FEL Questions for MF 135 (1970)

DeerNightmare · Jun 1, 2017

First Time Owner of a tractor. Have a MF 135 (1970) so we're requesting patience with any questions or assistance. Tractor has a Perkins Gas - 3 cyl with PTO and P.Steering.

What brand and model # of FEL's will fit on my tractor without having to incur a lot of extra fabrication and retrofitting costs to the tractor, itself?

Where (up front) would an auxiliary pump for the loader typically be mounted so it can run off the crankshaft?

Thx.

old · Jun 1, 2017

Most loader come with the mount place on the frame of the loader. But you will be likely to need to replace the crank shaft pulley with one that is drilled and tapped for the drive hub for the drive of the pump.

nrowles · Jun 1, 2017

I put a Davis 102 loader on mine. It's an old heavy loader. Run it off crankshaft and it works well. Had to rebuild bucket and put new valve on.

Adirondack case guy · Jun 1, 2017

You are barking up a mighty tall tree, expecting to fine a loader to bolt directly onto your 47 year old tractor. No companies build new ones that will. You better be prepared to fabricate, or have someone who can adapt something that will work on your tractor.
Sounds to me that if you needed a loader, you should have bought a newer tractor that already has a working loader on it.
Good luck trying to fine something that will suit your needs.
Loren

FLOLDFORD · Jun 1, 2017

Like Loren said finding a loader that will bolt right up is going to be hard to do. I've mounted a few loaders to different tractors over the years even one off of a
Kubota onto a 4000 Ford but it always takes quite a bit of fabrication work to make one fit and I have a large overhead hoist in my shop that makes it a lot easier as far
as holding a loader up so you can figure out where the brackets need to be. If you can't do the fab work yourself paying some one is going to very expensive very fast. If
you're just trying to move some dirt around a 3 point scoop and a box blade will do the same thing just a little slower but not near as expensive.

MKinON · Jun 1, 2017

Something off another old MF 35, 135, or similar industrial such as an Mf 30 or 40. I think the older loader models are 100, 200 and then newer would be a 32 or 34.

504 · Jun 1, 2017

Your best bet will be a salvage yard, the loaders from industrials will be worn, but they will use the front mount pump & be a bolt on.

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

Thx, helpful and to the point.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 2, 2017

King,
I grew up on a dairy farm, 1957-67. The only loader we had was a pipe loader on a Farmall H. I learned what I didn't want in a loader.

I'm with you, buy a tractor with a loader from factory. Buying something old, will be a rabbit hole you will be going down, leaky hose, controls, and cylinders, pumps.

I would suggest buying a backhoe instead of just a FEL. Factory backhoes are designed to have a greater lifting capacity that an add on FEL.
Your Knight in bibs.

nrowles · Jun 2, 2017

Like I said earlier in this thread, I put a Davis 100 series on my MF135. I got it from a guy that took it off his MF30. All of the mounts were exactly the same and it came with all parts including the front mount pump. Even with the mounts being exact, it took 3 attempts to get it mounted. Be patient and think it through. I tried to keep as much of it together as I could and that's why it took 3 attempts with one putting a hole in the radiator. Ended up having to remove mounting brackets, foot rest, etc, etc, etc to make it work. I now have it all together and working good but at the time it was very frustrating. I have about $1,000 in the loader including bucket rebuild and new control valve (hoses are good, cylinders don't leak and pump works well) so it was worth it.

Something you definitely don't want to do is buy a loader that is not meant to fit the MF135 and/or doesn't have the mounting brackets. Unless you are a master fabricator, thinking you will get any loader to fit is a wish. Best bet is to get the 32/34 model that is quick attach and much easier to work with.

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

nrolwes -- thx for the good advise. Buying the 1970 tractor was from the man who owns his own grading and trucking business. It's his personal unit that has a new clutch, brakes, hoses, fluids, etc. He has done grading work for me and will also be doing septic fields/tank on my retirement home. All said, tractor is in good condition because of our working relationship.

I'll have him install if I can find the right FEL model to fit the unit. Your info on MF and Davis units was most helpful. Will a Davis 102 unit work as there's one for sale that I've found recently??

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 2, 2017

Your best bet is to ask the person who is selling the loader, what model tractor it came off of. That person should know. If they don't, either walk away or take a chance, your choice.

If it did not come off of any of the tractor models mentioned above, it will not be a bolt-on fit.

nrowles · Jun 2, 2017

(quoted from post at 06:25:38 06/02/17)
Will a Davis 102 unit work as there's one for sale that I've found recently??

Davis 102 is the exact loader I put on my MF135. One thing to keep in mind is it is unlikely the hood will go back on 100% the way it did before. I have it "rigged" a bit, but it is very solid the way I have it. The loader frame is about 1/2" less width than the hood so you have to somewhat pound it down in, unfortunately. At least that's the way mine is. Also, the hood doesn't raise the entire way because hoses are in the way. I have to use a block to hold the hood up.

Here are some tips.

Remove hood/bonnet.

Remove fenders.

Remove front mounting bracket.

Remove foot rest. If I remember correctly driver side only.

Move front wheels (slide axle) in as far as they go.

That should get you a lot closer than I was when I started.

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

BarnyardEngineering -- thx for your advise. I'm known to be quick to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right before a dollar is pulled from my pocket.

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

nrowles -- thx for the steps; most helpful in the learning process of this project.

Most of the work to be done with the FEL is small pine tree pushover and root removal for food plot preparation. All trees are less that 2.5 in diameters.

We have a box blade but thought the FEL would be overall easier way to clear areas and remove these small trees and roots in preparing the land for plowing / tillage/ planting.

nrowles · Jun 2, 2017

The Davis 102 makes the rear extremely light. For that work I'd get 1,000 lbs hanging off the back. Are tires filled?

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

Sorry -- "filled"?

nrowles · Jun 2, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:23:06 06/02/17)
Sorry -- "filled"?

Fluid for weight/traction. Calcium. Washer fluid. Beet juice. Antifreeze.

DeerNightmare · Jun 2, 2017

Thx, understood; answer = no will do so.

rustyacres sd · Jun 2, 2017

If yours has true power steering (cylinders to help turn) or the power assist, with a pump and the power steering in the steering column. Mine had the power assist and a front end loader is really hard on the steering.

ptfarmer · Jun 2, 2017

For removing small trees, and stumps you maybe be better off with renting, or barrowing a backhoe, or a skid steer with a stump bucket (depending on how much land you are clearing). Having only the rear wheels driving with a FEL it won't dig hard ground very good which is why you see new tractors that come with a FEL on them also have 4 wheel drive. If you plan on using the FEL for other things in the future get it, if you don't need it after clearing your land I would go with the backhoe, or skid steer as I suggested earlier.

FEL Questions for MF 135 (1970)

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