Advice

[Phil24]

Hi all.

I am after some advice. I currently have a Mf35 4 cylinder diesel which I use for work purposes. I would like to upgrade to something a bit more powerful but the concern is the gross weight of the tractor. It has to go on a car transporter and ideally I’d like the weight to be roughly the same 1.5t if push comes to shove I could go to 2t but any heavier and I won’t be able to take the heavy implements. I’m not sure what comes after the 35s. I know theres a 135 but I think it has the same horse power as 35.

any suggestions?

 

[Hair Bear]

According to Tractor data a 240 is about 46hp and upward of 1.8t in 2wd.
A 250 is around 2.1t as is a 550.
If you like the MF 'roots', have you looked at Tafe?

 

[H200GT]

As you say, 135 would be the natural upgrade, but the 3 pot 35's would also give more HP and be more lively, especially the 35x.

A 65 would be a heavier and more powerful tractor and would handle bigger implements, but they come in at 2t

 

[Phil24]

According to Tractor data a 240 is about 46hp and upward of 1.8t in 2wd.
A 250 is around 2.1t as is a 550.
If you like the MF 'roots', have you looked at Tafe?

What’s tafe? Not heard of them.

 

[Hair Bear]

Link here...

Low Cost, Small Commercial TAFE Tractors - Tractors UK

Tractors UK supply low cost, small commercial TAFE tractors, attachments, implements and spare parts. Ideal for equestrian and agricultural use.

www.tractorsuk.co.uk

 

[Phil24]

As you say, 135 would be the natural upgrade, but the 3 pot 35's would also give more HP and be more lively, especially the 35x.

A 65 would be a heavier and more powerful tractor and would handle bigger implements, but they come in at 2t

I thought the 35 4 cyl diesel was the most powerful 35 or have I got my figures wrong.

yea true maybe a 65 would be the next best one.

 

[Hair Bear]

The 65 is a nice machine but is a physically larger creature which may not fit your transporter.
A 3 cyl 35X definitely has more 'zip' to it than the 23c 4 cyl. I couldn't quote the figures though.

 

[Sharpy]

Firstly a 4 cylinder 35 is about 38 hp (as is a 3 cylinder 35, a 35x is 44hp) so a 35x or 135 (45hp iirc) would be a 15% increase in power, if thats not enough a slightly off the wall suggestion would be to turbo a 135.

 

[H200GT]

I thought the 35 4 cyl diesel was the most powerful 35 or have I got my figures wrong.

yea true maybe a 65 would be the next best one.

Not 100% sure on figures but the 4 cyl would be the least powerful version, but also a lot less lively.
4 cyl is circa 39hp
3 cyl Perkins 40hp
3 cyl Perkins 35x 45hp

I have a soft spot for a 4cyl, but having driven all 3 over the years there is no doubt the Perkins engined versions outperform the standard 4cyl in every way.

 

[Phil24]

Firstly a 4 cylinder 35 is about 38 hp (as is a 3 cylinder 35, a 35x is 44hp) so a 35x or 135 (45hp iirc) would be a 15% increase in power, if thats not enough a slightly off the wall suggestion would be to turbo a 135.

Really can that be done? A turbo? I was looking at a 135 originally but didn’t t think it would be powerful enough. Reason I’m looking is I have to keep rebuilding my 35 every couple of years because I’m doing way too much work for it.

 

[Phil24]

Not 100% sure on figures but the 4 cyl would be the least powerful version, but also a lot less lively.
4 cyl is circa 39hp
3 cyl Perkins 40hp
3 cyl Perkins 35x 45hp

I have a soft spot for a 4cyl, but having driven all 3 over the years there is no doubt the Perkins engined versions outperform the standard 4cyl in every way.

Yea me too. I’ve got two of them. So maybe a 135 would be a good upgrade

 

[Sharpy]

Really can that be done? A turbo? I was looking at a 135 originally but didn’t t think it would be powerful enough. Reason I’m looking is I have to keep rebuilding my 35 every couple of years because I’m doing way too much work for it.

I think massey turboed some of the industrial models, did see a 135 turboed years ago that was used to pull a 10t(?) grain trailer to a mill. They said it was successful but probably should just have bought a bigger tractor with better brakes......
Ps, the 3 cylinder perkins is a much tougher and more durable engine than the standard 4 cylinder every was or could be.

 

[Hair Bear]

Yea me too. I’ve got two of them. So maybe a 135 would be a good upgrade

Or a 148 perhaps.

 

[betweenthelines]

The 65 is a nice machine but is a physically larger creature which may not fit your transporter.
A 3 cyl 35X definitely has more 'zip' to it than the 23c 4 cyl. I couldn't quote the figures though.

MF65 has pee poor brakes, stopping distance about 25 yards! Wet brake 165 would be about the same weight.

 

[two-cylinder]

Not 100% sure on figures but the 4 cyl would be the least powerful version, but also a lot less lively.
4 cyl is circa 39hp
3 cyl Perkins 40hp
3 cyl Perkins 35x 45hp

I have a soft spot for a 4cyl, but having driven all 3 over the years there is no doubt the Perkins engined versions outperform the standard 4cyl in every way.

Not quite, a good condition 4cyl is equally as good as a 3cyl, the 4cyl has great low down torque

 

[FonterraFarmer]

What’s tafe? Not heard of them.

Tafe, basically MF made under licence in India.
MF is now,a part of AGCO.

 

[Exfarmer]

Your answer is to buy a David Brown 780. under 1600 Kg and 46hp with 43 at the PTO
it will be cheaper than any similar MF tractor and superior in many ways particularly fuel consumption.
just be sure the hydraulics work properly before you buy it as they can be an issue

 

[Still Farming]

What’s tafe? Not heard of them.

Parent indian company lady owner got a BIG share in MF

 

[colhonk]

As said above,,,,,,,,,,,,,a 148, has a massive 2 1/2 hp more than the 135 so has stronger diff and halfshafts to cope with all the extra power.
or a 250 == newer 148.

 

[Hair Bear]

An extra 2 1/2 is still more - ask your Mrs.