Innehållsförteckning för May 2021 från Tractor & Machinery

Here we are again! Another four weeks has passed in the blink of an eye and, thankfully, the better weather appears to have arrived – at least in my part of the world! Spraying and fertiliser spreading are the order of the day, although the flooding we experienced at Christmas is still creating a few dog-legged tramlines in places! Potatoes are going in too, which is nice to observe, although the days of the Ransomes Faun appear to be all but numbered here. The older kit is slowly slipping away, but the practices remain largely the same. Progress? Yes, definitely, but still sad to see. This particular issue has been interesting to put together, in respect of acknowledging the demise of the two-wheel drive tractor. Although our special section is…

Although predominantly found on large arable farms, high-horsepower tractors are often part of the machinery fleet on livestock units too, where their grunt is put to good use powering mowers, forage harvesters and the like. The Napier family’s farm in Co. Down is no exception. Depending on rotation, there are between 50 and 60 acres or arable land and the remainder is down to grass. The farm also makes silage for a local anaerobic digester plant, alongside the existing dairy herd. There’s an average of 130 cows and followers and this requires a broad range of machinery to keep the operation running smoothly. “In 1986 my father and uncle were farming in partnership and they bought a John Deere 4450, primarily for silage making,” David Napier explained. “It was, to…

STAR LETTER P3-engined 35 Dear T&M, Reading the March issue of T&M, I noted on page 74 a letter from Filip Palasek regarding a 1957 model MF 35 tractor, fitted with a Perkins P3 diesel engine in Yugoslavia. As background, Harry Ferguson set up a Ferguson tractors distribution network in the then Eastern Bloc country of Yugoslavia, shortly after the introduction of the TE-20 tractor, made in Banner Lane, Coventry. This was a licence agreement where the bulk of the tractor shipped to Yugoslavia, in either a CKD or PKD (Complete or Partial Knock Down format), was to be assembled there with an element of local content – in order to get around import duties. Sometime afterwards, F Perkins of Peterborough set up a similar operation for its diesel engine…

We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on eight of Britains’ new 1:32 releases and so alongside the four in this issue there’ll be another four next time. First up is the John Deere 3640 with the level of detail we’ve come to expect from the company’s recent tractor models. It feels sturdy, although we do have concerns about the longevity of the air pre-cleaner and exhaust. Will they stand up to rigorous play? At around £27.99, it’s on a par with Britains’ other tractors. Next is the Case IH 4894 from the Prestige Collection. This is a robust and impressive model, priced at around £49.99. It’s great that Britains has decided to add more classic tractors to its range and this is a nice one for the company…

The 1960s was a golden era for British agriculture – the struggles of the post-war years gave way to better times and farmers could look forward to the future. With this came an investment in new machinery and a plethora of British-built tractors to choose from. Amongst this tantalising spread were the International Harvester 434, built from 1966 to ’71, and the Nuffield 10/42 (1964-67). With almost identical power outputs and a similar ‘stature’, these two make for an interesting comparison. Those that follow this series will know that we choose two closely-matched tractors for comparison in a bid to make it as fair as possible and over the next few pages we will examine the characteristics of both and give our opinion as to why we think each deserves…

For some time I have thought about building a yard tractor for moving Turner engines around. While checking the engines I bought from Richard Lines, to see if there was any indication of their original use, I established that one of the 2V95s had spark arrestors on the air inlets, a suppressed exhaust with exhaust gas recirculation, automotive clutch, variable speed throttle control and, although the air motor was missing, it was fitted for an air start. This specification meant that it had been originally fitted in a Hibberd Planet tug for use in hazardous environments, such as coal mines, refineries etc. This prompted me to think of a tractor project and having seen pictures of the Turner 2V95 prototype I thought that that was the look I would go…

It sounds as if your lever may be out of adjustment and entering the constant pumping section prematurely Massey Ferguson 135 Q The hydraulics of my MF 135 are making a knocking noise when I place the position lever into the transport position. This is worrying me, as I’m afraid I may be causing some damage to the hydraulic system. Do you have any idea what this might be? Now the weather is warming up I’m going to need to use the tractor to mow my paddocks. Clive Johnson, Warwickshire A The knocking sounds like the pressure relief valve is discharging. On the Massey Ferguson 135, and similar tractors, beyond the transport sector of the control lever is a ‘Constant Pumping’ section. It sounds as if your lever may be…

1947 Fordson E27N Major Perkins P6 (no. 1190317DSL, GET 495). It features a factory-fitted Perkins P6 diesel engine with a hydraulic pack, lighting and electric pack, high-speed gearbox, radiator blind, pulley and rear wheel weights. The tractor was sold at a Cheffins’ Chilford Hall sale in 1987 and stated to be on the button, complete with three-point linkage, top link, swinging drawbar and V5C documentation. Cheffins estimate: £7,000-£9,000. 1944 Fordson Standard N (JTW 460). This is a utility, narrow-wing version in running order and great, untouched original condition. With a radiator blind and fitted with 13x28 Firestone enclosed-pattern rears. Offered for sale with V5C documentation. Cheffins estimate: £2,000-£2,500. c1936 McCormick-Deering WD-40 petrol/diesel (no. WDC0831). Believed to be an early model, due to the earlier-style cylinder head and fuel filter arrangement,…

Cheffins has been on the road this spring and the Paul Martland sale was concluded on 18 March, proving that good prices can be achieved for McCormick stock. The fleet was very clean and this certainly paid dividends. A 20-year-old McCormick CX 100, which looked very nice, sold for a very good £14,000. Results (abridged) 2012 McCormick TTX 210 T3 ZXtra, 2,711 hours, PO62 KJA, 10.4, £37,250 2002 McCormick MTX 155, 40kph, 3,118 hours, 10.3, £22,250 2003 McCormick MTX 140, 40kph, 5,659 hours, 10, £17,000 2001 McCormick CX 100, 4,734 hours, DX51 YUD, 10, £14,000 2010 Manitou MLT 627, 3,839 hours, PO60 EOV, 10, £26,000 2006 Manitou Maniscopic HLT628-120, WA56 CKV, 10, £17,000 2002 Bateman RB25, JD engine, 11,577 hours, WJ02 PPY, 10, £15,250 2003 New Holland CX880, 30ft cut,…

In the beginning, man created the tractor – a simple machine built for dragging implements to prepare the land for the planting of crops. This type of machine evolved to become more productive and despite the success of tractors like the Fordson, it was evident that Ferguson’s three-point linkage would revolutionise mechanised farming. When the going was good, these little tractors were worth their weight in gold, but certain conditions dictated the use of machines with more traction and this is where crawlers came to the fore. They, for obvious reasons, had their drawbacks and it became apparent that fitting tractors with a driven front axle would increase traction without the problems associated with steel tracks. Development by specialists such as Roadless Traction and County Commercial Cars saw the popularity…

As a manufacturer of gears, David Brown was well versed in the production of transmissions and was keen to innovate wherever possible. In the 1960s, when the 990 Implematic was impressing farmers with its productivity, David Brown developed a revolutionary new transmission that it intended to offer as an option on its popular tractor. ‘Autodrive’ was a fully-automatic transmission that would change gear on the move, dependent on load on the tractor. It was, in effect, a groundbreaking early version of today’s constantly-variable transmissions, but it was set to add another £100 to the price of the tractor and this met with some concern from cash-conscious farmers, as well as having a few issues that meant operation was not flawless. It is said that several tractors fitted with Autodrive were…

The design concept for Massey Ferguson’s 2000 Series tractors was conceived by the same group responsible for the 1000 Series, but this time there was a difference. The company acknowledged the need for four-wheel drive in certain regions and so split development into two main sectors – high-horsepower models in two-wheel drive configuration only, primarily for the American and Canadian markets, and two- and four-wheel drive models for all other markets. It was decided that the latter group of tractors would be built in 90-150hp form and manufactured in Europe. With Banner Lane building both 200 Series and 500 Series tractors, the job of producing 2000 Series models fell to the Beauvais factory in France. Chris Clack had moved on from being a demonstrator by this point and was working…

In the January 2021 issue I looked at the restoration of Stephen Crawford’s green Taarup single-chop harvester and in the article I mentioned that Stephen was planning to have a special trailer made to team up with the harvester for working days. With the trailer completed I returned to see it in all its glory. Many of you may never have seen one before and for those that haven’t it was called the Auto Drop trailer – and not only does it look different to a normal silage trailer, but it also operates in a different manner when discharging the silage or forage loads. This trailer operates without the use of hydraulics. It does not tip the load out like a normal silage trailer, but uses gravity, combined with a…

Lena Dedun writes: “Here’s a picture of my partner, Tom Mason, driving our family tractor. The recent thing we built with it is the chicken coop in the background. Another duck enclosure is on the way!” Dave Hayne, of Somerset, writes: “I thought I’d send you this photo of my tattoo, as all of my mates take the mickey out of me because I’ve had my Leyland 270 for more than 40 years. They say that I’ll take it to my grave, so to prove them right, my grandson, who is a tattoo artist, has made sure that I will!” Milly Burt writes: “Olivia is loving daddy’s new old tractor! Tim Boulton writes: “Firstly, please may I congratulate you on a fantastic magazine? Secondly, I attach a photo of my…

DIFFICULTY RATING The damp winter weather coincided with preparations for painting the 780 and, as a result, brought the project to a standstill. In the last feature I had separated the wiring loom from the dashboard and marked it up, as I intend to reuse the original loom if possible. The most challenging part of the DB project has been the restoration of the corroded bonnet, which is almost ready for paint preparation – along with the rest of the tractor. PARKED UP I have now parked the tractor where it can remain for the duration of the painting phase and have removed the wheels and supported the skid unit on axle stands to enable me to work round it easily. Whilst removing the wheels it was noted that the…

Tractor World Spring normally takes place the last weekend in February and was the last big show of its type to take place in 2020. Sadly, the 2021 show could not take place, so H J Pugh staged the sale at its site at Hazle Meadows, Ledbury, on 19-20 March. This was a sale that people could attend and more than 200 were present, along with 2,700-plus bidders online. The first day featured 800 lots, including the largest seat collection to be offered in years, amounting to approximately 220, and a huge collection of cast plates, all from a deceased Staffordshire collector. The Saturday saw a similar amount of lots come up as the Friday and most of the tractor stock was sold, with a very good 91 per cent…

The Syston sale in north Leicestershire would have been a live sale, but that was not possible due to Covid-19, so Cheffins decided to stage the sale as a timed auction. Some 100 lots were offered – mainly vintage and classic tractors, commercials and plant, with proceedings concluding on Tuesday 23 March. From what I could see, most had been bought as investments and this proved worthwhile, as the tractors did very well – with the commercials and plant selling as expected. Results (abridged): 1951 Fordson E27N Perkins P6, older restored, low top, 4.7, £14,000 1974 MF 135, QD cab, XAY 555S, 4/3, £7,600 1984 MF 699, Synchro 12, B900 KUT, original, 3, £16,750 1951 County CFT E27N P6 crawler (bitsa), 2/4, £6,400 1981 David Brown 995, loader OEG 304X,…

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,…

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has confirmed that a live Showcase will go ahead behind closed doors. Taking place the week commencing 14 June, the Showcase will see the best in livestock judging, equestrian, food & drink and rural skills and will be livestreamed from the showground in Edinburgh to a global audience. The announcement follows detailed planning in collaboration with the Scottish Government so as to develop an event that highlights the best of farming, food and rural life, both for a domestic audience and internationally, maintaining Scotland’s reputation as the ‘perfect stage’ for major events. Work will continue in the run-up to the event to ensure that strict Covid-19 protocols are in place. Scottish Government funding of up to £750,000 will be provided to…

International Harvester was already in financial difficulties when it launched the new 50 Series, in 1981. Three rigid-frame models were available in the USA, while just the 5288 and 5488 found their way to UK shores. When you take a closer look at these tractors you can begin to see where IH had spent a lot of its development money! The tractors were built at IH’s Rock Island facility in Illinois and were designed as four-wheel drive models, but many were turned out in two-wheel drive configuration for North American farmers. In this form this large tractor could still pull well above its weight, thanks to its powerful engine and well-balanced design. In Britain in the early 1980s, the higher horsepower sector of the market was dominated by the likes…

Today, the Muir-Hill name is synonymous with powerful, four-wheel drive tractors, but this was not always the case. In days gone by the company was a successful producer of dumpers, loaders and railway shunters, but entered the agricultural arena in the mid-1960s with the 101 – based on a Ford 5000. To the untrained eye, a Muir-Hill is simply a yellow County, but a closer look will reveal that the basic design makes one of these tractors an altogether different proposition. Due to the fact that, in crude terms, all Muir-Hill tractors are the same – a Ford rear end mated to a drop or transfer box and powerful engine, and fitted with equal-sized wheels – this is a basic guide and anyone intent on buying one should consider the…

PICK OF THE CROP GOING GREEN I agree… levers are better than buttons! Dear Junior, This is a drawing of me driving Uncle 6810 self-propelled harvester during first-cut silage. I love the older models because they have levers and silly not buttons! Barney Tape (aged 5), Cornwall BEDDING DOWN Your cows are very lucky! Dear Junior, I would love it if you could print my picture. It is a drawing of daddy bedding down the cows with our New Holland TS tractor and McHale machine. I love reading your magazine with Grandad Granville! William Ellis (aged 7), West Yorkshire BLUE IS THE COLOUR Blue tractors are best, aren’t they? Dear Junior, Here are drawings of some of my favourite vintage tractors. I love visiting my granddad’s farm and like to…

PART THREE THE PODDERS Martin Dickinson spent a good deal of his working life involved with the harvesting of peas, starting as a farm student driving a pea cutter, and then one of the earliest mobile viners, before graduating to the larger Mather & Platt MX trailed viners on the back of Ford 5000 tractors. We left his story last time after he had become a Fieldsman for a canning company in Lincolnshire, just as the industry began to change forever. “The late 1970s and into the ’80s saw several changes”, says Martin, “both to the canning industry, viner development and my own circumstances. It was the beginning of the demise of canned vegetables, albeit a slow decline, which saw many canneries in the UK close their doors forever.” The…

Little did I know when I first started the job of replacing the lower link support pins that I’d open a can of worms regarding other jobs requiring attention. The tractor has become somewhat of a ‘Trigger’s broom’, as when I first acquired it the engine and clutch were rebuilt; along with a total rebuild of the front axle, including the king pins and bushes, front wheel bearings and centre pivot pin and bush. The hydraulics also saw some attention regarding the depth control-sensing spring behind the top link bracket. If that wasn’t enough, when I embarked on the replacement of the linkage pins I discovered a broken rear casting where the differential pinion bearing is supported, resulting in having to find a second-hand casting to replace the broken one!…

Well-known ploughman Bill H Wood of Dingestowe, Monmouth, has decided to take it easy and is selling his lovely collection of well-restored and good-looking equipment on Wednesday 26 May. He has instructed H J Pugh to undertake the sale, which includes a 1950 Fordson E27N Perkins P6 TA. It’s the genuine thing, fitted with full electrics, lights, belt pulley, Howard reduction transmission and rear wheel weights, and it starts, runs and drives very well, but has no V5C. There’s also a 1948 Field-Marshall Series 2 (no. 6623), restored by R H Crawford, with high top gear, full electrics, winch PTO and V5C. A very nice 1969 International 276, VRM 881H, has been restored and features wheel weights and documents. The B-275 is an early restoration, registered XRM 88, and has…

JUNE 2021 issue on sale Friday 4 June SAVING NEW HOLLAND New Holland was not always so mighty. We have the story of how buying the rights to a mobile pickup baler design transformed the company’s fortunes. CRACKING CASE Tractor & Machinery’s Editor-at-large, Peter Love, finds a Case LA with an interesting history and a patina worth preserving, for future generations to enjoy. BUYING ON A BUDGET Buying a tractor ‘on the cheap’ can seem like a good idea, but is it a false economy? We look at some of the potential pitfalls and what it can take to put a wreck right! PLUS Junior, Lost treasure, Machinery milestones, Model corner, News, Tractor Mart, Workshop & more……