Innehållsförteckning för January 2024 från Tractor & Machinery

Hello and welcome to the final issue of 2023. It’s been an eventful year, full of memorable moments – both good and not so good – but as someone once told me, the problem doesn’t matter – it’s the manner in which you overcome it that counts. The highs definitely outweighed the lows, and I was privileged enough to meet more of you and admire the machinery that you are lucky enough to own. Thanks to T&M’s diverse readership, I’d like to think that the people I’ve met have helped me to expand my appreciation for different marques and models, as well as the details that make them popular with enthusiasts, and as much as this is the case, put simply, it’s just been nice to see some lovely tractors!…

Farm safety is hugely topical right now, with the industry remaining one of the most dangerous in the UK, so a new feature at the Midlands Machinery Show on 20-21 November shone a light on safer operating procedures. “In the past year, the biggest issue I’ve seen has been load security,” said LANTRA trainer Mike Sumner. It only takes one slipped silage bale to kill a pedestrian, or an overloaded grain cart to cause a massive road accident – but too often safety is overlooked in the rush to get time-sensitive jobs done. Where machinery or loads are found to be illegal, the driver and employer will both be liable, and could be subject to unlimited fines, loss of licence, or more serious court proceedings, warned Mike. Operators must be…

Great reasons to subscribe 1 World’s best-selling tractor magazine covering tractors from the 1940s to the 1990s 2 Get each issue delivered directly to your door in 100% plastic-free packaging 3 Save 59%* on an annual subscription 4 Never miss an issue of your must-have magazine 5 Buy for someone special or treat yourself! SUBSCRIBING IS EASY! VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS23TMA SCAN THE QR CODE AND GO DIRECTLY CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘XMAS23TMA’ OR COMPLETE THE ‘FREEPOST’ COUPON…

Used and then often abandoned in the nettles before it’s next called upon, the transport box continues to be an important piece of equipment on farms – big and small. Taking the place of a van or small trailer, transport boxes have carried just about everything over the years – from milk churns to manure, and sacks to small livestock. Once a substantial implement for small tractors, many remain in use although the original tractor may be long gone – now fitted to the front linkage for carrying stones uncovered during tillage, or filled with additional ballast as a counterweight. The fact that so many companies are still producing transport boxes tells you that their popularity hasn’t waned. Here are some of the popular models that you will have seen…

WELSH POWER PLAY David Francis tells Bob Weir why he owns an iconic tractor from the 1970s, and how he entrusted the restoration of his Muir-Hill 121 to a marque specialist. DECADE OF CHANGE Part two of Jonathan Whitlam’s look at the tractors of the ’60s encompasses the stalwarts, as well as those that pushed the boundaries – like the John Deere 4020. PLUS Inbox, Junior, Model corner, News, Readers’ gallery, Reviews, Tractor Mart, Workshop & more… Note: Planned features in T&M may be subject to alteration, due to circumstances beyond our control.…

Massey Ferguson 35 Q I’ve recently acquired a Massey Ferguson 35, which had been laid up in a barn for many years. Once home I set about getting it running. Some fresh engine oil, coolant, and a new battery soon had the engine running once again. With the engine running I checked the operation of the PTO shaft and the hydraulic system, and all went well until I raised the draft lever to the top of its travel on the control quadrant. As the three-point link arms reached the top of their travel there was an almighty bang and the link arms dropped. Since this incident they haven’t worked at all. I was wondering if I’d raised the lever too much, or something was out of adjustment in the hydraulic system. I’m…

As I write this there are still more sales to go before the year is out. As you will read, prices have been high, and classics are doing well – particularly if the tractor’s clean and has low hours. A quick note to say that Will Barker & Co. Ltd. has been in touch to tell us that the Proctor Bros. (Gosberton) Ltd. auction has been postponed to Saturday 24 February at Birds Drove, Surfleet, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 4BE. It features mostly modern stock, but should be worth a look when it happens next year. MF 6130 makes £35,000! On Tuesday 7 November, Cheffins travelled to Copforth Farm, Little Bardfield, Essex, for the Thorogood & Son sale. The two Massey Ferguson tractors were in stunning condition and went on to…

On 1 November, at Church Farm in West Malling, local farmers gathered for the Laurence J Betts Ltd. and Hugh Lowe Farms (and others) auction, staged by Cheffins. There were 484 lots to get through, in dry and sunny conditions, but with rather soft ground underfoot. The sale saw much modern stock go under the hammer before the first of the classic lots was sold. A 1995 JD 3400 with 8,487 hours on the clock and in rather tired condition was moved on at £7,500. A 1991, 9,983-hour JD 2650 Synchron (two-wheel drive), needing a new radiator, was again well used, but £4,500 was paid. The classic Ford line was all rather rough, starting with a four-wheel drive, 1989 Ford 5610 Generation III, with 5,486 hours on the clock, selling…

On Saturday 4 November, Brown & Co. held its annual Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show auction, which amounted to 433 lots. The highlight was a four-wheel drive, 1989 Massey Ferguson 250, with aftermarket turbocharger fitted, in working-style condition. It changed hands at £8,850. £10,500 was paid for a very rough Ford 7810. The tractor had come from a local sale just days before the Brown’s sale and was sold at a good profit by all accounts. The very last lot in the sale was the best – a 1969 Leyland 154 (DNP 218H) with only 1,446 hours on the clock. The cabbed tractor was a gem, even if the paintwork was matt. It went on to sell for a good £3,900 and hopefully the paintwork will polish up. The…

Spares days Land Rover, four-wheel drive, and vintage spares enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that dates have been announced for events in 2024. Land Rover, 4x4 and Vintage Spares Days are a great place to buy new, used, old, and obsolete parts and accessories from all eras! With finds that also include, tools, farm memorabilia, agri-jumble, ex-army surplus and equipment, yard and shed clear-outs, tractor and machinery parts, stationary engines, camping gear, and even vehicle sales. Events for 2024 are as follows: ▪ 4 February 2024 – Malvern Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW ▪ 3 March 2024 – Ripon Racecourse, HG4 1UG ▪ 7 April 2024 – Newbury Showground, RG18 9QZ ▪ 21 April 2024 – Rutland Showground, LE15 7TW ▪ 22 September 2024 – Rutland Showground, LE15 7TW…

THE ACCLAIMED FARMING SIMULATOR SERIES has always been popular among children, but the publisher and developer GIANTS Software has announced a brand-new game to introduce the next generation to the colourful and fun world of farming and nature. Farming Simulator Kids will be available on Nintendo Switch™ and mobile devices, suitable for all ages, in spring 2024. With cute aesthetics, Farming Simulator Kids invites young players to live their best farm life. Educating and entertaining them in a child-friendly environment, the gameplay focuses on audio-visual presentation instead of text. Virtual neighbours – including some anthropomorphic animal characters – display their needs for help and ask young players to harvest crops or prepare a delicious sandwich. Children explore farm locations to grow and harvest healthy crops, or care for farm animals…

HARVEST GOLD Fantastic – you’ve really captured its size! Dear Junior, Oscar (aged 4) loves tractors and he choose to get T&M with his pocket money. He found pictures that other children had drawn and wanted to draw one for the magazine. He hopes you like it! He says it’s a Massey Ferguson combine harvester. Laura Martin CARTING BALES What a lovely drawing! Dear Junior, Here’s a picture of my daddy on the tractor, carting bales. Rosie Shelley (aged 5) ICONIC CLASSIC A superb level of detail – well done! Dear Junior, My picture is of a John Deere 3650 turbo tractor. My cousin has a Britains model of the 3650 tractor and I love playing with it, as it is an iconic tractor. I hope you like my drawing!…

The first part of this feature covered the oil flow and looked at the control valves of the Selectamatic control valve unit, explaining the function of each of the eight control valves within the unit. As the name of the system suggests, the main functions of the system are selected by the dial pointer, which selects between Height control, Depth control, and External/TCU. To select between each function, the main control lever must be moved fully rearwards into the red part of the control quadrant to allow the internal mechanical linkage to clear the push rods of the depth and height control modes. The dial pointer can then be moved freely to the desired function. POSITION CONTROL When position control is selected, movement of the quadrant lever raises and lowers…

Barry L Hawkins was at Norfold, Kings Lynn, for the Ed Burrows sale on Saturday 11 November. It included a raft of off-farm tractors, but many of them were very clean. Among the hot lots was a 1985 Marshall 804 with 1,260 hours on the clock. It went on to sell for a good £15,000 +VAT. A Leyland 802, with 2,137 hours behind it and the top coat of paint peeling off, sold for £6,000. Sales highlights 195 1945 Colwood Model IB, 5, £85 237 1969 Unimog 404, with six-cylinder petrol, 4.8, £3,900 245 John Deere B row-crop, no.94926, 2, £1,900 246 Massey Ferguson 35, Lambourn cab and rear forklift, 2/4, £1,900 247 Ferguson 35, diesel, HEB 186, painted red, with lights, 2, £1,650 248 Massey Ferguson 35, 2, £3,000…

Bangers & Cash auctioneer Mathewsons, from North Yorkshire, held its latest two-day auction on 17-18 November, with 700 lots offered. It included cars, commercials, and tractors of all ages, with very fair appraisals of the lots – as is always the case. For us it started with an original, 1957 McCormick International B-250 tractor (MAP 203), with V5C, selling for £2,750. The first of the Ferguson TE-A 20 tractors offered in restored condition sold for an amazing £4,500, and so did the not-so-good examples – moved on for £1,900 and £1,500 respectively. Other tractors that came up later were a 1980 Ford 1100 with trailer – just ripe for rallying and horticultural ploughing – yours for £3,900. The E1A Majors did not sell, but a 1970 Leyland 154 with a…

Well, it’s that time of year again. Happy Christmas everyone! I begin with the sad news that the Great Dorset Steam Fair is sadly not going to take place in 2024, and the show is now up for sale. In the press release Martin Oliver has issued, he says the cost has risen to a staggering £4.9 million, closely mirroring the previous huge increase from 2019 to 2022. As was said by the GDSF Board of Directors, it is one of the largest events/festivals of any type in the UK and requires months of careful and detailed planning with all stakeholders, including the statutory authorities, the emergency services and site contractors. It’s a major outdoor event held on a working farm, and as such the GDSF has eye-watering operating costs…

The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show was at its best this year as the event celebrated its 20th anniversary, with a huge crowd seen on both days. Although the formula was like before, there seemed to be a refreshed feel to the show, with a pleasant and helpful atmosphere. The Marshall, Sons & Co. 175th anniversary marquee was full of lovely machines, gelled by the Marshall Club in the centre. The oldest exhibit on display was a 1894 Marshall 6nhp traction engine (no.23803) named Teapot, owned by Stephen Clements and based on a farm not far from the showground. Coupled to a Marshall threshing drum, it certainly looked the part. John Colwill has recently finished his 1934 Fowler 25 crawler and it was a pleasure to see it at…

STAR LETTER To paint, or not to paint? Dear T&M, I am restoring a Ferguson TE-F 20 and have decided to paint the registration number on the rear casting, above the power take-off shaft, as I believe this is the right thing to do – given the tractor’s age. My conundrum is, do I paint it on the front of the tractor too, or leave the lower panel grey? Advice from you, and T&M readers, is most welcome! Dale Harris, Lincolnshire SL: It is interesting that you should mention this, as painting the registration number on the rear of our Ferguson TE-D 20 is something I have contemplated doing for a while. In terms of painting it on the front of the tractor, I have not contemplated this as I am pretty…

In a change from our usual look at new scale models, here are the latest farm-related sets from Playmobil. In 2022, Playmobil introduced its first line of toys made from recycled materials. The Wiltopia theme incorporated classic Playmobil play patterns and included exotic animals from around the world, as well as playsets based on adventures in the Amazon rainforest. Playmobil has extended its offering of products made from recycled materials to include the Country range – a series of sets based on agriculture. Recycled plastics, many of which are recovered from discarded refrigerators, as well as bio-based plastics, are used. This conserves untapped resources and, above all, the environment, by giving already used materials a new life. Some of the new sets are featured here, but you can view the…

On Saturday 14 October 2023, the Armagh Down Vintage Rally and working day took place at Alan Gillespie’s farm near Scarva, Co. Down. This event is always good to attend, as it usually has something different and unusual to see, whether that is a machine or tractor, and this year that theme continued. It was wonderful to see a 100-year-old McCormick Deering 10-20 ploughing in the demonstration field, along with a John Deere ride-on plough. I have never seen a Wild-Thwaites PTO-driven manure spreader before, never mind seeing one at work. It is a rare machine, and exciting to watch in action behind a 1968 Massey Ferguson 135. There were also a few ground-driven manure spreaders at work during the event, from manufacturers such as Massey-Harris and Salopian. Alan Gillespie…

Ashley Waller Auctioneers held the T Walley deceased sale on Saturday 21 October at Snelson Lane, near Knutsford, Cheshire. Tony owned a smallholding and in working times was a seed merchant amongst other things, as well as a keen collector of Massey Ferguson tractors. There was no VAT on the lots, which saw a 1968 Massey Ferguson 135 (PDE 593G) sell for £7,600. Sales highlights 96 Ferguson three-row ridger, £220 97 Ferguson cultivator, good, 5, £100 98 Ferguson two-furrow plough with discs, mint, £500 100 Ferguson tractor jacks, x2, £130 101 Ferguson buckrake, £320 104 Ferguson Reekie weeder, £130 106 1969 Massey Ferguson 135, PDE 593G, 4.9, £7,600 107 1963 Massey Ferguson 35X, Duncan cab, 261 MAJ, V5C, 4 £4,600 108 1963 Massey Ferguson 35X, V5C, 4.5, £7,000 109 1963…

On Friday 3 November, Harrison & Hetherington staged the D I Harvey disposal sale at Sholton Farm, Mindrum, Northumberland. Many vintage and a few classic tractors went under the hammer, attracting a large crowd in person and online. The hot lots, as expected, were a restored Roadless Super Major (selling for £20,000) and a restored Fordson E27N P6 (selling at £14,300), but the other highlights were a lovely Massey Ferguson 135, at £11,500, and a 1989 Case IH 1056XL that reached £14,500. Please add VAT to all prices. There was also a strong contingent of J I Case tractors, with a 1938 unstyled R on steel wheels making the best price by far at £4,600. Sales highlights 449 New Holland 370 Hayliner baler, £1,100 452 Case C, 5, £2,000 453…

Silverstone Auctions has recently changed its name to Iconic Auctioneers, to help it expand into new markets. It staged a very successful NEC Classic Car Motor Show sale on 11-12 November, which included a 1960 Porsche Standard 218. The two-cylinder, 25hp model (no. 7508G) had the starter motor on the offside footplate and the rear linkage was not complete. It had been restored for a while, but the paintwork was still good. It went on to sell for £13,500.…