135 differential lock

[beernuts]

Can a 135 without diff lock be retro fitted to have diff lock with the right parts? I currently have a 1967 with diff lock and I am purchasing a 1973 without it. I can see from the out side where the pedal assembly enters the axle flute that I would need that piece, but internally are there casting differences in the differential that would require the replacement of the entire rearend or can the requisite amount of parts (and money) be added to accomplish the end goal. I would like to leave the original rear under the tractor if at all possible and add diff lock. I was just curious if this had been done before and how extensive it would be.

I have been calling tractor salvage yards posing the above question, only to find that they do not know either. They have said that there were 2 styles of differentials listed for the 135, heavy and light duty. I asked if the heavy was the diff lock model and the light was the non lock model, and they say they do not know, they only know that one has a beefier diff gear assembly. Has anyone heard of this? Was this an option, or something that changed with a break in model year? In one of my previous posts, someone had mentioned that the differentials and clutches were beefed up in the later years...I am curious if this is the case.

Is Big Deans site still active and are his materials still available? He might know the answers to these questions.


Thanks in advance

Eric

 

[Anonymous-0]

You have to start with the parts book for the MF-135 made in your part of the world. French, UK, and US don't even look the same and often don't share more than the model number.

Looking in my US parts book I see left axle housings are the same lock or no lock. There are at least four different axle shafts with different lengths of spline used at different times and in at least 4 different differential assemblies without and that many with lock used at different times. And in EACH of those there are three or four different sizes and tooth count on differential bevel gears. Looks to me as if the entire assembly will probably swap since MF was good at using common interfaces between units, but swapping internal parts won't work without a whole bunch of selecting and even then it might take a 100 ton press to put things together.

Gerald J.

 

[DavidP,South Wales]

Hi,
Fitting a diff-lock to a UK 135 appears to be simpler than a US one. The same crown wheel and pinion kit is used as are the axle housings. The only difference I can see from my parts book is different shafts fitted if sealed brakes are used.
If all of the parts were available then it may well be possible to retro fit a diff-lock.
The coupler which is attached to the crownwheel carried the differential bearing. Changing or renewing this will require the differential pre-load adjustment to be carried out.
You would probably be better off finding a tractor with diff-lock fitted if you are likely to need it. Has not having one lowered the asking price for the tractor?
DavidP

 

[Anonymous-0]

By my parts book, MF 135 Standard, vineyard, and Deluxe only came with outside mounted dry drum brakes. Orchard came with disk brakes apparently mounted inboard of the sun and planet gear reduction units.

They do show only a couple main housings, original and replacement.

They do show only two sets of pinion, ring, and differential cases. Light and heavy, without individual part numbers at least for the deluxe, vineyard, and special. But there's still a dozen different bevel differential gears to choose from to match different axles.

It may be possible, but darned difficult to add differential lock with a parts tractor 6 years different in age. It would be a whole lot easier to learn to drive with the brakes not locked together so a spinning wheel could be choked rapidly to put power to the wheel with traction.

The differential lock pedal got loose on the shaft once and it depends on the spring on the pedal to pull the clutch jaws apart. It sure was a pain driving hauling gravel in the loader around corners with the differential locked.

Gerald J.

 

[MF148]

UK built tractors were uprated and fitted with a heavy duty diff from late 1971, so it may be possible the same changes took place in the US

 

[Anonymous-0]

The standard UK models came with a diff. lock. Maybe the budget models or newer ones didn't have one? Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

i bought a used older mf 135 and the differential lock is froze solid (not engaged) what's the deal