MF 135 Straight Axle UK Power Steering/Loader

I've recently purchased my first tractor as a restoration project and for working our smallholding near Cardigan. We would like
to fit a front loader but have seen suggestions we will need PS to make it usable. At 67 I don't have much brute force to spare
although plenty of ignorance. Power steering was offered as an option on the 135 back in the day and wondered if, with all the
spares available these days, it would be possible to upgrade my 135 to that spec. The modern kits seem to have hydraulic hoses
going everywhere like a nest of snakes and I've read many horror stories about how difficult they can be to fit. Many also are
advertised as not suitable for use with a front loader. I was wondering how they managed back in 1970 when mine was built.
The only external evidence of hydraulics on mine is a coupling to the left of the rear number plate that seems to be missing a
connection to the top plate under the seat, not sure where that was originally connected? Just started removing the tattered and
badly corroded Sirocco cab and trying to identify which part does what. Early days but fulfilling a long held ambition. Been
just a spectator at Great Dorset and Camrose for too long.

Hello from Blackmill near Bridgend. In choosing a 135 you have made a good choice. Spares are readily available at reasonable cost. You will also have quite a choice of loaders available again at reasonable cost. A little will depend on whether you want trip or hydraulic operation for the bucket or fork
You have posed a lot of questions so I'll try and work through them. PS would be very beneficial but not essential but this of course will depend on the current steering system being in good order and of course what you want to carry. The original PAS kits fitted to the 135/148 consisted of the top arms being replaced with arms to attach one end of the steering cylinders and a bracket bolted to the axle centre beam for the other. A pump was mounted on the lower rhs of the engine. The steering assistance was actuated by a valve mounted at the top of the steering column. Initial movement of the steering wheel moved the valve spool and sent pressurised oil in the direction required.
There are alternative type kits available but their ability to work with a loader is questionable principally because the hydraulic force is not applied directly to turn each kingpin. Quality is also something that I have heard can be a problem. It would be advisable to stay with the original design. They may look complicated but taken systematically there should be no problem.
The coupling at the rear has no connection with the steering as they operate on totally different pressures.
Are you planning to remove the cab cladding only or the complete safety frame as well?
If you are removing the cladding only you will be limited to model 40 (built by Steelfab in Cardiff), or model 75 or 80 loaders due to the frame legs being in the way of others. If removing the frame as well you will have the additional choice of the round tube 735, rectangular tube 35 and MIL loaders...
all very suitable for small-holding work.
I went to the Camrose and Pembroke Shows last year. If I can help you further please email me direct. More than happy to put my 45 years of MF experience to good use.
Regards DavidP, South Wales
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Many thanks your comprehensive reply. I'm hoping to remove the safety frame as well and if possible, fit a modern cab purpose built for the MF 135. This will depend on the requirements of both PS and an appropriate loader. The steering has, what to a beginner, feels like a great deal of play. Turn the steering wheel and the steering arms move an alarming amount before the wheel uprights move. It is my intention to replace all the worn parts anyway. One cab I've looked at comes complete with new mudguards, which need replacing anyway, I presume also including a built in safety frame. No idea yet how that would affect choice of loader or how it might also limit PS. I would prefer to stick with the OEM PS because it's a known quantity rather than just being true to the original. I wanted a tractor with character and a soul which I have but I'm not going to slavishly take it back to 1970 as I also need a tractor that suits both my requirements and my age. I'm hoping for a good compromise. Not sure how to email you. Thanks again.

Hello, the chances are that the cab/mudguard assembly that you have looked at will be one made by C&G Engineering from Kildare in Ireland. There are very very few manufacturers making safety cabs certified for the 135 etc these days. I enquired with them about a cab for a 175 a couple of years. It is quite likely that you would be looking at a figure approaching ?3000 delivered. Nice looking cab but a lot of money. If you are thinking to go down that route you would need to contact them to find out if they have fabricated the main underbeam to cater for a particular loader. I have my doubts.
There are a number of places that the steering can be worn especially if you have what seems excessive free travel. When you turn the wheel does it tend to screw itself upwards and downwards like a bolt in a nut? If so there is considerable play in the top column bearing. Normally it is possible to adjust this out but not always. Internal steering box wear can take the form of looseness in the recirculating bearing nut, wear in the bearing track and wear between the rocker shafts. If you hold one front wheel and turn it back and forth as if you are trying to steer it, does it turn before the other wheel begins to follow? This is a sign of rocker shaft wear and can be accompanied by the wheels shimmying on the road. You could also have wear in the ball joints kingpins and bushes,thrust bearings and wheel bearings. Replacing the cab with a new or used unit will have no bearing on power steering being fitted. If your future mobility might become an issue I would avoid a Duncan cab as the bottom of the doors are very narrow. A Sekura cab would give better access.
The last Massey Ferguson power steering kit that I fitted to a 135 was about 25 years ago and seem to recall that it was about ?800 then. This WAS a lot of money but it also included a brand new steering box. This was provided because in common with the rest of the 100 series steering kits they all work on having a precisely controlled amount of movement to activate the assistance. If there is wear present in the system the actuating movement will be lost and you will have no assistance.
I'm sure that many on this site would agree that once you start spending money on a tractor and 'nursing' it back to health it will take on a life of its own and become almost part of the family....especially if you give it a name. A bit soppy? Yes, I suppose so but that's what happens when you become passionate about them!!!!!!!
DavidP, South Wales
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