Massey Ferguson 135

[Motown]

 

I have been a Leyland licker for some years and currently own a 253 which is in daily use. In terms of tractors it  just felt natural and the right choice after owning and fixing Rovers for so many years. Id never really thought about Fergie's until me and a friend pulled this 135 out of a nearby Byre were it's been sitting for some years. My friend has no interest in it so its staying with me i am not looking to fully restore it but would like to get it running and put it to work again.

 

 

It has a few parts missing (Mainly tinwork) but its unmolested in that its still on its dynamo and hasn't been converted in any way. The engine is turning and I've already fitted a new belt, water pump coolant pipes and radiator.  Currently awaiting a new loom and some other bits coming in the post before i get her running.

 

 

The dash is rotten as is the wiring but the clutch an gears aren't ceased and appear functional. The glass for the cab is all there but needs refitting with new seals. The seat, front lights, bonnet and all associated covers are missing sadly.

 

The steering works remarkably well but I've had the rear wheels off to start work on the brakes which will no doubt need a complete overhaul. The brakes were next to useless when new so i don't expect much of anything to happen when i stand on them. All the tractors from that era seem the same my Leyland is useless in low gear but faster in high reverse than any other gear. The brake pedal is useless it would be more effective if you threw a brick under the wheel while it was moving.

[Matty]

Keep us up to date with the pair of them please pal. Always interested in a bit of something differant!

[eddyramrod]

I can remember my sister and I playing on the 135/165 display models at agricultural shows in the 60s, where my dad usually had a stall.  They were probably the favourite tractors for this 7yo kid back then.  I'm really pleased this one's found a home, good luck with it!

[Motown]

10 hours ago, Matty said:

Keep us up to date with the pair of them please pal. Always interested in a bit of something differant!

I will do ive been working on it today will update the thread shortly

[Motown]

10 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

I can remember my sister and I playing on the 135/165 display models at agricultural shows in the 60s, where my dad usually had a stall.  They were probably the favourite tractors for this 7yo kid back then.  I'm really pleased this one's found a home, good luck with it!

Thank you!

[N Dentressangle]

They obviously didn't do much to the brakes since the TE20. Remember driving a few of those in my youth, and they never had any real stopping ability.

[Motown]

 

Did a little tinkering again today.... I was hoping to do more but someone decided to crash into the side of my Rover so the day was a write off and no doubt the car will be too  

The throttle lever on the tractor is still ceased solid ive applied lots of WD40 to the lever and parts of the linkage but it still wont budge so il try and tackle that another day.

I then turned my attention to the oil bath air filter as ive replaced all the other filters on the tractor. The filter housing is pretty much rotten and was very holey in places the top hat is also missing so I've ordered a completely new filter assembly and top hat. Remarkably there's no water ingress in the engine so any moisture that did get in probably just sat in the filter housing and rotted that out instead of the engine.

 

The internal mesh filter was absolutely clogged with years of gunk and hay. I cleaned it up with some diesel and an old rag before topping it up with fresh oil. 

 

 

I then fitted an old spare starter motor in the hopes of bringing the tractor back to life and replaced the fixing bolts as the old ones were shot. Sadly the new loom hasn't arrived yet so unable to get her running today.

 

I hope to get some proper work done on it soon once the parts arrive so will update the thread as and when. If anyone can tell me what sort of cab this is i would be very grateful.  I have all the glass and seals for it but the metal work is in a bad way and it only has one door which is a real pain to get in and out of.... i am thinking on whether i should remove it or not.