Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Tractor & Machinery

FARM EQUIPMENT SALE Buyers from across the country flocked to a Shropshire dairy farm on August 29th for the successful dispersal of an extensive range of machinery, equipment and dairy fittings. The successful sale, managed by Halls auctioneers on behalf Messrs SM Gilman & Partners, was held at Abbey Farm, Lilleshall, Newport, and followed the dispersal of the family’s dairy herd at Shrewsbury Auction Centre. Top prices included £180,000 for a 2023 Fendt 728 Vario tractor with 1,686 hours and £126,000 for a 2024 Fendt 720 Vario with 1,428 hours, purchased by an online bidder via the MartEye auction platform. Other highlights included £45,000 paid for a 2024 Fendt Tigo 65 VR Forage Wagon, £30,500 for a 2016 Fendt 312 Vario with 12,329 hours, £24,500 for a Kuhn HR 600R…

MANUFACTURER NEWS Ready to be downloaded from anywhere with an internet connection, AGCO’s new instructional video service is claimed to redefine user training convenience while, at the same time, offering extra information for potential buyers. Designed and created by Massey Ferguson’s experienced product experts, the MF How To videos are accessed through dedicated YouTube channels, one per country. Finding relevant content is quick and easy, as the videos are listed by range. The latest Massey Ferguson S series tractors are among the first to be featured, with others in the current line-up already being added, including the MF 5M series. As new and updated models join the range, then instructional videos covering these will also be provided. “Our machines are known for their ease of use, but there might be…

CHARITY FUND-RAISING A ploughing weekend was organised by David Webster, and took place on land kindly made available in Denford Ash, near Thrapston, by Mr and Mrs Burden, who also provided participants and spectators with a BBQ and drinks on both days. There were 15 tractors and drivers taking part at various times during the weekend, and the machines working included a Ford 5000, Fordson Majors, other Fords, assorted Fergusons and Massey Fergusons, an International 275, a Dexta, an MB-trac and a Fendt that was on levelling duties. The only incident to interrupt proceedings occurred when one tractor got a puncture. Other than that, a couple of ploughs suffered broken points, no doubt due to the extremely hard ground; a factor that also resulted in some of the grey Fergies…

AUGUST 21ST-24TH, 2025 The biggest rally in 2025 didn’t take place in the UK or Ireland, but at Rantoul, in Illinois, USA, at a former USAF training ground with vast runways and space aplenty. There were 5,000+ exhibits and 20,000 people who came to the Half Century of Progress Show, together with 10,000 buggies which, as far as I’m concerned, were difficult to keep dodging! All the major USA clubs were present, together with prominent auction houses, museums and tractor magazine suppliers, all with stands. However, the most impressive club stand was presented by Farmall 51, and included a spectacular line-up of 263 examples of the 1206 turbo diesel model, built between 1966 and ’67, most of which were very well restored. I was also impressed by the Yellow Power…

SCALE MODEL NEWS Introduced at the end of August, 2025, this ‘new tooling’, 1/32 scale model of the Renault Atles 926RZ, with fixed front weight, is another new addition to the Universal Hobbies catalogue. This isn’t a limited edition model and, generally, is well detailed. It features soft PVC tyres, realistic cab suspension, rear coupling and three-point linkage, plus an array of clear-lens warning, work and driving lights. Nice touches include the well-detailed front weight assembly, the engraved ‘Renault’ logo on the front, and the side air intake grilles and steps up to the cab. The model is, of course, also distinguished by authentic ‘Renault’ marque and model designation decals. Built from a total of 131 pieces using 188 tampo-printing operations, this Renault model weighs 578g and is available through…

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Kayleigh Rudd’s marriage to Chris Thorp was a truly special occasion as the wedding included the active participation of several very different pieces of farm machinery! The ceremony took place on Saturday, June 14th, at Sheriff Hutton Castle, in North Yorkshire, and the happy couple were accompanied by their very own New Holland Clayson 1530 combine harvester, as well as a Ford 4000 and a Fordson Major belonging to their Best Man, Tom. The two boys arrived at the castle on their tractors, and the Ford 4000 was hitched to a Scaling trailer that was to be used to transport the bride and groom once they left the castle. CHILDHOOD AMBITION Chris grew up in Sheriff Hutton village, with the castle always in view, and he always said that, if…

When I have tractors in for restoration or, more specifically, engine rebuilds to tackle, I sometimes get asked about what’s inside? As part of the explanation I always touch on dry liners as opposed to wet liners, as most tractors that come my way have dry liners. In fact, there’s only really a couple of models that I see that have wet liners, but they’re significant ones – the Ferguson TE-A and TE-D 20. Wet liners have to be installed in a different way to the ‘dry’ alternative. The TE-A 20 I’m working on here arrived at my workshop with an engine that started well and generated good oil pressure. However, after running for just a few minutes, it would start to smoke, so there was obviously an internal problem…

INTERNATIONAL TRADE Owners, senior managers and agronomists from agribusinesses in Ukraine recently visited award-winning agricultural equipment manufacturer Claydon, in the East of England. Everyone at Claydon was delighted to welcome the group, which collectively farms almost one million hectares in Ukraine, including individual companies with up to 350,000 ha. The four-day trip – the first of its kind from Ukraine – included a tour of Claydon’s factory to learn more about the Opti-Till® Crop Establishment System and other machinery. The visitors also toured the Claydon family’s arable farm, and visited other leading agribusinesses which successfully use this approach to establish agricultural crops. The group included Volodymyr Husiev, key account manager for Technotorg LLC, Claydon’s sole distributor in Ukraine. Owned by Yuriy Kalyuzhnyy, it’s the country’s largest agricultural machinery sales company,…

INDUSTRY NEWS Kramp, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of agricultural parts and accessories, has confirmed its commitment to tractor restorers and implement users, by announcing it will stock the Vapormatic product range on kramp.com, following the recent closure of the Exeter-based company. With a history spanning 75 years, Vapormatic was a highly respected name among UK farmers and dealers, offering reliable service and high-quality parts. “We’re incredibly proud to bring the Vapormatic brand into the Kramp family,” said Des Boyd, UK country director at Kramp. “It’s a name that carries real weight in British agriculture and has been trusted by farmers and dealers for generations. By combining Vapormatic’s strong legacy with Kramp’s scale, service and technical know-how, we feel we can have a really positive impact on the industry.” The…

INDUSTRY NEWS The order, placed by the US Marine Corps, will see the JCB machines supplied over the next five years, along with hands-on operator training and attachments. JCB is a defence contractor to the US Department of Defense, and the latest agreement is the second major contract won by the company, following the $39m deal in 2024 for Multi Terrain Loaders, which are militarised versions of the JCB Teleskid. “We’re proud that, after an extensive evaluation period, the Marine Corps has once again selected JCB. As the world’s leading Backhoe Loader manufacturer, we value this continued partnership and the confidence placed in our ability to deliver machines that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability,” said Richard Fox-Marrs, president and CEO of JCB North America. Chris Giorgianni, vice…

We’ve had reports this year that an increasing number of rally organisers have been asking for confirmation of insurance from exhibitors as they register at events, whether it be for lorry or caravan insurance, or cover relating to an individual tractor being shown. Apparently, a number have been found with invalid cover and, as a result, got refused entry and were turned away by security staff and/or rally section leaders. So our advice would be always to carry relevant and up-to-date insurance documentation with you when attending events as an exhibitor. It seems likely that, as the authorities look ever-more closely at the liabilities associated with well-attended public events, so the organisers will be required to increase their level of vigilance with regard to insurance. You have been warned!…

The 1970s was a key decade in the long history of farm tractors. It began much as the ‘60s had ended, with most British machines being open or fitted with a rudimentary weather cab, and with most manufacturers offering a range of at least four models. However, before 1971 drew to a close, the whole scene had changed dramatically. New legislation demanded that new tractors were sold with an approved safety cab and, by the end of the decade, these had morphed into fully-enclosed, quiet cabs. By that stage, most manufacturers were also offering a much larger model choice, and power outputs were rocketing across the board. INNOVATION IN 1978 Compared with the early and mid-1970s, things were relatively quiet on the tractor front during the final two years of…

In 2024 Kent-based specialist tractor and machinery dealership NP Seymour Ltd celebrated its 50th year in business. The past half-century has seen the operation grow from a one-man outfit to what’s now a thriving and multi-faceted concern that’s carved a niche for itself supporting the equipment needs of fruit farmers, hop growers, packhouse managers and vineyard owners across the UK. Nick Seymour, and his wife, Barbara, set the ball rolling in 1974, and he remains a partner today, although the business is now headed by their daughter, Claire. Nick has enjoyed a long and productive association with Fendt tractors, and it’s an aspect of that which led us to this story, but more of that later. To start with I think it’s important to delve into Nick’s background to better…

Before starting on the paintwork on the back end of the tractor, I decided to drain the gearbox oil (which also lubricates the differential and half-shafts). Doing this first avoids the risk of marking the fresh paint when undoing filler plates and drain plugs. I referred to the parts book/instruction manual to locate the filler and drain plugs, and the former is an oval plate on the top face of the gearbox casing, next to where the seat is bolted on. The drain plug is also an oval plate, but is found on the back face of the gearbox, and is the same casting as the filler. The level plug is situated on the nearside rear axle housing-to-gearbox flange. According to the instruction manual, the gearbox holds nine gallons of…

More than £5,000 was raised recently by Haughton tractor collector and grandad, Richard Bowler, in support of the three charities that helped his grandson, Ted, with his fight against cancer. The Ronald McDonald House Charity, Young Lives Versus Cancer and Ted’s Fund all benefited after Richard had put the call out among his friends, and organised a tractor run fund-raiser for his 6-year-old grandson. Seventy-five tractors arrived at Richard’s Staffordshire home on August 3rd, with some having travelled all the way from mid-Wales to be involved. A After welcoming tea and cakes, Dave Coombes thanked everyone for their support then Ted’s mum explained his battle with leukaemia. A safety briefing followed after which Ted and his friends took their places on the dray trailer behind Richard’s Farmall BMD, and the…

There was so much to be enjoyed at this year’s Biddenden Tractorfest. New car-parking arrangements eased the traffic congestion at the event which, this year, attracted a reported 19,000 visitors over the two days. There were many highlights at the show, including a superb display of blue tractors organised by Rodney Gibson and his hard-working band of helpers from the ever-enthusiastic Ford & Fordson Association. In the arena it was great to see a line-up of four Fendt tractors that spanned the ages. A 1960s Farmer 1Z was said to be the oldest-known example of the make in this country while, at the other end of the age scale, a 2025, state-of-the-art, fully-electric e107 V Vario machine offered a glimpse of what might be just around the corner in terms…

September 20th September KEMPTON AUTOJUMBLE Kempton Park Racecourse TW16 5AQ autojumble.info 20th-21st September VINTAGE EXCAVATOR TRUST DEMONSTRATION WEEKEND Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum, Threlkeld CA12 4TT 20th-21st September CASTERTON VINTAGE WORKING WEEKEND Pickworth Road, Great Casterton, Lincs. PE9 4DF Tel: 01780 751 983 20th-21st September HENHAM STEAM & COUNTRY SHOW Henham Park, Suffolk NR34 8AQ henhamsteamrally.com 20th-21st September STOKE PRIOR STEAM RALLY Little Intall Fields, Stoke Pound Lane, Stoke Prior, Worcs. B60 4LF shakespearesrally.com 20th-21st September ST MAWGAN STEAM & VINTAGE RALLY Trevenna Cross, St Mawgan, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4HA Email: hello@stmawganrally.com facebook@com/stmawganrally 20th-21st September KETTERING VINTAGE RALLY & STEAM FAIR Cranford, Kettering, Northants. NN14 4AW ketteringvintagerally.co.uk 21st September AUTUMN AUTOJUMBLE The Grampian Transport Museum, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8AE gtm.org.uk 21st September WEST HALLAM & DISTRICT PLOUGHING & HEDGECUTTING ASSOCIATION…

How do you fancy winning a brand new 3hp 200ltr Belt Drive Compressor, courtesy of SIP Industrial Products? For more than 55 years, SIP Industrial Products has been a flagship supplier of high-quality machinery and equipment to the ever-growing agricultural marketplace. The SIP BD 3hp 200ltr Belt Drive Compressor is a powerful and versatile air compressor, ideal for general work area applications in agricultural settings, whether it’s restoring a tractor or spray-painting a new gate. Built for everyday use, this high-performance compressor features a larger pump which fills the receiver more quickly. This delivers 14CFM piston displacement resulting in 10CFM Free Air Delivery (FAD) for a consistent air supply that’s ideal for pneumatic air tools and air compressor ring main applications. A wheel-mounted design with U-handle allows full movement in…

“I suppose I started actually collecting tractors in 2021, by default, after my 1967 MF 165 Multi-Power was fully restored. That tractor has been on the farm from new, and I have so many, happy childhood memories of driving it. What’s more I still have a photograph, taken with my Kodak Instamatic, of my father at the wheel soon after it had arrived. “I remember taking my tractor road driving test in 1975 on a Massey Ferguson 135 we had at the time, but the 165 remains my absolute favourite. I have a very strong and sentimental attachment to it, and it was restored very much in memory of my father. Many other tractors came and went over the years, but the 165 thankfully remained throughout “I farm with a…