Attaching a Verge Flail Mower to an MF135 Tractor

[MikePhua]

Overview of the MF135 Tractor
The Massey Ferguson 135 (MF135) is a classic utility tractor first introduced in the mid-1960s and produced until the mid-1970s. It belongs to the MF100 series, made in Coventry, England. Its appeal comes from simple and rugged mechanics, making it popular still in many regions — both for small farms and contract maintenance work.
Key specs to know:

• Engine: ~45-47 hp (≈35-35 kW), commonly the Perkins AD3.152 three-cylinder diesel.
  
• PTO (rear) Type: 540 RPM.
  
• 3-point hitch: Category I / Category II depending on version, rear lift capacity around 2,800-3,150 lbs (~1,270-1,430 kg) in many models.
  
• Hydraulics: Enough to lift implements via the 3-point, though not very high flow compared to modern large tractors.
  

What Is a Verge Flail Mower
A verge flail mower is an attachment designed to cut grass, weeds, bushes, small saplings, and vegetation along roadsides, ditches, embankments, or other uneven terrain. Features often include:

• Flail rotor with flail blades or hammer blades that rotate via PTO.
  
• A gearbox, rotor shaft, guards, side skids or roller, and possibly hydraulics for tilt, offset or side shift.
  
• Mounting via 3-point hitch; PTO shaft connection; adequate guards and safety shields.
  
• Recommended tractor horsepower often between ~30-55 HP depending on size of mower for efficient operation.
  

Can the MF135 Operate a Verge Flail Mower
Given the MF135’s power and PTO rating (≈ 37-38 hp rated PTO, ~45 hp engine), yes, it is capable of driving many verge flail mowers, particularly the smaller to mid-size models designed for tractors of ~30-45 HP. But compatibility depends on several factors: size and width of the mower, weight, hydraulic requirements, PTO shaft compatibility, lift capacity, and hitch category.

Steps to Attach Verge Flail Mower to MF135
Below are practical detailed steps and considerations drawn from typical manuals, field experiences, and user-shared fixes.

Pre-Installation Checks

• Confirm mower’s required PTO speed is 540 RPM (MF135’s PTO).
  
• Ensure 3-point hitch category matches mower’s hitch (Category I or II).
  
• Check rear lift capacity: mower’s weight plus any roller, guards, etc. must not exceed MF135’s rear hitch lift limit (~1,300-1,400 kg in many versions).
  
• Check mower gearbox size, driveline length, and safety shields.
  

Mechanical Attachment

• Position the tractor on level ground and engage parking brake.
  
• Lower the 3-point hitch to its lowest position.
  
• Attach lower hitch arms from MF135 to mower’s lower hitch points; insert lower pins and secure with lynch pins.
  
• Attach top link from MF135 to mower’s upper hitch point (floating or fixed depending on mower) and secure. Adjust top link length to help the mower’s cutting head be slightly tilted if required (often a small angle with back lower than front to help cut and debris discharge). Manuals often recommend ~15° lower rear relative to front.
  

PTO Shaft Connection

• Measure and if necessary adjust driveline to correct length; inner and outer sliding sections should overlap sufficiently (often at least half the travel) to avoid over-extension or collapse.
  
• Attach PTO shaft from mower to tractor output, secure locking pins / collars.
  
• Ensure PTO driveline shield is in place and chain the shield (if required) so it does not rotate or slide off.
  

Hydraulic Connections & Adjustments (If Needed)

• If mower has hydraulic tilt or side offset, you may need to route hydraulic hoses from MF135’s hydraulic spool or “auxiliary” function (if equipped). Some field reports recommend using a multi-spool valve or portable hydraulic control to feed the mower’s side-shift or tilt cylinder(s).
  
• Check hose sizes, fittings; adapter fittings may be needed if mower uses metric pipes and tractor uses imperial or different coupling standard.
  

Leveling, Skids, Roller and Cutting Height

• Adjust side skids or rollers to set desired cutting height; many verge mowers allow skids front and rear side to be adjusted.
  
• Roller at rear may control cutting height, so ensure mower floats or rests on roller when lowered, so roller tracks ground.
  
• Set cutting height appropriate to vegetation type; for example, light grass may be cut around 30-80 mm; heavier brush may require higher first pass.
  

Operation and Safety

• Start PTO slowly; engage with mower lowered half (not fully raised) to avoid shock loads.
  
• Use low ground speed to start; allow rotor to reach full RPM, then adjust pace.
  
• Clear area of debris (rocks, sticks) to avoid thrown objects.
  
• Ensure guards and shields are correct and intact.
  
• Disengage PTO before raising mower to transport, performing maintenance, or before detachment.
  

Real-Life Stories
A contractor in Sri Lanka, used to hand-clearing roadside vegetation, attempted to attach a verge flail mower to an MF135. They discovered the hydraulic hoses on their mower required non-standard connectors; they ended up fabricating adapter fittings so the tilt and roller adjustment worked properly. Once fitted, they used cutter blades spaced to give a clean cut on bunds and banks, avoiding ground catch. Over a month, they reduced manual labor by 60 % on roadside clearance.
In another case in the UK, a small council used MF135s with 1.3 m verge flail mowers. They found cutting height adjustment critical: setting too low caused rapid wear on flails & gearbox; too high left uneven weeds. Their maintenance routine included weekly grease of PTO shaft, checking bolts, and cleaning guards, which extended mower lifespan by about 200 hours relative to machines with less care.

Challenges and Solutions

• Hitch mismatch (Category difference) → Use adapter brackets or aftermarket hitch kits to convert or fit properly
  
• PTO driveline too short or long → Use sliding driveline sections, ensure enough overlap, trim guards if needed
  
• Track or ground contour irregular, resulting in uneven cuts → Use float function on lift/tilt, adjust skids or rollers to follow ground
  
• Hydraulic fittings mismatch → Obtain adapter fittings and verify inside/outside diameter of tubes and hoses
  
• Overload on small MF135 when mower width or vegetation is heavy → Use a smaller mower width, make multiple passes, and avoid exceeding tractor capacity
  

Parameter Figures to Consider

• MF135 rated PTO is about 37-38 horsepower. If mower demand exceeds that, especially in heavy brush or with a wide mower, the tractor will struggle.
  
• Rear lift capacity is approximately 2,850-3,150 lbs (about 1,270-1,430 kg). The mower, roller, and additional weight must stay below this limit.
  
• Typical verge flail mower cut width is 1.3-1.5 meters. Choosing too wide a model increases required horsepower and can overload the tractor.
  

Conclusion
Attaching a verge flail mower to an MF135 tractor is very feasible, provided the mower’s size, weight, and required PTO power are within what the MF135 can safely supply. Key steps: correct hitching, safe PTO/drive shaft connection, matching hydraulic functions if needed, adjustment for cutting height, and observing safety practices. With careful setup and maintenance, such a combination can significantly increase efficiency in roadside or verge vegetation work.