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Hi Scott - The 35 and 135 are basically the same tractor. The 135 has more stylish tin, a somewhat upgraded 3-point with constant pumping, and a slightly newer engine in the Perkins diesel (direct injection rather than regular injection - 2 - 3 more hp and a bit easier starting), none of which help you much in your proposed applications. The 135 has a slightly stronger front end, but if you keep the bucket on the loader small and load under 500 lb, you won't need power steering and the tractor will handle the load without strain or front end damage. Watch those hillsides, though, with the loader! You might consider widening the wheel spacing and loading the rear tires for added stability. The Perkins A3 and AD3 are still among the most fuel-efficient engines running, parts for both engine and chassis are readily available, and cheaper than most because of the numbers of the tractors still around. The tractors have their quirks (fuel leaks, gearshift locking, water in the transmission) but they are easy to repair, and there's a wealth of helpful info available from the folks here on this website! Look for a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel engine and a two stage clutch (this gives you a live PTO; third letter M rather than F on the serial number tag - if indeed it's still in place). The 4 cylinder Standard was also a good engine, but hard to start, and some parts are getting scarce. A differential lock can be helpful, but may be stripped from improper operation. Don't know how you zeroed in on the MF as your choice, but it's a good decision. I had the same good luck over 25 years ago, and never looked back. My first 35 fitted like a tailor-made suit! We're now running nearly a dozen - 35 through 30 industrial, and they've all proven solid, although the larger units have nowhere near the simplicity of the 40-year-old basic 35. In my humble opinion, the 35 is one of the world's truly GREAT tractors.
Good luck!
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