Help ID'ing a MF 35, To-35 or ???

The tractor w/ loader appears to have an original color scheme of Yellow. As though it was originally used by a state or county roads department. . The color scheme has been changed to red & grey agricultural colors.

The tractor & loader appear VERY similar to picture #242 in the Massey photo album of this website "MF-35" no year given. The only difference that I could see between that tractor & mine is that mine has one center hydraulic ram on the bucket and the one pictured has rams on left & right side of bucket.

The bucket w/ this machine has a plate that indicates it is a Model 101-A manufactured by Midwestern Industries Inc. of Wichita, Ks.

The Tractor has the fololowing identifying items:
1. Hood Ornament "Fergusson"
2. "Massey Fergusson 35" decals on loader arms (appears to be post paint job application)
3. Serial # SGM 186XXX (Pre 1960?)
4. Engine - Continental Z-134 ser # 677??? (paint covered). 5. Engine, frame castings and serial # plates indicate "Massey Harris Furgusson" or "MHF"
6. Dashboard sheetmetal seems consistant with MF-35 Deluxe. Though "Tractormeter" is missing and its' hole is covered witha metalic plate screwed into place. Are replacement tractormeters available??
7. Transmission - 3 speed + reverse with High -Low. 8. dual stage clutch (dissengages trans. then pto)

If any one can help with accurate Year and model identification of theis tractor I'd appreciate it.

Additionally :does yellow paint job indicate it was a non standard tractor or just that the original buyer had large contract order??

Thanks Craig in Colorado

Checking YT mags website serial # lists indicates that this tractor (sn -186XXX) was manufactured prior to the total name change to "Massey Ferguson". The Ferguson serial # list indicates that my tractor is a 1959 TO-35 Special (serial # range begins at 185504).. My understanding from some of your postings is that 1959 was a time when Ferguson & Massey Harris were in the transition towards 1 company... This would help explain the Massey-Harris-Ferguson stampings on serial # plates and iron castings.

If anyone has more to add I'll keep reading. Also I'm curious about the difference between Deluxe & Special versions.

Thanks again one and all!!

Craig in Colorado

My research data indicate that this is a 1958 TO-35 Deluxe. The company would paint the tractors any color you wanted if you placed a multi-tractor order. There were many TO-35s sold with yellow colors to highway departments, etc.

The Continental Z134 engine SN is also consistent with a production year of 1958.

The fact that the tractor may have been built with M-H-F casting logos after the company name was changed to MF is not unusual as there were large stocks of TO-35s that were unsold in 1957 and many of these parts were used in the 1958 production runs.

Yes, tractormeters with the Ferguson logo on them are now available for the TO-35.

Issue #5 of Ferguson Furrows is devoted almost exclusively to the transition from the TO-35 to the MF 35. Back issues are available for $2.50 from me.

Paul H. Nelson
Editor
Ferguson Furrows
PO Box 3029
Chino Valley, AZ 86323

I would be very intrested to get your back copy no.5. It would sure go a long way to help fill in a few areas on the change over from TO to MF, could you email me to arrange to get a copy to me over here in England.

Bob

To start with, is the serial no. at the top or bottom of the plate, If it is at the top the s/n would start TO**** which would be a TO 35 but I do not think it is. If the s/n is at the bottom of the plate does it have above the s/n the words FE 35 or MF 35?
The SGM before the s/n was used on all Britsh built FE 35/MF 35 tractors and represent a code for the following
S = Normal chassis
G = Petrol engine 6:1
M = Dual clutch
If the tractor was built as an industrial tractor the letter J would be in place of the S
The s/n would be correct for a 1960 built FE/MF 35
The engine s/n is correct for around 1960 and both the Perkins and Continental engines were fitted for export.

So were does that leave it?

I would say on the info you have supplied and the records I have, that it is a British built MF 35 fitted with a Continental engine and exported to the USA in 1960 as an agricultrial tractor, and that it has been converted to the industrial version that you have now.

I hope this is of use to you and if I can be of further help just e-mail me.

BOB UK
England

PS:Let me take this opportunity to THANK BIG DEAN for all the help he has given me in the past!!!!! !!!!

I was figuring my machine is a Fergusson '58 or '59 To-35 (Deluxe?) as you've suggested, but am still confused by all of the "MHF" and "Massey Harris Furgusson" references on this tractor. Was this at a time when Massey & Furgusson were comming together. Also, any idea on how different the MF-35 and the Fergusson TO-35 are? Should I throw out all Massey op. manuals etc.. or are they essentially the same. (Massey manual seems to describe my machine)

I'm hoping it's a same machine different name & age.

Thanks Craig in Colorado

Somewhere (I can't remember where!) I found serial number ranges for TO and MF 35 tractors. The following numbers were given as first in each series:
1958 Gas Deluxe - 178216
1958 Gas Special - 183348
1959 Gas Deluxe - 188851
1959 Gas Special - 185504

1958 Diesel - 180742
1959 Diesel - 187719

Mine is a '57 TO35 (177XXX), and it has a 2-stage clutch as well. From what i've read, this is after Ferguson merged with Massey-Harris, but before changing the company name to Massey-Ferguson. Hence the M-H-F markings. I've read that the differences between the TO35 and MF35 are cosmetic for the most part, and manuals for either should work. I'm guessing that yours has the 134 Continental engine. Good luck with your tractor!

Mike.

Thanks for the information so far!

Based on the serial #'s posted mine falls into the 1959 TO-35 gas "Special" category. Any informatin on what a "Special" is compaired to "Deluxe"??

Craig In Colorado