Innehållsförteckning för December 2023 från Tractor & Machinery

Hello, alternative to a road and welcome to the December issue of Tractor & Machinery. I’d like to start by saying how disappointed I was not to make it to the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show a couple of weeks back, particularly in its anniversary year. Other commitments prevented me from attending, but Peter Love was there to take it all in for T&M, and so if, like me, you missed it, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ll have a report in the next issue. Although Newark is traditionally the event that brings the season to a close, I’m already looking forward to Tractor World on 24-25 February 2024. There are some exciting changes in store that will bring an added dimension to the show, so I look…

The substantial archive in the ownership of Countytrac Ltd., the current iteration of the County business, has now moved to a new and permanent home, writes Stuart Gibbard. Countytrac, a leading driveline specialist, was formed in 2000 after the County division of the Benson Group at Knighton was acquired by Benson’s engineering manager, Eric May. Eric, formerly the engineering director of SEM Engineering and the man responsible for developing the Ford 7810 tractor, purchased the entire intellectual rights and properties of the County business including all patents, copyrights, drawings, archives, County name, and use of the logo in its Chinese script. Eric went into partnership with M J Allen of Ashford in Kent, which already manufactured County’s castings, and merged the County business into the M J Allen Group of…

What’s in a name? Why did the firm, which became known for its four-wheel drive tractor conversions, start its life as County Commercial Cars? This famous business originated in 1929 because of a simple change in road traffic legislation that restricted light commercial vehicles to a payload of 30cwt (1.5 tons), and a top speed of 20mph, but allowed vehicles with three axles to carry three tons at 30mph. Brothers Ernest and Percy Tapp ran a motor transport business and to take advantage of the new regulations, Ernest, the engineer in the partnership, extended the chassis rails of a Ford AA lorry and then added a third axle. Two variants of the conversion were constructed, a 6x2 with a ‘dead’ third axle, and a 6x4 with a driven third axle;…

From hedges to highways, and grass to overgrowth, the hedgecutter has evolved over the years to tackle a range of jobs – and all from the comfort of the tractor seat. At first, they were cumbersome and, quite frankly, dangerous, but quickly became sophisticated machines that could speed up the tedious job of maintaining field boundaries and roadside verges, as well as riverbanks and railway lines. The number of manufacturers marketing such machines in the UK was limited, but these became famous names – with some still producing hedgecutters to this day. Here we have a selection of implements that chart the design’s evolution through the decades.…

PART NINE There are several areas on tractors that are important to get right, and the steering is one of them. Most vintage/classic tractors that come through my workshop have a certain amount of free play when turning the wheel, so ironing this out is always good. If you think about it, the steering gets constant use and very often abuse, as many places tractors are used feature ruts that give the steering mechanism a hard time. When this MF 35 first arrived at my workshop, the steering was impossible to turn, which I soon pinpointed to the seized kingpin in the front axle. To cure this quickly I fitted a spare front axle, which then showed up issues in the steering box. This included lots of free play with…

Those of you that need to transport your tractors to shows, road runs, or ploughing matches will know how useful a good flatbed trailer is to own. When not in use, many stand around rather unloved until needed again, with very little thought about their maintenance. However, for peace of mind when towing, it’s a good idea to treat your trailer to some occasional TLC to keep it in top condition. My current trailer has proved to be a great improvement over the previous trailer, which although strong in construction was substantial and tended to be nose-heavy when manoeuvring it about. The current trailer is better balanced and has performed well, but unfortunately time had caught up with the floor panels, which needed replacing. PART ONE Removal One of the…

Cecil Dewsbery collection Thanks to Cecil Dewsbery’s family and James Durrant’s experience, the 239 lots that made up Cecil’s collection were transferred to Clarke & Simpson’s headquarters at Campsea Ashe, Suffolk, for them to be sold on Saturday 30 September. Thanks to James’ knowledge on the subject, he had produced a very detailed catalogue that was appreciated by bidders. It certainly helped the lots sell for best prices, with bids from all over the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Cecil owned a smallholding and was also a pig farmer. He came from farming stock and was also a contractor of sorts, at places like USAF Bentwaters, where he did lots of mowing. He learned to drive on Ferguson tractors, and these became his great passion – and he began collecting tractors…

PART R-W 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,…

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 COVER STORY Restored CASE IH 1455XL INSIDE Original Ford 5600, Michael Hoey collection, Deutz DX profile, MF’s shuttle SPRING 2023 COVER STORY 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 INSIDE Roadless DG4 E27N, IH hydraulics, Ford Series TW MkII, Tractor World report MAY 2023 COVER STORY IH anecdotes & Vary-Touch INSIDE Restored Ford 7810, restored JD 3650, MF implements, six-cylinder MB-trac JUNE 2023 COVER STORY One-owner Ford…

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 Britain’s best The British Farming Awards have revealed this year’s 18 winners at the annual event, held on Thursday 19 October, at the Vox, Birmingham. Sponsored by Morrisons and organised by Farmers Guardian, the event was attended by more than 800 farmers and industry professionals from across the UK. Alongside farming’s core sectors, there was also recognition for students, family farms, new entrants, nature-friendly businesses, and the huge number of diversifications, which are so crucial to many businesses. For a list of the winners, please visit the website: britishfarmingawards.co.uk Match returns September welcomed the return of the CVTEC ploughing match, back to its…

ON SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER, the annual Ogmore Castle Tractor Run, organised by the Glamorgan Iron Horse Society, took place as usual in the Castle Field, writes Basil George. A total of 40 tractors took part, along with two motorbikes, Land Rovers, and a Range Rover, leaving the field at 10.30am for a tour of the Vale of Glamorgan and areas north of the M4, totalling approximately 28 miles. Dave King, the run marshal, gave instructions before they set off, reminding all those taking part that they will be going through villages that will now have a 20mph speed limit, so they would need to keep one eye on the throttle, and the other for cyclists that may be overtaking them! Thanks go to Robert Williams for the use of the…

STAR LETTER Hydrogen Dear T&M, It isn’t often I write to magazines, but on this occasion, I feel I must do my bit to resist the tide of misinformation regarding hydrogen being a ‘zero carbon fuel’. There is not currently, and nor is there likely to be in the near future, a viable source of zero carbon hydrogen, as whichever process you use to derive it, it takes more energy to make than it realises, and releases a shed load of CO2 in the process. The fossil fuel industry is pushing very hard for hydrogen to be accepted as zero carbon as it does have low emissions, however first off you have to make the hydrogen. There are four main sources for the commercial production of hydrogen – natural gas…

PICK OF THE CROP THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT Spotting tractors with Brae will be great! Dear Junior, This is my picture of a metallic orange Valtra. I drew this because it’s the same colour as my friend’s tractor, which I used to love watching go on the field behind our house. I have a brand-new baby brother and I’m looking forward to spotting tractors with him too! Jacy Rainford, (aged 9), Staffordshire (and Brae, aged 4 weeks) FABULOUS FORD Thank you so much for sending it in! It’s great! Dear Junior, Here’s a Ford and mower that I have drawn for you. Tyler Buchanan, (aged 3) SILAGE IN A 674 The detail is great – the levers are exactly where they should be! Dear Junior, My daughter, Elsa (aged 9), has…

On Saturday 9 October, in warm weather, the extensive fleet of the late Brian Lester was auctioned by Shouler & Son of Melton Mowbray. Many of the tractors were Massey Ferguson models, but there were also eight TAFEs, a Fordson Major, and several John Deeres. Sales highlights 1977 Claas Senator 85, 12ft header, NJV 316R, 9.6, £2,900 2002 MF 230, 2WD, 3,931 hours, no cab or roll bar, 10, £8,500 MF 230 2WD, 2,580 hours, no cab or roll bar, 10, £12,600 1987 MF 240, 2WD, with loader and bucket 3,995 hours, 10, £6,500 1993 MF 240, 2WD, 6,190 hours, with cab and loader, 10, £9,200 1983 MF 265, 2WD, YJF 265Y, 4,098 hours, with loader and spike, 9.7, £16,500 1964 MF 35X, ANX 271B, 8,086 hours, restored, 4.7, £7,000…

NOVEMBER 17th November Timed Online Auction of Plant & Machinery Sundry Items. Brightwells. brightwells.com 17th-18th November Auction: Online, telephone & commission bids only. Mathewsons. Tel: 01751 474455 mathewsons.co.uk 18th November Reduction Sale of Livestock Handling Equipment, Merlo, JCB, Forklift, Tools & Trailers. Presteigne, Herefordshire. H J Pugh & Co. Tel: 01531 631122. 18th November Machinery Sale. Chevin Lodge, Leeds Road, Otley LS21 3BD. Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart Ltd. Tel: 01943 462172. 18th November Auction of Modern Farm Machinery & Equipment. Wetwang, East Yorkshire. Brown & Co. Tel: 07919 015675 21st-30th November Timed Online Auction of Combine Harvester, Self-Propelled Sprayer, Tractor, Potato & Irrigation Equipment, Arable Machinery & Associated Spares. Somerset. Cheffins. cheffins.co.uk 22nd November Exeter Plant Auction-Online Auction of Agricultural, Farm, Garage & Industrial Machinery, HGVs, Small & Large Plant,…

The British National Ploughing Championships moved from Derbyshire to K S Coles and family’s extensive farm near Bishops Lydeard, Somerset in 2023. This, I believe, is the third time this site has been used for the event, and is an area of the UK that ensures a good crowd – especially on the Sunday. The site was well spread out and the rain didn’t help matters, with the good weather breaking on the Thursday, when it bucketed down, and the same on the Friday afternoon – making the trade stand area like the Somme. On the Saturday the rain kept away until just after the completion of the ploughing at 2pm, when it created mayhem. Overnight it stayed dry, and on the Sunday the sun came out, making the day…

Perhaps the most famous of all narrow tractors are the Ferguson and Massey Ferguson models produced at Banner Lane, as well as those converted by specialists like Lenfield and Reekie, during the 1950s and ’60s. Built to suit orchards, hop gardens, vineyards, and the like, these little tractors were not built in vast numbers, but were necessary for the successful and profitable growing of such crops. Despite having a small tractor in its inventory since 1956, the International Harvester Company of Great Britain did not produce a narrow tractor until 1965 – although it is said that conversions of the B-250 and B-275 were undertaken by specialists in the intervening period. Why a factory conversion of the B-250 or B-275 did not materialise is unknown, but evidently IHGB deemed that…

TRACTORS CALENDAR Kelsey Media £9.99 (+ delivery) Tel: 01959 543747 shop.kelsey.co.uk A 2024 calendar featuring a selection of popular makes and models. A3 size, with plenty of space to make a note of the events you’ll be attending! NORTH OF THE BORDER: PART 4 – THE HARVEST DVD Tractor Barn Productions £16.95 Tel: 01502 740114 tractorbarnproductions.com The fourth instalment of the series featuring Scottish farmers and contractors, and a wide variety of classic and modern combine and forage harvesters at work. Running time: 120 minutes approximately. LASER TOOLS ADJUSTABLE WRENCH SET Laser Tools £33.38 (+ delivery) Tel: 01926 815000 lasertools.co.uk A nylon tool roll containing three adjustable wrenches, featuring thin jaws and a wide jaw opening. Three sizes: 165mm x 32mm (length x jaw), 212mm x 42mm, and 265mm x…

PART ONE The mid 1960s brought updates to tractors and farm machinery from many of our popular manufacturers. By this time David Brown had established itself well in tractor and implement manufacture and had a comprehensive range of tractors on offer. Its existing Implematic range had been successful, but by 1965 was ready for an update and replaced by the Selectamatic system. Many people think it coincided with the introduction of the white/brown range of tractors, but in fact it was the diminutive 770 model still in red/yellow form that first featured the new system, just prior to the introduction of the white/brown machines! SIMPLE TO OPERATE Although a good system, the Implematic took a bit of interpreting to get the best results from it, but the new Selectamatic system…

I write this at the end of October, having experienced a bumper month of sales – with five taking place on 28 October. Top prices were achieved for MB-tracs and Massey Fergusons, with Fordson E1A Majors also continuing to do well if in the right condition. Cheffins has informed T&M that the Ingles Farms auction, set for 15 November and due to include some fine classics, has now been postponed to Wednesday 31 January 2024. Cheffins’ auctioneer Jeremy Curzon took part in his 73rd sale with the company on 20-21 October. He has successfully organised the motorcycle, automotive spares, automobilia, and petroliana section at the vintage collectives for many years. Jeremy was conducting the last of his organised sales, as sadly he has decided to retire after the late Jim…

MB-tracs star again The last Cheffins Vintage Collective of the year took place on 20-21 October at the company’s Sutton site. It was a great success, even though heavy rain lashed down both days. Cheffins is investing in the site, with a new storage building going up, and already in place is a more permanent central structure. On this occasion it was used to sell the automotive spares, automobilia and petroliana, fairground memorabilia, and selected vehicles. The highlight on the Friday was a Ferguson demonstration model in full working order, but tatty in places. It sold to the Republic of Ireland for £10,800! On the Saturday a recently restored 1949 Fordson E27N Perkins P6 (no.11238290) sold for £14,000, while a 1949 County crawler with Perkins P6 (no.005) in similar condition…

GIFTS FROM JUST £15.99 OVER 60 TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS23T OR CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘XMAS23T’ Lines are open Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. Offers available for UK customers only. Savings are based on the standard cover prices. Offer ends 24/12/2023. The subscription will start with the first available issue after Christmas 2023. 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.…

I have been out touring recently, enjoying the many groups I have been invited to, meeting enthusiasts, and presenting some evening’s entertainment along the way – with a show near Aberystwyth one of the highlights. It’s time for club Christmas gatherings, so please support your local event if you can, as the organisers make such an effort in organising them and it’s a great time to see people that you may have not seen for some months. I know since the Covid-19 pandemic club meetings and such events have struggled and habits have changed, but it could be worth making the effort. I have some exciting news to tell you, as the number of model exhibits at Tractor World on 24-25 February 2024 will increase dramatically. The event has by…