Massey Ferguson MF 42
Built: 1962–1965 · Series: 10er-Baureihe
More machines from model year 1962
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MF 35: the first true Massey Ferguson generation, 25 to 58 hp, three- and four-cylinder Perkins diesels with the Ferguson System three-point linkage
In 1953 Massey-Harris and the Ferguson Company merged to form Massey-Harris-Ferguson, becoming Massey Ferguson from 1958. The 10 series bundles the resulting first joint model generation, built around the FE-35 ("Ferguson England") and the later MF 35, direct successors to the legendary Ferguson TE-20.
Read on 4 more paragraphs
The register lists 14 live models, from the FE 35/MF 35 to the MF 42 S, built between 1956 and around 1965. Output ranges from 18.4 to 42.7 kW, or 25 to 58 hp, weight from 1,100 to 2,075 kg, displacement from 1,753 to 3,346 cm3, across three- and four-cylinder engines.
Carried over from the TE-20 tradition was the Ferguson System with hydraulic three-point-linkage draft control, paired with the rugged Perkins diesel engine that made the MF 35 one of the longest-lived classics in tractor history.
Thanks to its simple, well-supplied technology, this series remains among the most popular collector and working tractors among the early Massey Ferguson models.
The Ferguson System, carried over to the MF 35 from its TE-20 predecessor, was at the time the first mass-produced three-point linkage with hydraulic draft control and formed the technical basis for the later, internationally standardised ISO 730 Category I. When buying used, besides clutch and gearbox, the condition of the Perkins injection pump matters especially, since leaks in this early distributor-type pump are the most common cause of starting trouble on old examples.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Massey Ferguson 10er-Baureihe
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 45 hp (33.1 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,400 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 3correct |
| Displacement | 2,502 cm³correct |
| Bore | 91.44 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 127 mmcorrect |
| Compression ratio | 17.4correct |
| Injection pressure | 120 barcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 2,970 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,830 mmcorrect |
| Height | 1,400 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,830 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 340 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,650 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6V/2Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 6correct |
| Reverse gears | 2correct |
| Front tyres | 6.00-16 ASFcorrect |
| Rear tyres | 11-28 AScorrect |
| Top speed | 25 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 38.5 lcorrect |
|---|
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|
Other data
| Linkage category | Cat Icorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 20.1 kW/t (33 kW / 1.6 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 29% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Massey Ferguson MF 42 have?
The Massey Ferguson MF 42 delivers 45 hp.
How much does the Massey Ferguson MF 42 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,650 kg.
What engine does the Massey Ferguson MF 42 have?
3 cylinders, 2,502 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Massey Ferguson MF 42 go?
Top speed is 25 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Massey Ferguson MF 42?
2,970 mm × 1,830 mm × 1,400 mm.
When was the Massey Ferguson MF 42 built?
Production years: 1962–1965.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 28 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
