6 speed 8 speed swap MF 35 diesel

John Deere D

Well-known Member
Good day:
I'm considering installing an 8 speed transmission (4 gears + H/L)in my MF FE 35 X 3 cylinder Perkins diesel:
I've checked the archives and located the below information:

Hi John,
It's an interesting prospect to change to an 8-speed box from the 6. I always felt that 6 speeds was not enough particularly when baling for example. As always there are some 'buts'.
My info shows two different 8-speed boxes.
One is the 8-speed constant mesh (10 spline PTO plate and the other is the 8-speed constant mesh (25 spline PTO plate). In general in the UK 8-speed boxes were fitted to tractors with the 10/12" clutch. Before committing yourself you will need to ensure that a change of clutch plate/s will be available. The gearbox input shaft can have either 18 or 24 teeth on its gear depending on what tractor it has come from. The epicyclic unit at the rear of the box is the same as far as I can see.
If you can sort out any issues on the front side of the gearbox you should be well on your way.

DavidP, South Wales

look up both on agco parts book online and compare them ,is there enough of a difference in the engine governor speed setting to have a difference between the gas and diesel gearing? as mentioned the clutches could have different amount of splines,but if I make no mistake the clutch disc will the interchange



If they both have live pto I believe it will bolt up, but here is the thing, a diesel 6 speed and a gas 6 speed have different gears, you pto gear ratios are different from a gas to a diesel. If you put a gas tranny on a diesel you diesel will be out of proper torque range with a gas tranny , you may not be happy with it... I am pretty sure it will affect you speed, even though you are gaining two more gears you may not be happy with the top end or the bottom end as far as mph



I have a nice 1966 Massey 135 Deluxe diesel with a 3x2 transmission. I'm enjoying it, but, you know, if I just had one more gear for bush hogging I'd have an even bigger smile. I know of a gas MF135 with a 4x2 transmission for cheap. Aside from splitting the tractors, is the 8-speed an easy, bolt-on swap? I'll assume my tractor has a rope seal and the newer gas tractor does not. Neither tractor has multipower.

Is there anyone who has preformed this kind of surgery on the above trans. swap?

Thoughts on the above project?

Thanks:
Bob..Ownee operator MF FE v35 X and other Colored Tractors:
 
I am myself a big fan of powershift transmissions.
I would rather swap it to a multipower unit or to a backhoe unit with a reverser, so I can dig holes while "powerreversing" with the bush-hog.
 
I don't know about a swap but I wonder if you have used a 4 speed much before. My Dad's 245D has the three speed and mine is a four speed, both without MP. Over the years I have noticed that ratio between 2 Low and 3 Low can be a little steep especially when mowing with a sickle. 3 High is pretty useless to me unless I'm in a hurry. I think that 3 Low is okay but it "appears" to me that there is too much spread between 2 Low and 3 Low. Conversely the 3 speed trany seems more useful in "most" cases except for flying down the road which I rarely do anymore. I guess it depends on what and how you use your tractor. On the 255D the 4speed is much better suited than the 3 speeds on the 150/165 in my experience. Of course your mileage may vary. Good luck on your project!
 

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There are many engineering aspects that I must consider.

To purchase a MF Diesel with the 8 speed is most likely the way to go.

I've purchased the required parts for the 6 speed trans. in my MF FE 35 X. Oil seals, bearings, as well as NOS second gear gears,etc,etc.
The MF FE 35 X that I operate is not babied. 1H and 3L are the gears of the day.

Thanks for all input:

Bob....
 
I have a 245 6spd. Most of what I do is mowing, and find 3L to be the best speed but wished it was a little faster, 1H is a little too fast most of the time. Looks like on a 4spd using 3L would be about perfect speed for mowing.
 
(quoted from post at 14:31:56 11/22/18) I have a 245 6spd. Most of what I do is mowing, and find 3L to be the best speed but wished it was a little faster, 1H is a little too fast most of the time. Looks like on a 4spd using 3L would be about perfect speed for mowing.


That's when having multipower is good to have. I have the same problem with my 135, most mowing is done in 3L, and 1H is too fast. I used to use my brothers MF 150 with multipower for mowing, and it was perfect as speeds go, I sure miss the multipower.
 

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