The Massey Ferguson 135 is one of (if not THE) best tractor Massey ever made, with one important point: be sure you get the right engine.
Did you know that my dad was a Massey Ferguson dealer when I was younger? One year, his dealership sold more compact Massey tractors than any other dealer in the region! Needless to say, I grew up with a healthy appreciation for the brand. My family was proud to sell their newer equipment, but today I’m focusing on one of their old standards: the Massey Ferguson 135.
The 135 was made for 11 years, from 1964 to 1975. In the last year of production, the selling price was $4,385. Today, they are still affordable tractors – some of the best value you can get in the 30-40 horsepower range.
The MF 135 was offered with either a gas Continental engine or a Perkins engine that was offered in either gas or diesel. The engine choice makes all the difference in the world!
I’m not a fan of the Continental gas engine, to say the least. This particular model (either a Z-134 or a Z-145) was a wet sleeved engine. It has a weak valve train and is expensive to fix.
If you’re in the market for a MF 135, choose the Perkins option! The 3-cylinder Perkins engine is fabulous. It’s fuel efficient, highly reliable, and runs like a dream. It is easy and inexpensive to rebuild: everything you could want.
As long as you get a Perkins model, I highly recommend this tractor! The MF 135 came loaded with options, including live power, hi-lo transmission, multi-power, power steering, and spin out rims. Tractors with combinations of these options are even more desirable and fun to work with.
Out of all the Massey Ferguson tractors, the model 135 is my favorite. How about you? Does the MF 135 win first place on your list, or do you prefer a different model? Let me know in the comments below!