 3pt hitch works OK, and no excessive leaks (old tractors drip fluids usually).

If that tractor has those 1542 original hours, the tires would still be original. Usually about 2000-2200 hrs gets a set of ag tires in field use. Ken Sweet

 

[shiver]

In Jul06 I paid $3600 USD for a 1964 MF135 diesel (Perkins) deluxe with multipower. Had 4600 hours on the engine. If that 1542 hours can be verified, then you have a real cream puff there. Check the tires for dry rot, cuts, cracking, etc (rear tires are expensive).

Make sure it starts OK, no smoke after a short warmup (~ 1 minute), that the tractor works OK in all gears, that the 3pt hitch works OK, and no excessive leaks (old tractors drip fluids usually).

He's going to fix the believed cause of the smoking issue that it currently has. It is believed air in the fuel system is causing the white smoke that is currently coming from it. Sure enough, we can see fuel dripping from the lift pump.

The cotter pin beneath the clutch housing doesn't seem to be leaking. I tapped it a few times and nothing came out.

The tranny plate (4 bolts at the bottom) have the love of being wet, but I don't consider that all a big deal. A new gasket should take care of that.

He's a great person to work with in buying, he's going to let us bring it home
and go over it in greater detail when we have more time, after he fixes the
lift pump.

I'm really excited about getting my first tractor

With this said, I'm looking for an aftermarket ROPS for it (likely the Hercules, non-folding) and then a seat with a seatbelt, but that will take some time.

It's actually considered the FE-35 w/ Perkins Diesel.

 

[Woodcanoeguy]

Be very careful in ordering parts as a FE35 and MF 35 have a lot of differences.
FE is harder to find parts for in North America. Try Canadian suppliers.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Six years ago I bought a 1960 version of the tractor you're considering. The FE 35 is the English-made one. They're all FE's in Canada. Parts are cheap and very readily available. Everyone seems to know how to work on these great old tractors.

The 1500 hours? I have 600 on my tach. The one that was on it was broken at 4500, but new ones are easy to buy online. Steering wheels and seats are easy to get, as well. The fenders may have gone the way of the tire chains. There's not a lot of clearance there and the braces can get caught. Building new fenders is quite innovative.

The Perkins diesel starts well in winter, runs beautifully, and is generally regarded as one of the best tractor engines, ever. Don't use ether on it, though. You'll find steering is heavy with the loader, but you'll get used to it.

I turned down $4000 for mine recently, though I would sell it for $5K CDN.

Hope this helps,

Rod

 

[sweettractors]

Six years ago I bought a 1960 version of the tractor you're considering. The FE 35 is the English-made one. They're all FE's in Canada. Parts are cheap and very readily available. Everyone seems to know how to work on these great old tractors.

The 1500 hours? I have 600 on my tach. The one that was on it was broken at 4500, but new ones are easy to buy online. Steering wheels and seats are easy to get, as well. The fenders may have gone the way of the tire chains. There's not a lot of clearance there and the braces can get caught. Building new fenders is quite innovative.

The Perkins diesel starts well in winter, runs beautifully, and is generally regarded as one of the best tractor engines, ever. Don't use ether on it, though. You'll find steering is heavy with the loader, but you'll get used to it.

I turned down $4000 for mine recently, though I would sell it for $5K CDN.

Hope this helps,

Rod

I have found by adding some implement for counterweight on the three point, really helps the "hard to steer" issue with FEL and no PS. Ken Sweet

 

[shiver]

I bought her this weekend and drove her home today

She's going to need work, but we'll get there


Thanks all.