Looking at a MF35, please help!

[pcctim]

I'm looking at buying a MF35 for use on a 10acre piece of property. Basically just need it for food plot maintenance, dragging out logs and working a driveway. I don't have much expierience with Ferguson so I appreciate any input. Here's the add...

1957 Ferguson 35 tractor. 20 hours since rebuild new hoses, belts, wiring, lights, footboards, brush gaurd, 3-point hitch. Brand new tires front and back. Back tires are over sized. 6 speeds forward 2 reverse. 35 horse 540 PTO. $2500

1. Does this sound like a reasonable price?

2. Are parts easy to come by for this model?

3. Do you have one of these? How do you like it?

I've got a 47 8n that I rebuilt last winter but it's got a home at the family cabin 300 miles away. This one would be a workhorse/toy. Just don't want to get myself into a problem tractor.

Thanks for the help,
Tim

 

[Aaron Ford]

Thought someone would jump on this before me, but I guess not. In 1957 is was called a Ferguson TO-35. Same thing but different name. Name was changed in 1960. Going price is around 2000-3000 but it sounds like this one has some options. Tires, recent rebuild etc... Parts are very easy to come by. This site has a great parts area. Click the link on the top left. Grew up with a MF135, nearly identical to the TO/MF 35. Workhorse is the right word. 5 foot brush hog, 6 foot disc, baler, log pulling, 2 bottom plow, 6 foot back blade. I am dying to get that tractor repainted, but my parents can't live without it that long. It runs loaded tires and ladder chains. I found the information below on external_link

HTH Aaron





Manufacturer: Ferguson


Model: TO-35


Type: Farm/Agricultural tractor


Years produced: 1954 - 1960


Total built:

Factory:

Original price:

Tractor power:

Drawbar (rated): 24 hp [17.9 kW]


Drawbar (max): 30.5 hp [22.7 kW]


Engine:

Manufacturer: Continental


Fuel: gasoline


Cylinders: 4


Bore/Stroke: 3.3125x3.875 inches [84 x 98 mm]


Displacement: 134 ci [2.2 L]


Compression: 6.6:1


Rated RPMs: 2000


Cooling:

Torque:

Firing order:

Engine:

Manufacturer: Standard Diesel Company


Fuel: diesel


Type: vertical L-head


Cylinders: 4


Bore/Stroke: 3.3125x4.00 inches [84 x 102 mm]


Displacement: 137.8 ci [2.3 L]


Compression: 20:1


Rated RPMs: 2000


Cooling:

Torque:

Firing order:

Transmission:

Type:

Forward: 6


Reverse: 2




Mechanical:

Chassis:

Steering:

Brakes:

Capacity:

Fuel: 14 gal [52 L] (gas)
11 gal [41 L] (diesel)


Coolant: 10 qts [9.5 L]


Power Take-off (PTO):

Tires:

Ag front: 6.00-16


Ag rear: 11-2


Dimensions:

Weight: 3,200 lbs [1451 kg]


Wheelbase:

Length: 117 inches [297 cm]


Width:

Height: 57 inches [144 cm]


Ground clearance:

Electrical:

Starter volts: 6 (gas)
12 (diesel)


Battery:

Number:

Volts:

Nebraska Tractor Test 564:

Test Date: October 1955


Engine: gasoline


Belt (max): 33.2 hp [24.8 kW]


Drawbar (max): 30.5 hp [22.7 kW]


Nebraska Tractor Test 690:

Test Date: April 1959


Engine: diesel


Belt (max): 32.9 hp [24.5 kW]


Drawbar (max): 30.5 hp [22.7 kW]


TO-35 Serial Numbers:

1954: 140001
1955: 140006
1956: 167157
1957: 171741
1958: 178216 (gas special)
1958: 183348 (gas deluxe)
1958: 180742 (diesel)
1959: 188851 (gas special)
1959: 185504 (gas deluxe)
1959: 187719 (diesel)
1960: 203680 (gas special)
1960: 203198 (gas deluxe)
1960: 203360 (diesel)

 

[tractorsam]

If it's as you describe that sounds like a pretty good price to me. Parts availability is excellent. The only ones to watch out for are the four cylinder diesels, they can be a real pain to start but are otherwise fine. I have one but haven't really started using it yet and love it already. Have fun, tractorsam

 

[Chuck (CA)]

I have a 1959 model with the 4 cyl. Standard diesel. Like said before, it"s hard to start when cold. A SMALL shot of ether fires it right off. If you have the Z134 gas Continental, no problem.
Other than that, it"s a great tractor. The 2 speed transmission is great, live PTO and live hydraulics make it the perfect tractor for me. I paid $3200 for it and was happy with the purchase. Mine has turf tires, but even with those, I have no problem pulling a disc.
I wish mine had power steering, but other than that, no complaints.

Chuck

 

[aFORDable]

I've got a 1956 gas that I have owned for 25 years. I wouldn't take less than $3500 for it if I wanted to sell it. If it checks out that is a very good price at 2500. Mine has been low maintenance and is a very handy tractor to have.

 

[Anonymous-0]

My brother and me had a MF 35 Turf special, with the 4 cylinder conentinal engine. That thing would fire up on a half a turn. Parts seemed available, but we never really needed much for it. good luck. j

 

[pcctim]

Thank you very much for the input. I'm going to take a look in the next couple days. Hopefully everything checks out!

 

[Anonymous-0]

After you use the MF 35 for a while you won't like your 8N. The 35 makes the 8N look like a toy tractor.

I've run a MF-135 for 20 years and its not going away soon.

Gerald J.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You said "20 hours since rebuild". What kind of rebuild? Does he have parts list? Beware of some folks "rebuilds". I would rather purchase a "field ready" tractor from farmer/owner, than a most "rebuilds" from fly by night tractor jockey. Tom

 

[Jeff-oh]

Yes on all questions.

One thing to look at is the Letter code on the serial number if it reads SGM it is a plus. If SGF it is still good.

S- wide front (standard tread)
G- Gasoline fueled. N or D = Diesal

M- = two stage clutch i.e. live power
N- Single stage clutch... like an Ford 8N etc.

These are the main letter codes you'll run in to. I think the TO-35 is one of the best machines out there for your size acerage.

Also check out and consider joining FENA. The Ferguson Enthusiasts of N. America. Lots of good Ferguson infor, restoration and maintenance tips and a great newsletter.

Jeff
FENA link

 

[pcctim]

Thanks again for the responses, exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

 

[Lou]

Beware of some folks "rebuilds". I would rather purchase a "field ready" tractor from farmer/owner, than a most "rebuilds" from


That is some good advice.

 

[Texasmark]

Had 2 MF 35's, both with 6 sp and live pto. The gas one was a deluxe and had dual remotes and PS.

Gas was a 4 cyl Continental. Very good engine.

Diesel was 3 cyl Perkins. The Perkins solved the problems that were had with the original Standard diesel. Not the same critters.

Very good tractors with few problems and setup to tug. Have the torque curve peak below PTO operating rpm so that when you get a load on the engine and the rpm's want to drop, the torque curve increases (at the lower rpm) and it pulls it'self out of the problem. Traded mine in this past fall on a new tractor.

Mark