Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Tractor & Machinery

On Saturday 20 August 2022 a silage event took place near Loughbrickland, Co. Down, hosted by Mark Stewart, writes James Connolly. The weather was dull and overcast in the morning, but it brightened up with the sunshine appearing in the afternoon and by the evening the conditions for lifting silage were ideal. It is not often you see two Ford/New Holland Series 70 tractors working alongside each other in the same field. Ian Walsh, from Ballygowan in Co. Down, brought these two tractors to the event. He used the 8770 model to power a John Deere 3765 precision-chop forage harvester. This 1996-registered tractor, rated at 190hp, really made the harvester purr along up the swards of grass. His second tractor, an 8670 model, pulled a 16-tonne Kane silage trailer. These…

One day, I might actually learn that you have to be somewhat careful about what you mention to Lincolnshire’s Robbie Thorpe, says Jonathan Whitlam. At the beginning of 2022 I mentioned that I was looking for MF tractors, particularly 35 models, to film for an upcoming DVD production, and by April he had lined up several people and their machines to set to work on a field together. Unfortunately, the weather at the time had other ideas and it was not possible to carry on with the original plan. Fast forward to late August 2022 and Robbie had successfully reorganised the day with the kind participation of a local farmer, who allowed a sizeable field of wheat stubble as the location for the event. Luckily, everyone was still prepared to…

International Harvester’s line of small, Bradford-built tractors can be found on farms, in collections and in the hands of match ploughmen and women, where their size and characteristics make them an ideal choice in the competitive arena. Those looking for a good all-rounder that is not too heavy and won’t break the bank could do a lot worse than one of these tractors and although the earlier models of the 1950s and ’60s are still by far the most popular, it is those built in the 1970s that are the focus of this guide. It was the launch of the B-250 at the 1955 Smithfield Show that started the ball rolling on what would become an extremely successful line of tractors for International Harvester. The ‘Little Giant’, as it was…

It was great to see a proper vehicle rally back at Parham Park in West Sussex, on 9-10 July, staged by the Sussex Steam Engine Club Ltd. and friends. This organisation has held events at the vast Wiston House site not that far away, but the move to Parham Park was an instant success, with more than 20,000 people flocking to this event, writes Peter Love. More than 60 full-size and miniature steam engines were exhibited, as well as 75 tractors, commercials, motorcycles, and cars. There was an autojumble, trade stands and a working area to enjoy too. This isn’t the first time that an event like this has taken place on this site, but it was laid out differently and with many more exhibits to those earlier events that…

Ploughing with a TE-D 20 Q I bought a Ferguson TE-D 20 tractor last year and wish to purchase a plough to match the tractor, having seen them at working events and ploughing matches. Prior to buying the tractor I had little experience of them, but since owning one have become quite familiar with the running and driving of it. My intention is to gain some experience with a plough in order to enter some local ploughing matches, but could do with some advice on what to purchase and also some hints on matching the plough correctly to the tractor. Michael Goodwin, via e-mail A A Ferguson TE-20 and plough is a good start into match ploughing, as they are easy to drive, uncomplicated and easily transported to ploughing venues. Regarding a…

PART D-F The prices are based on tractors sold at sales, on the Internet, privately and in some overseas markets too. Naturally, prices change as time progresses and it’s not always an upward trend, but you will get a good indication of what’s going on with the current market by referring to our guide. Here are a few pointers on buying a tractor to help you. If you are looking for a tractor to buy for restoration, or work, there’s a vast choice. However, if you are looking for something specific, do weigh up your options first, particularly if you have a limited budget. If it’s a popular model, then it’s not always to your advantage to go for the first one you see. Whatever is wrong with the tractor,…

When Massey Ferguson launched the 100 Series, otherwise known as the Red Giants, in 1964, the range quickly became an unqualified success. Three British-built models were included in the 100 Series for the UK market – 135, 165 and 175 – as well as the French-built 130. Other models featured according to each market. The 130 was powered by a four-cylinder engine, while the 135 had a three-cylinder Perkins unit and the 165 and 175 a four-cylinder Perkins diesel. Petrol variants were also offered, but were nowhere near as successful as the diesel versions. Transmission wise, the standard set-up was a six-speed gearbox – the still advanced Multi-Power system also being available as an extra cost option, offering 12 speeds via a high and low splitter in each main gear…

It was a pleasure for Tractor & Machinery to be invited to John Sheppard and friends’ Blakesley Show Vintage Working Weekend on 10-11 September at Poplars Farm, Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, says Peter Love. This was an excellent working event featuring a 1962-2022 Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4 and Ploughmaster 90 appreciation section. It was staged by Billy Wood with the help of Sam Chapman and Gary Rutter. It turned out to be a very well-organised event for these famous, pioneering four-wheel drive machines and everyone had a good time. As a backdrop to the fine site there was an excellent and value-for-money café supplied by Blakesley School Friends Association, with bacon rolls, burgers and hot dogs all at £4. Tea and coffee was just £1 and there was a popular bar present…

PRODUCTION SPEC CHECK The 1690 was David Brown’s first six-cylinder model since the legendary 50D and the company’s first tractor to produce more than 100hp – putting the West Yorkshire-based firm in a good position to take it forward into the 1980s. Built in Meltham, the 1690 was a tractor destined for the European market, but as an affiliate of J I Case the tractor proudly displayed the badge of the American company on its nose. Sharing the same design as its three-and four-cylinder siblings, the 1690 gave David Brown Tractors Ltd. the opportunity to market what was initially a six-model range of four-wheel drive tractors – the 58hp (DIN) 1290, 67hp (DIN) 1390, 83hp (DIN) 1490, 103hp (DIN) 1690 and two American-built tractors – the 120hp (DIN) 2090 and…

PICK OF THE CROP DADDY’S DEERE What a lovely drawing. Thank you for sending it in! Dear Junior, Here is a drawing by Ted, aged 4, from Derbyshire. It shows daddy’s John Deere at work, carrying a bale on his loader and pulling a bale trailer. Ted and his younger brother, Harry, both enjoy reading Tractor & Machinery. Rosie Latham VALTRA POWER! Fantastic! Dear Junior, Here is a Valtra pulling a load of bales. William Harrison (aged 5), Derbyshire TOUCH OF CLAAS Do I know the driver? He looks very familiar! Dear Junior, I hope you like my drawing of a Claas Lexion. I like to watch combines with my dad. Louis Clarke (aged 9), Cambridgeshire SENSATIONAL STEYR That’s some load! Dear Junior, This is my Steyr 6135 pulling a…

Never mind electronic controls and guidance systems applied to modern farm machinery, the application of hydraulics to tractors and farm machinery has been one of the most important developments in farm machinery, and remains so, even in the 21st century! Hydraulic control is a simple, but efficient means of conveying power to where it’s required, and is very much taken for granted these days. It hasn’t always been the case though, as early tractors that replaced large, heavy steam engines and draft horses merely towed their implements, often using former horse-drawn equipment until manufacturers designed implements specifically for tractor use. One of the early issues with the use of relatively light tractors was that of maintaining good traction, particularly when the going got tough on heavy wet ground. The remedy…

South Somerset Agricultural Preservation Club held its 50th Yesterday’s Farming Rally at Dillington, near Ilminster, on 20-21 August, courtesy of Dillington Estates, writes Joseph Lewis. More than 250 tractors were joined by working demonstrations of threshing, haymaking, a rack saw bench, various judged classes, and a Saturday auction conducted by Pitcher & Associates. A special archival display in the craft tent, looking back over the event’s history, was created by Doreen Cox, Pat Bryne and Sue Atwell. Tractor highlights included the Best Classic Tractor Prize for a 1984 Massey Ferguson 699, recently acquired by Zak England from Charlton Adam. Find the perfect gift for a tractor lover this Christmas. Visit: shop.kelsey.co.uk/christmas-gift-ideas…

PART ONE DIFFICULTY RATING I love restoring all sorts of tractors and while I do get a mixture through the workshop, I can’t deny that it’s Massey Ferguson models that I see more than any other marque. Despite this I never know exactly what’s going to come my way next and every so often something unusual turns up. In the case of this tractor it was unusual, yet familiar at the same time. Two of Tim Edwards’ tractors had already been through the workshop when he turned up with his MF 135 MkIII Vineyard. Tim had shown me pictures of this tractor when his Massey Ferguson 35 and Fordson Major were in receiving some attention and I could see then that it would make a great restoration. My first task…

Well, the autumn auction season is in full swing, with three sales in one day on 17 September, and reasonable prices in all quarters. Some lots were cheaper than one would have hoped, but some were also higher than one would expect. Make of that what you will. There are certainly more extremes in the market at the moment and, from what I can see, owners are expecting top money for their goods when in many cases the lot is not in the higher league. All being well I will be in France during October to take in Tractomania, at Caussade, and this will enable me to gauge what is going on in mainland Europe too. Bonhams Goodwood The Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 17 September was delayed by a…

DEC 2022 ISSUE ON SALE FRIDAY 18 NOV HARROWING PROJECT Now, more than ever, restoring an implement to complement your tractor is a popular pastime. This Ransomes disc harrow is a classic example. WORLD WIDE WONDER Andrew Mackey tells Willie Carson that, as is so often the case, childhood memories were an integral part of this International 574’s restoration. PLUS Junior, Machinery milestones, Model corner, News, Readers’ gallery, Tractor Mart, Workshop & more……

It has been announced that the Great Dorset Steam Fair will not take place in 2023. A statement, posted on the event’s Facebook page, said: “Following a thorough review of the 2022 show, it is with great sadness and disappointment that the Great Dorset Steam Fair Ltd. Board of Directors have to announce that unfortunately we will be taking a year’s break before running the next Great Dorset Steam Fair event, which will now be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2024. “This has been an extremely difficult decision for us to make. Whilst the 2022 event has been a fantastic and resounding success as a spectacle, it has been mired by significant and spiralling increases in contractor and infrastructure costs and the costs associated with meeting the…

STAR LETTER An MF 135-powered Standen Cyclone Dear T&M, I have never had any dealings with the Tornado, but have worked on Standen Solobeet harvesters. I started my employment as a junior storeman with George Henderson Ltd., Haddington, in August 1965 which was an MF and Standen agent. Most machines were trailed, but we had two Solobeet harvesters – the older one had an MF 35X skid unit and the much younger one had an MF 135. In early spring I was given the task of unloading new tractors and machines when they arrived, and in April or May of that year a new Standen Solobeet Harvester arrived. I helped to unloaded it and checked it over before signing for it. I put the paperwork into the sales office and…

PART TWO Find the perfect gift for a tractor lover this Christmas. Visit: shop.kelsey.co.uk/christmas-gift-ideas Give the gift of Tractor & Machinery this Christmas. Visit: shop.kelsey.co.uk/xmas22tmg…

My big complaint about Biddenden Tractorfest over the years is that there has never been enough tractors attending to give it true festival status, writes Peter Love. That changed this year when 14,000-plus visitors attended the event to see more than 200 tractors of various ages and sizes, which was wonderful to see. Under the guidance of the Kent County Agricultural Society, the 2022 show was certainly on a different footing and was back on its original site, which was a bonus as far as I was concerned. There was a great atmosphere to complement the great tractors, which included a stunning display of Ferguson tractors – the likes of which had not been seen in this area for decades. Many were from Lee Blackford’s collection and in original condition,…

COMBINED DRILL-TAP BITS £32.93 inc. VAT each Laser Tools Tel: 01926 815000  lasertools.co.uk New in the Laser Tools range is this set of six combined drill-tap bits, designed to drill and tap a hole in a single pass (part number 8405). Each bit has been manufactured from high-speed steel (HSS4241) and coated with a super-hard, ceramic titanium-nitride coating for edge-retention and corrosion resistance. The ¼-inch hex drive drill-tap bits feature a drill section at the forward end of each bit that forms the perfect-sized tap hole in the material. The following tap section then cuts the threads. The bits include spiral flutes to clear the swarf created, plus a deburring shoulder to ensure the edge of the hole is finished without any sharp edges. Bits included: M3 x 0.5, M4…

DIFFICULTY RATING In the last issue I covered the adjustment of the brakes, having received a pair of new brake cables some time ago and I’m now satisfied with the operation of the brakes. I just now need to clean and refinish the brake covers and fit them before refitting the footplates. The most recent tasks have been to repair the corrosion-damaged mudguards and sort a porous oil bath air filter bowl. Way back when I first acquired my E27N, in 1986, I went in search of a pair of replacement mudguards, as the originals were badly corroded. After a long search I settled on a pair of mudguard tops from a scrap tractor in the yard of Doug Upton, a well-known tractor dealer in East Sussex at the time.…

Trevor Breakwell sale On Saturday 17 September, Nock Deighton staged Trevor Breakwell’s sale, as he was giving up the tenancy at Down Farm, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. There were approximately 100 people at the uction, which was a good, old-fashioned affair with no Internet bidding and no buyer’s premium. Most of the tractors sold exceptionally well. Results (abridged) Fordson New Performance Super Major, 2/3, £4,250 +VAT International Harvester B-275, 2/3, £2,700 International Harvester 434, loader, very clean, 2/3, £1,950 International Harvester 674, 2/9.3, windscreen missing, will clean up well, 2/3, £1,900 International Harvester 674, clean, 9.5, £4,000 Case IH 895XL, 9.3, £7,300 Case IH MX 135, 9.4, £13,000 Additional lots: Ferguson FE 35, petrol/TVO, with alternator, 4.7, £3,000 Leyland 154, with cab, 2/9.2, £1,450 David Brown Cropmaster, GNT 988, clean but not…