35 purchase?

[Bruce Covey]

I am a 49 8N owner, but need a bit more power and lower ground speed for tiller operation. Found a nice looking machine on TractorHouse that is located in TN near me. You can get basically anything for an 8N. Are parts as readily avail for the MF 35 ( 63 model ). Anything I sold especially consider before purchasing?
 

[Inno]

There are definitely a lot of parts available for the 35. I have a TO-35 as well as a 202 (industrial version of the 35) and I have had very few problems with sourcing parts. I just love 'em both, very handy tractors.
Click on the tractor parts link in the upper right hand corner of the screen and look under MF 35. You'll find most major parts you might need. There were a lot of 'em made so anything you can't find in the aftermarket you will probably be able to find used.
 

[Dean]

Most parts are available for the MF-35, especially if equipped with the Perkins diesel or the Continental gasoline engine, but do not expect the parts availability from either MF or, especially, aftermarket sources that your are used to for N series Fords. Most parts will be more expensive than similar parts for your 8N due to much lower manufacturing volumes.

There simply were far fewer M-35s made than N series Fords.

The 35 power steering system can be expensive to repair.

Optional Multi-Power systems are often non functional and are expensive to repair.

Dean
 

[Phil Tibbetts]

Never had any problems getting parts for a MF 135 or 35. Relatively few mechanical problems with them if maintained. A much better tractor than the Ford 8N. IMO
 

[Stick welding]

An MF35 and other derivatives with the same power train are just as common N series Fords with 100's of thousands produced. Parts are widely available from any number of suppliers including the MF dealer.
 

[Stick welding]

An MF35 and other derivatives with the same power train are just as common N series Fords with 100's of thousands produced. Parts are widely available from any number of suppliers including the MF dealer. The 35 to probably stay away from is the model with the 23C diesel engine. Acgo most likely has heritage parts that are quite reasonable.
 

[Stick welding]

Double posted again. Don't know why?
 

[Dean]

I've owned both and bought parts for both.

The availability of MF-35 parts simply does not compate to that of the ubiquitous 8N, though most commonly needed parts are available if somewhat more expensive than similar N series parts due mostly to lower manufacturing volumes.

I certainly agree that one should stay away from the Std Motors 4 cylinder diesel due to the availability of the Perkins diesel (and gasoline) engines.

Dean
 

[massey 333]

Just my opinon,find a Ford 660-860 or 01 model and if you need parts you will get the right parts 99% of the time.The MF 35s and 135s were built in so many overseas plants that didn't make the same tractor making your odds high of never getting the right parts.
 

[Jason S.]

MF 35 was one of the most popular tractors they ever produced. Not to mention several of the parts interchange with other models they produced. You shouldn't have any trouble finding parts for it, not to mention, in my dealings Massey has had better prices than CNH. I've got a Ferguson TO20 and I needed a new control valve for the hydraulic pump. Since the Ferguson 20's had the same control valve as the N series Ford I thought I would check with CNH. CNH was $132.00, Massey was $20.00!!! I don't even have to tell you who I bought it from do I?
 

[Dan S (NY)]

He mentions wanting to do tilling. Is 1st gear in the 5 speed Fords slow enough for tilling? I haven't yet found ground speeds listed per gear for the 5 speed trans for comparison. When I was looking at various tractors to buy awhile ago, I started building this chart from various sources to compare gearing options. Obviously, tire sizes would affect the values but I was just looking for a basic comparison of ground speed near PTO RPM engine speed.

Comparison of ground speed MPH at 1500 RPM
gear	Ford 9/2N	Ford 8N	Jubilee NAA	Ferguson TO20/TO30	Ferguson TO35/F40 Massey Ferguson MF35/MF50
1st	2.63	2.77	2.77	2.58	Low  .97   High 3.91
2nd	3.5	3.56	3.56	3.56	Low 1.46   High 5.86
3rd	8	4.9	4.9	4.9	Low 2.69   High 10.76
4th	---	10.23	10.23	10.24	---
5th	---	---	---	---	---
rev	2.87	4.55	3.2	2.98	Low 1.31   High 5.22

 

[Dan S (NY)]

Make sure it has the duel stage clutch. I personally would not want one with Multipower. I know some love it, but I don't need it and it may be the weakest link in the transmission if it has it.

I am currently working on two 35s (one gas, one Perkins diesel) and have never had a problem getting parts. Just about all parts where bought through various online sources. My experience with dealers (both Fords and MFs) has not been great. Either they don't know much/don't care about these 50-60 year old machines, or charge crazy prices (like $24 for the fuel inlet screen for the carb when TSC has it on the shelf for $4).

You don't really need power steering on a 35 as they are not a heavy tractor, unless you want a loader on it, however just about every part is available to rebuild the power steering box. Not a cheap project though, so if you are looking at a 35 with power steering make sure it works.
Inspect the hydraulic top cover under the seat and make sure there are no cracks caused by abuse or incorrectly adjusted hydraulics.

Dan
 

[Stick welding]

If you give the right information, you should get the right parts.
 

[Chip812]

I didn't see anybody mention this yet, so I'll throw it in. In regards to the "multi-power" that probably doesn't work (provided it is so equipped), it doesn't stop the tractor from being used. Mine is "broken" and the only difference I notice is that I don't get any engine braking when going down hill. Not a problem for me because I don't have many really big hills and my tractor has really good brakes and it will hold back some if you put it in a really low gear. So If the multi-power works or doesn't work, it doesn't really effect the tractor that much.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that mine has the 3-cyl Perkins. Really good engine in my opinion.