Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2023 i Tractor & Farming Heritage

By the time you read this, the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show will have taken place. The last major show of 2022 for vintage tractor enthusiasts; now other events grow few and far between in the run-up to, and just after, Christmas. At least the longer nights give us a chance to catch up with our reading. Perhaps you or someone you know might like a subscription to TFH to get their regular fix of heritage until the short days lengthen and we can get out and about once more. While we’re on the subject, this issue includes our Christmas Gift Guide. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, there may be something in there to fit the bill. Speaking of your heritage fix, have you tried our Heritage Machines…

This year’s iconic Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run has smashed the team’s fundraising record for a single year. The record sum of £84,000 was announced at a cheque presentation for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal. This year’s collection takes the total raised over the years to more than £896,000. Now organisers hope to smash through the £1 million mark in 2023. Annie, who was recently shortlisted for a Pride of Britain Award for her fundraising work, said: “My Pink Ladies have produced an incredible £84,000 this year - a record which brings us within £104,000 of a £1million grand total. “What was a slightly crazy ambition has now become a goal we really can achieve. And, with our incredible support team behind the run, I hope to see those…

In 1936, David Brown and Harry Ferguson formed a partnership to build a tractor. From the fruits of their labour, the Ferguson-Brown was born. While this tractor was revolutionary and featured Ferguson’s hydraulic lift system, sales weren’t what they hoped for. Resistance Ferguson blamed Brown and Brown blamed Ferguson. However, maybe it wasn’t either of them at fault. Horses were still a staple commodity for farmers in 1936, and many were still set in their ways. Those who embraced change and owned a tractor probably had already bought a Standard Fordson. It was a tried and tested machine, easy to use, easy to get on and off, and the implements a horse would pull would also fit the Fordson. While it’s true the Ferguson-Brown could pull implements to get the…

The J I Case Threshing Company started life in 1863, making agricultural steam engines. They soon gained a good reputation and began experimenting with the new generation of fossil fuel engines. By 1894, they had built their first prototype, but this engine failed to work properly. The company persevered, and by 1912, was making petroldriven tractors. Design Like other tractor manufacturers, Case had to cope with several design problems. Early tractors had many issues, including riveted chassis that flexed and bent, pulling the transmission gears out of alignment. Case solved the problem in 1915 by mounting the engine crossways. This gave the tractor a more rigid chassis. Case was fortunate because they had recently acquired the Pierce Motor Company, which had a suitable fourcylinder ohv engine ready to go. Pierce…

Is it just me or do bad things come along in batches? I wrote last month about our Freelander truck breaking down on the A1. By the way, it’s still parked up round the back amongst the sheep. I haven’t had time to look at it yet, well I bought another truck, Japanese this time, so we had something to tow the trailers about with. Running repairs We needed to move some sheep the other day, and I put the sheep trailer on. Before I went on the road, I thought I’d better see if the lights worked. No prizes for guessing. The brake lights were the only ones to light up. I’d had trouble with the lights before on the trailer. We have three trailers that we use now…

Massey-Harris-Ferguson launched the new Ferguson FE 35 tractor in 1956 to replace the monumentally successful Ferguson TE-20 family of tractors. It was seen as a big step forward for the brand that had become famous after tractor production began in Coventry in 1946 and the merger of Ferguson and Massey-Harris in 1953. Next level The FE 35 was quite different to the TE-20, with a brand-new bonnet style and many new mechanical features that took the Ferguson tractor to the next level. Its design was based on the developments made by the American arm of the Ferguson company, with the original TE-20 and the later TO-30 and then the TO-35. Massey-Harris’s involvement was nominal, as this tractor model gradually developed firmly entrenched in the Ferguson side of the business. Finished…

Honiton Hill Rally returned to Smeatharpe Aerodrome after a twoyear break because of Covid, writes Cynthia Underdown. Held in perfect weather with record attendance, the Tractor Section entrants totalling over 150 provided an excellent and varied display of restored and unrestored. They ranged from an impressive MF 4840, an array of John Deeres and Fordsons, an Oliver Row Crop 70 and a Lanz Bulldog, amongst others. Philip Arscott, section leader, led the parade off in his Ford 7810 Turbo. Notable entries included Martin Evans and his Roadless 115 (John Hawkins Shield for Best Presented Tractor), Malcolm Adams with his David Brown Implematic (John Jeffrey Shield for Best Restored David Brown), Aaron Dyer with his Fordson Standard (Best Unrestored Tractor), and Edward Lanning with his Ferguson which won the Tractor Stewards…

Despite the French fuel refinery workers’ strike and the inevitable increasing fuel crisis, the 31st Tractomania went ahead in great style on October 15-16 at Caussade, southern France. The weather over the weekend was 30 degrees of pure hot sunshine, which the 40,000-plus crowd enjoyed. The tractor theme this year was Massey Ferguson, including Massey-Harris and Ferguson. Over 50 were on show for everyone to enjoy. After the two-hour lunch break, which the French religiously observe on the Sunday, the grand parade around the town took place at 3.30pm to everyone’s delight. There was an excellent selection of the family tractors parading, including this 830S combine powered by the ‘dreaded’ Hanomag two-stroke supercharged diesel engine seen passing the town hall, which was suitably dressed for the occasion.…

The Tip Wa Antique Tractor & Engine Club is based in Indiana, US and has been active for 18 years. Tip Wa stands for Tipton & Washington Townships, which were once rival townships. The club was founded by a small group of individuals who all wanted to preserve, display and show old farm machinery to educate tomorrow’s generation about agricultural history and encourage them to continue the preservation of these rural artefacts. The club has approximately 100 members of all ages and professions, all with ties to the local community. Tractor drive One of the club’s annual events is a tractor drive, with the route varying each year. Organiser Dean McCloskey explains the routes planned by the Tip Wa club are unusually scenic. Largely, because they cross fields, streams, and…

Today, tractor cabs offer all the creature comforts of the modern office working environment and more. But cabs are no new thing by any stretch of the imagination and date back to the early prairie giants of America and beyond that into the age of steam. Plenty of choice We cannot escape the fact that this early protection from the environment was basic, to say the least. Local blacksmiths, small agricultural companies and, indeed, the farmers themselves may well have been involved in their construction. At least they offered some protection from the elements, and it was still much better than walking behind a pair of horses, ploughing all day at the mercy of the weather. By the mid-20th century, there was a plethora of cab manufacturers, still offering a…

Despite the much-needed heavy rain on Friday afternoon causing havoc on Saturday morning at the site entrance and to the trade area of the National Ploughing Championships, the event was a big success. The site was showered with bright sunshine both days and it was all action from the off, but the large, roped headland areas made it difficult for good close-up photography, unfortunately. Horticultural Norman Allen took the Saturday Horticultural Ploughing Championship. He was the last to start with his blue Singer Monarch and TS42A but left everyone behind by 30 points. Second went to Graham Brown with his Trusty and Trusty Greyhound behind, with Andrew Pomeroy third with his similar outfit. There was a better variety in this class this year, which was good to see. Dominating the…

An unusual tractor came from my farming neighbour in the shape of a narrow vineyard Energic of 1962, with an Indenor (Peugeot 404) diesel. It runs well but has an inaccessible water leak. Staub I rescued a four-wheel pivot steered Staub from a shed in a field that had grown into a wood and required a chainsaw and my Deutz D25 (I nearly forgot that one) to drag it to the nearest road. Then there was a 4x4 and all-wheel steered Latil that was supposed to have a Gardner 4LW but turned out to have a later and far less satisfactory Saviem Fulgur motor. Agrip Another 4x4 was a 1956 Agrip that I bought from an agricultural dealer who was cutting up his yard full of old tractors. I got…

Our article on page 12 of the December issue TFH included a fabulous image (see inset), which unfortunately omitted due credit to the photographer Carl Draper, for which we apologise. He has since been in touch with us and now shares memories of his great day“out in the field”. “My mate Tom Booth invited me to take some photos and videos of them square baling in their little field. It was a great day, back in July, on one of the hottest days of the year. They were trying out the homemade bale sled that his dad, Malcolm, had made the day before. He and Tom took turns between standing on the sled and driving the Major. As they went along, they’d push the bales off, if they weren’t sliding…

DRILL BIT SHARPENER There are many savings to be had with recently launched products in Sealey’s latest New Lines promotions (valid until March 31). Amongst them is this handy benchtop drill bit sharpener (SMS2008). It provides a fast, simple, and effective way to sharpen your drill bits and gives a perfect angle/sharpened head to make drilling with your bit easier. Suitable for up to 118° HSS titanium, cobalt, carbon steel and split point bits in the range of Ø3-13mm. RRP £68.34 (inc VAT) More information at www.sealey.co.uk SLIM POCKET LED The Clarke PL5R Slim Pocket LED Work Light/Torch is a perfect stocking filler this Christmas. With a small compact design, ideal for fitting in your pocket, this super bright LED light is ideal for vehicle inspection or general illumination of…