The Massey Ferguson (MF) 135 was manufactured from 1964 to 1978. It was one of the most popular tractors ever produced by MF. Launched at the Smithfield show in 1964, the 135 was the smallest in the 100 series range. Power came from a Perkins AD3.152 engine which delivered 47hp. The 100 series replaced the MF35x and MF65 tractors which kept a lot of the features of the 35 but had some added equipment. At the back end of the tractor, the linkage was made stronger and incorporated a pick-up hitch. The tractor could lift almost 1,600kg. Carried over from the previous 35, the tractor’s hydraulics retained both position and draft control.

BEFORE: Mark Kelly's tractor pre-restoration. The tractor has been in his family since his father purchased it in February 1965 from Kilkenny dealers Connolly's.

Updates

A new option was pressure control which transferred the weight of a trailed implement onto the drive wheels to increase traction. This simple system meant tractors could travel in less than ideal conditions. A special pressure coupler attached between the lift arms and the drawbar of the implement. When traction wasn’t a problem, pressure control was set to “low pressure” and vice versa when more traction was needed from the rear wheels.

The use of simple physics to force more weight towards the rear wheels without adding extra ballast to achieve a desired result was engineering at its best and simplest. This design meant the 2WD MF could increase its traction by adjusting the pressure on the rear linkage. Pressure control systems, however, were often not used properly on farms. Other upgrades included a larger fuel tank and comfort seat.

Purchase

Mark Kelly’s parents bought their 135 in February 1965 from Connolly’s in Kilkenny, which was the MF main dealer. They paid £780 for the tractor. At the time, the Kellys ran a dairy farm where the tractor was used for all types of work. Some of these tasks included silage making with a 3ft Taarup side-mounted silage harvester for the home farm and for neighbours. It also powered a milking machine, operated a cement mixer and a drove a hammer mill. Mark Kelly said the tractor was stolen twice in the time they had it but thankfully was returned on both occasions. On one occasion it was found at a local beer festival in Kilkenny and another time between Goresbridge and Bagenalstown where someone walking home needed a lift. For loader work, the tractor was also fitted with a Midland Industries Limited (MIL) master front loader from Wolverhampton, UK. This was later removed.

Despite being well looked after while in the family, age took its toll on the tractor. A few years ago, Mark decided to completely restore it. The detail and effort Mark went to sets a benchmark for all people thinking of restoring a tractor. No expense was spared by Mark – so much so that he even had new larger pins made for the rear linkage that had become worn with time. The tractor was completely stripped down to bare metal and carefully restored. In 2015, Mark celebrated 50 years since the tractor was driven home from the garage where it was purchased by repeating the same journey. At the time RTÉ’s Nationwide covered the story as did the Late Late Show.

Original documentation

Apart from the tractor’s complete overhaul, Mark still has the original service manual and tax-book which add a lot of value to his tractor. Flicking through the pages, there are numerous stamps showing the annual tractor tax which increased from £2.20 to £5. Even the maintenance chart with 22 hand-sketched diagrams is still very legible and something that to this day is clear and simple to use. On leaving Mark, I asked him has he any plans for the tractor to which he responded: “My father bought it and I learned to drive on it. Hopefully the next generation will do likewise.”