5 minute read
AGRICULTURAL OR INDUSTRIAL?
The red and grey, standard version of the MF135 is much more common than the slightly differently specced, yellow Industrial.
What’s in a colour?
ere are plenty of standard, red and grey MF135s about, but this model’s yellow and grey Industrial cousin is an altogether rarer beast. Ben Phillips compares the two
On the face of it, both the MF135 and its Industrial counterpart look pretty much the same – if you discount the paint colour, of course – but there are a few differences worth mentioning. The bonnet is the same on both, with a centre flap allowing the fuel and water to be topped up, and the battery is accessed in both cases via the same cover that’s just ahead of the dash.
However, there is an important difference in this area, although it isn’t a structural one; it concerns the vinyl decals! On the standard, agricultural model, these consist of a silver-coloured strip that’s inscribed with the words ‘Massey Ferguson’ and, ahead of that, a white ‘135’ on a black, circular background that, itself, is finished with a shiny metal bezel. By contrast, on the yellow and grey Industrial model, the ‘Massey Ferguson’ lettering runs in a much wider silver strip that, at its front end, has a black portion containing the model designation ‘2135’. There is no round model emblem on the Industrial.
Instrumental differences
The respective instrument clusters contain more differences, although both models are well-equipped in this department. Standard 135 drivers benefit from water temperature, fuel level and oil pressure gauges, as well as a large tractormeter and a smaller ammeter. However, given that it was anticipated that many Industrial models would be used on the public road, it was also necessary to fit these models with an mphdisplaying speedometer. The drive for this was transmitted via a cable running from the round, PTO control lever cover at the rear of the tractor.
The seat on both models was the familiar, tipping, bucket-type design with a two-section cushion set. However, on the agricultural machine, the cushions were covered in grey material with red piping while, on the Industrial, these soft furnishings were finished in black with yellow piping. Both models’ mudguards were identical, and featured side and rear lights plus built-in toolboxes. The two models also shared the same Ferguson System hydraulics.
Another important difference between the two models relates to the brakes. If you compare the brake drums fitted to both, there’s a visible difference, with those on the Industrial being almost double the width. The reason for this was that the Industrial’s drums had to accommodate two sets of shoes; one for the foot brake and one for the hand brake. The idea of this was to improve the performance of the handbrake; the agricultural version relied on a single set of shoes for both braking functions. Obviously, the requirement for a functioning and effective handbrake is an important one for a road-going vehicle; far less so for one that’s used primarily on the farm.
The Industrial featured a much wider side decal, that was applied higher on the bonnet than on the red version.
The familiar, narrow, silver decals that identify this as a ‘Massey Ferguson’ tractor, were applied along the ridge on each side of the bonnet.
The round, model-identifying ‘135’ badge is found near the front of the agricultural version’s bonnet. Greatest difference
Obviously, the colour of both tractors is the most visible difference between them. The agricultural version is finished with red paint on the tinwork, grey on the skid unit and
I love the MF135’s dash; it contains everything needed to keep the tractor working in prime condition. The Industrial’s dash (on right) is almost identical, but sees the addition of a dedicated speedo gauge next to the standard tractormeter.
These bucket seats were the most comfortable that tractor drivers got in the 1960s. The agricultural version’s cushions are trimmed in grey with red piping, while those on the Industrial model (on right) got black covers and yellow piping.
silver on the wheels. The Industrial, on the other hand, replaces the red with bright yellow on the tinwork and wheel centres. However, both tractors have a silver and black striped grille, silver-coloured light surrounds and a black upper grille with an ‘MF’ badge bar in silver. I have restored many agricultural Massey Ferguson 135 tractors in red and grey but, when I had the pleasure of renovating the Industrial version featured here, it made a real impression on me. It took me a long time before I could look at the traditional red version once again, in the same way. Both these colours are bright and cheery, and would look good in any collection or rally field, but which would I choose? Well, it’s a hard decision but, for me, it’s probably the more familiar red and grey combination that I’d go for. After all, Massey Ferguson means red, doesn’t it?
Those familiar with normal-sized MF135 brake drum will notice how much bigger these Industrial-spec ones are.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Power Front wheels Rear wheels Massey Ferguson 135 Massey Ferguson 2135
Perkins three-cylinder diesel Perkins three-cylinder diesel 45hp 42hp
6:00/16 6:00/16
12.4/28 12.4/28
Colour
Red tinwork, grey skid unit, silver wheels Yellow tinwork, grey skid unit, silver wheel rims with yellow centres
These flat-topped mudguards replaced the original, shell-type ones found on the earliest MF135s. The Industrial got the same design (on right), so some can still be found with the early, rounded shape.
The Silver Mist paint used on MF135 wheels is a lovely colour that really sparkles in the sunlight. Some Industrial Massey Ferguson tractors have Silver Mist-painted rims and yellow centres, while others are yellow all over.
