Innehållsförteckning för March 2022 från Tractor & Machinery

After the trials and tribulations of 2021, I have to say that I was looking forward to whatever new challenges 2022 may bring, but I wasn’t expecting to be mourning the passing of a friend. Barry Gowler, of Cambridgeshire, sadly passed away on 31 December, aged 39, following a short illness. He was an excellent fabricator and welder, aiding with many Lambert projects over the years – with reminders of his skills no matter where I look. He was also passionate about vintage and classic tractors, with a particular fondness for Ferguson and MF machinery, although other marques featured in his collection. His Massey Ferguson 1200 featured in Tractor & Machinery on more than occasion and I have fond memories of him operating his father’s Case IH 956XL and John…

David Woods started his career with the Ford Motor Company Ltd. on 7 March 1960, when he joined the International Statistics and Market Research section of the Product Planning department at Dagenham. This was a time when the Fordson Dexta and Major were big players in the market, but scheduled to be replaced by a brand-new range of tractors. It had been planned that the Tractor Division, as it was then known, would vacate the Dagenham plant by early 1964 to allow Ford to build car engines. Tractor production would switch to a new, purpose-built plant at Basildon. “No other tractor manufacturer had ever contemplated producing a completely-new product line and a new manufacturing plant at the same time,” David told T&M. “It was a plan full of timing risks.…

It was half a century ago when British Leyland made its biggest ever launch of new tractor models. In later years a big revamp would occur, but that was pretty tame in comparison with what happened in 1972 – when the company decided to go all out to compete with the big players in the tractor market. Despite the Leyland name only being placed on tractors three years before, the new models that appeared during 1972 would pave the way for the rest of Leyland tractor production beyond 1980. So, how did it all start? LEYLAND’S BIRTH Back in 1972, Leyland was still a very new name when it came to agricultural tractors. While the Leyland name itself came from Leyland Motors, based in the Lancashire town of Leyland, various…

Agriculture has been an important part of the Irish economy for many years and a large number of machinery manufacturers have established themselves to support the farming community at home and across the globe. The country’s first major dalliance with agricultural machinery was the Fordson F – built in Cork in to support the area that was an important part of Henry Ford’s ancestry. Not only was it the place that his grandfather had lived, but it was also strategically positioned for exports to Great Britain and Europe. Today, agricultural implements and attachments are Ireland’s predominant exports – enjoying tremendous success, but the desire and ability to produce quality products has been engrained in Irish manufacturing for many decades. The subject of this feature is an obvious example. The Moffett…

For anybody interested in Massey Ferguson tractors, Skipton in North Yorkshire is the location to head for on 7 May, as what looks set to be the sale of the year for Massey Ferguson enthusiasts takes place. Renowned collector Alan Bancroft, who has recently moved to a new home in Yorkshire, has decided to let more than 40 tractors from his original-style collection go under the hammer. It’s not only tractors that will be sold, as many Massey Ferguson implements will also be on offer, making this a sale not to be missed. Alan has always been surrounded by Massey Ferguson tractors. “My father’s first tractor was a TE-F 20 tractor which he bought when he went from horses to tractors back in 1951,” he said. Alan learnt to drive…

At Cross In Hand, East Sussex, the Burgess Engineering-sponsored Six Bells Charity Road Run took place, writes Peter Love. This year’s version of the run, which has been held for 12 years, was very popular – with 86 tractors taking part. Jeff Burgess does so much to make this a great event with music, drinks and mince pies at the start, which everyone appreciates. Brian Tompsett, whose family has been self-isolating due to Covid-19, was able to organise an enjoyable route at the last minute, for everyone to enjoy. This run always sees a great variety of ages when it comes to tractors taking part and this year was no different. The oldest this time was a fine 1940 Fordson Standard, but there were plenty of classics too, including models…

After an absence of 24 long months, the Isle of Wight Classic Tractors group held its annual charity road run on Tuesday 28 December. A total of 68 tractors left the Fighting Cocks Inn at Hale Common for a 24-mile run across a varied route of fields and highways, which took in some spectacular countryside and coastal scenes amid 45 knots of wind from the English Channel. There was a good cross section of classics and modern tractors, with something for everyone to look at. The drivers were lucky with the weather with just a short shower as they finished off. Organiser David Lemonius said: “It was good to get out and talk tractors after such a long time.” £1,200 was raised for charity, split between Hampshire-Isle of Wight Air…

Fordson Super Dexta Q I have a Super Dexta that has been neglected for a number of years and in need of restoration. One of the main problems was that both the clutch and bell housing were soaked in oil, needing the replacement of both clutch plates and also renewal of the input shaft oil seals. My problem is how to release the spring holding the thrust bearing in place. The manual explains as follows: “Lift the inner end of the return spring away from the clutch fork, rotate the fork towards the front of the clutch housing and withdraw the release bearing and hub assembly.” This is easier said than done, as the spring arrangement is totally different to that of the Massey Ferguson, and I am having great…

In the Chichester district of West Sussex, on the shores of Chichester Harbour and just five miles southwest of the city, lies the idyllic village of Birdham. It is not prime farming land, as such, but the location chosen by a Mr Cook to run a smallholding and his contracting business – much of which was mowing. After WW2 he used a 1946/7 David Brown VAK1/A, which he possibly bought new. When it was time to buy a replacement tractor, as the VAK1/A had performed well he went back to Sidlesham Motors for something suitable. Thanks to George Muggeridge’s research, we know that Cook traded in the VAK1/A for £100 and brought home a Super Cropmaster (VAK/3/1C) in April 1953, which cost £484 to buy. Not very many of the…

Ransomes Sims & Jefferies is a name synonymous with ploughs, with the first horse-drawn models produced by Robert Ransome in the early 1800s. Naturally, the move from horses to tractors was a radical step, as was the change from trailed to mounted, but productivity increased significantly thanks to the introduction of the reversible plough. This, you may think, is a comparatively new design, but Ransomes & Sims, as it was at the time, was producing a reversible plough as early as 1866. This type of plough did not catch on and the company had added balance-type ploughs to its range by the 1930s. Differing models, for horses and tracklayers, were produced – but conventional ploughs were still the most popular and it would be a further two decades before the…

PRODUCTION When David Brown brought the 90 Series to the market for the 1980s, it struck a chord with those loyal to the marque, as well as generating interest with those that had hitherto felt that a DB was not the tractor for them. The combination of proven skid units with a new cab and new styling made for an attractive proposition and one that turned out to be a safe choice over the years that would follow. Naturally, as with any new launch, there were some niggles, but the range was well received and built solidly on the foundations of the tractors that had come before. Fast forward to 1984 and with many of the creases ironed out, the 90 Series became the 94 Series, with the prominent ‘David…

DIFFICULTY RATING Having been told that the big end bearings had failed, as the engine was knocking violently, we discovered the crankshaft had broken across the rear web, near to the rear main bearing journal. This in turn had damaged the thrust washers, which were now unserviceable too! SHORT BLOCK The tractor had received a short block back in 2017, after a spate of failed head gaskets, and had performed well until the crankshaft breakage. Fortunately there was no damage caused to the cylinder block itself, and I remembered that the original block was still around and had the original crankshaft in it. This was brought to me and we duly removed the shaft, along with all its bearing shells, which were all kept in order and fitted into the…

In this issue I review the 2021 sales scene and provide hints and tips on buying and tractors during the months ahead, writes Peter Love. Part two of this review includes information on the specific tractor marques and will feature in the Spring issue. As has become apparent, the modern used tractor market is desperately short of stock, even if 2021 UK registrations were up. This is mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the shortage of various parts to complete the build for new tractors. Basically, this means that what comes on the market sells very well indeed if considered ‘mainstream’ – in fact, some tractors are selling for more than what they were worth when new. CLASSICS NUMBER ONE The year 2021 was noted for the continued rise…

I first met Ian Casely and discovered his love for Ford tractors at the 2016 Udder Farm Shop Vintage Vehicle Rally and Family Fun Day at East Stour, Dorset, organised by Tony Fowler and Suzanne Smith. Ian, from Sherborne in Dorset, was making his first visit with two of his tractors, both with a Welsh connection. The first was a 1964 Fordson New Performance Super Dexta, which was originally supplied by Smithfield Tractors, Builth Wells, Breconshire. Ian found OEU 189 in Draycott, near Cheddar, and the Super Dexta was restored by Tim James in 2011. Ian’s second entry was a 1974 Ford 4000, acquired from a hobby farm in Carmarthen, Wales, in March 2016. CDE 62M was nearly restored and only required a new set of rear wheel rims and…

This photograph shows the team involved in Ford dealer Gates of Baldock’s 24-hour ploughing marathon, in 1965. A 46hp, three-cylinder Ford 3000 and 65hp, four-cylinder Ford 5000 were used with Ransomes reversible ploughs to showcase the new 6X range of tractors – which featured dual designations to enable prospective purchasers to ascertain their power output. The 2000 was known as the Dexta, the 3000 as the Super Dexta, the 4000 as the Major and the 5000 as the Super Major.…

Somerset Traction Engine Club held its traditional New Year’s Day Road Run at the Sedgemoor Livestock Market, near Bridgwater, writes Joseph Lewis. A variety of vehicles included tractors, classic commercials, cars and motorcycles and even two full-size steam traction engines. One of the tractor stars was a 1958 Nuffield Universal, registration OPR 722, with an emotional connection. Pete Cox bought the tractor from Tilley Bros. and then sold it to present owner Harvey Heal. Harvey had been searching for the tractor as it belonged to his father, Stewart, and remembered it being in the family. Harvey has treasured old photos of the tractor when his father was using the Universal on the farm. Interestingly, the Universal was first registered in 1979 on an age-related registration, with ‘PR’ believed to be…

DIFFICULTY RATING In the last issue I covered the making of a registration plate backing plate and the fitting of a pair of Wipac-style rear lamps. The next stage was the making of a bracket to carry the ploughing lamp. I had made a study of various David Brown instruction manuals to see how the bracket needed to be, and the best one was pictured in a manual covering the installation of TCU to an existing tractor. From this I was able to make up a bracket from 14 SWG steel (2mm gauge) in one piece, which fits over the right-hand mudguard support using the same fixings. SIDE LAMP BRACKETS At the same time I made a pair of side lamp brackets from the same steel sheet, together with a…

The Cheffins April Vintage Sale promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with the sale running over two days in all sections – to allow both in-person and online bidding. Taking place on 22-23 April, the sale will see thousands of lots go under the hammer, including steam engines, classic and vintage tractors, commercial vehicles, cars, motorbikes and collectors’ items. The auction on Friday 22 April will encompass literature, models and steam spares and the sale on Saturday 23 April will include tractors, motorbikes, vehicles, tractor spares and implements. Bill King, Cheffins’ chairman, says: “Whilst the pandemic put a stop to live auctions for a period, we have decided that from April we will now return all sections of the sale back to offering both live and online…

PART 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,…

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Jonathan Whitlam celebrates 50 years of Muir-Hill’s Series II models with a nostalgic look at these iconic, Ford-based tractors, including the colossal 171. GETTING SLIM Harry Ferguson recognised that there was a market for narrow versions of the TE-20 and this continued during the Massey Ferguson era. We profile some of these specialist models. RUNNING REPORT More than three years on and the editor concludes whether his International Harvester 454 has proved to be a sound investment, regarding money spent since its arrival and current market value. PLUS Junior, Machinery milestones, Model corner, News, Readers’ gallery, Tractor Mart, Workshop & more……

SEND YOUR PICTURES FOR THIS FEATURE TO: Readers’ gallery, Kelsey Publishing Ltd., The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL or e-mail them to tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk…