Innehållsförteckning för July 2024 från Tractor & Machinery

TRADE SHOW LATEST With 150 stands already booked for the Midlands Machinery Show at Newark Showground this November, the event looks like it’s going to be the place to be for agricultural businesses to meet customers, build relationships, showcase products and discuss the issues of the day. With a huge amount of focus being placed on the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and new opportunities for farmers to use their land’s natural capital, the Newark and Notts Agricultural Society (NNAS) has announced that the National Farmers’ Union will host an environment conference on the first day of the show. The safe operation of machinery, both in the field and on the road, will be covered by experts from LANTRA, Western Power and Lincolnshire Police. Advice will be provided for operators and employers…

SCALE MODEL NEWS Here are a couple of interesting new models aimed at the enthusiastic collector. The first is from Universal Hobbies, and is a limited edition Massey Ferguson 2725. There will be 750 of this 1:32 scale Jubilee edition produced, but collectors will have to wait until the autumn to get hold of the model. The official launch date is October 7th, 2024, and the model will be priced at €75. The second is new to the ‘weathered’ range at Brushwood Toys, and is based on the Britains 1:32 Scale JCB Fastrac 4220 Icon which, itself, is new to the Britains range. Britains’ replica captures every detail of the machine, including big soft-feel tyres, superb new interior detail, a working steering wheel and other body structures. The tow hitch…

Those of you who were at the Tractor World Show in Malvern earlier this year, and spent some time admiring the spectacular display organised by the Friends of Ferguson Heritage club, may recognise the tractor featured here. Duncan McColl’s MF 698 was one of the stand-out tractors on the stand among a very strong display of wonderful machines from across the ages. As tractors from the 1980s continue to grow in popularity, it’s clear that an increasing number of enthusiasts are beginning to appreciate the many virtues these ‘modern classics’ have to offer. As a result, more no-nonsense, reliable and still productive models like this 88hp machine are finding their way into the hands of owners willing to devote the care and attention needed to ensure their survival, which is…

I’m sure you’ll all be familiar with the old proverb ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’, and the way it’s commonly used with regard to human relationships. However, there’s an argument for applying the saying to inanimate objects, too, especially when you factor-in healthy doses of nostalgia and sentimentality. For most of us, our enthusiasm for old tractors stems from past connections, and is fed by powerful memories of happy times either watching or using a particular machine, or helping relations as they worked. This is very much the case for Alan Harwood and his connection with the Muir-Hill 121 featured here. It’s a very important tractor to him as it links directly to both his father and the happiest of childhoods. Now the machine is back in Alan’s life…

A further selection of very basic and sadly not very well preserved drawings I came across among the paperwork collected over the years, illustrates some of the concept designs that County was considering. One of the most intriguing was a file simply labelled ‘Alternative four-wheel drive systems’ and, sadly, not even dated. From the contents it’s clear that not only did these seek to extend the company’s range of four-wheel drive systems higher up the Ford tractor model line, but it was also looking at updated and perhaps improved 4WD systems. These were for both unequal and equal-wheel four-wheel drive tractors. In terms of timing, this folder might well have had its roots set during the period when County was bidding to supply Ford with its small front-wheel drive systems…

FRIDAY 17th – SUNDAY 19th MAY, 2024 Fawley Hill is the private estate of Sir William and Lady McAlpine, and is set in rural Buckinghamshire, not far from Henley-on-Thames. Each year it holds a three-day Steam & Vintage Transport Festival where visitors enjoy a fantastic array of exhibits and displays, including a good selection of vintage, classic and newer tractors. This year’s event – sadly rumoured to be the last of its kind at the site – also provided the start and finish point for Gary Anderson’s excellent Chiltern Vintage Tractor Charity Run. Seventy-five assorted tractors took part in the fund-raiser this time, and we’re happy to report that everyone completed the route, which included on- and off-road sections. At the time of going to press, the run had generated…

HOW TO STOP A FORDSON DEXTA JUMPING OUT OF GEAR? Q After years of sterling service, I’ve been having trouble with the gearbox on my 1960 Fordson Dexta. The issue relates to an increasing tendency that the transmission has to jump out of the selected gear, for no apparent reason. When it’s happened in the past I’ve had to remove both gear levers so that I can re-align the offending lever, but now it’s started happening far too frequently to keep doing that. So my question is, what action should I take to rectify the problem? Do I need to split the tractor to access and replace the selector rails? I know that new gear levers are available from aftermarket suppliers, but I would like to keep the cost of…

DIY TIPS In an ideal world, it would be nice to have a spacious workshop facility that’s big enough to get your tractor inside so that it can be worked on in relative comfort. But, in reality, this is rarely the case, and many of us have to compromise, working out of either a garden shed or, at best, a garage-sized building. But whatever facility you have available, you’ll need the right tools for the job as well as somewhere to store them securely and safely. However small or large your workshop, you’re going to require suitable storage for your tools. Small, portable toolboxes such as the cantilever-style toolbox or a barn-type box with lifting lids, are ideal for storing smaller tools, and are handy for moving between sites. But…

CHARITY FUNDRAISING Retired agricultural engineer, John Foale, recently completed his latest vintage tractor run in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT). Back in 2020, John’s original intention had been to drive his restored 1980 Leyland 262 from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, but Covid restrictions squashed those plans. But 79-year-old John and his team have been busy ‘keeping it local’, undertaking many shorter runs around Devon and Cornwall. Despite hitting a fundraising milestone of £10,000 in 2023, John’s enthusiasm remains as strong as ever. The latest outing (on May 10th-11th) was a two-day trip from Kingsbridge and back, with an overnight stop at Whiddon Down, on Dartmoor. The first day’s route took the convoy (Leyland 262, Ford 3000, Willys Jeep and a lead car) onto Dartmoor via Buckfastleigh, Holne…

TECHNOLOGY NEWS The Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) has made both onboard and retrofittable central tyre inflation systems (CTIS) eligible for 60% grant funding. Agricultural tyre manufacturer Continental believes this can only have a positive effect on soil health and is offering additional technology to help farmers take advantage. “60% of the expected £6,933 CTIS cost will be covered by the FETF, which means the investment is just £2,773.20. This will provide benefits far beyond the cost for both machine efficiency and soil health,” says agricultural tyre specialist, Tom Godwin. Caveats of the grant include that the inflation system must be capable of regulating all the tyres on the vehicle, and that this can be achieved by the operator from the cab using a control panel linked to a…

The South Tyne Traction Engine Society has lost one of its youngest members in Dennis Brown, from Corbridge, who sadly died three days after his 47th birthday. At the age of 10, Dennis became interested in tractors, unashamedly grey Fergusons and, by the time he was 13, he was given a Ferguson by his uncle Bob. The tractor had been stripped down and young Dennis, with very little help from others, got the Fergie back together and running, and even painted it to a good standard. He went on to rally that tractor, and was greatly admired by others for what he’d achieved when it was taken to events, from Dumfries to Driffield. As time went, Dennis undertook other restorations, the largest of which was a Hungarian Dutra four-wheel drive.…

Ludlow is a market town in south Shropshire and boasts history dating back to medieval times. The town is the gateway to the Welsh Marches and contains hundreds of listed buildings. The borough is also home to plenty of vintage and classic tractors. Mike Roberts has lived in the area all his life. He is a retired technician and has been involved with tractors for many years. “I started working on the land when I was 15,” he told me. “By coincidence the farm was located quite close to where I currently live. I then moved to another holding near Craven Arms and, during that period I became familiar with McConnel machinery and ended up working with the company for 35 years.” McConnel Ltd was launched in 1935 and has…

29th June FERGUSONS AT CULTRA Ulster Folk Park, Co. Down tel: 00353 868 979734 29th-30th June TOWY VALLEY VINTAGE SHOW Pontargothi Showground, Cothi Bridge, Carmarthenshire SA32 7NG tvvc.co.uk 29th-30th June THE BROYLE COUNTRY SHOW Upper Lodge Farm, The Broyle, E Sussex BN8 5AP broylecountryshow.co.uk 29th-30th June 15TH FYLDE VINTAGE & FARM SHOW The Show Field, Salwick Road, Wharles, Preston, Lancs. PR4 3SN fyldevintageandfarmshow.co.uk July 5th-7th July KENT COUNTY SHOW Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF kentshowground.co.uk 6th-7th July VALE VINTAGE MACHINERY SHOW Ty Ucha Farm, Pen-y-Cefn, Caerwys, Flintshire CH7 5BQ  facebook.com/valevintagemachineryclub 6th-7th July DUNCOMBE PARK STEAM & VINTAGE RALLY Duncombe Park, Helmsley, N Yorks. YO62 5EB gytec.weebly.com 6th-7th July VALE VINTAGE MACHINERY SHOW Ty Ucha Farm, Pen-y-Cefn, Caerwys, Flintshire CH7 5BQ  facebook.com/valevintagemachineryclub 7th July NANTMEL TRACTOR RUN Radnorshire Email:…

DAVID BROWN CROPMASTER DYNAMO PROBLEMS Send your questions to tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk (Pictures are only for illustration, unless indicated otherwise, and are not the tractors being written about) Q I have an early David Brown Cropmaster petrol/TVO tractor. It’s an older restoration, is still quite tidy and runs well. It has lights fitted, which will renovate quite easily, which is what I intend to do as I’d like to take part in some road runs with it. However, the issue I have is that the dynamo isn’t charging, which I discovered because the newly-fitted battery repeatedly went flat. As I mentioned, it’s an early model and features the gear-driven dynamo. I put a voltmeter across the battery terminals when the engine was running and didn’t get a reading, despite revving the engine from…

MOWING WITH MY DAVID BROWN 880 IS REALLY AWKWARD Q I recently bought a David Brown 880 Implematic tractor, not realising that it has a single-plate clutch rather than a dual, Livedrive type. One of the main reasons for purchasing the tractor in the first place was to attach a topping mower to maintain our pony paddocks. There are two issues I have when using the mower. First, whenever the clutch pedal is pressed, the drive to the blade ceases, which is awkward when mowing in tight corners. Also, the inertia of the large blade causes the tractor to continue moving forward until the blade stops revolving. I like the tractor and don’t want to sell it unless absolutely necessary. So I’m wondering if there’s anything that can be done to…

“MY collection of five machines are housed in a modern barn “My that I had specially built for the purpose, on a concrete base. They all fit inside perfectly, but that poses a bit of a problem about what to do next? I would dearly love a Fordson Major – the first tractor that I ever drove – but something would have to move out to accommodate that. “The four tractors I have in my shed all belonged to my father. I grew up with the 1975 Ford 4000, but I didn’t find out about the other three until he retired. They were all in a sorry state when he died, and I rescued the 4000 plus a 1953 McCormick Farmall BMD and a 1938 Oliver Standard 80 from a…

AUCTION PREVIEW Peter Gaskins’ family moved to Cophill Farm, at Howick, in Monmouthshire from Gloucestershire in 1943, when he was just six years old. He developed an early interest in tractors and was given a Continental-engined Ferguson TE-20 in 1948. Peter also loved the single-cylinder Brunswick green-painted Field Marshalls and, in 1964, spotted a 1952 Field Marshall Series 3 No.14963 which he bought for £110. Then, in 1977, he started collecting, and also restored the Field Marshall, and that machine – together with many others – will be in the Cheffins sale taking place between July 25th and the 31st. 45 AUCTION LISTINGS Peter also owns the very rare, slab-sided bodywork Marshall 752 that’s in mint condition, which Nuffield Leyland ‘guru’ Mervyn Price helped to maintain over the years. Only…

Heavy lifting This rugged, air-operated hydraulic bottle jack is on summer promotion from Sealey. It’s a powerful and reliable unit that’s ideal for workshop or roadside use. With a maximum lifting capacity of 18 tonnes, it takes the effort out of lifting tractors, heavy plant and other large vehicles. It also features ‘dead man’s’ control and sectional pump handle for manual operation. SAVE £72! ● Air-Operated Hydraulic Bottle Jack 18-Tonne Sealey Tel: 01284 757500 sealey.co.uk £311.94 Packing a punch The DCK266P2LR is a brushless 18V XR Twin Pack consisting of the Dewalt DCD796 Compact Hammer Drill Driver featuring second-generation brushless technology for 30% more power and excellent efficiency. Length has been reduced to 174mm for a more compact feel. The DCF887 Impact Driver delivers 205nm of torque and is 28%…

After organising vintage tractor runs for over 20 years, I thought I’d write with a gentle reminder to other run organisers and participants about some of the basic, common-sense rules that we should all recognise and abide by. 1. The National Vintage Tractor & Engine Club (NVTEC) provides a useful Code of Practice and Guidance for Vintage Tractor Runs. A copy is easy to find online and it’s kept up to date as needed. I’d recommend that organisers and participants take a few minutes to read it before getting involved with a local or national tractor run. 2. The NVTEC guidance includes a link to the HSE’s Carrying Passengers on Farm Trailer leaflet. As a general rule, NFU guidance states that seats should be fixed to the trailer floor, and…

It was once an indispensable tool for the making of silage clamps, until its reign gradually fell following the increased use of materials handlers for the role, as well as the making of bale silage. But does the humble buck-rake deserve a place in your collection? It certainly has an interesting history and, for what is really a very simple tool, there’s no doubt it has withstood the test of time. HAY SWEEP TO BUCK-RAKE In the past, the hay crop was much more vital than it is today. Not only was it produced to provide a highly nutritious feed for cattle and other livestock, it was also vital for ensuring there was enough sustenance to keep most farms’ main source of motive power going; those were the days when…

Designed as a rival to the likes of the Massey Ferguson 35 and the Fordson Dexta, the David Brown 770 was introduced 60 years ago, in 1964. But it wasn’t just a new model; this little tractor was much more than that because it was the first tractor in a new range that would take David Brown into the Selectamatic era. David Brown is, of course, a famous British tractor manufacturer that began producing farm tractors when Harry Ferguson persuaded the firm to build his sophisticated Ferguson Type A in 1936. But the two companies had fallen out by 1939, which saw Ferguson heading to America to produce the 9N with Henry Ford, while David Brown introduced its first ‘David Brown’ tractor, the VAK1. The original design, with its distinctive…

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ALWAYS TAKE GREAT CARE WHEN REMOVING TRACTOR WHEELS Q Rather than requesting advice, I’m writing to offer a word of warning regarding the handling of large, rear tractor wheels. This could apply to any make or model of tractor but, in my case, I’m referring to my recently-purchased Fordson Major E1A. The tractor was bought in good working order, but the tyres were very worn and showing signs of splitting. As my plans include using the machine on the road, I decided to go for a full set of new tyres. The tractor was jacked up just enough to take the weight off the wheels, and the wheel nuts were removed from the first rear wheel, at which point I gave the wheel a nudge to free it from the…

DIY projects in this issue – Perkins engine overhaul, Workshop basics, Fergie winch resto, MF 550 refurb Having introduced this new project last month, I was itching to start delving a little deeper into the engine. The first step in that process involved removing the cylinder head. It’s a fair chunk of metal so, once it was free and in my hands, I didn't move it far! I already had a pallet ready nearby where it could sit safely until I was ready to start stripping and cleaning it further. I was anxious to get my first look down into the engine’s cylinder bores, and immediately spotted a problem on the third piston. There appeared to be a pool of diesel sitting in the dished section on top of the…

PART 3 Work on this tractor has been considered as a ‘stitch in time’, as the overall condition appeared to be good. A thorough pressure-wash cleaned most of the dirt from the tractor, which allowed an assessment of the paintwork externally. However, a more accurate assessment has been possible with the stripping of the cab interior, and the removal of some of the glass. During its early life, this tractor enjoyed a relatively sheltered existence, and was kept under cover permanently. But, following a change in circumstances, it’s been out in the open for at least the past 25 years and, as a direct result, has been forced to endure every level of bad weather that could be thrown at it! Inevitably this has taken its toll, especially on the…