Masssey Ferguson 135 Clutch

Zach Beaver

New User
I was wondering if there is a difference in the clutch in a U.S. manufactured tractor versus a U.K. manufactured tractor. I have a 1972 MF 135. It needed a clutch. At the time I didn't know that much about it. So I took it to a local garage,where I was assured it would be no problem to change out. After about a week they informed me they could not find a clutch because it was a U.K. produced tractor. They had the tractor for about four months until it was "done". They told me that they had to put a 14" clutch in it instead of the 11" clutch that was in it. Now it is so hard to push the clutch pedal down I have to jump on it,and if the clutch is depressed the hydraulics don't seem to work either. Any help wouldbe greatly appreciated, Thanks
 
Hello Zach,
First of all I think that I would have gone absolutely ape**** if this had been done to my tractor!!!!!!
Back to earth, I don't think that it would be possible to fit something as big as a 14" clutch plate into a 135. In the UK from late 1970 onwards the main 11" plate was changed to a 12" plate with a different flywheel. In order to fit a 14" plate (which I don't think is possible) they would have to machine so much metal off the flywheel that it would make it impractical.
I have to say that I think that to say a clutch unit for a UK built tractor in the US is bull****.
If MF supplied UK built tractors into the US they should have been able to supply one. This must be in addition to all of the non-genuine tractor parts suppliers in the US.
I am not aware of any differences to the dual clutch units. In the UK 9/11" units were fitted and the later 10/12" ones. These were made by Spicer-Laycock.

If you haven't already paid them, DON'T. First of all confirm that it is a 14" plate that has been fitted. Find out exactly what they have done to do this.
You don't say whether you have a dual plate unit so I'm assuming that it is. Here are some numbers for UK build 9/11" clutch units;
886 384M91, Bepco 30/200-1 MF3620 401M91, Bepco 30/200-1L MF 228005741.

If and its a big 'IF' they have fitted a 14" clutch it could be from a bigger tractor where the operating leverage on the unit is much greater than that for the correct 135 one. If this is the case then its no good for you.

From what you say they may have turned a dual plate type ito a single plate type where the operation of the motion clutch will also stop the PTO and hydraulics.

Would it be possible for you to post any photos of the unit taken through the inspection access plate underneath? If you can it would help a lot to determine what has been done.

Let us know what you find.

DavidP, South Wales, UK
 
David,
Sorry I have taken so long to get back. I couldn't get very good pics through the inspection hole. So I split the tractor and removed the clutch assembly. The clutch is a 10 spline 12" two stage clutch. I have confirmed that the tractor is a 135UK. Serial number 430816. From what I have found online it should be a 1973 model. The clutch assembly has a total of twelve springs around the outside of it. They are violet colored springs. Acording to the local Massey shop this is the correct set up. But according to my shop manual the 135 should have red springs. Which are much weaker than the violet ones. My manual says the violet springs should be in the 165's and larger tractors. I also read an article where aguy said the 135s should only have nine springs.Would it be worth trying to remove 3 springs? Or is that a bad idea. I also thought about changing the springs. I'm not sure which route to go. But good news is everything is working properly, just need to figure out why it works so stiff. Thanks
 

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