MF 35 Deluxe

[Anonymous Poster]

Just new to TBN, haven't been introduced around yet. Name's Al, Hartland, Michigan. Just bought a MF35 Deluxe diesel with an MF200 loader and a 6' Hardee brush-hog. Got a coupla' hours, I'll tell ya what it's like travelling 500 miles (round trip) to pick it up.. in a sleet storm!
At any rate, I'm not just new to TBN, I'm new to M-F. Been looking over everyone's shoulder on discussion boards, picking up bits and pieces of info (Special thanks to Big Dean).
The tractor is in great shape, everything is there from functioning Multi-Power to the spring pawl lever on the parking brake. Sheet metal is dent and rust free though it needs paint. What it really needs is a new front seal for the crankshaft damper (just put a new floor in the new barn.. man those little puddles of oil broke my heart).
First things first.. Gonna change all the fluids and put in new filters. I hear Rotella 5W-40 is the best for this Perkins diesel, but what about the transmission and hydraulics? Any suggestions? Know of any dealers that stock parts, the right filters, or should I swap out for 'spin-on' filters?

Well folks, that's it for the moment. Time for me, the floor jacks and chain fall to get that loader off.

 

[dourobob]

I am envious as I have been searching for something like that for a while now - trying to be patient but it is difficult.
Good luck with your 35 - mind me asking what you had to pay for it?

DouroBob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

MF 35 Deluxe: the search

Bob, I know just what 'the search' is like.. I've been looking for two years. Auctions, botherin' people when I stopped and inquired about that 'Ole tractor' they've got parked behind the barn, friends and family keepin' an eye out for me. Must have done a thousand miles driving through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois chasing down leads and ads. Had my best luck getting on the websites of those free Auto, Motorcycle, Truck, Tractor want ads you pick up in the grocery stores and truck stops. This time of the year, seems like Massey-Fergusons are for sale all over Indiana. Would love to tell you how much I paid.. even my wife is proud of the deal I cut. But I don't want to bust my luck by braggin'. Just say the $500.00 I paid for the loan of a truck and trailer to go get it was a BIG percentage of the full price. Keep at it. Yours is sitting out back of someones place right now.
Movin' in on retirement aye? Just like me. How you setting yourself up? I got only 10 acres, with a chance at a lease on thirty more. Who knows how it'll turn out.
Ooops, wife's hollering at me.. gotta go steam clean the carpets for the holiday Do, and check some homework.
Later.. Al

 

[dourobob]

Re: MF 35 Deluxe: the search

Hi Al
I understand your search process well and as it turns out, I saw a 62 or 63 MF 35 last Monday night and I hope to make an offer on it today or tomorrow - depending on when I can connect with the seller.

Like you I don't want to screw up the possibilities so I'll hold off on details 'till the deal is done but I am hoping that trucking will also be a significant percentage of the total cost.

Didn't see anything info in your profile - retiring is a great place to be in life. I am now learning some of those shop skills that I missed when my only shop choices in high school (a long time ago /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif) were typing or Latin. Have a really ggod friend just a couple of miles away with an amazing shop and all the toys - we are building a CadPlans backhoe right now and having a great time doing it.

My wife retired a couple of years ago and we run a high end luxury B&B on or 79 acres in central Ontario. We're thinking of doing a little more with animals - goats, pigs, maybe some chickens - once I have more control over my day-to-day time. We used to raise these little animals until life just got too darn busy so .... maybe the circle is coming 'round again.

Got any photos of your "exceptional buy"?

Cheers
Bob

 

[Woodbeef]

Re: MF 35 Deluxe: the search

Hey Bob,

Good luck,sir!! You've been looking for awhile!!

 

[dourobob]

Re: MF 35 Deluxe: the search

Hi Woodbeef
Yes I have been at it a while and I have really been working hard on the patience thing thanks to some good advice from folks here and on the YTmag board. It is easy to get enthusiastic and lose some objectivity but, I am doing my best. Here's hoping....

Bob

 

[Volp]

Hey Alan
Good luck with your MF35. I am on my sixth Ferguson (third MF35) but it is only a standard. They have all been exellent workhorses and a joy to use. I see that your MFs are more expensive than in Sweden. I paid the equivalent of 1400$ for mine which I considered a fair price.
As to you oil question I use a universal oil which is suitable for engine, transmission and hydraulics. I get the transmission oil cleened when I use my backhoe that has a big oil filter on the return line. And yes you can use the tractor pump to power a backhoe if you are not in a hurry.
To change the engine oil filter to a spinn off type is easy and makes filter change less messy.

 

[Volp]

Alan!
Here are some useful links for MF parts, manuals and more

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ytmag.com/store/index.htm>Yesterday's Tractors</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ssbtractor.com/>SSB Tractor </A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.com/daustin62/Bigdeantipindex.html>Big Dean's Massey Ferguson Web Site</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.btinternet.com/~ferguson.club/index.html>The Official Ferguson Club</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fofh.u-net.com/dates.htm>The Friends of Ferguson Heritage</A>

 

[rlk]

Volp, how do you change the filter to a spin off type? Very interesting idea. I have a MF35, and you are right, changing the filter is quite messy.

Happy Holidays

 

[gquist]

RLk, The Massey dealer most likely has a kit to convert it from canister type to spin-off type filter, It is simple to install and cheap, Those MF-35's are sure good tractors, 40 years old and still working good, I bought a MF-230 diesel this summer to upgrade my old MF-202 industrial gas tractor, The 230 is pretty much the same tractor as the MF-35 with most of the differences being the sheet metal and steering system, I just love it, runs all day mowing with a 6' bushhog in crp field on 12-14 gallons of fuel, I would have a hard time spending $25,000.00 to replace it with a new one that does the same work!