Innehållsförteckning för June 2020 från Tractor & Machinery

Brothers Ken and Malcolm Cooke, from Newtownards in Co. Down, are keen Muir-Hill enthusiasts. When working as agricultural contractors they used various Muir-Hill models to undertake all types of work, including cutting silage and ploughing, as well as with home-built, twin-axle manure spreaders and to pull 1,500-gallon Fleming slurry tankers. The tractors were held in high regard by the Cooke brothers and were viewed as tough and robust machines. This particular 121 Series II is in original condition and has just under 2,000 hours on the clock. A factory order was placed for the tractor on 7 February 1977 by Muir-Hill dealer TBF Thompson Ltd. of Garvagh, Co. Londonderry. The tractor was built at the Muir-Hill factory in Bristol Road, Gloucester, which at the time formed part of Babcock &…

Once the potato crop was planted, many farmers breathed a sigh of relief, although for others there was still more work to do. Those running mixed farming systems still had to get their fodder root crops sown and perhaps re-seed or undersow some grass. Factoring in the times when sugar beet was grown in Scotland and the replacement crops of vining peas, beans and field-scale vegetables, gives an idea of how busy spring could be. Throughout April and into May, all of the other tasks, such as top dressing and spraying, went on alongside caring for breeding and feeding sheep and cattle. There was often a bit of a tidy up once potato planting was completed, with any big stones left by stone separators gathered from headlands and compacted or…

WRITE to the editor: Scott Lambert, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL EMAIL: tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk BAMFORD CLAEYS Dear T&M, I have just been reading the November 2019 issue of T&M, featuring combines, here in New Zealand. I moved here from the UK 17 years ago. My late father worked for Bamfords on the baler side of the business, doing gearbox assembly. I remember him telling me that Claeys approached Bamfords to take over their company, but for some reason they refused. With the takeover of Claeys by New Holland, Bamfords then did a deal with Volvo to market their combines. I assume in the ’70s Volvo pulled out of the combine business. Bamfords then did business with Laverda until they went in to receivership in June 1980. Next…

Alistair Henry writes: “It all started around 1970 or ’71 when my father bought what he thought was a cheap MF 65 MkII that had seized on one piston. The head was off it and one piston was out. It was seized because someone had fitted the wrong type of piston. “The short version of this story is that the eventual outcome was the purchase of a complete second-hand engine from a yellow Massey Ferguson 50B digger, sourced in the early ’90s from James Wightman’s breaker’s yard, outside Ballynahinch. “The engine was fitted to the tractor and the difference in power and smoothness was unbelievable! Our MF 65 only started to become a tractor with the new yellow AD4.203, which is still in the tractor today. “It was some step…

With almost 100 years of tractor production during its existence, International Harvester produced many successful tractor models, but perhaps none captured the imagination quite as much as its range of six-cylinder models, produced in both the USA and in Europe during the 1970s and ’80s. During the filming of Tractor Barn Productions’ DVD IH Six Cylinder Power, I had the pleasure of seeing some superb IH six-cylinder tractors in action up and down the British Isles. In this final part of the series I take a closer look at some of the Case IH models that carried on the IH tradition after the merger in 1985, as well as the first true Case IH model – the Magnum. Merging two giants In 1984 International Harvester was producing a wide range…

WRITE TO THE EDITOR: Tractor & Machinery, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL E-mail: tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk Case IH 895XL Q I have just purchased a two-wheel drive Case IH 895XL for use with a firewood processor. I’d like to spread the weight of the combination and avoid creating ruts wherever possible, as the 13.6 R38 rears tend to cut in, so do you have any recommendations? Jonathan Smith, Nottinghamshire A There are several options – although they may not all suit your needs. You could fit a set of dual wheels (either the Bettinson or Stocks types), fit a set of Terra tyres, or a wider set of standard rears. The larger 995XL came with 16.9 R34s as standard and these may be enough to spread the weight more…

If you have a tractor you would like to be featured in our very successful Sales Highlights section please get in touch with Peter Love, tel: 01323 833125, With the Covid-19 lockdown continuing in place all live sales in the UK have stopped, but on-line are kicking off again with Cheffins announcing a ‘Live Parade’ auction commencing 10am Monday 18 May viewing is by appointment on Sunday 17 May, further details inside. However, on-line vintage tractor sales have been taking place in The Netherlands and in the USA, other sales in the USA and the UK have been moved further on in the year, but things are still very much up in the air all-round as we went to press. Nevertheless, major auctioneers and autojumble organisers are looking ahead to a…

The famous Mecum Auctions Gone Farm’in Spring Classic three-day tractor sale has been moved from April to June 17-20 at Davenport, Iowa, due to the Covid-19 situation. There are now over 500 tractors entered, plus lots of literature, toys and even vintage and classic trucks. There are a number of late entries that have certainly ‘hotted’ things up, including a well stored, older restored, Avery 25-50 in grade 2 condition. However there are some other stunning tractors entered for the IHC fan, including a rare to find 684 four-wheel drive (restored), along with another hard to find genuine 274, with all the hoe equipment fitted on. We also loved the Galion Ford 8N road roller in stunning condition as was the John Deere 1010 crawler with blade, all restored. However…

JUNE 3 MACHINERY SALE. York Auction Centre, Murton, York YO19 5GF. Tel: 01904 489731. 4 INTERNATIONAL READING CONTRACTORS PLANT AUCTION. 31 Great Knolls Street, Reading RG1 7HU. Thimbleby & Shorland, tel: 01189 508611. 5 TO 15 NATIONAL ONLINE AUCTION OF MACHINERY, STRAW & FORAGE. Brown & Co onlineauctions@browns.co.uk 6 COLLECTIVE SALE OF IMPLEMENTS, PLANT, MACHINERY ETC. Humberston, Bailechaul Road, Dingwell, Ross-shire IV15 9TP. Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, tel: 01349 865062. 6 VEHICLE AUCTION. Roxby Garage, Pickering Road, Thornton Le-Dale, Pickering, North Yorks YO18 7LH. Mathewsons, tel: 01751 474455. 6 MONTHLY MACHINERY, PIG & POULTRY SALE. Holsworthy Livestock Market, The Holsworthy Agricultural Centre, New Market Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7FA. Kivells, tel: 01409 253275. 6 COLLECTIVE SALE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS & SUNDRIES (INCLUDING VINTAGE SECTION). Chevin Lodge, Leeds Road, Otley…

In the first year after WW2, German-built tractors did not sell very well in countries that had suffered under occupation of the Wehrmacht between 1939 and 1945. This was especially true for the Netherlands, where farmers preferred English or even American marques, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, the quality and unique design of some German products was not totally ignored in Holland and lead to early export success for the Mercedes-Benz Unimog, beginning in the 1950s. This was followed by a much greater success of the famous MB-trac, which sold quite well in the Netherlands and garnered a great reputation that continues to this day – almost three decades after the last MB-trac was built in December 1991. One Dutch family of farmers has relied not only on cars wearing the…

Father and son team George and Robert Muggeridge, from Surrey, have been part of the tractor preservation movement for many decades. I have known the family for at least 30 years and have benefitted from their knowledge many times – George, in particular, is very shrewd. George’s family has always had a love of Fords, which goes right back to his grandfather, but interestingly his father used Case Cs, a DEX and a 1955 David Brown 25D before he finished farming in 1960. The pair have recently finished restoring a 1964 Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4 and although they had two immaculate cars out for a photography session, it was the tractor that I had come to see. This particular Ploughmaster is a lovely example and one of only a small number…

David Brown’s four-wheel drive tractors often go under the radar, but they have an interesting place in the history of tractors equipped with a driven front axle. With drive transmitted through a central propshaft, David Brown’s four-wheel drive tractors benefitted from the ability to turn tighter – even on the earliest models thus equipped. Even on models never destined to see the light of a day in four-wheel drive form, their ability to be converted did not go unnoticed. Matt Packer, who regular readers may remember from the February and March 2020 issues, in which he shared the restoration of a John Deere 1630, has converted a David Brown Cropmaster to four-wheel drive configuration. As Matt pointed out, the David Brown layout lends itself to being adapted. A large hole…

Amongst Britains’ latest releases is a stunning, 25th anniversary JCB Fastrac 4220 – resplendent in a bold, silver livery with special decals. Suitable for indoor and outdoor play, the chunky tyres are impressive and the level of detail is nice, including the folding mirrors, but we were disappointed that the front linkage could not be used. The Fastrac is made of die-cast metal and precision-moulded, durable plastic and is a great addition to any collection or carpet farm – where it can be used with the range of Britains implements. The New Holland TH7.42 telehandler is also big on detail and comes with a selection of attachments, but the telescopic boom feels a little flimsy and it’s hard to say how it will hold up in the hands of enthusiastic…

The new Massey Ferguson 65 went into production on 11 March 1958 at Banner Lane, Coventry, but those that hailed from the United States would have noticed a familiar look. Taking design cues from the Ferguson 40, designed in Detroit, Michigan, the 65 was very much an ‘Anglicised’ version of its American cousin. Chris Clack, who was based at Massey Ferguson’s Stoneleigh Training Centre in the 1960s, told T&M: “The tractor retained the transmission of the smaller TO 35 model, but introduced a box-section, adjustable-track, straight front axle in order to meet the demands of a row-crop version fitted with single or twin front wheels under the centre of the tractor. “This necessitated a pedestal-type steering mechanism housed within the front bonnet cowling, ahead of the radiator. This was operated…

The history of Perkins engines goes back to 1932, when Frank Perkins and Charles Chapman established a business that would transform the way people thought of the diesel engine. The motor industry was convinced that petrol-powered engines were the future of car production, but Charles was certain that he could turn the plodding diesel into a high-revving unit that could rival the performance of petrol motors, whilst enjoying lower running costs. Charles, it is said, was not one for the limelight and was happy to let Frank promote the concept – which soon took off with the invention of the Vixen, which was a four-cylinder engine that formed the basis of bigger and better things to come. A small premises in Queen Street, Peterborough, formed the backbone of the company’s…

As is the case with many enthusiastic owners, the tractor owned by Tom Neve has particular significance. He is the third owner and bought the Fordson New Performance Super Major in 2014, after it had languished outside for many years. “This tractor was originally supplied to the Lucas factory, with the first registered owner as Joseph Lucas Ltd., Great King Street, Birmingham – registered 26 February 1965,” Tom told T&M. “The tractor was purchased by Duggan brothers at Micklehead Farm, Sutton Manor, St. Helens on 8 May 1969. Terry Duggan and his family then moved from Micklehead Farm in 1986, finishing cattle and growing cereals at Wheatacre Farm, Gorsey Lane, Bold, St. Helens. “The tractor spent most of its life with the Duggan family and finally moved over the road…

In the last issue we managed to run up the rebuilt engine to ensure that it ran satisfactorily and I also finished working on the brakes. Now our attention is to be focussed upon the tinwork, which was removed and stored early on in the restoration process. There is always a point in restorations such as this where one has to decide whether to repair or replace parts. These days the availability of replacement tinwork is much better than it was a few years ago, and also the quality has also improved with time. However, there are arguments either way as to whether it should be repaired or replaced. As far as we are concerned, originality is important – so unless anything is damaged or rotten beyond repair, we always…

This was planned to be the final part of the restoration series, but there are one or two jobs left to complete before the plough can be dropped into work. In the meantime there have been some tasks that have been awaiting attention for some time, due to the constantly wet weather we experienced during the latter part of the winter. This included work on the furrow wheel and the lift wheel, which were to be finished in E27N orange. My previous experience of painting orange over red oxide wasn’t so good, as the relatively weak pigment of the orange meant several coats of paint needed to be applied to cover it satisfactorily. This time I applied two coats of red oxide, followed by two coats of white undercoat, which…

As is the case for many of us, tractors are not the only preservation vehicles that George and Robert treasure. At the time of my visit, George was running around in a lovely, concours-standard 1950 Ford Pilot – one of 22,487 made at Dagenham and featuring the ubiquitous 3,622cc, Ford V8 flathead engine. When it was introduced in 1932, the Ford V8 was the first mass-produced, affordable engine of its type in the world. Although in its early configuration it was nothing but trouble, with cracked blocks damaging the engine’s reputation, by 1933 that was becoming a thing of the past. The engine was used in lots of military vehicles during WW2, but lives on today in hot rods – and is amongst the top 10 most revered engines ever…

Graham Sutton is a champion ploughman that has enjoyed tremendous success with an MF 65 MkII in numerous competitions. He is the current British National Ploughing Champion in the classic reversible class and was also placed third in the classic reversible class at the 2019 European Vintage Ploughing Championships. “My association with the 65 MkII goes back to when father bought one to replace a Nuffield,” he said. “It was lighter and more powerful than his previous tractor and it was clear that the MkII was an improvement on the MkI. He ran two MkIIs and used to pull TS59 four-furrow conventional ploughs with them. “Massey Ferguson machines became a serious part of our contracting business and we ended up using Drotts and diggers, as well as tractors and combines,…

If you think you have something suitable for this column, please get in touch with Peter Love (tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk) Following the last issue, where we were featured the Fiat 702 formerly owned by Norman Vince, it reminded me of a number of other tractors that were in that sale at the Royal Norfolk Showground on Saturday 15 October 1994. One was Walsh & Clark Victoria Oil Engine with its two-cylinder opposed engine, made at Guiseley, Leeds. These machines were certainly ahead of their time and were produced alongside stationary engines – a number of which are on display today at the Bradford Industrial Museum, which is certainly worth a visit. Walsh & Clark was formed in 1906 by chief engineer Russell Clark with financer Harry Walsh. The company made a range…

When one has a collection of tractors and machinery there are often those that slip down the scale of importance when it comes to restoring, with many tractors jumping the queue. This has been the case with my 1959 David Brown 950. The tractor is a pre-Implematic model and has been in my possession now for seven years, whilst my MF 35 and DB 990 have both arrived since and been put back into running order. The 950 was in running order when it arrived and has had a little tidying up to the tinwork, but could do with a new clutch and some attention to the hydraulics. Slack steering One aspect of the tractor that has bugged me for a while is the slack steering. The steering column floats…

Solar panels Sealey’s solar panel range (SSP01, SSP02 and SSP03) is currently on special offer in the Spring 2020 Promotion and with the daylight hours getting longer, these models could prove useful. Each model differs in output, SPP01 – 1.5W, SPP02 – 2.4W and SPP03 – 4.8W. Their amorphous solar panels convert daylight directly into 12V electricity. The advanced technology used means that the solar panels require only daylight to generate power. They are suitable for maintaining charge in a wide range of batteries and power packs, but their ideal purpose is for batteries stored in boats and caravans and for batteries in vehicles in long-term storage. The range comes supplied with suction pad fixings, battery clips and vehicle accessory socket plug. Each has an IP44 Rating, so they are…

The sale was held by Howkins & Harrison and was a complete retirement dispersal for J & B Kerby & Son Church Bank Farm, Binton, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. They had farmed here since 1937. The ground conditions on sale day were very challenging to say the least, with the majority parking on the road side; you certainly needed Wellington boots for this one. The highlight was the 1981 IH 1055 with 6,961 hours that sold here for a very good indeed £10,500 plus VAT. There was only surface rust on the tractor, just a cab side glass missing, however the engine had a ticking noise and needed further investigation, nevertheless the tractor featured four new tyres worth £1,500. The 1991 Matbro Teleram sold well, also at £6,200, and the put in…

Possibly the ‘hottest’ pre 30s sale scheduled to take place this year was to happen in April at Nokomis, Illinois, but owing Covid-19 it has been postponed to June 12 & 13. There are some stunning machines entered in this sale, including the unique Kardell which has now been fully rebuilt at Frankfort by George Schaaf’s team, to grade 6 concours condition. Having actually sat on this tractor a number of times, it’s not as easy to drive as it first appears to be and in the field it must have been a nightmare for the operator.…

The prices are based on tractors sold at sales, on the internet, privately and in some overseas markets as well. 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, make…