MF 135 - Priced right or money pit?

dobiedisco · Aug 17, 2009

WARNING - Tractor newbie here.

My riding mower repairman has said to stop pretending it's a tractor and get a real one! Easier said than done when one has been practically wiped out by Hurricane Ike, so the budget is nominal, at best. I've come across a 1973 MF 135, current owner's dad had it completely refurbished when buying 8 yrs ago. The paint is faded and it has some bumps and bruises, but seems to run fine (my limited knowledge here) in all gears. The PTO functions, but we didn't hook it up during the initial visit. Owner says it's mechanically sound, has been used for brush hogging and digging post holes, always dependable. The only gauge that still works is oil pressure, there are no lights, and he'd never used the draft control (and I haven't researched to even learn what that is).

What brings me here is a concern with the amount of gunk built up around the sides of the engine. I didn't see anything dripping after it had been driven and I didn't see any puddles around the area where it's being stored, but there did appear to be fresh fluids seeping at a couple of connections. There is also gunk around the PTO. The tractor does not have power steering, I didn't have a problem steering it, but wonder if my opinion would change after a day of driving it. Drove a Cub Cadet tractor yesterday with power steering, which was great, but I didn't care for the weathered plastic grill that was held on with ty-wraps or the plastic fan.

SORRY in advance for not being able to be more specific with those fluids (and "gunk"), I am hoping the pictures below will help you educate me. Selling price is $2,000.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF1.jpg

irvingj · Aug 17, 2009

I'll wait for some of the experts to chime in here, but from what I've read on this forum (do a search), the 135 is considered by some to be one of the --if not the-- best tractor MF ever made.

Leakage around seals on an older machine is not necessarily a problem; if you don't see fresh puddles, it's probably just its age showing....

irvingj · Aug 17, 2009

Oh-- just for comparison: the price you mentioned is less than 1/10th of what my MF cost... but I love it anyway!

Again, based on what I've read, $2000 for a working 135 sounds very reasonable. Wait to hear from Farmwithjunk.

dobiedisco · Aug 17, 2009

Thanks. I've been doing searches on a few models and always end up at TBN for the most information. I also searched in here for the MF135 before posting and didn't see any recent threads about prices. From what I am seeing, there isn't much available in that price range with the exception of the 8N/9N's, and if the gunk is creating it's own seal and the tractor can do the job for now, all the better for me! Just didn't know if it appears excessive.

Also came across a 1978 International 384 for a good price, but haven't obtained details on it yet. Thanks, again!

dobiedisco · Aug 17, 2009

And stop showing off that fancy little tractor to a poor person!!!! I could actually use the backhoe to dig trenches for water and power lines...maybe one of these days. Unfortunately, I can see a tractor turning into a toy, where every implement I see can be justified as a "need."

DieselnHooters · Aug 17, 2009

Looks like a bargain to me...heck the rubbers alone are worth a good chunk of those 2 grands. Those old irons can seep for a long time, dont worry about that. MF 135 with the Perkins is like a legend , plenty of parts available and also plenty of demand for parts if it ever dies out on you and you want to sell it whole or in pieces.

IH 384 is a good one also but dont wait too long on that 135.

WilliamBos · Aug 17, 2009

I agree. Do not wait too long. I only question why It only has 1 fuel filter.

Duffster · Aug 17, 2009

Where is that tractor? I will inspect it for you.

dobiedisco · Aug 17, 2009

Where would the 2nd oil filter be? Maybe it's covered in gunk, too, ha! Here is a picture of the other side, in case it helps, along with the entire tractor. I think that's all the "inspecting" I'll let you boys do, sneaky ones!

If in the same condition and priced close, is the MF a better buy than the IH?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF5.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF2.jpg

flusher · Aug 17, 2009

dobiedisco said:
WARNING - Tractor newbie here.

My riding mower repairman has said to stop pretending it's a tractor and get a real one! Easier said than done when one has been practically wiped out by Hurricane Ike, so the budget is nominal, at best. I've come across a 1973 MF 135, current owner's dad had it completely refurbished when buying 8 yrs ago. The paint is faded and it has some bumps and bruises, but seems to run fine (my limited knowledge here) in all gears. The PTO functions, but we didn't hook it up during the initial visit. Owner says it's mechanically sound, has been used for brush hogging and digging post holes, always dependable. The only gauge that still works is oil pressure, there are no lights, and he'd never used the draft control (and I haven't researched to even learn what that is).

What brings me here is a concern with the amount of gunk built up around the sides of the engine. I didn't see anything dripping after it had been driven and I didn't see any puddles around the area where it's being stored, but there did appear to be fresh fluids seeping at a couple of connections. There is also gunk around the PTO. The tractor does not have power steering, I didn't have a problem steering it, but wonder if my opinion would change after a day of driving it. Drove a Cub Cadet tractor yesterday with power steering, which was great, but I didn't care for the weathered plastic grill that was held on with ty-wraps or the plastic fan.

SORRY in advance for not being able to be more specific with those fluids (and "gunk"), I am hoping the pictures below will help you educate me. Selling price is $2,000.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dobiedisco/MF135/MF1.jpg

$2K---grab that sucker right now. It's a freakin' steal at that price.

The gunk around the pto is due to a leaking rear shaft seal. Inexpensive part and easy to replace. My 1964 MF-135 diesel looked just like yours when I bought it in Jul06 for $3600. It still does since I haven't replaced that seal yet. The part is sitting on the tractor seat.

There are several small "weep" holes on the bottom side of the clutch bell housing right aft of the engine block. Take a small diameter wire and poke through the dirt that usually accumulates in those holes. If you get a few drops of oil, no problem. If it's coming out pretty fast, you probably have a leaking rear seal on the crankshaft. It's a common problem with Perkins diesels. It can be repaired by dropping the oil pan. But be careful. That pan is cast steel and heavy as heck.

If you buy that 135 and it needs service, post back here and you get all the help you need to fix whatever needs fixin.