Innehållsförteckning för January 2023 från Tractor & Machinery

Hello and welcome to the final issue of 2022. What a year it’s been! Now seems like a good time to reflect on how lucky we are – even though it may not always feel that way. I’d like to think that I’ve become more appreciative of the smaller things in life and am certainly thankful for the opportunities that I have been afforded and for the people that I get to meet. There are some extremely likeable and knowledgeable people in the preservation fraternity, and I enjoy the moments I have with them immensely. Time with like-minded people is always pleasant, and as it is precious it’s wise to make the most of it. There are occasions when I wish I could turn back the clock and approach things…

THE PRIZE DRAW IN AID OF THE BICTON OVERSEAS AGRICULTURAL TRUST (BOAT) has been won by Phil Wormald of Leicestershire. He was presented with his prize of a Massey Ferguson 35, at the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show on Saturday 5 November, by BOAT representative Tom Vellacott and T&M editor Scott Lambert. Having become membership secretary of the Vale of Belvoir Machinery Group, he was considering buying a Ford 3000 as his first tractor, but in the last week of October he got an unexpected call to inform him that the £5 raffle ticket he had purchased as part of a charity fundraiser had come up trumps. “I just couldn’t believe it, I was like a giddy kid,” he said. “I’ve no plans to strip it down and turn…

David Brown was one of the leading lights in tractor design in Britain during the 1940s, ’50s and into the ’60s. Henry Ford may have pioneered mass production when he introduced the Fordson N with its unitary design, and Harry Ferguson definitely took tractor technology to the next level with his three-point linkage, but it was in Yorkshire that these concepts were adapted and developed into a machine that would win the admiration of farmers around the world. In the late 1930s, David Brown approached his tractor-manufacturing venture by first canvassing farmers directly to see what potential customers thought was important in a new tractor. Having conducted his market research, the Yorkshire man concluded that the ideal machine for the forward-thinking farmer would be reliable, versatile, ruggedly built, powerful and…

Ferguson plough Dear T&M, I am writing regarding your article on the Ferguson System and the Experts’ Advice section in the November issue. Whilst I compliment both articles on their detail, I am confused as to why would you want to show a Ferguson two-furrow general-purpose plough with cast iron front wheel weights bolted to the frame. If the late Harry Ferguson saw that, I have no doubt that he would have something to say about it! Basically, it defeats the whole concept of weight transfer from the plough through the top link and through the hydraulics to the back axle. If anyone wishes to plough with a TE-20, they should acquaint themselves with the Ferguson Mouldboard Plough Manual, printed from 1947-54, which can still be acquired in original and…

Few would doubt that the Massey Ferguson 30 is, perhaps, the most iconic seed drill ever produced – built in various widths and configurations to suit different applications and soil types – but it did not have it all its own way. Derived from the IH 6-2, built in Australia, the International 511 was described by the company as a multi-purpose cultivator combine drill and was built to withstand the rigours of the most difficult farming conditions. It could be used for conventional sowing, into a pre-prepared seedbed, as part of minimum cultivations, or for direct drilling. The 511 was designed to be dragged across huge acreages in Australia and, as such, was more than up to the job in other parts of the world. It was built around a…

TRACTORS AT SEAFORDE 1884 (x2) 1454 1254 1474 (x2) 1174 (x3) 1164 (x2) 974 6600-FOUR 1184 (x3) On Saturday 24 September, the Irish County Tractor Club held a ploughing day at the Seaforde Estate in Co. Down, where Noel and Richard Kane set aside 70 acres of land for 16 County tractors. The large field provided ample ground to plough, and the weather was excellent, with all participants thoroughly enjoying the day in this picturesque part of Co. Down. It was great to see two County 1884s at work in one field, alongside two short-nosed 1474s. Three 1184s were also in action, two of which were long-wheelbase models. Kverneland ploughs were the most popular choice to be used by the club members, but it was also good to see Ransomes,…

David Brown 990 Q Last year I replaced my old Ferguson TE-D 20 with a larger, more powerful tractor, in the form of a David Brown 990 Implematic. Generally, the DB is in good order and runs very well, but its stopping power falls short of expectations. The brake pedals virtually go down to the footplate when the brakes are applied, and the adjustment is now at the end of its travel. Years ago, I replaced the brake linings in the old Ferguson with no problems, but looking at the David Brown the procedure looks rather more involved, as the brakes are concealed inside the rear axle. I hope to replace the linings myself and would appreciate any advice or tips to enable me to undertake the task. Many thanks in…

Science Museum sells treasures What are your thoughts on the Science Museum selling off another batch of heritage tractors? The collection is kept at the museum’s Wroughton Airfield site, near Swindon, which could be a wonderful museum for the nation, but there has not been much effort made to resolve the situation there. The site houses some excellent machines, including early combines and a 1933 Ford BB travelling library, which features a Muir-Hill six-wheel, chain-drive conversion, as well as other interesting artefacts. Plans for the site have come and gone over the years and it is worrying that the museum has decided to sell off yet another batch of tractors, all of which were significant types used in the UK in their day – none are so-called preservation imports. I…

Herd of Fords We have a member that is wishing to locate several tractors he used whilst working for a contractor in Shropshire, a number of years ago. The tractors are as follows: Ford 4000s with registrations PUJ 752M, GNT 242N, UAW 834J, TUX 552J, WUX 127K, BNT 963L, PUX 700H, RUX 747H, EUX 168C, EUX 207C, and DNT 178L. Ford 4600s, with ‘Q’ cab, with registrations TNT 509S and HAW ***V. All were Shropshire registered. If anyone can help, please contact the editor in the first instance. Ford & Fordson Association SL: If you can help, please get in touch via e-mail: tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk Graveyard I thought readers might be interested in this tractor graveyard I spotted onUnst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands. There were at least 10 Ferguson…

The Countess of Wessex, Patron of the NSPCC, was warmly welcomed to JCB on 15 November for a double engagement – to officially open a new £100 million factory and to receive a £300,000 cheque for the children’s charity. The Countess visited JCB Cab Systems, Uttoxeter, and during a tour, Her Royal Highness was given an insight into the hi-tech manufacturing plant complete with its computer-controlled production line and rainwater harvesting and heat capture systems. Her Royal Highness later received a cheque for £300,000 for the NSPCC after a successful employee fundraising campaign. JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole welcomed The Countess to the plant and during the visit Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque on the shop floor to the applause of hundreds of employees who had…

13 ISSUES FOR JUST £37.99 UK annual direct debit offer. Gift is subject to availability and maybe replaced with an item of equal value. Please allow 28 days for delivery of a gift. Guarantee delivery by ordering before 17 December 2022. Offers available for UK customers only. Savings are based on the standard cover prices. Offer ends 24 December 2022. The subscription will start with the first available issue after Christmas 2022. Prices correct at time of print and subject to change. For full terms and conditions visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/terms. To see how we use your data view our privacy policy here shop.kelsey.co.uk/privacy-policy. Great reasons to subscribe Take out a gift subscription today and save up to £15 ★ They will never miss an issue ★ Delivered straight to their door…

My first experience driving an MF 1200 tractor was to unload an early pre-build model at Massey Ferguson’s Stoneleigh Training Centre, where I was based as a Demonstrator, in 1971. This model had come from Liverpool docks, having been assembled by the company’s Advanced Design Centre at Livonia, Michigan. Once on the ramp, it was quickly collected by the adjacent UK Engineering Field Test Department for ‘shakedown’ work. To disguise it, both on the road and on farms, it was re-badged as a ‘Mastif’ so that any pre-launch photos by the public would not reveal the marque or model number. It would be later that year and into ’72, that a pre-production tractor was allocated to the Demonstration Team, which, following recent redundancies, now comprised just Dick Dowdeswell and I.…

Moving the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show by a week, to give the showground more time to organise the very successful and growing Midlands Machinery Show, on 16-17 November, appeared to benefit the event in terms of visitor numbers. As for the weather, it was rather up and down, and when the heavens opened on the Sunday afternoon it did not stop, but at least the temperature was reasonably warm. This year’s special theme of ‘70 years of the Fordson E1A Major’ came out well in the George Stephenson Exhibition Hall, with much help from New Holland dealer Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Ltd. James Hardstaff exhibited a fine selection of tractors from his collection, as did others with exhibits from Scotland. The one that stood out was John Hayward’s 1952 E1A…

In parts one and two I discussed the development and workings of the Ferguson System, and the Smith hydraulic lift fitted to the Fordson Major E27N tractor, in response to the Ferguson System. During the development of the Ferguson System, Harry Ferguson approached gear manufacturer David Brown, which supplied many of the parts of the prototype ‘black tractor’, and then went on to produce the Ferguson-Brown tractor (Ferguson Model A), of which there were around 1,200 examples built in the late 1930s. The Model A was a lightweight tractor and operated at its best using implements specifically designed for it, and at the time many farmers were put off by this fact, as they liked to use their existing implements. The extra expense was also a limiting factor in the…

Following a long absence, it was great to get back to the Shrewsbury Steam Rally in August 2022, at Onslow Park, writes Howard Sherren. Visitors were welcomed by extremely dry ground conditions that saw the working field soon turn to dust, making very easy work for the tractors – veteran, vintage, and classic. This year’s event also featured a special display of Nuffield, Leyland, and Marshall tractors, with the oldest tractor now more than 70 years old, as well as marking 60 years since production of all Nuffield tractors was moved from Ward End, Birmingham, to a new BMC factory at Bathgate, in Scotland. The selection started with a 1949 Nuffield Universal M4 belonging to E Hughes, followed by a selection of DM4 models, 460 and 10/60, plus a selection…

FEB 2023 ISSUE ON SALE FRIDAY 13 JAN SPLIT PERSONALITY Jonathan Whitlam gets to grips with Ford’s decision to produce what was effectively the same tractor in two different guises, whilst comparing their features. EVOLUTION, NOT REVOLUTION IH’s 85 Series was launched in 1981 and, following critical acclaim, it continued into the Case IH era. Our guide provides an insight into what these models offer. PLUS Junior, Machinery milestones, Model corner, News, Readers’ gallery, Tractor Mart, Workshop & more… Note: Planned features in T&M may be subject to alteration, due to circumstances beyond our control.…

The season has finally ended, after a run of successful sales for many auctioneers throughout the UK and North America when it comes to veteran, vintage, and classic tractors. Prices in mainland Europe have not seen many significant increases, but in the UK we have seen many new records created along the way – which I will discuss in detail in the next issue. Until then, I hope you have a great Christmas and a happy New Year! TRACTOR GRADING SYSTEM VETERAN, VINTAGE & CLASSIC 1: Non-runner, rough 2: Running, needs work 3: Original & perfect 4: Older restoration 5: Restored 6: Concours MODERN 7: Rough 8: Tatty & running 9: Running, needs some work 10: Average condition 11: Very good 12: Like new GET IN TOUCH If you have…

The spectacular Tractor World Spring and Classic Commercial Show, at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground, takes place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March 2023. As well as the veteran, vintage and classic tractors and agricultural machinery, expect to see commercials, Land Rovers, club displays, stationary engines, miniature steam engines, models, and vintage horticultural and garden equipment, along with the event favourites that visitors love. Saturday’s famous H J Pugh & Co. auction is set to have 1,500 lots, with more than 100 tractors expected, while Sunday sees the return of the popular Classic Commercial Drive-In Day. Filling all three large exhibition halls at the well-connected and equipped Three Counties Showground, comfort is guaranteed, with ample parking and refreshments. There’s shopping for every enthusiast, with the UK’s largest gathering of specialist,…

There are few that would argue about the impact that the Ferguson TE-20 had on mechanised agriculture, and although the Massey Ferguson 1200 cannot be held in such high regard, it deserves recognition for the effect it had on the way tractors were perceived in Great Britain. Where once the Fordson had reigned supreme, the Ferguson System altered the way tractors increased productivity, and it was the interaction between prime mover and implement that changed farming forever. Naturally, productivity had to increase, and so the need for more power and greater traction led both farmers and tractor manufacturers to come up with innovative solutions to meet the needs of progressive agriculture. The Doe Dual Drive is a great example of such innovation – with Essex farmer George Pryor joining two…

It’s an AGCO special as far as new releases from Universal Hobbies are concerned! The latest 1:32 models from the company are all limited-edition models – with the smallest Massey Ferguson and two Valtras having a production run of just 1,000, while the two ‘175 years of MF’ models are limited to 2,000 pieces. At around €83 (£72) for the two smaller MFs and the Valtras, and around €99 (£86) for the big MF, these are models for the serious collector – although they would look fantastic on a carpet farm! All are available to buy now from any retailer in the network of UH stockists, or directly from the website: universalhobbies.net MF 8S.265 175 years of MF Product code: UH6453 Scale: 1:32 Size: 170x90x115mm Weight: 585g MF 5S.125 Black…

Following a three-year break, due to adverse weather conditions in 2019, and two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Down Traction Engine Club (CDTEC) ran a vintage rally on Saturday 13 August 2022 at a new venue in Ballygowan, Co. Down, writes James Connolly. Club members were delighted to welcome everyone to the rally day and the weather was perfect. The event was a scaled-back rally compared to previous events and the format proved to be very successful. The two special themes for the day were Muir-Hill machines and the Fordson E1A Major tractor. Club member Brian Dempster organised a very good display of Muir-Hill tractors, with no less than 27 on display. These included every model from the 101 to the 171, including a rare Myth-Holm 131, built…

UTILITY KNIFE £22.56 inc. VAT each  Laser Tools Tel: 01926 815000  lasertools.co.uk Laser Tools has introduced a ceramic-bladed safety utility knife (part number 8404), that offers safer handling with muchlonger blade life, and is ideal for use in the home, office, or workshop. The ceramic blade is significantly harder than steel, therefore offers exceptional wear resistance, lasting up to 10 times longer than a comparative steel blade. Due to a traditional steel blade’s relative softness, they are sharpened to unsafe levels – the much harder ceramic blade doesn’t have to be as sharp, and therefore offers an effective, durable, and safer edge. The handle features an ergonomic grip, suitable for both left- and right-handed users, and has a storage compartment for a spare blade (part number 61858). With on-board blade…

PART I-L 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,…