MF 135 fourth gear

bayhollow

Member
I just bought a 1971 model MF 135 that has the fourth gear. Does anyone know just exactly why they added this fourth gear. The gear pattern is really odd.
 
Don't know what year but later 135's had 8 speed
transmissions. Good set up. More speeds to match the
tractor to the job at hand.
 
Not just the 135, the 8 speed box became an option on most of (if not all )the 100 series tractors.I remember I was baling some straw we had bought 'in the swath' from a neighbour with our 168 Multipower. One of the neighbour's men came over to have a chat with me at lunch time, he was cutting their hedges with, coincidentally another 168 . Looking at my tractor he pointed to the 'Multipower' logo and said "Ooh can I do you a swap?" then he pointed to his tractor and said "She's an 8 speed..... they are crap!" A matter of taste I guess. I have never driven one so I can't comment.
 
Later tractors had a choice when new of the 12 speed MP or the 8 speed, which was cheaper. Dealer I worked for used the choice when customer was comparing with Ford, with the 8 speed. Early 100 series were either 6 speed or the 12 MP.
 
I guess I would much prefer an 8 speed to a 6 speed but I would much prefer a Multipower to either, even though you can't tow start a MP tractor and engine braking only works in high multipower, a fact which frightens the life out of some drivers!
 
The fourth gear was added for marketing reasons.

It was sandwitehed in between R and 2 for cost considerations.

The same basic design was used for many years and has proven to be be dependable if a bit akward.

My 2007 533 has the same 4 X 2 crashbox. It takes a bit of getting used to and fourth is a bit hard to find when shifting on the go but one does get used to it.

Dean
 

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