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135 unique?

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135 fan

10-02-2006 16:59:19

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I have an interesting 135. It is an early uk model with the perkins diesel and multi-power. It has a couple oddities. According to one parts book power steering was not available on all models. Is this correct? It had no lights in the grill but were mounted on wing like mounts on what appear to be us model fenders. Has anyone heard of this? Other than that it has every option; suspension seat, differential lock and multi-power. The MF dealer said the uk models were only brought over to keep up with demand. I think I have a half UK and half US tractor. It even had one US tire and one Great Britain rear tire. Also I,m wondering if the power steering conversion kits are good. From what I've read I might be better off with manual steering but I have a loader and adapted a cab off of an MF20 industrial. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Dave

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GaryF

10-03-2006 17:12:10

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to 135 fan, 10-02-2006 16:59:19

I have seen 2 Early UK 135's with sweptback axle and PS. They had 2 hydraulic cylinders. 1 on each side. One at an auction and another in for service at a local shop. I was told the latter Powersteering on the UK's was stronger(axle) and better suited for loader work.

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DavidP, South Wales

10-03-2006 03:33:30

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to 135 fan, 10-02-2006 16:59:19

Hi all, thought that tractor looked familiar JJ.
Power steering was not available on the earlier (UK) models fitted with the Burman manual steering box. There were problems with adjusting the track with the swept axle and steering rams. As JJ says it was only with the introduction of the straight axle that PAS became available on the 135.
A grill without lamps is mentioned in my UK parts book and suggests that the tractor was destined for North America or other markets. Do you have extended fenders that go down to wider footplates?
As to a PAS conversion it may depend on which type of steering box is fitted. UK models have the Burman type with a shaft and drop arm on each side of the box forming part of the rocker mechanism. I believe that NA tractors had a rack and pinion box which may be easier to fit PAS to.
Any benefit from PAS will depend on the condition of the box and the rest of the system, ball joints etc. Is there any play between the drop arms from the box (usually wheel shimmy on the road). Are the thrust bearings OK (no big gaps under the front steering arms? Is there wear in the axle pivot pin and bush? If your steering is in good condition and you are not planning any really heavy loader work, then the manual system might be best left as it is.
DavidP

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GaryF

10-03-2006 19:41:07

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to DavidP, South Wales, 10-03-2006 03:33:30

David...I belive all NA 135's were fitted with a similar steering box as the UK Models (drop arms both sides) There were 2 types of PA steering(NA machines). One type that LOOKED similar to the UK models available on the Orchard MF135 and Industrial MF2135 and MF20 (early) fixed axle models (front cylinders). The control valve was integral to the steering column and used a similar pump(perkins engine) as the UK model. The second type of PA steering utilized a single(large) hydraulic cylinder located on top of the steering sector gears and using a rack assembly acted directly on the gears. This 2nd type of PA steering also used the same control valve as the other(Orchard MF135,MF20 and MF2135 Industrials). To further confuse things there were MF20s used at Golf Courses or for Highway grass cutting that had the 2nd type of PA steering with adjustable swept back axle. There may have been MF2135's that used that type but I have not seen them...yet!
Here in Canada the UK model 135's came with the lights on the grill. However many owners over the years changed a mangled UK grill for the NA part. The biggest Giveaway for the UK model is the location of the 135 badges and the alternator/starter/wiring system. Lucas vs Delco
GaryF

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JJ. in B.C.

10-04-2006 21:32:07

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to GaryF, 10-03-2006 19:41:07

Gary, While it is possible that you know more about add on Power steering kits for the 135 UK's than i, i can assure you that all 135 UK's did not come into Canada with lights in the grill. A good number of the early ones were imported with the shell fender light configuration. Mine is a prime example, and not the result of a "mangled" one having been replaced. I personally know of 3 others in our area and cannot believe they were only imported into BC. JJ.

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135 Fan

10-05-2006 09:48:51

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to JJ. in B.C., 10-04-2006 21:32:07

JJ what is the serial number of your 135? Also on my tag it says made in England FOR Massey Ferguson Coventry LTD. Does your tractor say this? I'm wondering if other factories built some of the tractors for Massey. I think you are correct about the lights. Are your lights the original ones? I heard that the UK tractors were only brought over because US production couldn't keep up with demand. Maybe some were shipped without fenders and US fenders put on here? I also had a toolbox that sat on the axle and bolted on with the fender bolts. As far as the power steering, I have seen some that were in the steering box and some that used two small cylinders on the axle itself. I think the latter were on the 1971 and up UK with straight axle. My tractor even has the deluxe remote hydraulic valve with a bunch of adjustments. It is a little complicated to get used to but is simple once you figure out how it works. I think on very early models power steering wasn't available because my tractor appears to have every other available option. My manual that I ordered from MF does not show any power steering and it is for a UK model. I guess when they build several hundred thousand tractors there can be some variation. People on this forum are very knowledgable. Thanks Dave

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JJ. in B.C.

10-05-2006 17:23:02

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to 135 Fan, 10-05-2006 09:48:51

Hi Dave, my serial# is 3810 the 68th one after yours, this makes them early 1965 models. It is my understanding that all the 135s sent to N.A. were built at the Banner Lane factory in Coventry. England. MF exported thousands of tractors to N.A. and the 100 series were merely a follow up to very popular 35s. My lights are original but not the lenses. My 66' manual does not show PS available but my 69'/70' manual does. Here is another pic with a better view of the lights and tool box etc.

Regards, JJ.

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135 fan

10-05-2006 22:12:51

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to JJ. in B.C., 10-05-2006 17:23:02

Thanks for responding. My aux. hyd., toolbox and rear light were on the opposite side from yours. My lights look like older 35 lights. They sit on wing shaped brackets and swivel in all directions. They also sit a little lower. I bought a spare sealed beam to fit my brackets. A ring fits around the light in a groove in the pod. I guess all the UK models say made for MF. My casting number on the oil pan is 9 12 64. Is yours close? The generator also says 64. Maybe one of the first batches was made for Canada since MF was based here. The manual I got is a reprinted 6 65 manual. It shows very small lights on the fenders. I'll see if I can get a picture of my tractor with the cab and loader on here. Are your aux. hydraulics factory? Later Dave

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135 fan

10-03-2006 22:01:24

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to GaryF, 10-03-2006 19:41:07

My tractor is just like the one pictured and it is also the same in the UK operators manual I purchased. I think it is correct that some of the export UK models came without lights in the grill. I know my tractor was built in Coventry. The UK models also have a battery door and fuel door on the hood. They also have a hole in the cowl under the grill that looks like it's for a crank like on older tractors. It's probably for a front mount hyd. pump shaft. My tractor had two front and one rear light with a plug in for additional lights for an implement or something. My lights look like the lights used on earlier 35 tractors. The power steering kit I think uses the original steering box to operate the steering valve and uses one or two cylinders and different drag links. They also make kits for Ford tractors. I was curious if anyone has any experience with these aftermarket kits? Yesterdays tractor also has them and they require some welding of brackets which I can do as I am a welder. I don't use the loader much but it still adds weight on the front end. I've read that the power steering on 135's can be problematic but better than on 235's. 245's with hydrostatic steering were better. Thanks for all the responses. P.S. Does any one know the production numbers for French or American 135's? UK is easy to figure out because they had two sets of sequential numbers. I am curious how many 135's were built in total. Thanks again Dave in Alberta

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GaryF

10-04-2006 05:31:41

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to 135 fan, 10-03-2006 22:01:24

Dave the add on kits that are commonly for sale nowdays are a light duty unit. I doubt they would be recommended for loader type work(if that's your intention). I think you must also remove the drag link on the right side which long term may cause some uneven wear issues inside the steering box. Jacksons have a unit designed for the Fords that looks like their originals(Fords)using two cylinders. I don't think it can be used on the MF's.
Sorry I don't know anything about production #'s. However I am looking for a SN plate for a late production MF135 Orchard!I doubt they used a different SN sequence.
GaryF in Ontario

Jacksons

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135 fan

10-04-2006 09:47:33

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to GaryF, 10-04-2006 05:31:41

That Jackson looks like a good unit. Thanks for the info. I'll try to get in touch with them and also try to find out if the other kits are similar. I don't do a lot of loader work but having the loader on makes the steering harder.

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JJ. in B.C.

10-02-2006 20:32:07

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to 135 fan, 10-02-2006 16:59:19

Hi, i don't know about "unique", a large number were imported from the UK into Canada with the lights on the clam shell type fenders. Multi-power was an option. You say yours is an early model so probably has the swept back front axle, as far as i know PS wasn't available until the straight axles came out in about 1970. PS could be a challenge to adapt to the earlier ones, $$$. I have a 65' 135 UK with the AD3 152.

JJ.

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135 fan

10-03-2006 09:37:39

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to JJ. in B.C., 10-02-2006 20:32:07

Wow. Thanks for the quick responses. You guys know a lot more than the dealers! We've had the tractor since about 1980 and have fixed all the common things that go wrong. The dealers couldn't even find out what year it was. I found a wealth of info just recently on the web. My tractor is identical to the picture so I guess it's not that unique. I had read about export models without lights. My serial # is F 3742 and 9 12 64 on the oil pan making it one of the earliest. Is the F before the serial number common? I read that the F stands for multi-power pump. Is this correct? I was looking into power steering kits available from Hy-Capacity. Around $900. Adapting original would be difficult and expensive. In the early 80's I found a cab off an MF 20 industrial that was on an american 135. I bought the cab for $250 and my fenders. The cab is a sims and needed some work but is a good cab. I had to modify my 3 pt. linkage so the top link wouldn't hit the back of the cab after I straightened it. Unknown to me at the time the floor boards on a UK 135 are 3 inches lower than on an American model. I also found a used allied 350 loader that was like new. I used to have a pamphlet for allied and easy-on loaders and they both showed a 135. 135's are legendary tractors for good reason. I read also that the 3 cylinder perkins is the most popular tractor engine ever used. For people that don't think Massey tractors are any good and you need one with expensive green paint, My 40+ year old 135 still has a superior 3 pt. hitch and is way more fuel efficient even than new JD's. I plan on restoring it someday but with only 4300 or so hours it might not be for another 40 years.

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Gerald J.

10-02-2006 21:23:43

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to JJ. in B.C., 10-02-2006 20:32:07

My '68 135 has factory power steering. I've the previous model 35's with power steering. Adapting needs lots of parts that may be hard to find. The power steering cylinder runs a rack against the top gear in the steering gear box and is controlled by a valve on the steering wheel shaft that works on a bit of endplay in that shaft.

Gerald J.

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135 fan

10-03-2006 09:56:41

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Re: 135 unique? in reply to Gerald J., 10-02-2006 21:23:43

I looked at the picture again. My lights are slightly different. Everything in my steering linkage seems tight. The axle pin was replaced and new bushings were put on both sides of the axle. Thanks again for all the info. Dave

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