More power and torque were the highlights of Massey Ferguson’s 5S line-up when it was ushered in to replace the popular 5700S almost three years ago.

Doing so sacrificed a sub-100hp option, meaning buyers in that bracket are now restricted to the cheaper 5700Ms. Forming the other 5S bookend is the altogether bigger 150-200hp 6S-series.

See also: Video: Massey Ferguson’s entry-level 5711M on test

The quintet of models, running from 105hp to 145hp, share their 4.4-litre Agco Power engine with Valtra’s Gs.

However, the Masseys get their maximum output at all times – Valtras have a small boost for pto and transport work – and they can be had with the 16-speed Dyna-4 transmission as a lower-cost alternative to the Dyna-6.

Brothers Darren and Jamie Butcher have been running a 5S.135 Dyna-4 since August 2021, as part of their 80ha equine hay and haylage business.

Darren and Jamie Butcher © MAG/Oliver Mark

Why a Massey Ferguson 5S.135 Dyna-4?

We wanted to reduce the workload of a couple of old-timers, a Leyland and a Case 985, that we ran alongside a Massey Ferguson 5612.

As we were happy with the performance of our existing Massey, we didn’t see any reason to switch brand.

The choice came down to a 5S.115 or the 135, as our local dealer, TNS at Littleport, had already put in an order. We fancied a bit more power so we went for the latter.

What extras did you opt for?

Fortunately, the tractor was still in the build queue, so we had time to alter the spec.

The first box we ticked was for a front linkage. We use this to run a Techneat Avacast broadcaster to spread grass seed, with a set of harrows on the back.

But the main reason we added it was for carrying a tyre press ahead of the Massey 1840 in-line baler, as the 5612 could never straddle the swath without catching the grass.

For the same reason, we specced bigger 540/65 R38 rear tyres that gain us a bit more ground clearance.

Cab suspension was standard, but we also added front axle suspension. The roads around here are appalling and any tractor without it feels as if it’s got square wheels.

The hydraulics package – 110 litres/min through four rear spools and one at the front – was pretty good anyway. But we paid a bit more for Power Beyond with a view to running a Bale Baron in the future, which will help us clear the fields a bit quicker.

All in, the extras only added about £4,000 to the price. We felt that was a pretty good deal.

The only thing we maybe should have had is factory-fitted guidance, but it was a lot of money at the time. Instead, we retrofitted a Trimble kit with a steering wheel motor, which means having a second monitor.

We use the Massey Datatronic screen to display a camera feed for the sledge behind the baler.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

How has it performed?

It’s only 15hp more than the 5612, but the extra pull is unbelievable. We’ve had it on a five-furrow plough working reasonably heavy ex-spud land at 8-10in and it cruised along at 6kph.

It’ll lift the plough easily too, but it does need plenty of weight on the front.

Massey also seems to have improved the Dyna-4 range shifting, which has far less of a delay than the 5612 – to the point that it’s almost like a full-powershift.

However, there aren’t quite enough gears for baling. There’s usually about 1kph between them, which doesn’t sound a lot, but it can be inconvenient. If the price was right, we’d certainly look at a Dyna-VT next time.

The transmission has been the source of the only issues so far. Initially, it wouldn’t shift from 3D to 4A, so TNS whipped off the back wheel and replaced a sensor.

The same issue later occurred for the 1D to 2A switch, so a second sensor was replaced – both covered by the five-year warranty.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

That said, the joystick controls are undoubtedly an upgrade on the old T-bar, the cab is quiet, and having flashing lights that automatically switch on above 30kph and 1,800rpm is a good feature.

The only real downsides are that it’s not the most spacious and the back window is small. This means the rear pillars block the view when ploughing, and the pick-up hitch mirror regularly catches a stray elbow.

Forward visibility is unbeatable, though – you can’t even see the sloping bonnet, so it would make a lovely loader tractor.