Massey Ferguson 135 Specs and Common Parts

The Massey Ferguson 135 is a two-wheel-drive utility tractor built from 1964 to 1975 in Detroit and from 1965 to 1979 in Coventry, England. The standard engine is a 45.5 hp Perkins AD3.152 three-cylinder diesel, and gas versions used a Continental Z-145 four-cylinder or a Perkins three-cylinder. In Nebraska testing, the diesel made 37.82 PTO horsepower.

At a Glance

• Built: 1964 to 1975 in Detroit, Michigan, and 1965 to 1979 in Coventry, England.
• Engines: Perkins AD3.152 diesel (3 cylinders, 152.7 cu in), Continental Z-145 gas (4 cylinders, 145 cu in) or Perkins AG3.152 gas (3 cylinders).
• Power: 45.5 engine hp and 38 PTO hp claimed. Nebraska Test 895 measured 37.82 PTO hp on the diesel.
• Transmission: 6-speed, later 8-speed, or the 12-forward, 4-reverse Multi-Power.
• Hitch: Type I 3-point hitch rated at 2,850 lbs on the Detroit-built tractor.
• Weight: 2,940 lbs (gas) to 3,130 lbs (diesel) operating weight.
• Serial plate: on the instrument panel below the steering column.

When Was the Massey Ferguson 135 Made?

The 135 was the first of Massey Ferguson's 100 Series. It launched alongside the 165 and 175 at the 1964 Smithfield Show and replaced the MF 35. TractorData keeps separate records for the Detroit and Coventry builds, and their production runs and some specifications differ, which matters when you order parts.

• Detroit, Michigan: 1964 to 1975. The MF 235 replaced it there in 1975.
• Coventry, England: 1965 to 1979. The MF 230 and 240 replaced it in 1979.
• Trim levels: TractorData lists the 135 Deluxe (premium) and 135 Special (economy). The Coventry line also built an economy 133.
• Industrial version: the Massey Ferguson 2135.
• Styling changes: the bodywork was revised in 1965, and a 1971 update brought a larger fuel tank. Early tractors have clam-shell fenders, and a flat-top fender with grab handles came later.

Production ran into the hundreds of thousands across the two factories, and Wikipedia describes the 135 as one of the most popular tractors of its era.

What Engines Did the Massey Ferguson 135 Have?

Three engines appear in TractorData's records for the 135. All three are rated at 2,000 rpm, and the Perkins diesel was the standard engine.

The AD3.152 is a direct-injection diesel producing 121.7 lb-ft of torque at 1,300 rpm. It was an improved version of the three-cylinder Perkins used in the MF 35X. The quickest way to tell the engines apart is to count cylinders: four cylinders, with four spark plugs, means the Continental.

How Much Horsepower Does a Massey Ferguson 135 Have?

TractorData lists 45.5 engine horsepower for the Detroit-built tractor, with 38 PTO hp and 33 drawbar hp claimed. The Coventry record lists 47 hp, matching Farmers Journal's note that power was later raised to 47 hp. The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory tested three versions, all with the 12-speed Multi-Power:

The diesel also posted the best maximum pull of the three, at 4,338 lbs, from a tractor TractorData lists at 3,130 lbs operating weight.

What Transmission Does the Massey Ferguson 135 Use?

Every 135 has a dry-disc clutch and one of three gearboxes. The Multi-Power option adds a clutchless shift between a high (direct) and a low range in every gear.

• 6-speed: 6 forward and 2 reverse. Three gears plus reverse, in high and low ranges. The standard box on early tractors.
• 8-speed: 8 forward and 2 reverse. The later standard transmission, replacing the 6-speed.
• Multi-Power: 12 forward and 4 reverse. TractorData's notes advise using Multi-Power High on hills, because the low range does not give engine braking.
• PTO: 540 rpm, 1-3/8 in shaft, reached at about 1,700 engine rpm. A live PTO with a two-stage clutch was optional.

Multi-Power was already on the tractors Nebraska tested in 1965, so it is not limited to late models. When you order clutch parts, confirm whether your tractor has the two-stage clutch first.

What Are the Massey Ferguson 135 Hydraulic and 3-Point Hitch Specs?

The 135 kept a slightly revised version of the Ferguson hydraulic system from the MF 35. TractorData's figures differ between the two factory records, so use the row that matches your tractor.

TractorData lists the same MF-1129 oil and the same 8-gallon capacity for the transmission as for the hydraulics. Farmers Journal's history of the 135 also credits it with Massey Ferguson's Pressure Control, a linkage weight-transfer system. Before working on the hitch or hydraulics, lower the implement to the ground and stop the engine.

How Big Is a Massey Ferguson 135 and How Much Does It Weigh?

The 135 is compact by modern standards. These are TractorData's figures for the Detroit-built tractor:

• Overall length: 120.6 in (306 cm)
• Wheelbase: 72 in (182 cm). The Coventry record lists 74.25 in.
• Width: 63.5 in (161 cm) minimum
• Height: 54 in (137 cm)
• Rear axle clearance: 11.5 in (29 cm)
• Tread: front 48 to 80 in, rear 48 to 76 in
• Operating weight: 2,940 lbs gas, 3,130 lbs diesel
• Tires: front 5.50-16 or 6.00-16; rear 12.4/11-28, 13.6/12-28 or 14.9/13-24

Fuel capacity is 10.2 gal for the diesel and 13.7 gal for the gas tractor. Wheel weights, fluid in the tires, a loader or a cab all add to the operating weight.

How Do I Identify a Massey Ferguson 135?

Start with the serial plate. TractorData places it on the instrument panel below the steering column. On Detroit-built tractors it may also be on the right side of the engine, below the battery tray.

• Engine: three cylinders means a Perkins (diesel or gas); four spark plugs means the Continental Z-145.
• Fenders: rounded clam-shell fenders point to an earlier tractor; flat-top fenders with grab handles came later.
• Model: the 2135 is the industrial version and the 133 an economy model, so check the badge before ordering 135 parts.

Write down the full serial number, the engine type and the transmission. Those three details answer most parts questions.

What Year Is My Massey Ferguson 135?

Compare your serial number with TractorData's starting serials. Each number is the first tractor built that year, so your tractor was built in the year whose starting number is just below yours. Use only the column for the factory that built your tractor.

The last Coventry-built 135 in TractorData's table is serial 490714. If your plate is missing or unreadable, email sales@partsonline.com with photos of the tractor and engine, and we will help with fitment questions.

Which Parts Wear Out on a Massey Ferguson 135?

Any 135 on the road today is at least 45 years old, so wear comes from age as much as hours. Friction parts, rubber seals and hoses, filters and the electrical system all need attention. The published specs below are what you need to match those parts correctly:

• Clutch: dry-disc main clutch. Live-PTO tractors use a two-stage clutch, so confirm which one you have.
• Filters and engine oil: the Perkins AD3.152 holds 6.5 qt of oil and the Continental Z-145 holds 6 qt. The diesel is direct injection, so clean fuel filters matter.
• Ignition (Continental gas): TractorData lists Champion D-16, AC 85 S or Autolite BT-8 plugs gapped at 0.025 in, with a 0.022 in point gap.
• Valve adjustment: 0.010 in hot or 0.012 in cold on the AD3.152; 0.013 in hot on the Z-145.
• Charging: a 10 amp generator on a 12 volt, negative-ground system, with a 95 AH battery on the diesel and 41 AH on gas tractors.
• Cooling: the AD3.152 cooling system holds 10.5 qt.
• Transmission and hydraulic oil: MF-1129 specification, 8 gal listed.
• Tires: front 5.50-16 or 6.00-16; rear 12.4/11-28, 13.6/12-28 or 14.9/13-24.

Engine, clutch and hydraulic pump work on a tractor this age can turn up worn parts beyond the one you set out to replace. Consult a certified mechanic for complex repairs.

How Do I Order the Right Parts for a Massey Ferguson 135?

Order by part number, not by model name. Two factories, three engines and several transmissions mean two 135s can need different parts.

1. Record the serial number from the plate below the steering column.
2. Note the engine and transmission: Perkins diesel, Perkins gas or Continental gas, and 6-speed, 8-speed or Multi-Power.
3. Read the number on the old part. Filters and many other parts carry a printed or stamped number that cross-references directly.
4. Match that number to a listing, then check the listing's fitment details.

Our Massey Ferguson listings are organized by the OEM part number each one replaces, which is why the number on your old part is the fastest match. Browse the Massey Ferguson parts collection, or send your serial number and the part number to sales@partsonline.com for fitment help. It is the customer's responsibility to verify compatibility before purchasing, and we are happy to help you confirm it.

How Does the Massey Ferguson 135 Compare With the Ford 3000?

Buyers often weigh the 135 against the Ford 3000, which was built over almost the same years. TractorData's records show how they differ:

The Ford makes a little more PTO power and carries more weight. The 135 is lighter and has a shorter wheelbase, which helps in tight spaces. Parts support for either comes down to matching part numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Massey Ferguson 135 worth today?

Value depends on the engine, whether it has Multi-Power or a live PTO, its condition, tires and originality. Recent auction and dealer results for comparable tractors are the best guide.

Was the Massey Ferguson 135 a good tractor?

Yes. It stayed in production for 11 years in Detroit and 15 in Coventry, and it is remembered as one of the most popular tractors of its era for simple mechanics and reliability. The diesel tested at 37.82 PTO hp in Nebraska Test 895.

When did they stop making Massey Ferguson 135?

Detroit production ended in 1975, when the MF 235 replaced it. Coventry built the 135 until 1979, when the MF 230 and 240 took over.

Which is better, a Ford 3000 or a Massey 135?

Neither is better for every job. The Ford 3000 tested at 40.63 PTO hp against 37.82 for the 135 diesel, while the 135 weighs 2,940 to 3,130 lbs against 3,700 to 4,185 lbs for the Ford and has a shorter wheelbase.

How much horsepower does a Massey Ferguson 135 have?

The Perkins diesel is rated at 45.5 engine hp, with 38 PTO hp claimed. Nebraska measured 37.82 PTO hp and 33.06 drawbar hp on the diesel.

How much does a Massey Ferguson 135 weigh?

TractorData lists an operating weight of 2,940 lbs for the gas tractor and 3,130 lbs for the diesel built in Detroit. Ballast, a loader or a cab add to that.

What is the Massey Ferguson 135 industrial?

The industrial version of the 135 was sold as the Massey Ferguson 2135. Check the model badge and serial plate, because industrial and farm tractors can use different parts.