MF 135 with "Belly Mower"

dourobob · Oct 7, 2002

MF 135 with \"Belly Mower\"

Saw an add in a local paper last Friday for a MF 135 with "Belly Mower". I haven't been able to connect with the seller yet as I was at my neice's wedding this weekend so I don't really know what the tractor is about.
Interested in any comments on the "Belly Mount mower" - I've never seen one. How does it attach? How does it get power from the PTO. Can anyone with experience comment on the relaibility/durability/ease of operation of such a mower? What should I look for before making an offer if I decide to go see this unit?

How much value (assuming it is in decent shape) should it add to the the tractor.

Thanks.

Bob

Stonewall · Oct 7, 2002

Re: MF 135 with \"Belly Mower\"

When I was a kid we looked a putting a belly mower on our Massey 130. It would have been a 72" rear discharge. The power came off the rear PTO and the 3 point was the raise/lower control. There was a wheel and belt right off the PTO that sent the power forward to the gear box and belt driven blades. We passed on it as it would have taken too much time to change out from mower to anything else and it was expensive. Our thought was if you had that set up you would need to do a lot of finish mowing to commit the tractor to that set up. If it's in good shape it should add about $1500 to the tractors value. I think they are around $3000 new.

dourobob · Oct 7, 2002

Re: MF 135 with

Thanks Stonewall - I have a feeling I may have goofed here in my translation of the ad and the mower on this tractor is a sickle bar but it mounts under the tractor and the bar lowers out to the right of the tractor when cutting as opposed to mounting on the 3ph.

The PTO principles are likely the same.

Bob

dourobob · Oct 8, 2002

MF 135 More info

I spoke with the seller this morning. He says the tactor is an early 1970's model, 3 cyl Perkins gas with 2100 hours on the meter, radial tires with 75% tread left. It has a 6 foot sickle mower mounted under the middle. Apparently the mower is bolted to the frame and runs off a hydraulic pump at the front of the tractor. It was used by one of the area townships to cut back grass & weed growth on the side of the rural roads and, following amalgamation, it was sold.

Anybody ever used one of these mowers? Is it unrealistic to think I might be able to put a 5 foot bush hog on the back and actually trim an 11 foot width with the two mowers operating and overlapping a few inches.

Am I asking for headaches with a mower like this or are they relaible and fairly straightforward to mount and operate.

Any comments, including opinions of "fair price" (Cdn $$) for the package would be welcomed.

Bob

Woodbeef · Oct 8, 2002

Re: MF 135 More info

Hey Bob,

Hhmmm....very interesting idea there!!

Not sure though what the differences in actual cut would look like in real life. Might need wider than 5' too.

If the mower was set-up for a municipality it should be built correctly. see what name is on the mower and pump.

As for value.......ball park $4-5,000 frostbacks

dourobob · Oct 8, 2002

Re: MF 135 More info

Thanks Woodbeef
I really wasn't thinking of the "beauty" of the cut, more along the lines of clipping pastures 2+ times faster than using just the 5 foot bush hog. Over on the YTMag site there were some comments about clearance of a mid-mount mower when it is raised. Might also have some interesting hydraulic options (loader, top link, etc) if I dont use the mower at all.
The research continues.
Bob

Stonewall · Oct 9, 2002

Re: MF 135 with \"Belly Mower\"

Running both should work. We had a 6' bush hog on our 130 and it would run all day with out a problem (even after the electircal boxes). Let us know what you decide on this unit.

Sligosales · Sep 10, 2013

Re: MF 135 with "Belly Mower"

Hi. I have both a Massey 130 and a 25. Both of then need restoration, but both have mid mount mowers since new. They are VERY VERY rare. I have never seen another in Ireland or uk or anywhere despite looking for years. Both my tractors would be worth 10000 euro because of the rarity of the midmount mowers as a job lot when I sell them.