Help identifying my Ferguson 35-series tractor with Selene 4WD conversion

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

I recently started trying to identify an old Ferguson tractor that I just inherited here in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the original serial number plate is missing, so I’m having to work backwards from the engine, castings, drivetrain, and other details.

My current best guess is that the tractor is a late-1950s Ferguson TO-35 diesel, probably between 1958–1960. It appears to have the four-cylinder Standard 23C diesel engine, and several of the casting numbers I’ve found seem consistent with the Ferguson/Massey-Ferguson 35 family.

The part that really threw me off at first was that the tractor is four-wheel drive. I couldn’t find any evidence of a factory 4WD TO-35, but after looking more closely I found SELENE cast directly into the transfer case, so it appears to have a genuine period Selene 4WD conversion rather than a homemade modification.

I’d really appreciate any help from people familiar with these tractors or Selene conversions. Specifically I'd like to know more about identifying the exact Selene 4WD conversion or front axle type, where the most useful casting date codes and engine numbers are located, correct front and rear tire sizes for the 4WD gearing, anything I should inspect before attempting to operate the 4WD system, and any restoration advice, especially anything I should preserve rather than replace. Thanks in advance for any information. I’m hoping to document what I have before I start doing much restoration work, especially if some of the Selene components are difficult to replace.

 

[Jimmydog]

That there is a nice tractor. can't help you with 4wd part. I'm thinking maybe an industrial maybe something like an airport tug. If it is all factory original what a find. Keep us informed please.

 

[Jimmydog]

Oh yeah forgot, welcome aboard.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

Oh yeah forgot, welcome aboard.

Thank you!

 

[ss55]

I recently started trying to identify an old Ferguson tractor that I just inherited here in New Hampshire. Unfortunately, the original serial number plate is missing, so I’m having to work backwards from the engine, castings, drivetrain, and other details.

My current best guess is that the tractor is a late-1950s Ferguson TO-35 diesel, probably between 1958–1960. It appears to have the four-cylinder Standard 23C diesel engine, and several of the casting numbers I’ve found seem consistent with the Ferguson/Massey-Ferguson 35 family.

The part that really threw me off at first was that the tractor is four-wheel drive. I couldn’t find any evidence of a factory 4WD TO-35, but after looking more closely I found SELENE cast directly into the transfer case, so it appears to have a genuine period Selene 4WD conversion rather than a homemade modification.

I’d really appreciate any help from people familiar with these tractors or Selene conversions. Specifically I'd like to know more about identifying the exact Selene 4WD conversion or front axle type, where the most useful casting date codes and engine numbers are located, correct front and rear tire sizes for the 4WD gearing, anything I should inspect before attempting to operate the 4WD system, and any restoration advice, especially anything I should preserve rather than replace. Thanks in advance for any information. I’m hoping to document what I have before I start doing much restoration work, especially if some of the Selene components are difficult to replace.
View attachment 162579View attachment 162580View attachment 162581

Could the Selene four wheel drive be an aftermarket attachment?

Tractorbrochures.com/Selene

Take it to a few tractor shows, it should attract plenty of attention.

 

[Bob NY]

I did a Google search and found this.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

I did a Google search and found this.
View attachment 162587

Oh wow, I'll check that out. Multiple different spellings of "Selene" it looks like out there.

 

[showcrop]

Growing up in Lancaster NH our neighbor bought a new MF baler in 1963. I never knew of any MF dealer other than Desmarais Equipment in Orleans VT. so chances are your tractor came from them originally.

 

[Bob NY]

How close are you to the Quebec border? There is a very good chance that tractor was sold in Canada originally and migrated to New Hampshire.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

How close are you to the Quebec border? There is a very good chance that tractor was sold in Canada originally and migrated to New Hampshire.

I am less than an hour from the border so very possible. And as another member mentioned, the only MF dealer he knows of is between me and the border. I'll search for dealers north of the border.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

Growing up in Lancaster NH our neighbor bought a new MF baler in 1963. I never knew of any MF dealer other than Desmarais Equipment in Orleans VT. so chances are your tractor came from them originally.

I will look into that dealer and see if they are still there.

What a small world, are we neighbors? I looked at a few houses in Lancaster last year.

 

[JimB2]

Welcome to YT.
Question to operate in 4WD mode do you engage the PTO lever in the Ground Drive position?
I do remember those Ferguson/MF TO-35, 4 Cyl Diesel tractors, they were built in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
The neighbor's brother worked as a salesman for the local MF dealer and he would always demo the latest MF tractor at his brother's farm during corn chopping time.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

Welcome to YT.
Question to operate in 4WD mode do you engage the PTO lever in the Ground Drive position?
I do remember those Ferguson/MF TO-35, 4 Cyl Diesel tractors, they were built in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
The neighbor's brother worked as a salesman for the local MF dealer and he would always demo the latest MF tractor at his brother's farm during corn chopping time.

Thank you for the welcome!

I'm not sure on the operation of the 4WD yet. I'm trying to find out more information on that topic. There's a bunch of questions to answer like does the 4WD work in all 8 (6 forward and 2 reverse) speeds of the transmission? How does the dual stage clutch work in that situation? Pressing halfway down stops the rear axle motion HOWEVER, the front axle is driven from the rear PTO which would still be engaged???

Trial and error will probably be my best teacher but I am running out of time to get it operational for testing this season.

 

[JimB2]

MF TO-35 and MF 35 PTO Lever positions, read below, see description of PTO Lever Down Position.
The Two Stage Clutch, all the way down is to: 1)Engage or change position of PTO Lever or 2) STOP the PTO when in PTO Lever is in UP position.
Be very CAREFUL when using the PTO Lever in the Down Position (Ground PTO) with a PTO driven implement without an overrunning clutch as the tractor brakes have to stop the tractor plus any rotation of the PTO shaft caused by the implement. I learned this quickly when raking with a Ferguson 3Pt-PTO driven side delivery hay rake.

My thoughts are that the 4WD is active when the PTO Lever is in the Down Position - Ground Drive as in REV the PTO shaft will turn in REV.
That was one advantage of the Ground Drive option if you clogged a PTO hay conditioner, you could put the PTO Lever in Ground Drive and tractor in REV and PTO would turn in REV turning rollers on hay conditioner in opposite direction and hopefully unclogging the rollers.
Could be completely wrong though.


PTO Lever Positions & Functions:
Up Position (Engine PTO): Moves the lever all the way up. This links the PTO shaft directly to the engine's RPM. It is used for standard implements that require a consistent spin speed regardless of how fast the tractor travels, such as bush hogs, finish mowers, or post-hole diggers.
Middle Position (Neutral): The central detent slot. The internal gears spin freely, and no power is delivered to the rear PTO shaft.
Down Position (Ground PTO): Moves the lever all the way down. This links the PTO shaft's rotation directly to the rear wheels (the differential). The shaft turns one full revolution for roughly every 20 inches of forward or reverse ground travel, making it ideal for trailing implements like seeders or fertilizer spreaders.

For Ford 8N Tractor but same applies to MF TO-35 and 35 when using the PTO Lever in Down Position - Ground Drive
Crucial Safety Precaution
Because the PTO on the 8N is connected directly to the transmission, using heavy inertial implements (like a rotary cutter or brush hog) presents a safety hazard. When you step on the clutch, the momentum of the spinning blades can actually transfer energy back through the PTO shaft, driving the transmission and pushing the tractor forward even if you hit the brakes.To safely run these implements on an 8N, operators should always install an Over-Running Clutch (ORC) on the PTO shaft. This device acts like a bicycle sprocket, allowing the implement to freewheel safely without back-feeding power into the tractor's wheels.If you are planning to run specific attachments, feel free to share what implement you intend to use or if you need help choosing the correct over-running clutch setup.

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

MF TO-35 and MF 35 PTO Lever positions, read below, see description of PTO Lever Down Position.
The Two Stage Clutch, all the way down is to: 1)Engage or change position of PTO Lever or 2) STOP the PTO when in PTO Lever is in UP position.
Be very CAREFUL when using the PTO Lever in the Down Position (Ground PTO) with a PTO driven implement without an overrunning clutch as the tractor brakes have to stop the tractor plus any rotation of the PTO shaft caused by the implement. I learned this quickly when raking with a Ferguson 3Pt-PTO driven side delivery hay rake.

My thoughts are that the 4WD is active when the PTO Lever is in the Down Position - Ground Drive as in REV the PTO shaft will turn in REV.
That was one advantage of the Ground Drive option if you clogged a PTO hay conditioner, you could put the PTO Lever in Ground Drive and tractor in REV and PTO would turn in REV turning rollers on hay conditioner in opposite direction and hopefully unclogging the rollers.
Could be completely wrong though.


PTO Lever Positions & Functions:
Up Position (Engine PTO): Moves the lever all the way up. This links the PTO shaft directly to the engine's RPM. It is used for standard implements that require a consistent spin speed regardless of how fast the tractor travels, such as bush hogs, finish mowers, or post-hole diggers.
Middle Position (Neutral): The central detent slot. The internal gears spin freely, and no power is delivered to the rear PTO shaft.
Down Position (Ground PTO): Moves the lever all the way down. This links the PTO shaft's rotation directly to the rear wheels (the differential). The shaft turns one full revolution for roughly every 20 inches of forward or reverse ground travel, making it ideal for trailing implements like seeders or fertilizer spreaders.

For Ford 8N Tractor but same applies to MF TO-35 and 35 when using the PTO Lever in Down Position - Ground Drive
Crucial Safety Precaution
Because the PTO on the 8N is connected directly to the transmission, using heavy inertial implements (like a rotary cutter or brush hog) presents a safety hazard. When you step on the clutch, the momentum of the spinning blades can actually transfer energy back through the PTO shaft, driving the transmission and pushing the tractor forward even if you hit the brakes.To safely run these implements on an 8N, operators should always install an Over-Running Clutch (ORC) on the PTO shaft. This device acts like a bicycle sprocket, allowing the implement to freewheel safely without back-feeding power into the tractor's wheels.If you are planning to run specific attachments, feel free to share what implement you intend to use or if you need help choosing the correct over-running clutch setup.

That's very helpful. Maybe the 4WD is only engaged in Down Position (Ground PTO)? I'm also guessing normal 4WD rules apply like only driving in a straight line and such. One thing my father noted from using it years ago was the turning radius is terrible due to that front axle.

The Safety Precaution seems unnecessary to me. Why would you be using a heavy inertial implement in Down Position? You wouldn't want the blades spinning slower when you slow the tractor down going through thick or heavy brush.

 

[JLMac]

Cool tractor and welcome. It's just me but why not use a picture of your tractor in your avatar instead of a inaccurate AI picture?

 

[LiveFreeAndFergie4WD]

Cool tractor and welcome. It's just me but why not use a picture of your tractor in your avatar instead of a inaccurate AI picture?

Your front end differential doesn't stick out in front of AND above your grill???

Maybe when I can clean mine up and start restoring it. I just pulled it out of the woods where it has sat for the last decade.

 

[showcrop]

I will look into that dealer and see if they are still there.

What a small world, are we neighbors? I looked at a few houses in Lancaster last year.

I grew up on the North Road near three dairy farms. Right where the high voltage power line crosses. I live in the southern part now. Where are you?