HP

What hp is a massey 135 tractor. I see in here they are in the up to 50hp category.

It's ok, found it 45.5hp

And whats more it a proper 45 hp at 2000 rpm with a virtually flat torque curve. A different 45 to a smaller capacity tractors 45 at 2600 or so. A lot of black smoke but a really honest 45.

Wanting something to top my paddocks. Have been using a TEA 20 for the last 18years but she's decided to retire. Turns over ok but won't start. Put new generator, starter motor, coil, electronic distributor, leads, plugs, new fan belt but alas have found water in the oil. Might have to put it on here for someone to use as a project. She used to struggle a bit at times so hence going for something with a bit more hp. Anybody suggest anything else. Only used for topping.

Massey Ferguson 35X (same 3 cylinder diesel Perkins). Avoid the 4 cylinder diesel Massey 35. A 4 cylinder petrol 35 or 135 will have little more power than the TEA, but will have lower first gear for when the going gets tough.

International B-275, 414 or 434, 4 cylinder petrol or diesels but diesels can't be tired in the motor or will need ether to start.

Ford 2000 or 3000 3 cylinder petrol or diesels.

Avoid 315 and 415 diesel Fiats, 450's, 500's and 550's OK

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Thanks. I would prefer a petrol 'something' easier to maintain

No maintenance issues with the 3 cylinder Perkins diesel in the 135 or 35X. All they demand is clean fuel and they will go for ever. This is why their second-hand value is so high.

Yes, they do seem to hold their price. I'm not familiar with diesel engines, never owned anything diesel.

And especially avoid the Comrade built 'Universal' versions of the Fiats.

After driving all the latest and greatest new tractors I can certainly appreciate the old tractors now.
The new ones seem to have no torque reserve, and automatic and CVT transmissions are rubbish too.
Place I work for now has given me an old (early 90s) Case Magnum to drive and it pulls so much better than the new tractors we have of the same HP.
Everyone actually prefers the old tractors to the brand new ones we have even.

bollox, mine has been wickedly abused by previous owners and still pulls like a schoolboy.

3 cylinder perkins probably the best diesel ever made

If I was to purchase a diesel privately I would need someone with a bit of knowledge to have a look with me.

lol - The one I had apart had a stuffed gearbox, and a split bearing inner race from being forced on an oversize shaft by Ivans 100T press.

Just been and had a look at a McCormick 40hp diesel. Not sure of the age, tried to look for one on here to compare but found nothing. Been sitting around for a while. Started first pop ran good. Will come with a full service and delivery to site. Happy to trade the fergie. Looking at $4,500. Any comments appreciated.

McCormick International

Dear enough for a 414 or 434, but they were sound simple old tractors. Walk away if it needs ether for a cold start, this is one way engine wear will manifest itself. They broke the occasional crankshaft, but unusual. No power steer unless retro-fitted. Front axle assembly bit fragile for front-end loader use.

$4.5k seems a bit cheap for a nice example of the next model, the 545. A much more modern tractor, power steer, synchromesh box and much better hydraulics. Gear linkages will always be floppy with age.

It's a 414. He hopped on it, pressed the 'warm up' button for a few seconds, started it and it burst into life first try. Could tell it hadn't been started for a while as he had to brush all the cobwebs off everything.

Not worried about power steer, been using the TEA for the last 18yrs. Also not wanting a front end loader. Only using it for pulling a topping mower.
When asked if anything had been done he mentioned something about working on linkages.

Tractor will only be used during spring to autumn. Only the odd run up during winter to keep things moving.

Even new ones used to require the glow plugs to be used for a cold start, so that's fine. If it is a nice tidy example, with no oil, fuel or water leaks, and sound tyres, go for it.

Around 1965

Buy a MF 35 petrol with dual clutch if you want something basic ,all parts still available aftermarket and second hand .They have hi low gearbox and live pto more use than a 4 wheeler and cheaper to maintain.Mf 35D perkins is different to a MF 135D perkins engine.135D is direct injection 35D is indirect injection all parts still available for both models , more parts for these than parts for old david browns,internationals and ford dextas ,2000,3000s etc,nothing wrong with the old universal 530 DTC plenty of them still going just a Romania copy of
the old fiats.Stay clear of small jap tractors parts expensive and some are already obsolete after 20 years .

Every english vehicle will leak oil ,the leaks were fitted at the factory ,car ,truck tractors they are all the same.

I feel a story coming on [beer talk]. dad had a 35 diesel 4 cylinder & never missed a beat but got smokey with old age. [this is.hell, 55 years ago?] he'd go to RSA & i'd wind out the stop screw on the throttle & go for a full lock power slide in the green grass before he go home lol, jeezyou couldn't do it nowdays or someone woul pot you to osh! --or dad! .
Anyway, poor old Fergy was given to someone local ^ replaced with a Perkins 35 & bugger me it broke a crank very soon after buying it & cost an arm & a leg to get rebuilt. He kept it for ever though after that. Funny think was the smokey 35 4 cylinder disel kept going for a long time as it was.
Nother story--135 my brother has now & only used to tidy the side of our country road [well it's his when it's going & mine when he breaks it], not a bad old thing but a few years ago when attempting to get the roadside into shape i was bouncing along over the tussocky stuff with a load of grass on the buckrake & BANG it hit the deck. Had stripped the splines in the cross shaft & went down in a heap. Was a pain for the uninitiated [me & wifey] to fix, trying to lift the lot out & back in--not doing that again thanks without lifting gear. Still going well for what it is. Well, Till brother wiped the manifold off when caught the exhaust on a tree lol. Not laughing as i had to fix it. Then recently i decided i had to fix the diesel leak from the pump thingy as had slowed the leak by various means for years. Needed o rings on the throttle shaft & stop shaft. Top off & all going well [$2 shop o rings lol] & practiced locating thibgs a few times when putting the lid on but bloodywell missed it on final assembly. started it & revs started to creep up so had the air filter disconnected at the inlet & not know F all about diesels i put my hand over it to choke it off [DON'T DO THAT] nearly lost my hand--ran & grabbed a flat piece of board--that stopped it whew--breath again. Assembled it right after that & all good still a year later.
Nother nother story--Mccormick W12 we had when i was young--when dad wasn't looking i could get the front wheels off the ground--big rev & drop the clutch lol.
Poor old 1926 Studebaker 6 Car cut down into a truck [ute] i mastered the 'art' of going down the paddock in the grass & could go from top gear into reverse without much fuss & come to a halt. Was showing my school mates but belting down the metal road & did that & the poor thing split the gearbox wide open--damn. but the neighbours over the next road had a spare box & was an easy swap. Ok--i should have been shot at dawn for a week! & you'd never get away with it nowdays but we survived. Sorry about the essay--& spelling.

Lol. Good story(s)

Bought an MF 135