criswelg

I recently bought a 1973 Diesel Massey Fergeson 135. I really like the tractor. We have it on our family ranch and no one is there most of the time. What I am wondering (worried about) is it going to be "hard to start" especially in the winter? We live in Texas where it is not really cold but it does get down in the 20's. Should I put a dipstick heater in it or something so after it sets for a month or so in the barn it cranks easy?
Thanks

shona13

Hi criswelg.
welcome to the forum
Your massey can
you tell me what engine it has, It it a three cylinder diesel or a four cylinder diesel ?
Regards
hutch.

Brakeman

I have a 135 up in the Great White North. They are a good tractor, all be it I'm used to IHs. I put a block heater in mine and on the coldest day it takes only about 2 hours to warm up enough to start easy. The 3 cyl diesel the block heater goes in the front right frost plug. It cost $35 CDN.

criswelg

Shona 13, Brakeman,
To be honest I have to get back to the ranch and check (probably Saturday). I thought it was a 4 cylinder (but it could be a 3 cylinder). I couldn't see any evidence of GLOW PLUGS is why I was asking the question. I like Brakeman's idea. We don't get really cold here but can get in the 20's and stay below freezing for a couple of days.
Thanks

Brakeman

I don`t believe the Perkins came with glow plugs. And the only 4 cyl that came in them was a Continental. There was a 3 cyl gas and a 3cyl diesel Perkins. The block heaters for them work really well. I live on top of a hill and you can see for miles, so we get hit with a lot of wind. It does get cold and the wind adds to the sting. The block heater I got was from UAP/NAPA and it is a solid chunk of brass.

criswelg

Thanks Brakman that is what I am goning to do also.

shona13

G,Day criswelg and brakeman.
The massey 135 was sold with four different engines .
The a3.144 which was a three cylinder diesel manufactured in france.
the three cylinder AD3.152. direct injection manufactured in england.
the ag 3.152 petrol engine.
and the 87 mm bore VANGUARD petrol engine made in england.
both the petrol engines will start in severe cold weather without heaters,cover the engine with a heavy hesian bag or two and remove before starting.
The french made engine was not a bad starter in cold weather.
And last but not least the AD3 .152 made in england has an inlet manifold cold start device which has a cold start auxiliary (tank),it is mounted on the rear of the main diesel tank between the battery and the fuel tank ,this Tank supplies diesel to the cold start unit which is screwed into the inlet manifold ,it is fitted with a small fuel line from the tank and a
12 volt supply, when operated the heating element gets red hot and thermostatically opens a fuel orifice inside the heating unit ,this introduces diesel at atmospheric pressure which ignites and when the engine is cranked it will draw the hot air in and aid starting, to operate the cold start Push the engine stop in set the throttle to fast idle and turn the key ANTICLOCKWISE you will feel the spring resistance count to fifteen and then turn the key all the way and the engine will crank and start .
the 3cyl perkins will normally start without heat I would try it without heat first and see what happens .
HAPPY DAYS
Hutch.