Massey 35

[Imold]

They are solidly built tractors, I have gotten 39 years of great service out of my TO35 with Continental gas engine. I have done a lot of bush hogging on rough terrain as well as plowing and discing.

Good to know.

 

[Imold]

Jeff I appreciate the info you posted up on the tractor.

Thanks,

 

[Imold]

They were good tractors in their day. The Perkins 3 cylinder diesel is a better engine that the Standard 23c diesel that my TO35 has. Both engine and chassis parts are readily available for this tractor. Manuals are available. They are quite easy to work on. If you are looking for a project, you could easily choose a far worse tractor than this. It is a good choice.

Something to keep in mind as I look.

 

[Imold]

Reason I am looking at a tractor project.
Being disabled I have a lot of issues now one is using my hands on smaller things like the Harley’s or Cars is getting harder for me to do being my fingers are numb and they lock up a lot and I can not bend my neck to much due to being fused and plated So I figured I would try something a bit bigger, all I have is time now being I am done with working a regular job.

 

[denchen]

When I was a lad, a lot of the small farmers around us had these tractors to work their small farms. 30 to 45 acres were about common. Some had the MF35, others had similar tractors. Ford Dexters and older Ford Majors, grey Fergusons, my dad preferred David Browns. There was also small IH and John Deeres for row work. The one tractor, no matter what type had to do all the work on the farm, The farms were as we called `arable`, meaning mixed crops from potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beet, carrots peas, and various other crops the farmer thought he could make a profit on. The MF35 was known as a good little tractor, easy to use with minimum maintenance, and a good starter in winter. The only thing I can think of against them was that a few broke in half. They used to break near the clutch bell housing, saying that, some of the farmers were a bit cruel with them, FEL with weighted wheels and extra weights on the back, then mucking out the crew yard, was asking a bit too much. Yes a nice light game reliable little tractor without any fuss.

 

[Industrial Toys]

How worn is it? I saw a similar one at my mechanic that the guy paid about the same for. Now, twice that for motor and steering box work. And then, it will be worth about what he paid for on the open market.

 

[Cougsfan]

This is good to know living in a rural area most items would be ordered and delivered either ups or fedex, I do not plan to put a loader on but maybe a disc,rake or something small like that for looks.

Not putting a loader on sounds like a good idea to me. Tractors without power steering aren't all that great for having loaders. This kind of tractor works best for pulling stuff like a disc, harrow, etc.

How worn is it? I saw a similar one at my mechanic that the guy paid about the same for. Now, twice that for motor and steering box work. And then, it will be worth about what he paid for on the open market.

You are correct to a point. If it is a total pile of junk it isn't worth doing. But sometimes projects you do for the enjoyment of doing it don't always have to create a positive return on investment. Particularly if you plan to hang on to it after you are done. Fixing up an old tractor is seldom a wise financial decision. That doesn't mean it is a bad decision. I probably have $7k in my old TO35 over the last 30 years or so I have owned it. Probably didn't cost $2k new, and probably isn't worth much more than that now. I don't regret one dollar of that investment.

 

[Agvg]

How worn is it? I saw a similar one at my mechanic that the guy paid about the same for. Now, twice that for motor and steering box work. And then, it will be worth about what he paid for on the open market.

If you need to hire a mechanic to fix a old, worn tractor then you absolutely have made the wrong investment.

If I spend some hours fixing one of my old machines it's pure enjoyment, some waste all they're time on sports or television and at least I got something useful out of mye time in the garage.

 

[Imold]

i like it is a diesel and it seems to be in somewhat good condition for its age, don’t think it will sell to fast but with snow coming you never know. It is about a hour away from my home. I will keep my eye on it and if it is still available later I might make a offer on it after I look it over. Would be a fun project when I get my new shop built.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Hats off to guys that get into the nitty gritty. I am notorious for not finishing stuff, and the only thing worse than having an old worn out tractor is one sitting, split in your shop for five or so years. A friend got a free Gas 35, and that is EXACTLY the case there.