Massey Ferguson 35 Restoration

[AyeCoff]

Hi All,

I have an old Massey Ferguson 35 with loader that was my late Grandfather's, which has sat under cover for many years. My impression is that its only a charged battery and fluid top up away from starting (has been used once every few years sporadically) but it looks like it could use some TLC. I have bought a wee bit of land and would love to use it for simple jobs around the place and was thinking that it might be worth sending it away to someone professional for an overhaul so we could get many more years out of it.

Can anyone recommend a company for this? For reference we are in the Highlands, but not averse to sending it further afield if this would make the difference. I would ask for a guess at the price of this but it probably depends on many factors like the current condition and standard they take it to.

Thanks in advance

 

[Netherfield]

@REStracTORATION

 

[Bluetex]

Have you not had it fired up , a mobile agricultural mechanic could get it checked and up and running in no time. If its got no oil leaks (said loosely) and the engine pressure is good after running for 20 minutes put it to work. Very simple machines but sending it away to someone can be expensive. Once its there they will want to fix every little thing lots of which are unnecessary. If on the other hand the oil pressure is low and it leaks lots of oil you wont have much choice.

 

[REStracTORATION]

@REStracTORATION

Thanks for the tag

 

[REStracTORATION]

Hi All,

I have an old Massey Ferguson 35 with loader that was my late Grandfather's, which has sat under cover for many years. My impression is that its only a charged battery and fluid top up away from starting (has been used once every few years sporadically) but it looks like it could use some TLC. I have bought a wee bit of land and would love to use it for simple jobs around the place and was thinking that it might be worth sending it away to someone professional for an overhaul so we could get many more years out of it.

Can anyone recommend a company for this? For reference we are in the Highlands, but not averse to sending it further afield if this would make the difference. I would ask for a guess at the price of this but it probably depends on many factors like the current condition and standard they take it to.

Thanks in advance

Hi great little tractor you have there
Just about anyone with a bit of knowledge on tractors can work on your model repairing the basics and getting them leak free ish
I restore tractors fulltime but our finished jobs are expensive I'm afraid they outweigh the value of the tractor, but if your never planning to sell it and require it to be A ok for the next 20+years then you get your investment back that way....

Have you any pictures
Local engineers will help you out if your just wanting it up and running and repaint

 

[adam_farming]

Hope you don't mind me joining in here. I have a similar situation here with a 35 which is run sporadically but the main problem is I believe the clutch is stuck on, or at least it was a couple of years ago when it was last run. If/when it does free up it can be very sticky making putting it back in what is quite a tight shed a tricky proposition! Any suggestions to try or things to have a look at first?

 

[Netherfield]

Hope you don't mind me joining in here. I have a similar situation here with a 35 which is run sporadically but the main problem is I believe the clutch is stuck on, or at least it was a couple of years ago when it was last run. If/when it does free up it can be very sticky making putting it back in what is quite a tight shed a tricky proposition! Any suggestions to try or things to have a look at first?

Clutch plate is stuck to the flywheel with rust, depends how bad it's got, sometimes driving down a hard surface road and ramming on the brakes jars them free, if it does sloipping the clutch a little can clean it up, drawback is it can also rip the the centre out of the clutch plate.
Real answer is the tractor needs splitting.

 

[adam_farming]

Clutch plate is stuck to the flywheel with rust, depends how bad it's got, sometimes driving down a hard surface road and ramming on the brakes jars them free, if it does sloipping the clutch a little can clean it up, drawback is it can also rip the the centre out of the clutch plate.
Real answer is the tractor needs splitting.

The last line is the bit I'm trying to avoid. It has been free in the last couple of years and it is stored inside so I'm hoping its just a case of more regular use, like a trip down the lane every week or two?

 

[AyeCoff]

Sorry, i forgot to update. I just sent it to the local tractor mechanics, they got her serviced, replaced a track rod end and shes been working away ever since. I think I agree that i wont get her fully restored due to the cost/return ratio. Has a few wee leaks but i have improvised a tray on the underside to catch it.

She turned 4 acres of hay 6 times this weekend, never missed a beat! I cant get over what a wee powerhouse the tractor is.

 

[spanners and hammers]

if it stands for a while always hold the clutch pedal down with a wooden block

 

[startinghandle]

You have a very tidy 3cyl there
I found out by chance how to fix engine oil leak on my dexta
I topped up with Fuchs HDX 30

 

[Tonym]

if it stands for a while always hold the clutch pedal down with a wooden block

Not a good idea as over time it will put pressure on the clutch springs and weaken them and next problem will be clutch slip.

 

[farmgineer]

Sorry, i forgot to update. I just sent it to the local tractor mechanics, they got her serviced, replaced a track rod end and shes been working away ever since. I think I agree that i wont get her fully restored due to the cost/return ratio. Has a few wee leaks but i have improvised a tray on the underside to catch it. View attachment 898810
She turned 4 acres of hay 6 times this weekend, never missed a beat! I cant get over what a wee powerhouse the tractor is.

Looking at the pic, you may actually devalue it by restoring it! What a little beauty, your grandad would be proud to see it still doing its job.

 

[startinghandle]

Looking at the pic, you may actually devalue it by restoring it! What a little beauty, your grandad would be proud to see it still doing its job.

I agree.
Was the cab removed to fit the loader?

 

[AyeCoff]

Not sure if it ever had one tbh but the loader mountings makes it a pretty interesting process for getting in and out so I imagine it wouldn’t work with a cab