Restoring an old Massey Ferguson 135 tractor

Gorteen · 15-11-2025 10:29PM #1

I'm going to restore 1970 MF135 and have some queries you may be able to help me with.

1: I'm thinking of replacing all tyres, because they're a bit perished.Are BKT tyres any good?

2: I'd like to remove a shabby old cab and replace with a roll bar (ideally a foldable one, but not essential). I priced a new roll bar and the cost is somewhere between €400 & €500. Is that the going rate? Does anyone have one lying around?

3: The tractor will be mainly used for small gardening jobs around the house and maybe the odd trip to the bog or to a local farmer for a transport box of manure. How often should I service the tractor, e.g. oil & filter change?

Jb1989 · 15-11-2025 11:12PM

If your not going to shows then get the cab tidied.

Do you think it sensible to be taken a cab off so you can purposely get wet in the rain?

Dunedin · 16-11-2025 09:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123991571#Comment_123991571

for the jobs the op has said, I don’t think he’ll be doing too much in the rain.

Diddly Squat · 16-11-2025 09:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428482/restoring-an-old-massey-ferguson-135-tractor

Bkt tyres will do the same job as premium for what you need them for. See if you can find a roll bar on done deal but 400 seems ok. Once a year is plenty for a service if youre not doing much. Buyback good set of jump leads or a battery pack for when she's lying up for a while, or take out the battery

tabby aspreme · 16-11-2025 11:16AM

Run it 30 minutes every month at about 1200 revs to keep the battery charged

Gorteen · 16-11-2025 01:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123991571#Comment_123991571

If it's raining, whatever needs doing outside can wait 😁

I like the idea of going to vintage shows, maybe a charity run, that kind of thing.

The few jobs around the garden will be few and far between and the turf will be a few trips to our local bog with a car trailer every year (unless the Green Party get into government again) 🙄

Jb1989 · 16-11-2025 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123992465#Comment_123992465

Each to their own, Ive no love for a painted 135 with a roll bar, however give me a rusted one with some homemade cab that looks unique and I'll be all over it.

Jb1989 · 16-11-2025 03:22PM

Screenshot_20251116_152136_ie.donedeal.android.jpg

3 photos, 4 different cabs. More appealing than a rollbar.

trabpc · 16-11-2025 06:57PM

Each to their own. But personally I'd rather a roll bar than that bloody Duncan cab any day. 135 won't be a Frontline tractor so can wait out the wet weather.... A flexi cab might convince me away from a roll bar. But spend 30 years climbing out of a Duncan cab and you'll see what I mean...😂

Jb1989 · 16-11-2025 07:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123993890#Comment_123993890

Well I've spent over 15 years with a Duncan on a 168, mostly climb in the back now, but that's due to both door handles not working, but I get ya.

trabpc · 16-11-2025 07:06PM

😂 On same topic priced new cab for the 4610... €4700🤔

kk.man · 16-11-2025 07:15PM

Love the flexi cabs on them older MFs something classic about them.

Jb1989 · 16-11-2025 07:36PM

https://youtu.be/6r8WO6LbRco?si=r16L77wZks7XQ2qK

Oul benjy riordan liked the flexi cab, tho he must have removed the canvas for the summer time.

DBK1 · 16-11-2025 09:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123993931#Comment_123993931

They’re the only cab that should ever be fitted on the 100 series Masseys if you ask me. As for them Duncan cabs, the scrap yard is too good for them, every one of them should be buried and out of sight, horrid looking yokes!

CramCycle · 16-11-2025 10:12PM

My father has a 135, 100% prefer a cab to a roll bar. They have a use and they fulfil it but to each their own.

Gorteen · 18-11-2025 06:53PM

Any view on 'Gripstar' tyres?

bogman_bass · 19-11-2025 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123994200#Comment_123994200

wait. What??????? Think those half calls with a bit of tarp stuck onto them look good?

Give me a Duncan cab any day of the week!

trabpc · 19-11-2025 06:52PM

Wash out your mouth 😂

23-11-2025 07:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428482/restoring-an-old-massey-ferguson-135-tractor

How much of a restoration are you planning to do. Cosmetic or mechanical ?

There are a lot of tractors with Tyres that are perished and still doing a lot of work . You might not need to change them .

If you are doing a full nut n bolt restoration , you would need new tyres . Possibly new rims.

A new roll bar is around the 550 plus vat I think. A good second hand one is 300 plus unless you are putting on a home made or rotten one which needs sandblasting n paint. I paid 300 for a good second hand one 6 months ago .

The father has a 135 as well with a Longford cab . I'm 6 ft 7 and it's tight getting on and off

Gorteen · 23-11-2025 11:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124012834#Comment_124012834

Cosmetic probably more than mechanical. Everything works ok, with the exception of a full service, which (I suspect) wouldn't go astray. I've ordered new wheels and tubes/tyres. Have decided to keep the cab for the moment. It's cheaper to address the peeling paint, etc than remove and replace with mudguards and roller.

Restoring an old Massey Ferguson 135 tractor

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