Massey 35

[denchen]

Just as an add on, going by the photo, the front and rear tyres look much `fatter` than the original tyres as I remember them. In England I think the standard wheels, both front and back were fairly narrow. Saying that, our farmers used them for going between their rows of crops. as well as ploughing and every day use. Some tractors of course were fitted with ultra thin wheels for doing nothing but row work. Another general observation, I see the exhaust goes under the tractor. Most of our tractors the exhaust and silencer went straight up., except one small farmer I knew who had a grey Fergurson, but he used his in a orchard.

 

[Cougsfan]

I don't have any way to back this up, but I heard once that the older Ferguson and Massey Ferguson's were marketed kind of strangely compared to how things work today. You could buy one at your local hardware store, via catalog, or numerous other ways in addition to established dealers. Each of those sources would order from the factory direct and could get them outfitted as they wished. The basic tractor would be the same, but some would come with different paint schemes, seats, tires and wheels, exhaust systems etc., depending on here you bought it. You could even go visit one of the factories and order one be built for specifically you as you wanted it. I have assumed this to be true because I have seen numerous TO 35's supposedly identical to mine that had differences in these areas. Can someone confirm the accuracy of this?
I do remember my neighbor's Dad going back and touring the Pontiac Motors Factory in 1959 and watching his specially ordered, personal Pontiac being built. (He drove it cross country home, saving delivery fee. It was a bright orange and brown; one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen )

 

[denchen]

Shortly after WW2 when these tractors came out, the farmers here, (many ex forces) did not have a lot of money. When and if they could afford a new tractor, they usually went for the cheapest option, without too many extras as this cost money. Perkins engines were and are still made not from where I am, Peterborough, and were known to be a good hard working engine, and MF fitted these engines that a lot of farmers around here preferred. Petrol, or gas as you guys call it was used and petrol/paraffin. The petrol, gas, was used to start the engine and when the engine got hot, it was switched to paraffin. Paraffine engines were known as TVO. (Tractor Vaporising Oil) Bear in mind this was shortly after WW2, and our little country was struggling and there was little money about and we were trying to pay you US boys back what we borrowed. As I said before my dad was a farmer but he mostly had David Browns. A English tractor and a good working tractor but not very refined. (David Brown is the DB in Aston Martin the sports car. DB9 etc. David Brown also make very good gearboxes for ships and as far as I know still do.

 

[mllud]

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 Harleyç—´ 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.

Keep on pushing. I'm pretty sure there are some more of us that enjoy old machinery with high mileage worn out body's.
I have one leg that only gives me about three hours standing. Fingers getting stiff. A project tractor is not only a useful tool it's good for the soul. Physical therapy ! Many of us pushed models of these tractors around in a dirt pile as kids. It doesn't have to be a practical or necessary reason to buy one. It's the fact that you earned the right to do what you want in retirement.
Sitting in a recliner thinking about it is worst for your health. We are basically old tractors. If we sit to long we stiffen up and things get blocked up.
Dive in and enjoy it. I'm thankful I live in a place and that I have the freedom to do as I wish.

 

[denchen]

If it helps, about this time Perkin used to advertise their engine by saying they could fit them to anything. The tractor here has a Perkins 3152. The 3 is 3 cylinder, the 152 is cubic inch. This engine if my memory serves me well came out in different types, but all could be pretty well interchanged.

 

[mllud]

If it helps, about this time Perkin used to advertise their engine by saying they could fit them to anything. The tractor here has a Perkins 3152. The 3 is 3 cylinder, the 152 is cubic inch. This engine if my memory serves me well came out in different types, but all could be pretty well interchanged.

I believe the Perkins diesel was even used in Taxi cabs in England. Dependable and inexpensive to rebuild.

 

[jiminpa]

I run a 1962 model 35 diesel. bought it in 1993. 1 clutch, 1 radiator,1 set rear brakes, 1 set rear tires, 2 sets front tires. mine has power steering. guy I bought it off of converted it to a-c alternator. when I got it it had a lawnmower battery in it. lasted 3 years! i'l still running the tractor today.. oh, it sips fuel also.