Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor

   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #11  
Soundguy: thanks for the info. I don't see an SOS tractor in my future, but my tractor education continues.

I guess I should be looking at some of the vintage tractor magazines you mentioned. Any recommendations on that item?
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #12  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What is the differnce between the mf 135, 35 and TO 35? )</font>

TO-35 was the final stage of developement for the TO series whils still under the Ferguson Banner. When the name changed to MASSEY Ferguson, the MF 35 was borne. Very much the same as a TO-35, it was a HUGE seller. Then when the 100 series was introduced, the 135 made it's debut. Better hydraulics, better clutch, Improved handling, better all the way around, the 135 was a ledgend in it's own time.

All along there was a "big brother". FERGUSON F-40's and Massey Harris 50's were much the same as the 35, but with heavier front axle (more clearance/better steering) It had a bigger fuel tank, bigger radiator, 9" longer wheel base (due to heavier front end) (That front axle was actually "borrowed" from the bigger "65" and later "165") The 50 became the 150 when the 100 series hit the showroom. 150 packed an additional 500 lbs on the front end, combined with longer wheelbase, it made for a much better plowing tractor over the 135. (I'm CONVINCED the 150 was the best small utility tractor ever.)

For the beginner, a 35/135,50/150 would make a great starter tractor. Enough power to get the job done, simple enough to work on that a "shadetree mechanic" can fix almost everything, cheap to operate, relatively inexpensive compared to some other tractors in it's class, and the absolute cheapest engine ever to operate and/or re-build when that day comes. (That goes for the Continental gas engine, The Perkins Gas engine, but ESPECIALLY for the Perkins diesel )

Watch out for SOME 135's that were sold to compete with the Ford 2000 . They came with a bigger HP rating than the Ford because they used the same engine to compete with the 3000. But those 135 "specials" had no live power, 6 speed WITHOUT Multi-Power, most had no power steering, and some even had a "pan" seat.

135/150 sold for under $5000 at their end. (Under $4000 when first released) They still bring that much today in rough condition.
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #13  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When you shifted between ranges, it paused, then jerked ahead. It was a MESS trying to stack hay when the ranges changed. )</font>

Actually.. a properly working SOS is a decent unit.. just making sure they stay properly working can be a chore. FWIW.. your sos that lunged.. was not properly working. Sounds like it was out of adjustment.

Soundguy
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #14  
MY choice
MF135_45.jpg
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #16  
My choice also. Problem is finding one on the market.

Looked at a 1963 MF 65 with the 4 cyl Perkins diesel last week. Had big turf tires on the back (for mowing in the orchards). Over 4000 hours on the clock. Owner said he overhauled the engine recently (Tisco kit, I assume).

It looked OK until the engine warmed up. Then the blue smoke started to appear. My guess is a valve problem that didn't get fixed in the overhaul. Would have bought it but for that.
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #17  
I had a MH50, a 1956 or so, back around 1970. It was great, lots of power (except steering!), good traction, dead reliable. Had to sell it in a divorce or would still own it. Had a 135 for about 7 years until last fall - all the same adjectives. This was a diesel Perkins, excellent motor. My only gripe was the fact that you had to push straight down on the pedals, not forward. If you were doing something requiring lots of shifts, the old left leg would get pretty crampy. Maybe the late '90s cramps were made worse by the mid-70's cramps!
The 50 was great for plowing snow, and the '70s saw some serious winters around here. With about 1000# of concrete on the back (on the backhoe subframe, not TPH) that little thing would push an 8' plow mounted on the loader through 30" of snow easy. Hard to believe only 35 hp. You won't go wrong with either of them, and good luck. Sorry for the rave.
Jim
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #18  
I had a MH50, a 1956 or so, back around 1970. It was great, lots of power (except steering!), good traction, dead reliable. Had to sell it in a divorce or would still own it. Had a 135 for about 7 years until last fall - all the same adjectives. This was a diesel Perkins, excellent motor. My only gripe was the fact that you had to push straight down on the pedals, not forward. If you were doing something requiring lots of shifts, the old left leg would get pretty crampy. Maybe the late '90s cramps were made worse by the mid-70's cramps!
The 50 was great for plowing snow, and the '70s saw some serious winters around here. With about 1000# of concrete on the back (on the backhoe subframe, not TPH) that little thing would push an 8' plow mounted on the loader through 30" of snow easy. Hard to believe only 35 hp. You won't go wrong with either of them, and good luck. Sorry for the rave.
Jim
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #19  
<font color="blue"> Hard to believe only 35 hp </font>

I know.. since it is 38 pto hp.. making the engine hp a few percent higher.. like 40-43hp.. etc.. ( mf 50 )

The MF35 had 37 pto hp, and the MF135 had 38 pto hp.

Soundguy
 
   / Recommendation fo 40 hp old reliable tractor #20  
<font color="blue"> Hard to believe only 35 hp </font>

I know.. since it is 38 pto hp.. making the engine hp a few percent higher.. like 40-43hp.. etc.. ( mf 50 )

The MF35 had 37 pto hp, and the MF135 had 38 pto hp.

Soundguy
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

1839 (A51248)
1839 (A51248)
2021 CATERPILLAR 926M WHEEL LOADER (A52705)
2021 CATERPILLAR...
kids dirt bike (A53424)
kids dirt bike...
2019 KENWORTH T680 TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER (A54607)
2019 KENWORTH T680...
434669 (A48836)
434669 (A48836)
JOHN DEERE XUV590M LOT NUMBER 27 (A53084)
JOHN DEERE XUV590M...
 
Top