We’ve recently acquired an old Massey Ferguson tractor, a MF35X. It’s a project we’re undertaking here at Farm Tech to restore it to its former glory and get this old workhorse running again. From our research we’ve discovered that our Little Red Fergie is a 60s child, production of this model in the UK started in 1962 from Massey Ferguson’s factor in Banner Lane Coventry.
How to Identify Ferguson Agricultural Tractors Determining a tractor model and year of manu-facture is relatively simple if it has both tractor and engine serial number (SN) plates. The SN plate, made of aluminum or brass, is located at different positions on the instrument console, depending on the model. The plate includes the. Massey Ferguson tractors were formed in 1953 from the merger of Massey Harris and the Ferguson Company. We have a range of Book and DVDs detailing many Massey Ferguson Classic Tractors. Anyway, i have just bought a 1990 model massey ferguson 1035 4x4 31hp tractor. I use this tractor for my business. I have been having a problem with the tractor overheating lately. The tractor has a temp guage that reads in celceus for some reason.
Massey Ferguson is a well-known name in farming circles, it has been a market leader for many years. The company dates back 150 years to 1847 when a Canadian, Daniel Massey, first starting manufacturing farm implements the company rapidly grew and merged with another Canadian farm equipment company in 1891 to form Massey-Harris.
Massey-Harris: 1891 – 1953
Although the name ‘Massey Ferguson’ is synonymous with tractors today, the Massey-Harris company was not an early developer of powered farm equipment. Instead they produced and exported a range of farm equipment such as reapers and mowers throughout the early 1900’s.
The First World War was the catalyst for Massey-Harris to start exploring the sale of tractors. With huge demand for food for the troops Massey-Harris risked losing their market position if they couldn’t supply badly needed tractors. After a brief import agreement with Bull Tractor Company, Massey-Harris came to an arrangement with the Parrett Tractor Company of Chicago where MH would build tractors to PTCC designs and sell them under the Massey-Harris name in Canada and export markets.
After WWI and the subsequent agricultural economic recession, demand for the Parrett-designed tractors dropped off. Massey-Harris next ventured into the tractor market when they bought J.I. Case Plow Works and the rights to the popular tractors produced under the Case name. This combined with a decline in the fortunes of the Ford Motor Companies tractor division, quickly established Massey-Harris as the market leader.
In 1930 Massey-Harris designed and built their first tractor in-house, the General Purpose. This offered features and advantages that were unmatched by other tractors at that time. In fact, other tractor companies would not match these advances for a further 20 years. However, timing was not on Massey-Harris’ side. The Great Depression and a market that wasn’t ready for the advanced features of the General Purpose meant that this tractor failed to gain traction.
The Ferguson System
Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic, Belfast man Harry Ferguson was also selling tractors. He had began by developing farm implements for the Model T, many of which had been converted into farm tractors as part of the war effort. His interest in farm implements lead him to develop the Ferguson System – the 3-point hitch – and subsequently a prototype tractor and with implements to demonstrate this system; called Ferguson’s Black Tractor.
Ferguson went into partnership with Daniel Brown to produce his tractor, launching the Ferguson-Brown in 1936. However, as with Massey-Harris at this time, the market wasn’t right for a revolutionary new product with farmers unwilling to invest in a new tractor and the new implements that used The Ferguson System.
The partnership dissolved and Ferguson turned to the Ford Motor Company to produce a tractor using his system. The Ford 9N was launched in 1939. However, fast-forward to 1946 and Ferguson’s deal with Ford is on the cards, Ford having failed to launch a tractor on the UK market using the Ferguson System. Instead Ferguson launches his own tractor the TE20 from his newly acquired Banner Lane plant.
In 1948 Ferguson launched a US version of this tractor called the TO20 which quickly gained market share in the US against Ford.
Massey-Ferguson: 1953 to the present
Ferguson always preferred the engineering and marketing side of the tractor business and wanted to merge with a company who could handle production for him. So in 1953 Massey-Harris acquired Ferguson, becoming Massey-Ferguson.
Our MF35X has a great pedigree. It is the successor to the MF35 (launched in 1957) and in term that was the successor to Ferguson’s original TE20. However, it too was quickly superseded by the MF 135, and was only in production for two years until 1964.
We will be updating you over the next months (perhaps years!) with our progress in restoring this iconic tractor. So watch this space and our social media channels. We would also love to hear about your restoration projects. If you’re restoring a tractor or other farm equipment please let us know, share details on our Facebook page or by getting in touch directly.
Massey Ferguson was created with the merger between Massey-Harris and the Ferguson companies in 1952. The separate brands were retained until 1958, when the lines were merged and renamed Massey-Ferguson. The name was a shortened version of 'Massey-Harris-Ferguson'; the amalgamation of North American company name 'Massey Harris' with 'Harry Ferguson Limited' of England.
Henry George 'Harry' Ferguson (4 November 1884 – 25 October 1960) was an Irish engineer and inventor who is noted for his role in the development of the modern agricultural tractor, for becoming the first Irishman to build and fly his own aeroplane, and for developing the first four-wheel drive Formula One car. Massey-Harris was already a merger between the Massey manufacturing company and A Harris & Son.
Following the merger all of the new tractors offered the three-point hitch and that was a major selling point originally designed by Ferguson. Conflicts after the merger caused problems for between the old rivals. The company continued to sell two lines; one under the Ferguson brand and the other under the Massey-Harris brand. There was even an entirely separate dealer network for the two brands. That produced confusion in both the dealers and the customers. It also produced conflict over future designs. In just under a year, Ferguson left the board in a dispute over the design of the Massey-Harris Model '50.' NeverthelessMassey Ferguson went on to become one the largest worldwide agricultural manufacturers.
Massey Ferguson developed a wide range of agricultural vehicles that are still in use today Restoring your Massey will require hard work to bring it back to its full glory. Although we can’t provide the elbow grease, Anglo can provide the parts to help you with your classic restoration project.
Launched in December 1957 the MF35, was the first Massey Ferguson branded tractor. Its design came from the hugely popular 1955 Ferguson 35. Shop for Massey Ferguson 35 parts for your project.
Old Massey Ferguson Tractors Models
The MF135, was a successful model because of its reliability, maneuverability and power and was the first model in the MF 100 series. These included the MF 135, 145, 148, 150, 165, 168, 175, 178, 180, 185 and 188. The MF 1000 series were introduced around the same time: 1080, 1100, 1130 and 1150. Later came the MF 550, 560, 565, 575, 590, 595 (500 series). From the 1970s the 200 series tractor was introduced, which included the MF 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 278, 280, 285, 290, 298, 299. If you are looking for Massey Ferguson 135 parts shop here> or popular Massey Ferguson 165 parts.
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The MF 600 series was released in the 80’s. This included the 675, 690, 690T, 695, 698 and 699. The cab gave great visibility suited to field operations instead of livestock work.
In the 1980s the ultimate 300 series was released. It’s power, simple cab design and high gear range made the 300 series one of the best selling ranges of all time., The series included the MF 350, 352, 355, 362, 365, 372, 375, 382, 383, 390, 390T, 393, 394, 395, 398, 399 and 399T.
How Old Is My Massey Ferguson Tractor
Tractors that came after the 300 series included the 4200 range, the 4300 range, 3600 (early 1990s), 3000/3100 (early to mid-1990s), 3005/3105 (mid-1990s), 6100 (late 1990s), 6200 (late 1990s/early 2000s (decade)), 8200 (late 1990s/early 2000s), 5400, 6400, 7400, 8400, 7600, (2012 to 2014) and 8600 (2009 to current).
In the mid-1990s, the 6100 series and 8100 series were released, including the 6150, 6180 and 8130.
