The 35 has the distinction of being the first Massey Ferguson, as it replaced the last-of-the-line Ferguson FE35 ‘Copper Belly’ in 1957. The FE35 was itself a development of the infamous TE20, and featured a choice of petrol/TVO or four-cylinder diesel power-plants; the first of the Massey Fergusons continued with this specification, the main change being simply from the Ferguson grey/gold colour scheme to the familiar MF red/grey. However, in 1959 the Standard-based four-cylinder diesel was dropped in favour of a three-cylinder Perkins diesel, and it is with this engine that the 35 is perhaps best known. The three-pot Perkins was to find itself under the bonnet of a great many tractors in the sixties, seventies and eighties in virtually unchanged form, even tractors in direct competition with each other such as the MF 135 and Ford 2000. For any tractor drivers used to the previous 35 four-cylinder diesel, the Perkins proved a boon thanks to its easy-starting nature and far better fuel economy; the engine really brought the 35 range into the 1960s.

As we have written about previously, in Ireland the MF 35 took up the reins from where the Ferguson 20 had left off. The relatively poor Ireland of the sixties, with its small farms and demand for varied tractor tasks, had taken the diminutive, economical, simple and reliable grey Fergie to its heart, and soon did the same with the 35. Indeed, in the more rural parts of the country to this day you can still see the odd 35 working hard for its keep, usually complete with a makeshift cab, rust-covered bodywork and odd wheels. It might be no showpiece, but any machine that can give loyal service over forty years after it was built is a special machine indeed.

The stunning example on these pages, however, could well be called a showpiece; you won’t find any flapping fertiliser bags, empty headlamp bowls or homemade seats on this one! Owned by Ross Kelly from Athy, Co. Kildare, this Meath-registered (ZN) 35 is a 1959 model, built in the first year of the three-cylinder Perkins era. While there is no shortage of restored 35s in this country, it is rare indeed to see one on double rear wheels, and that’s even before you get to that beautiful teak-panelled trailer following behind.
First and foremost, Ross is a car enthusiast, with his chosen area being classic and retro Fords. Having restored a very special Mk2 Escort in the recent past (which we hope to bring you more on in a future issue) and with a three-door Sierra Cosworth currently receiving his attentions, you would think that he would have neither the time nor the interest in the sedate progress offered by a classic tractor. “Every second or third house around here has a vintage tractor,” Ross explains, “I used to think they were mad!” However, as many of our readers will know, a scenic day out on a tractor run is some of the best craic to be had on the old vehicle scene in this country. This attraction, combined with his memories of his first driving experiences on his uncle’s farm, resulted in Ross tracking down this 35 as a project about three years ago. The previous owners in Castledermot had been using the tractor regularly for topping work, and it came to Ross complete with a small topper, a Duncan cab and well-serviced mechanicals. In this guise, Ross ran around on it for a year, taking on mowing work for neighbours and suchlike, before taking it into the garage for the inevitable strip-down.

While its regular use had found the 35 in good stead mechanically, it had really suffered on the bodywork front; as with most cab-equipped classic tractors, the rear mudguards were well rotten, and the bonnet was also beyond saving. In the end, Ross ended up replacing all of the 35’s tinwork, along with many components such as lamps and gauges that rarely seem to survive without getting damaged. Ross is full of praise for Stradbally Tyres and Tractor Parts, where proprietor Willy Deegan proved very helpful in supplying any and all parts needed during the project. With the bodywork and all ancillaries removed from the tractor, the services of a mobile sandblaster were enlisted to erase the old paint and muck of ages, before the real restorative work could begin. Ross was able to apply his car-restoration experience to this tractor project, completing almost all of the work himself including the spraying of the new body panels, but is keen to acknowledge the valuable assistance of his father Phil and friends Tom Hickey, Wayne King and Ken Farrington during the restoration. As his childhood tractor memories related to his uncle’s farm, which included a turf bog, Ross decided to make his 35 stand out from the crowd by equipping it with twin rear wheels; although fitting four large tyres instead of two resulted in more expense, it certainly marks this tractor out as something a bit different to the rest.

Of course, that fabulous trailer also adds to the overall appeal. Although Ross’ initial plan was to restore an old Massey Ferguson trailer, on closer examination it was evident that too much work would be involved and so the decision was made to build a similar piece from scratch. Enlisting the help of two friends with welding skills, Kieran Davis and Paddy Gorman, the trailer was built over a six week period on evenings and weekends using all new steel. Two new stub axles and wheels were fitted to a new box-section axle, and this was mounted towards the rear of the trailer as Ross wanted to maintain an old-fashioned look; the lovely teak woodwork also helps in this regard, and with its fully operational tipping hydraulics it works as well as it looks.
Having since joined the Naraghmore Vintage Club, Ross’ 35 and trailer have already taken part in their fair share of road runs and events. One of the trailer’s recent outings wasn’t such a joyous one, however, as it was used to carry the remains of good family friend Liam Doyle to his removal, mounted behind his beloved Nuffield 342. Ross summed it up best when he told us “the trailer won’t have anything as special in it ever again.” As much a part of the Kelly family now as his fast Fords, we suspect that Ross’ immaculate 35 won’t be leaving the fold any time soon.
Narraghmore Vintage Club would like to thank Irish Vintage Scene for the content of this article as published in the February 2010 magazine. Irish Vintage Scene would like to thank Christy King for the use of his land (and cows) for these photos.