Need advice on a MF135

I've found a 135 and I wanted to know what I should look for as potential problem areas on this machine.

This one has a 4 cylinder Continental gas engine and 8 speed transmission. Asking price is $4000.

Another friend just bought a 135 with 12 speed trans for $2400 and feels real fortunate to have found it for that price.

Tell me:
1. what problems should I look for that are specific to this machine

2. What is a fair price range for a good working machine that may need paint.

Thanks!

First, there is no tach....none. Not even an opening in the dash for a tach. Just ammeter and oil pressure.

Second, the pto is not live. I had read that all 135's had live pto.

Third, The transmission is a 6 speed (three x two) so whoever said the Continental was never matched to an 8 speed knows what he's talking about.

Fourth, I didn't like the action of the clutch. I could not shift from one gear to another unless I dropped the engine speed to idle. Same with the pto. Need adjustment maybe? Or just worn out? I posted a photo of the clutch linkage below.

On the plus side, the seller has not shot a load of paint on it to try to hide anything. The valve cover gasket seeps a little oil, but there are no leaks anywhere else.

The serial number is SGF-641019615 making it a 1964. So now my questions are:

1. Did the early 135's not have live pto?
2. Or is it the tractors with the 3x2 tranny that do not have live pto?
3. Why no tach? Is that a feature of the early models?

Here are some photos I took.

It is possible add an electronic tachometer and without the mechanical tach, its easier to convert the generator to an alternator (because the tach on the Continental is driven from a gear box on the back of the generator).

Those truck tires won't turn in dirt or on wet grass, they will just slide sideways.

Looking at my '68 owner's manual, the special doesn't have light for the gauges (that hasn't worked on mine for 20 years), doesn't have live pto or hydraulics, doesn't have the dual clutch, doesn't have the option for a differential lock, doesn't have a cushion seat, doesn't have power steering, has only the two gauges, has the smaller engine (shorter stroke, smaller bore), has the 6 speed transmissionas the only option and cost less to buy.

Gerald J.

Thanks for the insight and extra knowledge. Now I know how to ID a special. I will continue to look for a 135 with more bells & whistles.

I'm still cursing monomechanical for snagging that multipower 135 for only $2400. He lives not far from my office. I'll probably go see his tractor today at lunch time.

Maybe I'll offer him $3000!

MONO

Will bring it home around noon???? Or . . . we can meet at my place and go look at it: only a couple of miles away. I know where there are a few others, on the way. (Not for sale . . . . or are they???)

Mono

Could be that the clutch needs adjustment to get it to go into gear better, or the clutch could be getting down there. The best way to check is remove the inspection plate underneath and take a look up in there with a flashlite.

Otherwise I'd say it looks pretty clean and in pretty decent shape. Even with those fronts being old truck tires, they really don't look too bad compared to what I have seen on some tractors...

Donovan from Wisconsin

The major problem I've had was the rocker arms wore badly from lack of oil to the head. I also had to rebuild the power steering cylinder when the piston rod broke.

Other things have been minor. It works for me when I want it to work and sits peacefully otherwise.

Gerald J.

Now what do you think?