White 2-135 vs. MF 2705

Wilson 510 · Nov 6, 2011

I've been looking for a good condition White 2-135. I recently come across a MF 2705. I've read plenty of the powershift problems people have had with the 24 speed which the 2705 has. The MF I've found does need some tranny work too - it has the reverse/low clutch pack slipping. Otherwise its a low hour machine that runs well.

My question is this:

It looks to me for the same money I could find a White 2-135 to purchase in decent condition, I could buy the MF 2705 and get it fixed.

Which would be the better solution in the long run. Tractor is needed for 2-4 weeks of spring farming and summer time haying.

Jimmy King · Nov 6, 2011

I would go with the White if you have a dealer close.

4020guy · Nov 7, 2011

A nice Deere 4440. Sure higher cost but much higher resale value plus the value of being able to sell it or trade it on something. Add to this the pleasure of using it every time you do. Ever seen a Perkins engine with 10 to 12 thousand hours on it without 2 or 3 overhauls? Ever try to get White parts and find they are no longer available or are unbelivably expensive? Just my 2 cents.....Ron

davediehl@hotmail.com · Nov 7, 2011

The 2705 can cost in excess of 3 grand to get repaired.

Bob · Nov 7, 2011

Or, another way to put it, $3000.00 probably wouldn't pay the parts bill, much less the labor bill!

John A. · Nov 7, 2011

Wilson510, RUN AWAY Fast from that 2705 Massey. I am Not Hateing on Masseys here! Just the 2705 W/ the 24 speed PS tranny The Engine is bullet proof! But the Tranny is Crap, Even when they were New! They are a MONEY PIT! The Center shaft is a main point of weakness.
I was Executor of My High School Football Coach farm equipment estate dispersal last yr. He had a 2705 with a shot tranny, motor ran like a Singer sewing machine, I could not get a salvage bid from any local Salvage yards. Finely got one from Abilene Ks over 300 mils away.
Anyway I belive there are better Masseys, Whites, JDs, CIHs to find that will serve your needs better and be less money in upkeep.
Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

bradk · Nov 7, 2011

Just so you're on the right page here 4020guy,a White 2-135 has a Hercules engine. As far as high White part prices,we run JD combines and I get sick to my stomach whenever I walk into the JD dealer.

Wilson 510 · Nov 7, 2011

I have a estimate for $4,200 on the powershift fix from a dealer that is familiar with these 24 speeds. I can take that right off the asking price.

The Perkins is a strength in my opinion. When maintained, they are lasting just as long as the JD"s and sipping less fuel doing it.

I like the 4440, but now we"re probably talking twice the money.

If the MF2705 is fixed up with the tranny, what kind of hours are people putting on these before running into problems again?? 500 hours or 5,000? Thats what I"m really wondering.

Wilson 510 · Nov 7, 2011

I have a estimate for $4,200 on the powershift fix from a dealer that is familiar with these 24 speeds. I can take that right off the asking price.
The Perkins is a strength in my opinion. When maintained, they are lasting just as long as the JD"s and sipping less fuel doing it.

I like the 4440, but now we"re probably talking twice the money.

If the MF2705 is fixed up with the tranny, what kind of hours are people putting on these before running into problems again?? 500 hours or 5,000? Thats what I"m really wondering.

Heath72 · Nov 7, 2011

I've never heard anything good about those Massey transmissions either...good engine, but the rest is junk.

The White 2-135 has probably the sturdiest drive train of the day, but the Hurcules engine was a weak spot. If you find one that has been overhauled you will probably be OK. The rings and the injection pump specs have been updated on these engines through the years, and if they are properly overhauled will run as long as a 466 Deere engine.

The 2-135 weighs in at 14,000 lbs and has a powerful engine. They are a great puller, but a little hard on fuel.

VicS · Nov 7, 2011

My neighbor has a Massey can't fix the trans for very long, no body will trade for it. Did you consider a 8030 AC I would like a PS with front assist. But the sad truth is a older 4440 JD is a better tractor and worth the extra money. We have a 8000 hr plus 4040, Hard to argue with success. Vic

VicS · Nov 7, 2011

My neighbor has a Massey can't fix the trans for very long, no body will trade for it. Did you consider a 8030 AC I would like a PS with front assist. But the sad truth is a older 4440 JD is a better tractor and worth the extra money. We have a 8000 hr plus 4040, Hard to argue with success. Vic

Anonymous-0 · Nov 7, 2011

Knew an engineer that developed these MF tractors. The transmission worked great in the test tractors. But the 24 speed transmission required very tight tolerances, and MF wasn't in very good financial condition therefore needed to get stuff out the door. Consequently manufacturing wasn't given the necessary time to insure parts were made to print specifications. So the farmer might get a good one or a bad one. Problem is if you get a bad one, the chances of finding the real cause is not very good, so they rebuild it and it quickly fails again.

olliekid · Nov 7, 2011

massey made some good tractors. if you could find an 1135, i would say go for it. but those powershifts were terrible. The whites are good tractors. Ive spent some time on a 2-135 with a 14ft field finisher on some hills. it ran it good.

the drivetrain and rearend on the whites is BULLETPROOF. the herc is not at the level of the 466 that is in the deere's but it does the job.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 7, 2011

A 6-354 Perkins is one of the best engines ever made and also one of the most fuel efficient. Lots of them went well over 10,000 hours and they were used in a lot of equipment.

Erik Ks farmer · Nov 7, 2011

Wilson, I have not run a 2705, but run an 1135 which is a good tractor, just not enough tractor for what I want to do. I pull a 21ft disc and 24ft field cult in clay and heavy loam and it pulls it, but I think the rear end is getting weak. I bought the 1135 with the thought that I could afford to run it till it quit this last spring, if I had it to do agian I would have spent the extra cash to buy a 4440 JD or similar as it has the snot to do the work and is a more comfortable tractor with a resale value down the road.

JDseller · Nov 9, 2011

You can spend $4-5k just to get started on that MF 2705. Then run it a few hours and drop another $4-5 in it. That 24 speed was junk when new and will always be junk.

People need to realize that the market sets the price on equipment. IF it was a good tractor then the price would reflect that. Yes, you can find bargain but every MF 2705 is selling cheap. That should tell you all you need to know.

The White 135 is a much better tractor than the MF 2705. The only problem with them is the Hercules motor. The parts are sky high. I just overhauled one this last winter. The over haul kit and gaskets where over $5000. Parts alone was over $9500 for a tractor with 3500 original hours. The owner could have bought a complete tractor for what he spent on it but he wanted to keep it as he had bought it new.

Wilson 510 · Nov 9, 2011

I see there is a lot of JD bias in here.....

I have no beef with the JD"s. I"ve been in a 4240, 4440, & 4450 and felt they"re good tractor. Twice the money of the MF or White when you talk these older tractors though.

I ran the 15 spd powershift which I really liked in the 4450, but thats just more than we"re looking to spend right now for the chores for this tractor.

The tractor I"m looking for/needing is to help with some spring farming and we need another 1000 pto during haying season.

Any other ideas?

Brad Gyde · Nov 9, 2011

Wilson, I'm a little late chiming in, but..

A very good friend of mine is a dyed in the wool Massey man..

Tonight was steak night at the local watering hole, so on our way there, I asked Him your question..

His answer was "Hmmm.. Go with the White.." I think their 24 speed is a 2675.. It's been gone through 2 times he said.. At first they used it a little hard, but he said since the first time all it has done is pull the grain drill or 6 row corn planter.. Still has gone out.. said he tried not to use the powershift, and still went out the 2nd time.. They have had some other issues as well, but with the tractor having enough hours on it to make the Perkins tired (Nearly 8k hours I think he told me tonight), it's hard to say if it was just normal wear and tear or bad design (I know he ripped the "center" out of the clutch disc, something with a stripped shaft in the transmission, and brake issues in the last handful of years)

Should say a lot when a Massey Man says don't walk away, RUN!.. (they have 9 1155's, 1 1135, 1 2675, 1 1150, 2 4880?? 4wheelers, and about 60 "antiques".. They are all about Massey.) He also said make a good tractor.. Take that White and put the Perkins under the hood LOL!!

Brad

Wilson 510 · Nov 10, 2011

Thanks for the reply.

That was my gut feeling - the White would be an outfit I'd probably see less problems with.

White 2-135 vs. MF 2705

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