Innehållsförteckning för July 2021 från Tractor & Machinery

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN Ploughing and Hedging Society held its first meeting for 2021 at the Six Bells in Penmark, on 3 June 2021, writes Basil George. The Chairman, Andrew Studley, welcomed members, stating that he had kept in touch with committee members by telephone throughout lockdown and that the society had issued a couple of press releases about its plans for 2021. Andrew went on to inform the meeting that he was standing down as Chairman, having held the post since the society was formed 11 years ago. The members gave a vote of thanks to Andrew and his wife, June, for the work they had done over the duration of his chairmanship. It was agreed a fitting tribute to him was to elect him as President of the…

Dealership delivers C R Willcocks, one of the South West’s longest-running farm machinery dealerships, recently supplied Devon & Cornwall Police with a fleet of seven electric utility vehicles for the G7 Summit in Cornwall. As a main dealer for Polaris, the global leader in side-by-side off-road vehicles, C R Willcocks assembled a fleet of Polaris Ranger EVs, at a time when Covid-19 lockdowns have put a strain on machinery production, especially in the agriculture industry. Stephen Retallick, Dealer Principal at C R Willcocks, said: “Polaris have been excellent in helping us supply this fleet of electric UTVs to help Devon & Cornwall Police keep the G7 leaders secure.” Dorset tractor run A tractor run, hosted by Dorchester Agricultural Society and sponsored by Cornish Mutual, will take place on Sunday 4…

Following the preview in our April issue regarding his 101-mile charity tractor drive, Alex Terrett has completed the trip and has raised £1,190 for mental health charity Mind. Alex told T&M that his 1957 French-built Ferguson FF30DS, made under licence by Hotchkiss, did not use or lose any coolant, but did use or lose 1.5 litres of engine oil. Fuel consumption was approximately 18-30mpg and the average speed was 11-12mph. Alex set himself and the tractor the challenge following the loss of a close friend to mental illness in 2016. His nine hours of driving on Wednesday 2 June provided valuable thinking time for those suffering with mental health problems and he would like to remind people that how a person or machine may look may not reflect how they or…

In the grand scheme of things, a synchromesh transmission in the late 1970s is not much to shout about, but as it transformed the existing product and was produced on a shoestring, we deem Leyland’s innovative gearbox worthy of inclusion in this series of machinery milestones. More than 40 years ago, British Leyland (BL) announced the first major change to its tractor range since 1972, when it revamped the 245, 262 and 272 models as the Synchro range, with new bonnet decals indicating that a synchromesh transmission was now part of the package. The decade had been a troubled time for state-owned BL, as although strikes throughout the industry had hit many firms hard, Leyland found it even tougher going as it was losing money at an alarming rate. This…

STAR LETTER No oil pressure Dear T&M, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article On a budget in the June issue. In your paragraph headed ‘Operation’, you say that the engine oil pressure was non-existent. We have recently experienced exactly the same on a tractor we are recommissioning after a major engine rebuild. We changed the gauge twice and, after much head scratching, the pipework to the gauge, but still no pressure and so we were, like you, thinking it was an engine fault. As a last resort we removed the pressure relief valve from the oil filter and found the ball jammed open! This was freed off and now we have an engine with very healthy oil pressure! I hope this helps and is the cause, because otherwise you are…

If you were under the impression that interest in veteran, vintage and classic vehicles and transport has been off the radar since the Covid-19 pandemic began, you would be wrong, says Peter Love. At the Tinkers Park Traction Engine and Historic Vehicle Rally, staged by members of the Claude Jessett Trust on 5-6 June, everything came together for a most enjoyable event. Rally secretary Peter Haining had the assistance of Adrian Vaughan and a team of merry helpers to create a very special event. It was the 55th time that this event has taken place, but it felt like the biggest success since the first was held in 1966. It is now one of the oldest events of its kind to survive and has raised more than £200,000 for Cancer…

With a pleasing entry of 250 lots, Hassall Brothers Auctioneers welcomed entries from all over the country and was thrilled with the quality of items consigned for the May sale that concluded on 21 May. The brochure and manual category attracted more than 120 entries and provided a broad variety of literature, from vintage to modern era consignments. Several vintage brochures significantly exceeded their reserves – with the top price going to a Fordson Super Dexta 12-page brochure for £212. Hot on its heels, an MF 35X brochure sold for £208. Additional notable entries included a 1965 MF 100 Series ‘pull out’ brochure at £156 and a very tidy Ford Force brochure realised £106. The model category attracted more than 100 entries and featured a strong collection of Britains models,…

July 3 – Major Auction of over 90 Classic & Vintage Tractors, Implements & Spares. Essex. Cheffins, tel: 01353 777767. 3 – Monthly Machinery & Smallholders Sale. Holsworthy Livestock Market, New Market Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7FA. Kivells, tel: 01409 253275. 3 – Farm Machinery Dispersal Sale. Faldingworth, nr Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Pygott & Crone, tel: 01529 414555. 3 – Rural Farm Auction. West Meon. Wellers Auctions, tel: 01483 802280. 5-13 – Online Timed Collective Auction of Vintage Classic & Collectable Tractors, Vehicles, Machinery & Effects. Symonds & Sampson, symondsandsampson.co.uk 8 – Implement Sale. Muirglen, Hyndford Road, Lanark ML11 9AX. Lawrie & Symington, tel: 01555 662281. 9 – Sale of Horticultural Machinery & Garden Tools. Hazle Meadows Auction Centre, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 2LP. H J Pugh & Co, tel: 01531…

Did you see Channel 4’s Car S.O.S. on Tuesday 1 June? The show is now in its eighth series, and this episode saw Fuzz Townshend and Tim Shaw take on the task of rebuilding a Ferguson TE-F 20. Sadly, Yorkshire farmer Richard had lost his father last year and had also broken his hip around the same time. His wife, Julie, and daughter wrote to the programme and the team took on the challenge of extensively rebuilding the diesel tractor. It was an excellent hour’s programme indeed, explaining about hydraulics and Harry Ferguson’s three-point linkage and draft control system – the essence of all modern tractors. The boys even compared the latest 320hp Massey Ferguson tractor to the 26hp TE-F 20, with great humour along the way. By the time…

GOT A STORY? THEN WRITE TO THE EDITOR: Scott Lambert, Kelsey Publishing Ltd., The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL EMAIL: tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk IN BRIEF T&M to your door! As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, stay safe and get Tractor & Machinery delivered to your door. A subscription is convenient and saves money. The current offers can be found at: shop. kelsey.co.uk/subscription/TMA New division launched The Scot JCB Group has launched a new division to spearhead its machinery and parts sales and service operations for agricultural customers. The company is combining Kelso & Lothian Harvesters and A M Phillip Agritech and forming Scot Agri, a new agricultural brand within The Scot JCB Group._Scot Agri will provide machinery sales, service and parts from JCB, Massey Ferguson, Valtra, HORSCH, Ktwo and…

Leading commercial fuel supplier Watson Fuels has launched a carbon offset initiative, providing farmers and its customers in the agricultural sector with a convenient and cost-effective way to help reduce their carbon footprint. For 2019 Watson Fuels became a fully carbon neutral company by taking various actions and using carbon offsetting to compensate for its residual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It recently launched its own Carbon Offset Fuel to support to the sector in managing its carbon footprint. Operators can reduce their emissions by becoming more energy efficient, but for emissions that cannot be eliminated, such as from transport and heating, these can now be offset when placing a fuel order directly through Watson Fuels. By choosing to purchase carbon offset fuel through Watson Fuels, users are lowering their carbon…

Les Price The Mid Wales tractor scene has lost one of its great supporters, Les Price, after a long period of illness. Les, who was 77, farmed with his brother John in Nantmel and together they collected many tractors from local farms. He particularly loved his Ferguson 35, which he had restored and used in many local road runs. For many years he, with his brother, organised the tractor display at the local Nantmel Show & Sports event. The T&M team sends its condolences to Les’ family. Tillage-Live NOW IN ITS 30TH YEAR, Tillage-Live, the national crop establishment demonstration, returns to the west this autumn. Organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) on behalf of the industry, the event is heading back to Cirencester in 2021 with the event being…

•Launched in Torquay, Devon •Built in Bathgate, West Lothian •Produced from 1978-85* Two levers •Left-hand lever for L, M & H •Right-hand lever for 1-3 & R •Range: constant, Gears: synchro Features •9 fwd, 3 rev speeds •Synchronised ‘shuttle’ •3.6-32.7kph (2.2-20.3mph)** Universal equipment •Smallest tractor: 245 (47bhp) •Largest tractor: 2100 (100bhp) •* 9x3 & 15x5 derivatives (for Marshall/JWD) Maximum power •Gear L1: 49.05hp, 9,458lb pull •Gear M1: 52.65hp, 4,203lb pull ** 2/472 Nebraska test (1980)…

Cambridge roll Dear T&M, I have just read the latest issue and note that Jim Smith is trying to identify the Cambridge ring roller pictured in the article. It looks identical to the one I own, where the name ‘Wrekin’ is written on the bearing caps. Mine is in very good order for its 70-plus years and whilst I know so many rollers have been scrapped over the years I would love to find this one a new home in the future, rather than see it cut up for scrap. It is great reading all of the articles, especially those related to Ferguson and Massey Ferguson, as I gained my engineering apprenticeship on them in the ’60s, and although retired I still love working on the older MFs. Mike Stevens,…

I am always on the lookout for implements produced under the International Harvester banner and have picked them up at auctions and farm sales, as well as the Internet, but I was lucky enough to find this one at a local used machinery dealer’s premises. The implement I am referring to is the IH 30-112 toolbar – one of seven pieces of equipment sold by IH at the time capable of being used as a cultivator. It was marketed in the 1970s alongside the company’s World Wide Series tractors, such as the 454 and 574, but was suitable for both category I and II models. The first of these, the 1-1, could be specified in three widths – 6½, 8 and 10ft (2, 2½ and 3m) – and was primarily…

On 25 April 2021, a tractor road run took place in the townland of Kilclief, Strangford, Co. Down. The run was dedicated to the memory of Terence Fitzsimons and proceeds raised at the event were donated to the NI Air Ambulance and NI Chest, Heart & Stroke. The event was well supported with a good turnout of vintage, classic and modern tractors. This was the first sizeable tractor road run to take place in Northern Ireland in 2021. The weather was superb throughout the day and the tractors took approximately an hour to cover the route in this scenic part of Co. Down. Social distancing was observed by all and everyone was delighted to take part in what was a very enjoyable day.…

IH B-275 Q I have a problem with the heater plugs on my International B-275 tractor. I have tried both the long and the short heater plugs and I’m finding that they keep burning out. I have cleaned the earth to the plugs, but this hasn’t made any difference. Also, the pepper pot indicator keeps burning out, so any advice on the matter would be most welcome. David Wager, via e-mail A As you’ve tried both long and short heater plugs, and they have all burnt out, along with the pepper pot indicator, I suspect you have a wiring problem on your tractor. Originally, the heater plugs were wired in series and were only two volts each, and along with the pepper pot indicator added up to the 12 volts.…

Over the evening of Friday 29 May and the following day, Frank McCaughan and the team at FMC Auctions Ltd. in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, got through 954 lots. As always, strong prices were expected, and achieved in some cases, for this well-painted selection of tractors. It was mostly Ferguson machines, with a smattering of Ford machines offered. A new record was achieved for a grey Ford 2N with mower at £6,700. A restored John Deere 710, with incorrect black grille, went on to sell for a colossal £9,000. All in all, good prices were achieved at the sale. Results: MF 135, 5, £6,000 MF 35X, 5, £6,000 MF 165, 5, £7,200 1952 Ford Jubilee, 5, £5,800 MF 135, cab, power steering, 5, £8,000 David Brown 850, 5, £5,700 Ferguson FE…

Classic Massey celebrates the hey-day of Massey Ferguson. • Comprehensive restoration coverage • Essential articles, news and models for owners and enthusiasts • Large free advertising section Ford & Fordson Tractors: the official magazine of the Ford & Fordson Association. • Coverage from the early Fordsons to the last of the Fords • Readers’ stories, buyers’ guides, news, reports and technical advice • Large free advertising section with parts for sale Tractor & Farming Heritage celebrates the development of the farming tractor from its roots to today. • In-depth technical features • Reports and new industry development • Owner features and spectacular restoration projects Subscribe at shop.kelsey.co.uk/PA21 Or call 01959 543 747 and quote PA21 *when you pay by direct debit. For full price options, visit the website. **Savings are…

Tell us about yourself… I was brought up on a small farm that was taken over by my mother and father after the passing of my grandpa. I was only four at the time, with two older brothers. The only tractors around the farm at that time were a Fordson N and a Fordson E27N. These were broken up and taken by the scrap man. Any time we needed a tractor after that we borrowed from a neighbour – either a Massey Ferguson 35 or a Fordson Dexta. My oldest brother would occasionally take me with him on gravel-collecting trips and an odd shot at the tractor would follow. By the time I was 12, I was the one doing the driving most of the time. After an engineering apprenticeship…

The British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival will be celebrating its 70th anniversary when the event will be held on 9-10 October at Mindrum, Northumberland. This National two-day event is ‘ploughing on’ after being forced to cancel last year due to Covid-19._It will bring together champion ploughmen and women from all over the country to compete in 15 different classes – including world style, several vintage classes, horticultural and horse ploughing – to find the British ploughing champions in each section. The event is a huge outdoor affair, so social distancing should be easy on the 200-plus acre site close to the Scottish border, midway between Wooler and Kelso. However, you don’t need to be a ploughing enthusiast to enjoy a visit to the championships, as there is something…

WHILE THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR has been one of lesser-impacted industries in the pandemic, it is being hit by another ever-growing malaise – theft of plant machinery is at an all-time high, according to new research. Since shocking statistics revealed that plant and tool theft increased by 50 per cent in the first few months of the pandemic shut-down periods, according to leading GPS vehicle tracker installer Trackershop, construction businesses are continuing to face increased levels of plant and machinery theft. More businesses are now taking matters into their own hands to stop the thieves in their tracks, by installing state-of-the-art tracker technology on their machines. Faced with shocking figures which show that on average less than 10 per cent of plant machinery is never recovered (if not fitted with…

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has announced the 2021 winners of the Technical Innovation Awards, with one Gold, six Silver and five Certificates of Commendations being awarded. The awards, the RHASS’ most longstanding industry accolade, showcase and reward innovation and development within the agricultural sector and are a highly-respected award for manufacturers, distributers, providers and inventors. This year, applicants were once again invited to enter online with judging taking place virtually. Winners were featured as part of the Royal Highland Showcase in partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland, with a formal award ceremony planned for the 2022 Royal Highland Show. Gold awards are presented to previous Silver award winners for continuous outstanding merit. This year, Calibrate Inc. Ltd. earned Gold for its Heatpump Heat/Chill 6MW…

As those with an affection for David Brown tractors will know, the Selectamatic hydraulic system first appeared on the red and yellow 770 tractor, in 1965. Some 880 and 990 models were produced for evaluation in the same livery, but the range ultimately adopted new styling and a new livery due, it is said, to reservations from American distributors about the outdated appearance that had been adopted from the Implematic series. The 770 was the only model to feature the new hydraulic system for several months, until the launch of the range proper, later in 1965. It was late November of that year when David Brown announced the introduction of the Selectamatic range, with the launch happening at the Smithfield Show in the first week of December. Peter Williams, of…

With all the mechanical work completed on the 780, and after a break and slow progress due to the wet winter weather, I am now back on track with the cleaning up and preparation of the tractor’s skid unit. In part 10 I was debating whether it was better to have the complete skid unit shot blasted and primed in one go, which would have reduced much of the work in preparation. The other option, and the one I have chosen, is to target an area at a time, clean and degrease, followed by priming in red oxide. The reason for this was partly due to the cost of the blasting and priming, but also the fact I would have to transport the skid unit around 15 miles and back…