Indice dei contenuti per May 2024 in Tractor & Machinery

CHARITY UPDATE A unique JCB tartan tractor has rolled off the production line at Staffordshire’s JCB Landpower factory honouring Scottish rugby legend and Motor neuron disease (MND) campaigner Doddie Weir. The Fastrac 4220 iCON, wrapped in Doddie’s own design tartan livery, was welcomed off the Cheadle production line by son Angus Weir, ready to report for fundraising duty with the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’. Scottish and British and Irish Lions international, Doddie, who died of MND, aged 52, in 2022, founded the charity to fund research with the vision of ‘A world free of MND’. So far, more than £11 million has been committed to vital research in his name and the Foundation is dedicated to continuing the fight against the cruel disease. The Doddie iCON Fastrac is the brainchild…

CHARITY UPDATE A Massey Ferguson 8735 has received a specially commissioned wrap and cab modifications to match its new trailed woodchipper and continue raising funds for two cancer charities. The tractor and Mus-Max chipper have been purchased by Martin Wiles, who owns CFTS Ltd., a utility, forestry, and clearance company based in the Midlands. He commissioned his dealer, KO Machines Ltd. in Coven, to colour match his new tractor to the distinctive blue and pink livery of his recently purchased chipper. The original colour scheme of the chipper was added by Mus-Max dealer Ben Price in 2021 and, after Martin purchased the MF 8735 to run the chipper, he wanted to continue Ben’s work in raising awareness for Cancer Research UK and Young Lives vs Cancer. Martin explains why he…

AUCTION PREVIEW Cheffins will be holding a timed online auction of tractors and other agricultural machinery, on behalf of R A & A R Peach, on 1-8 May. A viewing day will be held on 3 May (10am-4pm) at Westmill Farm, Ickleford, Hertfordshire SG5 3RP – approximately two miles north-west of Hitchin. Due to reaching the end of the tenancy, the farm’s equipment will come under the hammer – with approximately 130 lots ranging from tools and workshop equipment to classic and modern classic tractors and a telehandler. The tractors include a 1980 Massey Ferguson 590 with BAAS front loader and OPICO turbo conversion, 1982 John Deere 3040 Power Synchron, and 1985 Case 1394 Hydra-Shift. The four-wheel drive tractors comprise a 1993 John Deere 6300 with JD front loader. The…

PHRASE BOOK HOW TO SPEAK TRACTOR A tractor cobbled together from at least two. This is fine if you’re George Pryor, the farmer that invented the original Doe Dual Drive tractor, but not so much if you’ve just bought what you believed to be a minter from a local dispersal sale and since discovered that the collars and cuffs don’t exactly match! Do say: ‘“Oooh, that’s a nice combo! An Eastern Bloc skid unit with the bonnet from an International B-275, and a cab grafted on to keep the weather off. Right?” Don’t say: “Is that heap insured?”…

For perfect welding Laser Tools has introduced a magnetic welding corner clamp designed for fixing ferrous components at a specific angle during welding. This clamp (part number 8751) features an easily readable gauge with a range of 20 to 200 degrees. Once the desired angle is set, it can be securely locked in place using the included 4mm hex key. The clamp’s magnetic properties extend to both the internal and external surfaces of the support, usefully allowing it to be used inside and outside workpieces. This is an easily adjustable welding support for creating angles between workpieces. Dimensions: 120 x 80 x 20mm.…

SCALE MODEL PREVIEW We’ve got a couple of heavy hitters from Universal Hobbies in this issue – one of which is an absolute beast! Following Case IH’s recent release of the Quadtrac 715, with peak power output of 778hp, it was inevitable that UH would be quick to replicate this monster in 1:32 scale. This impressive diecast model tips the scales at almost 1.2kg, but despite its durable construction there’s still plenty of detail – down to the AFS Connect antenna and underslung wire rope for towing. The second model we’re showcasing is a 1:32 Case IH Puma 175 CVXDrive in Racing Livery (Agritechnica 2023). Limited to 1,000 pieces, this interesting model has all the hallmarks of UH’s regular Puma, but with a colour scheme that’s sure to appeal to…

It’s so easy to signupfora whole year of the action from the world of vintage and classic tractors and now with even more pages of great content, new features and special emphasis on machinery for sale, along with a fresh new look it’s never been a better time to subscribe to T&M! Guarantee your copy every 4 weeks, delivered directly to your door in plastic-free, recyclable, biodegradable paper envelopes and what’s more you save over £47 when you subscribe annually by direct debit!…

CASE IH 1056XL Introduced in December 1982 to replace the 1055, the International 1056XL was the smallest of the 100hp-plus models produced by the company. Those looking for a tractor in this power bracket were often tempted by the fact that a four-wheel drive, 95hp (DIN) 956XL had a list price £1,415 cheaper than the equivalent 105hp (DIN) 1056XL. Once in the seat of the 956XL it was obvious that it had the grunt to cope with jobs handled by larger tractors and that there was probably no need to spend the extra cash for another 10hp. It was also clear that the saving could be spent on an aftermarket turbocharger kit and the 956XL would end up producing more horsepower than a standard 1056XL! The upshot was that 7,050…

Wednesday 6 March There was a small, but varied, selection of tractors to interest us in the older working category at the latest Euro Auctions sale, although some restored examples were included for good measure. Generally, their condition was not the best, but as in all sales at the company’s Leeds base, everything at a Euro Auctions’ sale sells. Bidding was steady throughout, with the prices achieved reflecting the condition of the various tractors. Starting things off was a Roadless J17 EIA crawler that was in running condition and in solid enough condition, despite some rust being evident. It sold for £3,000. Top of the shop among the Ford tractors was a TW-10 dating from 1980. That too was in solid-looking condition and went on to sell for £6,500, while…

EVENT PREVIEW The Welsh National Tractor Road Run, brainchild of Anne and John Bates, returns this year following the success of the popular event in 2023. The first Welsh National took place in 2012 and although the weather was pretty terrible, the event was hailed as a triumph. Two years later, the WNTRR was back! Nearly 300 tractors assembled at the Lewis family’s farm in Cwmdauddwr, Powys, and to top it all, the participants were lucky enough to enjoy sunny conditions! The run took in the stunning views on good roads and the precedent was set. It was clear that the WNTRR was here to stay, complementing the National Vintage Tractor Road Run held on Easter Sunday. Last year’s successful Welsh National Tractor Road Run was organised by Ian Davies…

Date of invention Back end of the ’60s. Primary use To add an additional ‘spring’ tension effect to the draft control of a Massey Ferguson 175 or 178 tractor when operating a Ransomes TS84 three-furrow reversible plough. Secondary use Door wedge. Where to find one If you’re lucky, in the toolbox of an MF 175 or 178. Failing that, hiding on a long-forgotten shelf at the back of a Massey Ferguson dealer’s parts store. What to do if you can’t find one If you’ve got the skills, make one. If not, get someone that has got the skills to make one. What to say when you’re using it Which way round does it go? Why isn’t this in the Operator Instruction Book? WEIRD TOOLS…

FORD 5000 We spotlight one of the most popular and desirable models from Ford’s oh-so-successful 1000 Series: the Ford 5000. This one’s been meticulously restored by its enthusiast owner, and now must surely rank as one of the best examples around. This classic is not only a model that’s growing in value nowadays, but its 75bhp engine and eight-speed transmission means it remains a practical and useful machine that’s still perfectly capable of working for its keep when required.  https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/tractorand-machinery-magazine…

NOSTALGIA New Holland is celebrating 60 years since the opening of its tractor factory in Basildon with the unveiling of a celebration edition tractor. The Basildon plant was developed on a greenfield site in the early 1960s by Ford, whose tractor and farm equipment business was later purchased by Fiat. Seeking to modernise the production processes possible at its existing car and tractor plant at nearby Dagenham, the company was encouraged to develop a dedicated tractor facility in the new town of Basildon. Work began on 2 April 1960 and was completed on 29 February 1964. The opening of the factory coincided with the launch of the 6X range of tractors, later to be known as the pre-Force models. To mark the plant’s birthday, maintaining a tradition that began with…

PART 5 In recent weeks I’ve been tying a few loose ends regarding the projects I’ve been busy with. Work on the finishing mower has now been completed and the machine is now ready to do battle this season. It arrived as a very neglected machine, not having seen any proper maintenance for a long time. This had resulted in worn blade shafts and bearings, together with worn bearings in one of the caster wheels. All these have now been replaced and the mower deck repaired where necessary, and the whole machine treated to some fresh paint. FINAL TASKS There have, however, been some jobs hitherto uncovered in T&M, regarding the reassembly of the driveline and tensioning of the drive belts. The blade drive pulleys had already been fitted, leaving…

Saturday 16 March H J Pugh & Co.’s recent collective sale was made up of many items that would have been at the Tractor World auction in late February but, owing to the wet weather, never made it. The highlight was an original, 1948 Jones Tiger baler. It was not on site, but in Anglesey, and sold for £6,000. An original, 1917 Marshall 48in drum, also stationed in Wales, was a peach of an original machine and changed hands at just £1,500, having been touted around to various people before Christmas for approximately £3,000. As for the tractors, a restored, 1963 MF 35X Multi-Power (AFW 175A) with cab, sold for £9,100. A restored, 1975 MF 135 (HVJ 278N) was yours at £9,750. A 1957 Roadless J17 Power Major, which had…

Even though the company did not sell all the lots in its first auction, H J Pugh & Co. (Ireland) Ltd. was pleased with proceedings in Co. Galway, despite the soggy conditions. Things to sell included a Steyr 180 at €8,000 (£6,851) and a Turner Yeoman of England needing attention for similar money. The highlight was the Northern Ireland-entered 1966 Massey Ferguson 135 that we showcased in a previous issue. It saw the hammer fall at £10,704. A reproduction Ferguson Game Flusher was yours for £3,682, while a restored Ferguson 35 made £4,624. The company has just announced another sale in the Republic of Ireland at the end of July in Co. Kerry, featuring more than 1,000 lots. We will have more details in the next issue. SOLD FOR £10,704…

AUCTION INSIGHT As I predicted last month, Cheffins’ auction of the Pete Marquis collection turned out to be the big one in March. Arguably the northern sale of the year so far, it took place at Preston, Lancashire, on 23 March, with 90 lots going under the hammer. Pete had gathered a superb array of vintage and classic tractors, with many in original condition, and others restored to a very high standard – tempting the many bidders, who were guided through the various lots by Oliver Godfrey. Pete began collecting the classic tractors a few years ago now and had amassed a fine selection of models from various manufacturers, with the intention to build up the collection as an investment. “I have enjoyed finding them all,” he said. “When this…

NEW MACHINERY UPDATE Available with new transmissions and integrated AutoTracTM functionalities in the dashboard, the new John Deere 5M is a versatile machine in the field, around the farmyard, and on the road. John Deere has also added the 5130M to the range, broadening the upper power class portfolio with a maximum output of up to 135hp. The new PowrQuadTM PLUS and Powr8TM transmissions provide farmers with solutions for a wide range of tasks. They allow operators to experience continuous pulling power with smooth shifts within the selected group. Additionally, a button on the lever eliminates the need for manual clutching when shifting between groups. Thanks to the EcoShift feature, the 5M Series reduces engine revolutions to save fuel while delivering sufficient power to accomplish transport tasks efficiently at up…

We have received the sad news that Anthony (Tony) Reeve sadly passed away on 11 March, aged 85, after an extended period in hospital. Tony joined the Massey Ferguson Engineering team based in Coventry in 1964. He was seconded to the North American MF Engineering Centre in Livonia, Michigan, with his family, in June 1969, for an intense development period working on the forthcoming MF 1200 pivot-steer tractor project. His was a key role in facilitating the design and testing of this iconic tractor model, prior to its launch in 1971. Back in Coventry he was a senior design engineer on the MF 200 and 300 Series tractors, following his input to product upgrades of the MF 100 Series models. This then culminated in the side shift single gear lever…

AUCTION PREVIEW Andrew Ross, well known for bringing clean classics into the UK from Japan and North America, has decided it’s time to take life easier and has called in Cheffins to dispose of his stock on Saturday 1 June. At least 40 classics will be offered, principally from the Ford, Roadless, and County stables, at Tansor Lodge Farm, Elmington (near Oundle), Northamptonshire. Peter Love says: “Andrew is steeped in agricultural history and has been wise with his buys over the years, and he has some gems to go for. The ones that I feel are very special are the original, two-wheel drive Ford 7810 Generation III, Roadless Ploughmaster 75, Ford 5000, and, being a John Deere fan, the original 1130 that worked locally.” If you are looking for an…

6700-FOUR RESTORED It is not very often you come across a County 6700-Four, especially one that has been meticulously restored to the very high standard of this tractor. When you think about County tractors, it is usually the equal-sized wheel models, such as the 1884, 1474, 1454, 1184, 1174, 1164 and 754, that are concentrated on. The smaller, unequal-sized wheel tractors made by the company are often overshadowed by these extremely popular models and can be overlooked by enthusiasts when it comes to restoration projects. With this said, it’s a wonderful change to see a not-so-well-known model from this famous company being fully restored. This superb example of a County 6700-Four belongs to Conor Hurley from Cross Haven, Co. Cork. Conor is a four-wheel drive tractor enthusiast with a particular interest…

2024 NATIONAL VINTAGE TRACTOR RUN It was 1998 when the National Vintage Tractor Road Run took place in West Sussex, organised by the South Eastern Vintage Agricultural Club (SEVAC), based near Haywards Heath. For many it was good to see the event back in these parts, at Plumpton, on Easter Sunday. The starting venue for this year’s event was Plumpton College, near Lewes in East Sussex, which is a superb, modern facility. As well as being the start/finish point, it was also the venue for the entertainment on the Saturday evening, when this year’s chosen charity, Chailey Heritage Foundation, gave those assembled a most interesting insight into its work. The site is one of the leading centres in the UK for young people with complex neurodisabilities. Most have cerebral palsy,…

A project forced on both Ford and County, as well as all other manufacturers in South Africa, was the Atlantis Diesel Engine Programme (ADE). Its name stemmed from a town in the Western Cape, called Atlantis. At the time, the Government of South Africa wanted to gain its independence from outside suppliers of key components, such as engines, with transmissions and more to follow on later. Let’s be positive and say it was an interesting project! It must have cost the industry many millions of whatever currency you choose, a pile of engineering work, and very thoughtful marketing for companies like Ford. It’s a story on its own really, but, in short, County had to become very involved in this, along with Ford in South Africa. Some models would have…

Four projects in this issue – finishing mower overhaul, rotavator rebuild, MF 550 appraisal, and MF 35 resto PART 15 Although this Massey Ferguson 35 had been out in the daylight for a test run, this was its first time outside since it had been completed. Generally, if it’s a bright, sunny day, the fresh paintwork glistens in the sun and if I’ve done a good job the shine looks at its best. It was now time to send this tractor home, and after numerous hours striving for perfection it’s at this point that I am the most apprehensive. Getting this loaded and back to its owner without a scratch is very important to me. With it looking so good, it appears kind of fragile, or a similar feeling to…

PART 11 A part from the PTO shaft universal joint, all the mechanical issues of the rotavator are now sorted, leaving the badly corroded hood to be dealt with. This is a task I have not been looking forward to, and as a result have put it off until I couldn’t do so any longer! Although generally battered, it is the rear edge of the hood that has the most corrosion. This area carries the hinges for the rear flap, which will also need some attention. Some time ago I cut the corroded section off the hood and at the time pondered the job, wondering how I was going to insert fresh metal. A revisit to the job brought the decision to cut out all the rusty sheet metal completely…

Saturday 23 March In Presteigne, Powys, McCartneys staged an auction for W J Taylor & Sons, due to retirement. The company was a former MF dealer, particularly prominent during the 100, 500, and 200 Series era, and had retained all information, records, and so much more in the stores. It all came under the hammer, and it was a Perspex MF banner, that you would perhaps attach to the side of a building, that was the highlight. It was in mint condition and sold, after extensive bidding, for £3,300. Two 100 Series manuals sold for £600 and £500 respectively, and other parts also sold well, but not all the lots were sold on MartEye, unfortunately. As for the tractors, a 1954 Ferguson TE-F 20 with cracked block sold for £750,…

As Richard Jones rightly says, if you have a smallholding, you need a tractor. He has taken that to the extreme, but if you were able to follow suit you would, wouldn’t you? With 80 acres of grassland and 50 acres of woodland to look after in Ceredigion, West Wales, any of Richard’s tractors can find a job, but it’s fair to say that his Ford Series 10 machines undertake the bulk of the work. He is lucky enough to have two extensive workshops in addition to his ‘cathedral of tractors’ – one dedicated to working with metal, and the other for wood – leaving the barn solely for storing his precious collection. How many of us would like to be in the same position? “None of my tractors are…