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Massey 135 or Ford 3000

Me too ! ( Hey Larry, planted radishes, lettuce, onions, and spinach today. It was a little wet but hey, I'm tired of winter ! )
 
I owned a 3000 gas from new in 1972 until 2006. Had a 3000 diesel from 2005 until 2009. Gas was cold natured. Diesel was a better tractor IMHO. I also own a '71 MF150, had it since new. It's essentially a 135 with a heavier front end. It would (and still does) work circles around either 3000. I've bought and re-sold a few 135's, diesel and gas. (buy the Perkins diesel) That said, you still won't go wrong with a GOOD 3000, I simply prefer the MF135/150 after owning both brands.
 

AFIK Ford 3000 with 4 speed transmission does not have live pto, 3000 with 8 speed may have live or independent pto. Rarely does a 135 not have live power and 6 speed transmission. 135 does not have 8 speed. Rarely does a 135 have power steering. 3000 sometimes has power steering and kits to install PS on a 3000 are readily availiable. I would prefer the 3000 for the 8 speeds and the PS possibility. Wouldn't get either one with no live power.

KEH
 
I ran Massey and Ford back in the day, they're both good machines.

I did miss the multi-power when I didn't have it though, but I know these days they can be an expensive repair based on what everybody says.
 
If they are in egual condition, I'd flip a coin or buy them both. Might want to consider which dealership where you can get parts and service may be available to you.
 
Later model 135's had an optional 8 speed tranny. Power steering is only a benefit if the tractor has a loader. It is not at all needed without a loader. The 3 cylinder Perkins diesel is arguably the best engine ever made. It certainly is in it's HP range and the most fuel efficient to boot. As to which would be a better tractor, it would depend on the price and condition of each tractor. Both in good shape and everything works as it should, I'd even pay a little more for the MF. There's a reason 135's have such a great reputation.
 
I don't want to upset the Massey owners but I can tell you from my personal experience that a deisel 3000 Ford will work circles around a 135 M.F. all day long, I've owned both tractors and both are very good tractors but if I had to pick one over the other it would be the 3000. My hunting buddys are believers in this too as they have seen two 3000's out work four 135's and a small Kubota when we plant big foodplots on powerline right-of-ways up and down hillsides every year. Don't take this the wrong way, if you find a good running 135 Massey Ferguson at a good price then by all means get it, but a 3000 Ford is a stronger workhorse from my experience.
 
I have to agree with MFPoor and Hillbilly on this one. All things being equal I much prefer a late 135 to a 3000 (early or late).

As an added benefit, the AD152 Perkins is very long lived, sleeved and very economical both to opperate and overhaul.

Dean
 
Try them both out and decide. I have a Ford 5000 and a Ferg TO 30 and have driven a Ford 3000 and a MF 165. Not a direct comparison but I think I would take the 3000 over a 135. Dealer support and parts availability should be good for both.
 
Test drive both, buy the one in better condition. I own a 3000 Diesel that's in poor condition and a 135 in good condition would run circles around it.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. Now let's get down to price, all things being equal what should one expect to pay for a mechanical sound Ford 3000 diesel or a Massey Ferguson 135 diesel?
Photos and prices would be appreciated.
 
8 speed 3000's could have live PTO (2 stage clutch). I believe that the only 3000's with fully independent PTO were the Select-O-Speed models.
JMHO, HTH, Dave
 
[i:654c4848f0] Power steering is only a benefit if the tractor has a loader. It is not at all needed without a loader. [/i:654c4848f0]

I disagree.
If I had to choose between a 3000/135 with lpto and a 3000/135 with PS I would pick the one with PS.
For the things those two tractors are best suited to doing ps is the better option. Even on a tractor that hasn't a loader.
 
Value depends upon condition and options.

A very good late model MF 136 diesel with 4X2 transmission and PS could bring $6000, whereas I would not pay $3000 for an early 3000 with 4 speed transmission (no live PTO). Most decent 135 diesels with 3X2 transmissions sell between $3500 and $5000 depending upon condition, options, tires, etc.

A good 3000 diesel with 4X2 transmission should bring $3500-$4500 but a good 3 cylinder 4000 will not cost much more.

I would look for a good late model 135 unless I ran across a good late model 4000 for similar money.

Dean
 
Another thought:

If I wre looking for a tractor in this class, I would look for a 4000 Ford with S-O-S transmission. Even though the late model S-O-S transmissions are bullet proof, these tractors can usually be bought for $1000-$1500 less than similar tractors with the 4x2 transmission.

I once owned an early three cylinder 4000 gasser with S-O-S and would prefer it to even a late model 135 diesel due to its increased weight and HP and much superior transmission. Adding (good) MP to the 135 would narrow the margin, though.

Dean
 
I'm not saying it isn't nice to have power steering but without a loader the tractors steer very easily. Manual steering also has a lot less problems to deal with.
 
Mf135 or a MF150 all the way.

Its pretty much accepted that these 2, are quite possibly the best tractors ever made PERIOD.

Also, you gotta work the dog out of either to make them burn a gallon an hour.

He11, my Zero turn mower burns more than that.
Not to mention, the 135- 150s are GREAT looking.
Seriously, lines as good as the 4-number Olivers

MF135.jpg
 
You won't "upset" any Massey owners, just make 'em laugh. I'm assuming (since it is ridiculously funny) that the "2 Fords outworking 4 Masseys" is a joke. Not happenin' Sparky....Unless someone forgot to put an operator on 3 of the Masseys.

Back when I first started farming, I used my 150 (Same power train as a 135, and my 3000 Ford to plow with. (Me on one and friend(s) on other) The Massey 150 would plow 15% to 20% more ground in the same time. (same size plows)

3000's were good tractors, but their biggest shortcoming was the fact they didn't have the Perkins diesel.
 
[i:654c4848f0]Not to mention, the 135- 150s are GREAT looking.[/i:654c4848f0]

Are you for real?
No offence to you personally and not to detract from that being a great tractor. But it is one of the unprettiest machines ever built IMO.
Almost as bad as some of the bizarre looking rigs that came out of Eastern Europe. And they were the worst.
 
(quoted from post at 08:54:21 03/20/11) [i:9bff98054e]Not to mention, the 135- 150s are GREAT looking.[/i:9bff98054e]

Are you for real?
No offence to you personally and not to detract from that being a great tractor. But it is one of the unprettiest machines ever built IMO.
Almost as bad as some of the bizarre looking rigs that came out of Eastern Europe. And they were the worst.
Click to expand...

Guess it's a matter of taste........ I like the looks of both but am kinda drawn to the MF
 
(quoted from post at 12:04:58 03/19/11) Mf135 or a MF150 all the way.

Its pretty much accepted that these 2, are quite possibly the best tractors ever made PERIOD.

Also, you gotta work the dog out of either to make them burn a gallon an hour.

He11, my Zero turn mower burns more than that.
Not to mention, the 135- 150s are GREAT looking.
Seriously, lines as good as the 4-number Olivers

MF135.jpg
Click to expand...

Wish you wouldn't have posted that picture......... I haven't thought about replacing my tractor for quite a while............
 
The one in better condition would be the better choice given equal options. That said... the 3000 will have live hydraulics... something the 135 will not have...
I also think those Perkins engines are some of the most over rated things ever produced. They're not bad engines but they've got nothing over the Ford as far as I'm concerned. Just different disadvantages... Perkins may be a touch more efficient but I'd expect it to come at the expense of longevity... The Ford is tougher from what I've seen.
Around here you'll probably find a decent diesel, 8 speed/live PTO 3000 for around 5 grand. The 135 will probably be a bit more expensive... and it won't do any more work.
So... I'd suggest going with the more economical of the two for a given condition.

Rod
 
to be honest both have proven themselves over and over. you have narrowed your choice down to two well built tractors. just find either one in good condition and you will be happy.

but on a side note, personally id prefer the massey.
 
For the miniscule number of problems one would have with P/S over the life of the tractor I think I'd make a point of having P/S. Managing a wheel with one finger or the palm of your hand is much prefered to hanging on with both hands...

Rod
 
I have used both. I'd personally go with the MF 135. Strong tractor for its size and it has a Perkins diesel too.

CT
 
Just when I thought you couldn't get any more ridiculous.....Let's see....Perkins will outlast the Ford, outperform it, and do so on quite a bit less fuel. Anyone with so much as a speck of brain matter could see the advantages, but there again.......
 
At least you're predictable. I can find you stacks of broken pistons and bent rods from those perkins engines. Not so much for the Fords.... Again, think what you like in whatever version of reality you live in.
If people didn't dose the Perkins up on ether it might last as long... but since it happens, rods get bent...
If you looked at the internals of both it would not take you long to figure out which one is stronger.... and it's not the red one.

Rod
 
Once again, you run your mouth about things you know absolutely NOTHING about. Look at the rest of the thread numbnuts....Even with your low reading skills, and limited intelligence, you'll notice the Massey won by about a 7 to 1 margin. Those who owned BOTH always took the Masseys.

Never needed ether to start any Perkins 3-cylinders I've been around, even in sub zero temps. Not even ether would help those cold natured dorFs. Maybe that's what extends the life span of a dorF.....you can only use 'em 6 months out of the year, when it's warm enough they'll start...

As hard as it might be for you to understand, some of us actually base our reality on....REALITY....not some far flung pipe dream shaded in blue such as you seem to make yourself believe.
 
MF Poor & RodinNS,
If either one was clearly much better than the other, there would be far fewer of the inferior tractors out there! It all comes down to personal preference & dealer support/satisfaction!
JMHO, Dave
PS: You can count my vote for the blue ones!
 
Dave... I just like winding him up.... and then watch him go. He's been going on about this nonsense for years and years now. As far as I'm concerned neither one has the ability to do much more than pull the hat off your head.
A 4000 would be a much better choice than either one.

Rod
 
Gotcha! Wish my grandfathers clock was that easy to wind up! I had a 70's 3000 gas SoS before I got my 3910. It was a handy little tractor! 'member the first time I put it on my uncle's 45T baler that he had always run with his Farmall H. He asked me if I thought that little tractor would run the baler? Told him it had about the same power as a Farmall M, and I wouldn't have to knock it into neutral if the baler got busy! LOL!
Dave
 
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