Innehållsförteckning för October 2023 från Tractor & Machinery

JCB HAS MADE A SECOND MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH in proving the wider appeal of hydrogen combustion technology, by installing one of its superefficient hydrogen engines into a Mercedes Sprinter van. The white van retrofit was completed in just two weeks and one of the vehicle’s first test drivers was JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who is leading the company’s £100 million hydrogen engine project. The internal combustion engine used in the van is the same as those already powering prototype JCB construction and agricultural machines. It is the second Mercedes vehicle to be retrofitted with a JCB hydrogen engine, as earlier this year a 7.5-tonne Mercedes truck was given the JCB hydrogen treatment. Lord Bamford said: “We have retrofitted this vehicle with a JCB hydrogen engine to demonstrate how simple it will…

The weather during July and August proved difficult for many event organisers to run their events as planned, and so it was very pleasing that this working day could take place. Although there were some rain showers on the day, the ground conditions were better than expected, and everyone that attended with machinery had the opportunity to cut silage. This small group of enthusiasts managed to raise more than £1,300 for Air Ambulance NI. They did so by cutting whole crop and grass silage with a range of single- and double-chop forage harvesters. These machines were driven by a varied selection of classic tractors from the 1960s through to the ’90s, including some interesting models that had been repowered with larger engines. It was great to see them in action,…

Ford’s six-cylinder 8700 and 9700 were replaced by Series TW in 1979 – three models that would become a big hit, as well as defining a generation, but the company did not rest on its laurels, and produced a major upgrade that would arguably see the replacements become more iconic than the original models. Series TW’s second generation was launched in March 1983, at a special event in France. The tractors featured new features, new designations, and thus new decals in a revised format, although the styling remained the same – albeit with a white front grille rather than black. Ford’s famous blue oval was also used to adorn the bonnet, dispensing with the ‘FORD’ that had been used on the first Series TW models. A fourth model was added…

On 17 August, conditions were finally right at Home Farm in Lyminge, Kent, for Rodney Broadley to harvest a crop with his 1970 Ransomes Crusader 2800B. A keen agricultural machinery enthusiast, and farmer/contractor, last year Rodney decided to plant 15 acres to harvest with his classic combine, after spraying off the mustard. Farming is in his blood, and when he was just 12 he was driving a Massey-Harris 780 tanker combine with 10ft cut on the neighbouring Longage Farm. The 780 cost £1,389 in 1954, he recalls A Massey Ferguson 500, which came from Arter Brothers in Barham, Kent, was part of the family business, but later a Ransomes Cavalier joined the fold, and it was a Rolls-Royce compared to what had gone before, according to Rodney, although a small…

As I write this, the autumn season has started with Cheffins’ Cambridge Machinery Sales on Monday 4 September. Considering the lack of stock, the sale went well – with a raft of classics changing hands, including a lovely, two-wheel drive, 1988 John Deere 2850, with 7,495 hours on the clock, selling at a good £10,000. There are at least 20 main agricultural sales scheduled in the coming weeks, so there will be plenty to tell you about over the course of the next issue or so. Please note that the Bill Cassie online sale in Scotland now has more than 400 lots, not 300 as detailed in my preview in the September issue. Please see Pentland Auctions’ website for further details, and I also advise you to check Clarke &…

The Cheffins Harrogate sale never fails to come up with a few surprises, and this year’s auction on Saturday 19 August was no exception, with various records being broken during the sale. There were three sales taking place simultaneously, with the first focussing on vintage and classic tractor spare parts, while the second saw farm machinery, including ploughs and other items, being sold. The main event, however, was the sale of the tractors, with more than 160 going under the hammers of Bill King and Oliver Godfrey. Bidding was certainly brisk, with offers coming in over the Internet as well as from the large crowd on site. An MF 20B that caught the eye was new to Cheshire Highways and was in superb, restored condition, having 4,745 hours on the…

James Durrant has been in touch to tell us about an exciting Ferguson sale coming up at Clarke & Simpson’s site at Campsea Ashe, Suffolk, and online, on Saturday 30 September. A total of 18 Ferguson and MF tractors will be offered from a deceased estate, including a hoard of spares and implements that features a Ferguson crane. The tractors are not concours, but straight machines of all types. There is a lovely Ferguson with a ‘banana’ loader, and a Massey Ferguson 35X with Lambourn cab in original condition. Among the implements are a Ferguson winch, sprayer, late Ferguson trailer, and several rare implements that are hard to find.…

Farming Awards Some of the country’s most talented and dynamic farmers are battling it out across the 15 categories up for grabs at this year’s British Farming Awards, which highlight the exciting and pioneering work being carried out across UK agriculture. Alongside farming’s core sectors, including dairy, beef, sheep, and arable, there is also a celebration of new entrants coming into the industry, a wealth of diversification businesses, families across multiple generations, and social media influencers. Now entering its 11th year, the British Farming Awards has become a nationally recognised event showcasing hundreds of British food and drink producers undertaking fantastic work across the sector. Last year, the event welcomed more than 820 farmers and industry professionals to the Vox in Birmingham, which will once again play host to this…

The Land-based Engineering Training and Education Committee (LE-TEC Ltd.) has announced the winners of its Technicians For 2023 competition. Designed to find and celebrate the UK’s best technicians in the Land-based Engineering sector, entrants submitted a short video explaining a little bit about themselves – who they were, how long they have been a land-based technician, and why they enjoy their day-to-day job. As an industry collaboration, the LE-TEC Ltd. judging panel consisted of representatives from the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA), and the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), alongside industry independents. Aiming to highlight the skills and passion for the sector, the judges were extremely impressed by the honesty shown in the entries received, and after much deliberation they shortlisted their top three:…

It’s so easy to sign up for a whole year of the action from the world of vintage and classic tractors, with a subscription to Tractor & Machinery – the magazine that loves these machines just as much as you do! Join the T&M family and you’ll be part of the ever-growing, friendly community that eats, sleeps, and breathes agricultural machinery. The restorations, the buyer’s guides, the working classics, the conversions, the practical knowledge, the latest news from the auctions, and the people that form the backbone of our interest in tractors… we have it all within our pages, 13 times a year. T&M is full of passion for tractors from the golden era of farming and is the perfect read for those who love to work, collect, restore, and…

The David Brown company was famous for its gear manufacturing when it began building its first tractor in 1936, for Harry Ferguson. The Ferguson Type A was built at Meltham Mills, a factory set up in an old cotton mill not far from the David Brown company’s hub of business in the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. From 1939 David Brown began producing its own tractors, beginning with the VAK1, painted in a colour that would become synonymous with the brand for many years: ‘Hunting Pink’. A slight change to Currant Red, followed by a drastic change to Chocolate Brown and Orchid White in the mid-1960s was followed by Tenneco’s acquisition of the tractor building-side of the David Brown business in 1972, which subsequently merged it with its J I Case…

In 1983, S-L-H, otherwise known as SAME-Lamborghini-Hürlimann, was only officially four years old, but had enjoyed a great deal of success with its three brands of tractors and the integrated ranges available to farmers within each marque. Air-cooled engines featured prominently, although water-cooled units had just begun to make in-roads, and all three marques made use of the same cabs sourced from SIAC, that gave a distinctive look to the tractors, and the S-L-H brand. SAME was the parent company of S-L-H – the Italian manufacturer having enjoyed a long history of tractor building and innovation, being an early producer of both diesel-powered and four-wheel drive machines. All three marques had made greater progress in various export markets since the amalgamation, and the ranges produced since 1979 offered a lot…

John Deere 2850 I was wondering if you could find the previous owner of a tractor we have, as I would like to know the history of the machine. The details are, to the best of my knowledge: 1991 John Deere 2850, registered J614 AKS, 30kph, High Lift, SG2 cab, came to us in late ’90s/early 2000s, believed to have been sold new by Thomas Sheriff Ltd. in Scotland, now in Northern Ireland. John J Lagan Fiat 880-5 I am looking for a Fiat 880-5, registered TRL 587Y. It’s still taxed, so is out there somewhere! Will Harris Ferguson TE-F 20 I am writing to you regarding a 1952 Ferguson TE-F 20 in the hope that one of your readers might be able to shed some light on why it…

Some time ago, after doing some hay turning, the right-hand brake of my pre-Implematic DB 950 started to snatch when the pedal was applied, so some action was needed to investigate the cause. The tractor hasn’t done much in the way of work in the 10 years I’ve owned it, but over that time I have worked on it to improve it, much of which has been covered in previous issues. It is, however, my intention to do more with it, as it is a nice tractor to drive and a capable machine! Since the first signs of brake trouble, the tractor hasn’t been used, but a forthcoming ploughing match, using a Ford Ransomes EPG two-furrow plough, has prompted the brake inspection. Inboard brakes The 950 features drum brakes, which…

When I left off last time, the engine was upside down and ready to have the clutch and flywheel fitted. With the help of the crane and a bit of clever manoeuvring, the engine was now sat upright. As the sump was good and strong, it was able to withstand the weight of the engine and was nice and stable as I proceeded on to the next stage. Before I began fitting anything to the engine, I wanted to clean the clutch bell housing out. This wasn’t the dirtiest I’d seen, and I hoped it wouldn't be seen very often, if at all, but I still wanted it clean. There was a small coating of black oil plastered all over it and in some areas a few cobwebs. Judging by…

On Saturday 15 July, South Eastern Marts staged the Hye House Farm machinery collection auction, near Crowhurst in East Sussex, amounting to 400 lots. Approximately 20 vintage and classic tractors were offered, not all from the vendor, with six E1A Majors in working style condition averaging £2,850. The surprise was an unstyled John Deere AR, an older restoration with some interesting aluminium noted around the cylinder head, that was knocked down at nearly £4,000. A Super Major had been the subject of a thorough restoration some years ago, but the base paint was peeling off the rear of the tractor around the hydraulic unit. Even so, the tractor’s paint still had some gloss to it, and it went on to make a remarkable £8,000. A Nuffield 4/25 from the same…

H J Pugh & Co. held an auction of vintage and classic tractors, implements, and memorabilia on Saturday 19 August, amounting to nearly 1,000 lots. Considering the other sales that were going on during the holiday period, it all turned out very well. There was nothing glamorous amongst the lots, but it was a solid sale throughout. There were even bidders from the USA for an Aveling-Barford Calf Dozer, but it stayed in the UK for a record £5,200. Sale highlights 757 Ransomes TS two-furrow reversible, original, 3, £480 758 Ferguson two-furrow plough, painted, £200 759 MF 80 loader, £220 851 Ferguson TE-F 20, restored, £3,400 852 Ferguson TE-D 20, restored, lights, £3,500 853 MF 97, 4WD, tyres excellent, 2/3, £6,600 854 MF 165 Multi-Power, cab frame, £9,700 855 1982…

Clarke & Simpson’s online clear-out sale for Bill Kemball, at Woodbridge, Suffolk, sees bidding open on 4 October and viewing on 6-7 October. Bidding concludes on 11 October. Some of the agricultural lots consigned are listed here, but there are commercial vehicles and other vehicles and machinery too. Lots (abridged) County Ploughman crawler, no.10340. County Ploughman crawler, no.10530. County Ploughman crawler, no.10138. County Ploughman BD crawler, no.4100, with Bray bulldozer equipment 1952 County CFT, owned from new, with early Bray bulldozer, for spares or repair County CFT FC, no.5141 Fordson Diesel Major, spares or repair Ford Ransomes TS55E, conventional deep-digger plough. Ford Ransomes EP, two-furrow conventional plough, Epic bodies, and top link Ransomes TS83, three-furrow reversible plough, with skimmers Ford Ransomes TS59E, three-furrow conventional plough, with discs, Epic bodies John…

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, make sure…

Since I penned this column in the last issue, the weather has been superb, and I have been able to visit enjoyable events and places where I have been made to feel very welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed the Little Ellingham Vintage Working Show, in Norfolk, in August. If you have never been to this event, it’s a must – plus it’s only £5 to get in. Landowner Richard Baker told me that he could charge £10, but he wants visitors to spend the other £5 at the show on traders’ stands and at food outlets. What a great attitude! I wish more organisers would do the same, as it makes sense. The Great Dorset Steam Fair board of directors recently issued a press release, and it reads as follows: “We…

Britain’s top ploughmen and women will be battling it out this October, when around 100 hectares of land, kindly loaned by K S Coles and family, will be taken over at Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, Somerset, on 14-15 October. More than 250 competitors will be vying for the British titles in 15 different ploughing classes over the two days – reversible, conventional, vintage trailed, vintage hydraulic, classic, classic reversible, horticultural, high cut, crawlers, club classes, and heavy horses With trade stands, shopping stalls, crafts, and plenty of static vintage tractors and machinery on display, the British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival promises to be a great day out. Of the 250 or so competitors, there are quite a few families taking part this year – some ploughing in different…

KUHN FARM MACHINERY HAS LAUNCHED AN INNOVATIVE 13M MOUNTED TEDDER that will allow farmers to access hard-to-reach fields with a wider working width machine, thanks to a compact design. The GF 13003 is the widest mounted tedder on the market and joins the trailed version that was launched last year. The mounted design places the weight of the tedder over the rear of the tractor, to avoid the implement slipping when working on hillsides, helping to increase accuracy and stability. Rhodri Jenkins is KUHN’s grassland product specialist: “For users after increased output from a mounted tedder, the GF 13003 offers improved manoeuvrability, and the ability to reach fields through narrow lanes and gateways. The clever design means all 12 rotors fold into a 2.99m transport width and a 2.67m transport…

The International Harvester Company of Great Britain launched the first of its World Wide Series tractors in 1970, with the range comprising the four-cylinder 354, built in Bradford, the three-cylinder 454, and the four-cylinder 574 – both built in Doncaster. At 38hp, 52hp, and 68hp respectively, the three-model range certainly had room for more models, with others added before production ceased in 1977. The first of these was the 444 in 1972 – another Bradford-built model producing 45hp that perfectly halved the gap between the 354 and 454. To reduce the power divide between the 454 and 574, what was needed was a tractor of around 60hp, and it transpires that the factory’s engine supplier, IH Germany in Neuss, had just what Doncaster required. The D-206 had been in production…

Massey Ferguson’s 135 sold well from the outset and, like the other models in the range, could incorporate an optional cab from early on in its production life. A fibreglass cab, built by Duple Motor Bodies Ltd., offered a stylish alternative to those that did not want to be exposed to the elements, but it was rather flimsy and did not offer any rollover protection. MF said that its cabs were “styled to combine pleasing appearance with maximum comfort and convenience. They allow the driver complete freedom of movement and excellent vision to front, rear and side.” The advantage of such construction was that, other than the frame, the structure was rust-proof. A ‘roller blind’ with inset window was an optional extra for the cab, permitting maximum protection from the…

NOVEMBER 2022 COVER STORY Working classics: silage Inside 50 years of MF ‘8’ line, Roadless Ploughmaster, DB 1690, Bradford-built IHs DECEMBER 2022 COVER STORY British National Ploughing Inside Restored IH 574, Ford nostalgia, disc harrow overhaul, Dutra D4K-B at work JANUARY 2023 COVER STORY 50 years of MF 1200 Inside Countys ploughing, Newark report, DB 990 trio, Ford TW-35 guide, IH 511 drill FEBRUARY 2023 COVER STORY Ford 6610 & 6710 INSIDE Restored MFs, electric Ferguson, Case IH 85 Series guide, Leyland 602/604 MARCH 2023 COVERSTORY Restored CASE IH 1455XL Inside Original Ford 5600, Michael Hoey collection, Deutz DX profile, MF’s shuttle SPRING 2023 COVERSTORY MF 300 Series game changer Inside Original Ford 6600, Case IH 40 Series, Doe Show report, MB-trac story APRIL 2023 COVER STORY 1980s power focus…

I heard about this event years ago, but have never had the opportunity to attend, until this year. The Little Ellingham Vintage Working Show is one that impresses from the outset, and I wish I had been able to enjoy it before now. Held across three-plus fields on Richard Baker’s farm, near Attleborough, the event is good value for money at £5 for the entrance fee, in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance. He said: “Why charge £10 to come? The other £5 will hopefully be spent with traders, or food outlets that support this show, and are having a hard time.” I like Richard’s attitude and more need to think the same, as there was plenty to see and do. It’s an event that has been running for at…

When I first bought my 25D I needed to apply for a V5 from the DVLA to enable me to drive it on the road. This was done earlier this year through the David Brown Tractor Club, the task being easier due to Kent County Council keeping some good archives and able to supply an authentication letter to facilitate the registration. With the registration complete, I have been able to enjoy driving it, and the extra road speed it offers over my larger DB 950, and 990 tractors! However, I found that the front left-hand wheel tended to wobble now and again, particularly at higher road speeds. It appeared that the front wheel was slightly buckled and would come and go. I decided to have a go at improving matters,…

Peter Love Editor The joint founder of T&M and many other magazines. He has been involved in vehicle preservation since 1954 and has a wealth of experience as an owner, organiser, tour operator and much more. He is dedicated to vehicle preservation. David Reed Northern correspondent David has worked with Peter Love since 1995 when they met at the late lamented Sandringham Rally. He is an ex-York school teacher and has interests in tractors and commercial vehicles. Joseph Lewis Southern correspondent Joe has been part of Peter Love’s set-up since 1996 and has contributed to many of his endeavours. He is a valued member of the Tractor Mart team. TRACTOR GRADING SYSTEM VETERAN, VINTAGE & CLASSIC 1: Non-runner, rough 2: Running, needs work 3: Original & perfect 4: Older restoration…

On the bank holiday weekend, starting on Saturday 26 August, Bagshaws held a sale on behalf of the Hambleton and Barker families at Cunnery Farm, Wychnor, Burtonupon-Trent, Staffordshire. The sale attracted an extensive crowd, but bidders had hands in their pockets! There was some excellent stock offered, but holding sales on bank holiday weekends is not always wise and this proved to be the case here, unfortunately. Having said that, some of the Ferguson parts sold well. The best on the day was a 1953 Land Rover Series I that sold for £12,600. The best of the tractors was a restored Field-Marshall Series II, with electric start, at £8,600. As for a clean Massey Ferguson 698T in need of front tyres, but looking excellent, it sold for £10,200 (with dual…

On Monday 4 September, Cheffins’ traditional monthly tractor sales took place, with several lots to interest us. A 1977 Massey Ferguson 575, CVL 437T, sold for £6,000, and was followed by a 1965 Massey Ferguson 165, EVJ 631C, at £4,600. Both need some work, but were running. A two-wheel drive, 1994 New Holland 5640 SL sold at £10,000, while a four-wheel drive New Holland 7740 from the same year, looking rather worn, sold at £7,500. Interspersed were several JCBs, including a 1994 Fastrac 155-65 with 6,380 hours on the clock, selling for £15,000, and a similar example for £10,500. A four-wheel drive, 1995 Case IH 4230, in rough order, went on to find a new home at £8,800. As for John Deere, classics included a stunning two-wheel drive, 1988 JD…

Cheffins will stage the third and final Vintage Collective sale this year on 20-21 October, at the company’s Sutton, Cambridgeshire, site. Already consigned are a Field-Marshall Series IIIA, John Deere 7810, Fendt Favorit 816, County CFT E27N P6 Full Track, Fordson E27N P6, MF 590, Porsche Junior 109, Porsche AIII, Ferguson TEF-20 with epicyclic gearbox, Huber 40-62, Advance-Rumely Oil Pull W, Ford 7000, and Massey Ferguson 188 Multi-Power. Other lots include a Ferguson demonstration model, Shackleton Foden FG clockwork lorry, DB original wall clock, Morris Commercials enamel sign, Bates Steel Mule sales brochure, and Simplex Tractor sales brochure.…

SEPTEMBER 22nd September Online Auction of Plant & Machinery Sundry Items. Brightwells. brightwells.com 23rd September Machinery Auction. Brothertoft Farm, Brothertoft, Boston PE20 3SW. Will Barker & Co. Ltd. Tel: 01529 414555. 23rd September Sale by Auction of Modern Farm Machinery & Equipment. Leicestershire. Brown & Co. Tel: 01480 213811. 23rd September Farm Auction. West Meon, Petersfield. Wellers Auctions. Tel: 01483 802280. 23rd September Retirement Sale Steel Fabricating Machinery, Vehicles, Steel Stock, Fittings, Building Materials. Southam, Warwickshire. H J Pugh & Co. Tel: 01531 631122. 23rd September Dispersal Sale of Farm Machinery & Equipment with included lots. White House Farm, Flixton Road, Flixton, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 5PG. Durrants. durrants.com 23rd September Farm Dispersal Sale. Wickham Court Farm, West Wickham, Bromley BR4 9HF. Hobbs Parker. Tel: 01233 506246 23rd September Onsite Collective…

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