Ferguson FE35

For Your Info.



Cheers
RS

Took her out yesterday for the HCRS "pink slip" and thought about her top speed. Well, from the GPS, she was doing about 28kph (17.5mph). Holy moly I didn't know they went that fast. Smokin!!!
My good old MH44K does about 20kph (in road gear) 12.5mph. :

Ady, would this be one of those rare red/gold/grey models you speak of?

I'm not a purist, but I feel this paint scheme is an absolute travesty....

HeyCharger,

Like your work, that is a good looking tractor.

Many years ago we bought a 35 fergy with the 4cyl diesel and giving it a clean up it turned out to be a gold and grey one. Had the bonnet badges etc. Was always told it was a '57 model and it had MHF in most of the castings.

The fergy was reliable (dispite what people said about the 4cyl diesel engine), did a good day's work, and never let us down. We sold it in the mid 80's but it still lives on Brisbane's southside and is still working on the farm.

Like the one in dieseldog's photo it was a raised one, being 6"-8" taller than a standard one. It had larger rear wheels and extended front end spindles. We were told that the raised ones were intended for working on cane farms, we always suspected ours came from the Jacob's Well area. Does any one have any idea if the raised ones were common?

With those big wheels, it had a pretty good top speed!

Regards
Roger

Hi dieseldog. Firstly, I'm no expert. But,
You can check the serial number, if it is still on the plate near the ignition key.
Serial Number Tractor Model and Year
1001-9225 FE35 - 1956
9226-74655 FE35 - 1958
Also, on the FE35's I believe the bonnet had two PUSH BUTTONS. Not the two twist locks.
I believe the "MHF" castings carried on for a few more years after the intro of the MF35.
rb057, thank for the compliment. Live and learn. I've never seen one with increased clearance. Would like to see more photos if possible. Will have to do a little bit of researching . Rod.

Heycharger, was only kidding around, it is a gold grey. You can tell by the, well gold paint, but also the crank handle, and the radius rods don't have the long gusset as the later ones did. All of the four cylinders had the push button bonnet, as well as the extra battery holder mounted on the rear axle for the two 6 volt batteries.

rb057, the four cylinders were just as reliable as the Perkins, however the cold starting left something to be desired. The main problem is that they are reasonably low compression engines, and once the timing is not right on spec, they have troubles. It is usually the timing chain that stretches, and the tensioner falls out. I have a gold grey that was near on impossible to start, as in blowtorch down the air intake and tow it around to get it started. Once it was going it ran ok and had questionable power. I ended up pulling the engine down, and found the front main bearing had over 2mm clearance. The first two cylinders weren't reaching TDC, and that's why I had to wind it over at 1500rpm to start it. Now that is a tough engine.

As for the "raised" Fergies, they are everywhere in QLD. I have only ever seen two or three standard ones. I think they were modified for cane use by MHF themself, or by the dealers. If you look at the kingpins, they have a section welded in that is definitely not factory. The proper high clearance have 38" rears with special spokes that reach in to fit the standard centres.

I also have a low clearance 35x, on 24" rears. It has the multipower transmission and can do over 40kmh. I believe it spent its days carting cane. Regards DD

Hi dd. Excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference with the gold/grey crank handle?

Heycharger, no difference in the crank handles, but only the gold/greys and the very early MF35s had them. Given the 4 cylinder diesel engine was such a poor starter, a crank handle was not much use anyway. DD

I have the 23C Standard 4 cyl diesel in my 1962 Massey Ferguson 702, as long as I have a good battery and use the manifold heater, press button and wait till you hear the flame ignite, it will (normally!) start in Bathurst winter, of course in the 37C heat we have been having it starts like a modern engine.
Paul

To add to dieseldogs comments on the high clearance FE35, here is some info from 1962 Power Farming on the High Clearance and Narrow MF35 (not FE35)

Paul