MF 135 original wheel centers

rvp122 · Aug 7, 2013

Hello Everyone:

I am starting to restore a 1965 MF 135 Deluxe (4 cylinder gas) that has been sitting in our tractor yard for roughly the last 7-10 yrs. I have been learning a great deal by reading the threads on this site. This project is a great learning experience for me and a lot of fun.

The tractor (as shown in the photo) may or may not have the original wheels. I would not be too worried about the wheels at this time because there is so many other issues to work on before painting, but an opportunity to purchase additional tires and wheels presented itself yesterday. I would really appreciate it, if someone could tell me if the wheels in the pictures are the original factory wheels. Since we are on the topic of wheels, is the original color scheme of the wheels in 1965 consistent with gray rims with red centers for the rear and the front?

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance! I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again

The kid · Aug 8, 2013

Greetings and welcome to TractorByNet. I too have a 65 deluxe (four gauges). Your wheels look correct for the tractor. The outer rims where painted silver. The body of the tractor is painted Flint Grey Metallic. There should be a serial number plate in the engine block on the left side sitting on the tractor. If your tractor is a deluxe, it should be a Z145. I have a link to a thread I started some time back while I refurbished my tractor over the past year. There are many 135 owners here that can help with questions. Glad to have you aboard. -robert

The kid · Aug 8, 2013

Here is a picture of a 1965 Z145 Comtinental Z145 I've tried to pattern my refurbishment after.

murphy1244 · Aug 8, 2013

Welcome to TBN, Is that your tractor? sheet metal looks great! How many hours on it?

rvp122 · Aug 8, 2013

Thank you Murph & Robert!

I am really excited to fix this tractor! It is a lot of fun.

It is currently sitting near our farm shop and I can work on it after work. Now that we are harvesting, we usually have a few employees that are working late, waiting to load trucks, and the extra hands are greatly appreciated. I apologize in advance if I do not call items by their correct name, I am learning as I go. So far, we have identified two leaks, one in the powering steering column, below the steering wheel and the other on the rear tire. I will attach a photo of the rear axle leak? We took off the steering wheel tonight and we are in process of changing the O-ring and seal. I have the seal, but the local tractor shop wanted me to bring in the old O-ring. We did change the distributer cap, rebuilt the carburetor, points/condenser/rotor, battery, power steering lines, spark plugs, filters, oil, transmission fluid, etc. Unfortunately, the tractor was sitting in the elements over the years. The transmission fluid was white colored and we flushed it with hydraulic fluid everyday for roughly 5 days until it was clean. We did perform a compression test a few weeks ago as well. I learn A LOT by reading this forum!

Question #1-What is your opinion of the leak in the attached photo? That is my next project.

Question #2-In the 2nd photo, it appears that over the years a piece may have broken a new piece was fabricated. It is the piece that the power steering cylinder is attached to, do you know what that piece is called? I would like to replace it. We might have one sitting around, but I doubt it. I work for two farms, and back in the day, this was the tractor that was used in the orchards and I have access to some parts. I have found an additional hood and the metal side section that goes around grill (with lights) that were sitting in a barn.

Question #3-This is a stupid question, but I am going to ask anyway. I believe it has a six speed transmission? It has a 1, 2, and 3rd gear selector and a 2nd selector for high and low range. I am asking because I need to purchase a new gauge because the tractormeter is broken and I realized there was more than one transmission and different gauges, etc. I have no idea what the actual hours are on the tractor. I am sure it was a lot!

Thank you so much for your time and expertise! It is greatly appreciated!!!

Gina

redman135 · Aug 9, 2013

Re the outer axle oil leak. Fix it. The seal has failed. Also the oil will have wrecked your brake lining. Replace or reline, BUT BEFORE refitting the brake shoe clean the oil out of the brake drum first.
Re the tractor meter, double check weather you have a straight 6speed or the multipower version(faster) Multipower shift lever is below the steering wheel and silver, or there may be a small 2" approx blank over the hole ,indicating a straight gearbox. In your case 6 speed.

murphy1244 · Aug 9, 2013

Use this blog for parts and sign in as guest. AGCO Parts Books

The kid · Aug 9, 2013

If you don't have the service manual, they are still available at www.agcopubs.com. I highly advise you to get some form of service manual. One can do more harm than good loosening the wrong bolts at the wrong time. Jensales and AGCO are the top two best references out there. Both are excellent and both have their shortcomings.

I noticed your PS ram is attached differently than factory. It could have been a later add on or replacement at one time.

The serial number tag on the engine block doesn't look quite right. I've never seen one like that. Two rivets are missing, so it is suspect.

The wheel has definitely as mentioned a seal failure. This could be as simple as pulling the axle and replacing a few dollar seal. -kid

namyessam · Aug 9, 2013

rvp122 said:
Thank you Murph & Robert!

Question #2-In the 2nd photo, it appears that over the years a piece may have broken a new piece was fabricated. It is the piece that the power steering cylinder is attached to, do you know what that piece is called? I would like to replace it. We might have one sitting around, but I doubt it. I work for two farms, and back in the day, this was the tractor that was used in the orchards and I have access to some parts. I have found an additional hood and the metal side section that goes around grill (with lights) that were sitting in a barn.

View attachment 331165 View attachment 331166 View attachment 331167 View attachment 331168

The steering cylinder is most likely a conversion added by a previous owner. Massey 35's and 135's with power steering use a steering cylinder built into the steering column. The cylinder rod is pinned to a rack that drives a gear that gives power assist steering at best. early models cylinders were connected to the rack by a 3/8 diameter pin. This size proved to fail prematurely and was later upsized to a 7/16 pin. (I believe these sizes are correct) When the front wheels were in ruts and the steering wheel was turned by Jack Armstrong the pin would shear. Some dealers disabled the cylinder in the steering box and added cylinders to the tie rods to give the steering more power and a stronger overall system.

rvp122 · Aug 9, 2013

Thank you!! I ordered the manuals on Monday and they should be here next week.

I am not sure about the engine tag..... I just checked the other gas MF 135s and 35s engines in the bone yard and the tags look the same. The tag was originally a blue color (I believe) and over time has turned into a gold color. I am the 2nd owner of the tractor and I work for the original owners. I just spoke with the tractor mechanic at our farm shop and he believes it is the original engine.

Thanks-Gina