MASSEY 35

Serial No. SNM 259376
Year of Manufacture 1961
Registration Number 587 JOD
Purchased From J White of Somerset, May 1999
Engine No. CL 1891359 (original still fitted)

BEFORE

Kept in an old shed - at least it was dry.

It ran, although the oil pressure was virtually non-existent

My grandchildren when I first got the Massey.

TRACTOR INTRODUCTION

The serial No. SNM 259376 denotes the tractor’s build standard and therefore this tractor is a Standard (S) model fitted with a 2500cc Diesel 3-A-152 engine (N) and a duel clutch (M). The tractor of course is fitted with the famous Ferguson system of implement linkage utilising three points of attachment instead of one.

The date of first registration was 1st November 1961 and started working at Crediton in Devon. It was purchased by John White of Somerset on the 11th July 1967 primarily to muck out his sheep pens. How I came to purchase it is as follows; I was spending a few days with my eldest son Wayne and we decided to go along to a local Farm auction with the full intention of buying a tractor. Several were up for auction and we had our eyes on a Massey Ferguson 35 that was in fair condition although the engine was blowing quite a bit. We were out-bid on the tractor by a country mile, but brought other bits and pieces including an old horse-drawn potato plough. We were just wondering how to get it all back when we were approached by John White a local farmer who cuts and bails Wayne’s hay for him. He offered to get his tractor and trailer and take our bits back to Wayne’s place. He then extended an invitation for us to come up to his farm after dinner for a few glasses of cider, which we readily accepted. Having made us welcome with a pint of cider in his 16th century farmhouse we told John of our disappointment of not buying a tractor that day. Not to worry he said “I have a MF35 you can have for the right price, I even have the original Log Book”. After several more pints of ciders a deal was struck, I had a tractor, and was quite merry –hic- at the thought. We both staggered back to Wayne’s place.

Next morning I awoke with a thick head and the realisation that I had brought a tractor without even seeing it!! Eventually we drove up to John Whites farm and I clapped eyes on my new purchase. My first thoughts were “Oh! What have I done?” The bonnet was missing and the tin work rotted out and it really did look neglected. However John obtained a battery and to my astonishment it started and ran not too badly.

John drove it to Wayne’s house, down hill all the way. No-way was I driving it, as the brakes were none-existent. John had said if I needed to stop in a hurry just drop the front loader! Over the following few months I left it at Wayne’s for him to use, having adjusted the brakes, given it an oil change, and fitted the tinwork that we found/rescued from Johnnies barn. Wayne used it on his smallholding, mucking out, all on the level for the brakes were still none to good until the day came when it stopped completely and we decided that it’s time for a spot of restoration. I removed the front loader from it, put it on my trailer, and transported it to my home at Saltford where the strip-down commenced.

AFTER

Almost finished - just the name plates and badges.

Finished! Click on the picture for greater detail.

The grandchildren have grown up a bit since the original purchase.
Needless to say, Daniel also has grown up with tractors and had
his very own when he was just 7!

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