Ferguson Tractors: 30 vs. 35 the difference five more makes!

Since I had the TO 30 and the TO 35 parked next to each other I thought I'd outline the differences between these two models of the Ferguson Tractor. While they may be difficult for the casual observer to tell apart, there are major differences in these tractors that really separate them by a pretty wide margin.
The major improvements on the 35 (and they are major) are live power takeoff, draft and position control on the three point system, six forward and two reverse gears, more horsepower and several more minor items. Back in the day, (for us), one of the biggest advantages was that the 35 can go far slower than the 30 or similar Ford Tractors, and when you are running a transplanter that is huge, trust me.

[@Bohica-tq3ps]

Really enjoyed the video. My dad bought a 1953 TO 30 new after he came out of the Army. I was born in 1947 and grew up with that tractor, can't remember when I was turned loose on it by myself. After watching this I wish Dad would have waited a couple of years and bought a 35, I hated when we had to turn the rear wheels to cultivate since they had calcium chloride in them. I believe Dad bought the tractor, plow and cultivator for $1200.

[@froghairfarm]

@@Bohica-tq3ps That’s a great story, I hated moving the wheels too. Dad seemed to always want to change the setup! Our 35 back in the day didn’t have the power adjust wheels. I will say we could set it all the way wide and cultivate strawberries- just the ticket,

[@jvin248]

I grew up with a TO35 that was bought new for the farm in 1955 (green belly) and I continue to use it now (snow plow the other day). While we had bigger tractors for specific tasks, the 35 was the hardest working and ran the most hours on our place. Ferguson was a decade ahead of other tractor brands in the three point advancements and this was the top game back then. Other notes: The Engines in the 30s have more instances of coolant in the oil (leakage around the sleeves, often from installation). Either tractor, make sure the shifter boots and the top 3pt mount boots remain in good condition or the transmission will fill with water, I know because mine the shifters locked up on my father and hence my rebuild. Bundy Bears youtube channel is a wealth of mechanical insight to repairing these old tractors. I did a 12v alternator (look for 'mini hotrod' denso unit as the typical large GM one gets hit by suspension linkages) and new switches and harness and it greatly improved the starting of the tractor. Headlights get wiped off early on these, I installed new LED units (super bright now) back by the dashboard (like our old AC WD) so I can see the engine if any issues too.

[@froghairfarm]

The 35 we had (not this one) also saw a lot of work and it just always did the job. I agree that Ferguson was well ahead of the competiton with the 3pt hitch. Thanks for stopping by.

[@huffysheraton]

I have your tractors sister, 1955 green belly serial number S150204. My favorite tractor ever and it can still get alot of work done!

[@DonnaBrowder-do5ll]

We worked a Ferguson 30 on my grandparent's farm in the late 1950's....early '60's. We used it mostly for hay mowing (rear mounted sickle bar) and for pushing windrows of cured hay to haystack sites with a front mounted buck rake. It was a great dependable machine. The farm was in Carroll County in Southwest Virginia.... hilly land. I enjoyed this great video comparing the 30 and 35. I've always wondered what the differences are. Richard....age 81

[@froghairfarm]

Hey Richard! Thanks for the comment. While the MF 180 is my favorite tractor, the 35 has a special place as I grew up running one of them for many hours. The 35 is a definite upgrade from the TO20-30 with much improved hydraulics, two-stage clutch, and two-range transmission. You could go a lot slower with a 35, which may seem like not much of a plus, but when you are running a transplanter putting in 50,000 strawberries or cultivating the same, slow is good!

[@georgecass8529]

Great little tractors we had one growing up the tractor never ler us down . Used it to scrap the barn lot and rake hay

[@froghairfarm]

@@georgecass8529 great little machines and still useful today

[@GeigerFarm]

Don't know how I missed this...thanks for the great explanation. My nephew's 8N is sitting in the corner of my barn, partially restored ;)

[@froghairfarm]

I have a 2N that I was going to part with, but based on the low-ball offers, and the fact it is a solid machine, I think I may hang on to it a bit. I -may- tackle a restoration on it, but who knows! Once we get some warmer weather I'll do a comparison of the 2N and the Ferguson TO20.

[@VanSmith07]

I have a 53 TO 30 and I don’t think I’ll part with it anytime soon. It’s a handy sized tractor for little jobs around the farm. I do think Ferguson was a half step behind Ford after they split in 47, but still a very serviceable tractor.

[@froghairfarm]

I may have a friendly difference of opinion, but I have a fondness for both the early Fords and these Fergies

[@johnsweeney1712]

Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@froghairfarm]

Thanks, will do! I'll have some time to make a few more soon.

[@alexanderstuck9890]

Great video good facts. Some of the 35’s shipped with 12V system so you should be able to just get a generator and be good.

[@froghairfarm]

That is likely what I will end up doing, thanks for watching!

[@brokendad2222]

A Chevrolet generator can be made to run as a exciter and not gen until you increase the RPM's on the motor. I had a TO35 for years most likely the best tractor I will ever have.

[@danielalamo2075]

You have very nice tractors!! I have a TO30, two TO35s and a massey ferguson 165. Both of my 35s are 12 volt. One is a 1957. Second is the Delux and dosen't run yet. Maybe some day mine can look as nice as yours.

[@froghairfarm]

Right on - They are great little tractors. I have a soft spot for 35's especially.

[@arvbergstedt3303]

Think you said the 30 had 3 forward speeds. Actually 4 forward.

[@froghairfarm]

@arvbergstedt3303 You are 100% correct. I was kicking myself after I made the video!

[@dyer2cycle]

Nice tractors, from the 20 all the way up through the 135...but seems to be from what I have seen, the Continental engines in them seem quite a bit more fragile than a comparable Ford tractor engine, and the transmissions/2 stage clutch setups seem more fragile than the Fords also....

[@froghairfarm]

My only Ford experience is with the 9/2N tractors, I don't have a point of reference, however, I have never thought of these as very fragile. In all the hours our family has put on Massey's, I cannot recall a clutch or engine failure.

[@mardyfisher693]

You need the generator to run the tack. Harder and harder to find rebuilders for that stuff. My go-to guy just retired.

[@froghairfarm]

Yep, tach drive needed for sure. I do ahve a guy, but it takes a while. Definitely a=harder to come by.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

"TO" is short for Tractor Oversea. Here in the old world they were know as "TE" and "FE", Ferguson England. Here are no 30. Only 20 and 35. But there is a 25.

[@froghairfarm]

You are spot-on. I may have a 25 lurking around the barn :). Look for it in a future video.

[@goatfarmmb]

TO's and also the TEA or TE also where sold in Canada

[@jamesb.armstrong5433]

I have a Ferguson that i bought at an auction. It is marked 35, but i know it is not a 35. I dont really know what it is. It looks like a TO-30. Whoever had it before really cobled it up. By watching your video, it looks tile a 30. I sure would like to know for sure.

[@froghairfarm]

A couple of things to determine what you have: A) 1 gear lever and 4 speeds = 20 or 30, 2 gear levers = 35 B) 2 levers on hydraulic controls = 35

[@arvbergstedt3303]

30 had one shift lever 4 speeds forward, one reverse. Dead PTO. 35 has 2 shift levers gives 6 forward 2 reverse. Live PTO 2 stage clutch.

[@ukiniakingdomex1837]

my to30 have a toolbox on it size of the hood in the exterior and has a starter. seem like mine different lol

[@claesmansson9070]

Draft control is not (constant) depth control, draft control ensures your tractor is able to move forward under diff. conditions

[@froghairfarm]

That's right, however, with a draft implement the working depth is controlled by where you set your draft control lever. There are two types of control, position and draft. Both set a "height" just differently. The 30, without position control will allow a non-draft implement, like a rotary cutter to wander in height unless the operator continually adjusts. A tractor without draft control will not adjust depth (of a draft implement) according to conditions without operator intervention. The 35 has both types of control and is more versatile for it.