Table of contents for February 2024 in Tractor & Machinery

MASSEY FERGUSON WILL LAUNCH ITS BRAND-NEW FLAGSHIP MF 9S LARGE-FRAME TRACTOR to the UK market when it returns to LAMMA 2024 on 17-18 January. After more than five years away from the show, Massey Ferguson will showcase its new six-model MF 9S range at LAMMA, which tops out at 425hp. Key features include an updated six-cylinder, 8.4-litre AGCO Power engine, with Engine Power Management (EPM) offering up to 30hp extra for all models, apart from the flagship MF 9S.425, which gets a constant 425hp. The stand will also feature a 30-year celebration of MF’s iconic sloping bonnet design. Originally introduced on the MF 3000 Series in 1993, it set new standards for forward visibility for loader and livestock work, with the latest MF 5S range continuing the class leading vision…

PICK OF THE CROP WORKING HARD FOR T&M Thank you for choosing T&M – we are glad you like it! Dear Junior, This is my son Alan’s drawing of a Ford 5610 – his favourite tractor! He wanted to send it to his favourite magazine. He works hard to get his pocket money to buy Tractor & Machinery and will be over the moon if you could put his picture in the next issue! Myles Kavanagh COLOSSAL COUNTY Countys look great with those huge wheels, don’t they? Dear Junior, I hope you like my picture. Gracie Bury (aged 9), Worcestershire NO SMOKE, NO POKE! It’s certainly working hard! Dear Junior, My seven-year-old son, Oliver, has drawn this picture of a Ford 7810 with a round baler. I think it must…

One of my key Devon tractor contacts is Phillip Arscott, Tractor Section Leader at the Honiton Hill Rally. Phillip has a notable tractor collection of his own, including a comparatively rare two wheel drive Ford 7810 Generation III. His collection also contains two classic Fiat models – a 100-90 and a 110-90 – that reflect a fondness for Fiat in his younger years. “I grew up on the family farm in Upottery,” explained Phillip. “The first tractor I drove was a Massey Ferguson 135, but my early tractor memories are Ford and Fordson related. The first tractor I ever bought, at the age of 13, was a Fordson Dexta for £320 from a farm sale on Exmoor.” The interest in Fiat came in 1993 when the farm’s Ford 4610, with…

A common area for oil leaks on tractors is the power take-off shaft. If the tractor has had a hard-working life, the PTO shaft will have turned millions of times. It’s hard to know if the seal on this one had ever been changed, and I dare say we’ll never know. What I did know was that the power take-off had been well used, or abused, judging by the state of it. The first job was to remove the four nuts surrounding the PTO assembly that hold the check chain anchor brackets on their studs. Then there are three bolts that secure a plate that holds the PTO oil seal housing in the tractor. When I removed this, it was very rusty behind, so it was good that I would…

AIRMASTER 14/50P £406.80 inc. VAT Machine Mart Tel: 0115 956 5555 machinemart.co.uk The Airmaster 14/50P is a high-performance electric, belt-driven air compressor, ideal for powering all commonly used air tools and spray equipment. Featuring a large, 50-litre receiver and single-stage, two-cylinder pump, this 3hp unit is the perfect compressor for a wide range of applications in any workshop, garage or industrial environment, offering a maximum operating pressure of 10 bar (145psi). It features a pressure regulator and gauge for accurate output control, and is supplied with air filter, two rubber feet and two wheels, both with their respective fittings, for portability. CLARKE AIRMASTER 14/50P Motor (hp) 3.0 Watts 2,200W Air tank volume 50 litres Air displacement 14cfm Working pressure (max) 10 bar (145psi) Lubrication/Oil free Oil Input voltage 230V Wheel…

The final Cambridge Machinery Sale of 2023 took place on Monday 4 December, with around 300 tractors going under Cheffins’ hammer. Three quarters of the lots were sold by the end of the day, but the plant section of the auction was the best in years – with a huge entry of 400 machines, and a lovely MF 50B opening proceedings. It was evident that many of the tractors were the subjects of ‘clear-outs’ on the part of their respective owners – but many of these older machines changed hands. One of the nicest was a one-owner, 1991 John Deere 3050, registered J162 HFE, in lovely, original condition. The hammer fell at £9,000. The bargain of the sale appeared to be a 1985 Renault 95-12, with no reserve. It may have…

It was a quieter end to the year when it came to Euro Auctions’ final sale of 2023, on Wednesday 29 November 2023. 50 machines, of all ages, went under the hammer and the sale brought together some quality working tractors and some restored machines for good measure. The highlight for classic collectors was a pair of Leylands. The first was a 1984 Leyland 604 that was fitted with a Trima 1310P loader. In good, off farm condition, it sold for £9,000, while also doing well was a restored Leyland 245 with Norwegian documents, selling for £6,250. The biggest Ford on offer was a TW-25, in a well-used state. It was an import with a canopy, and sold for just £5,500, while the most expensive Ford in the sale was…

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 7000 INSIDE Restored IH 634 AWD, contractor’s Ford Series 10 duo, tractor values in 2023 JULY 2023 COVER STORY MF 200 Series focus INSIDE Restored Marshall 302, hay mowers, pre-production DB 1212, Allis-Chalmers focus AUGUST 2023 COVER STORY Classic silage machinery INSIDE MF…

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 Does in auction Cheffins has announced a large-scale auction on Saturday 18 May, in Worcestershire, that will feature six Doe tractors, along with 35 others – predominantly Ford and John Deere models. We will bring you further details as they emerge. End of litigation Manitou BF and J C Bamford Excavators Limited have decided, by mutual agreement, to put an end to all patent infringement litigation. The disputes initiated from May 2017 concerned three European patents and led to a set of legal proceedings in France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The end of these disputes has no impact on the present and…

Simple steps to help reduce risk of loss, theft, damage, or injury can also help insurance premiums. With pressure on margins and continued volatility of input costs, twinned with shorter, darker days in mid-winter, the farming industry’s exposure to risk has never been higher, and farmers are being urged to take a proactive approach to farm security. With latest rural crime figures suggesting that farmers are now not only facing the threat of opportunists, but also organised criminals targeting high-value goods and equipment, measures need to be implemented to reduce risks and limit opportunities, according to agricultural insurance specialist Acres Insurance Brokers. “Farm security is sometimes treated with a relaxed approach, but even if only adding a further layer of deterrent, simple measures can have a huge impact, particularly for…

STAR LETTER Registration numbers Dear T&M, In answer to Dale Harris’ question in the January issue, regarding whether he should paint the registration number on the front of his Ferguson tractor, as well as the rear, I have some points to make. Firstly, I must add that this information came from The Friends of Ferguson Heritage website – so credit must go to the organisation. More can be found on the Technical and legal section of the website. A distillation of the wording would appear to suggest that (in most cases) a tractor used on a public road requires an excise licence (though this may be free of charge). If a tractor has an excise licence, then it must display a registration plate, which can be displayed either onboth sidesof…

With the adoption of the three-point linkage as the ‘standard’ way of attaching machinery to tractors, many of the first implements built to utilise this system were adaptations of trailed equipment – that had been towed via the tractor’s drawbar, or horses. Even the big companies, like The International Harvester Company of Great Britain, saw modifying trailed equipment as a simple solution in the short term. Its ploughs were no exception and the first of the company’s mounted models had a remarkable resemblance to the B-8-A. With the drawbar removed, and a headstock and suitable bracing added, the trailed plough was now the B-200 and B-300 – with a choice of 10in, 11in, and 12in furrow widths and initially three bodies (ACE, MPB10, and HFP – for general purpose, shallow,…

In the previous issue we discovered that the chain case oil seal on the rotor shaft had failed, which was given away by the presence of oily grime. To access this, the whole rotor had to be removed from the main frame to allow the drive flange of the rotor shaft to be removed. Working without any manual, we then realised that the chain case cover, together with the chain and sprockets, needed to be removed, as the failed seal is located on the rotor side of the casing. Depth wheel To remove the chain case cover we had to remove the depth wheel and its associated parts. Some of the nuts and bolts securing the depth wheel support were shared by the chain cover. All the necessary fixings were…

It was below freezing when Howard Pugh took to the rostrum for the 1,700-lot H J Pugh & Co. Festive Collective sale on Saturday 2 December, in front of a large crowd. The tractors did well for what they were, and Ferguson fans were well catered for – with implements in particular attracting plenty of attention on site and on the Internet. An original Ferguson hydrovane compressor changed hands at £3,500 and a rare, unrestored Ferguson unit seeder made £3,900. As for the tractors, the highlight was a 1965, two-wheel drive County Super-Six that spent its working life in the USA. It was restored, and sold for £21,000! Sales (abridged) 501 Ferguson TE-L 20, FSR 574, narrow, 5, £4,000 502 Ferguson TE-C 20, diesel, restored, 5, £4,700 503 Ferguson TE-F…

PART B-C 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,…

I used the time I had over the festive period to sit down and reflect on what went on in 2023 – both good and not so good. My rally season started off in late January, at the excellent Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show, at Shepton Mallet. I normally drive down from East Sussex in the middle of the night, to get there at 7.30am on the Saturday for a breakfast roll, but there was a big sale in north Devon that day, so I did not go to the show until the Sunday, the quieter of the two days. The weather was not particularly warm, but it stayed dry. This year, the special feature is Allis-Chalmers, so do go along on 27-28 January to the Royal Bath &…

One of the biggest and most popular shows in the calendar, the traditional season opener, Tractor World returns to the Three Counties Showground in Malvern a month earlier this year – on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February. Packing in interest and inspiration, the two-day extravaganza is celebrating its new date with even more exhibitors, trade stands, displays, and more bargains than ever before. All included in the admission price, expect to see hundreds of vintage, veteran, and classic tractors, vans, stationary engines, classic commercials, Land Rovers, historic farm machinery, and agricultural heritage displays. Open 9am-5pm Saturday and 9am-3pm Sunday, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a wide range of regional and national club stands and displays, trade stalls, model and toy retailers, tools and garage equipment, tyres, workwear, clothing,…

Most readers of Tractor & Machinery will know of County, or to give its original title, County Commercial Cars Ltd., and herein lies a clue to the origins of this highly innovative company. But this is not a history lesson about the company. A great deal has been published over the years about County and more recently put out in DVD form, which contains many of the archive films taken during the life of the company. County tractors were built in their thousands over this period, both as production models and one-offs. As well as a very healthy home market in the British Isles, County products were shipped all over the world. It was generally accepted that the export figure would be about 75 per cent, on average, and this began…

In the first part of this series, looking at how tractors developed in Britain during the 1960s, we saw how all the major tractor manufacturers of the previous decade carried their products over as the 1960s arrived. By the time the middle years of the decade came around, it soon became clear that the face of the tractor in Britain, and indeed the rest of the world, would never be quite the same again. In fact, the years of 1963 to 1966 saw changes so great that they would have ramifications that could still be felt 30 years later. SETTING THE SCENE As we learned in the last issue, even the largest tractor manufacturers began the 1960s with models carried over from the earlier decade, and this trend continued with…

For lighter, less arduous grass maintenance, rotary finishing mowers have become popular and have largely replaced cylinder mowers, which have a big appetite for maintenance. I recently acquired a 1.8-metre finishing mower, which had been replaced by a flail mower due to the heavy work required of it. The mower I have is an Italian-built Sitrex SM-180. It has three blades driven from the PTO via a pair of vee belts. Hard worked The machine has been worked hard, and although the main fabric of the mower is in good order, it needs some immediate attention. I recall that not long ago the mower had replacement blades fitted, along with two new drive belts. Once home with it, I connected it to the PTO of one of my tractors and…

In recent times I had noticed a falloff in the performance of the starter of my ’52 Ferguson TE-D 20. It has never cranked over particularly fast, and on a couple of occasions I have had to replace the starter switch located on the top of the gearbox housing, as the contacts had burnt beyond repair. With the worst of the winter weather ahead of us, I was preparing to fit my saw bench to have a log-sawing session to keep the wood store well stocked. I set about starting the engine but got absolutely nothing from the starter when the gear lever was used to engage it. I then tried using the starting handle, again with no success. Dead battery With no joy, either on the starter motor or…

H J Pugh & Co. was out on the road in Herefordshire, on Wednesday 29 November, to undertake a dispersal sale for Graham Bishop. Many of the lots were in hedgerow condition and the sale took some getting together, but it turned out well for the vendor. The highest priced tractor was a Neuss-built, 1991 Case IH 5140 in rough condition. It sold for £6,200. Sales (abridged) 140 1962 Fordson Dexta, engine seized, 1.6, £950 141 1963 MF 203, so so, 1.2, £600 142 David Brown 780 Selectamatic, 4,629 hours, PAS, with loader, 1.4, £1,650 143 Ferguson TE-F 20, 466700, 1.4, £1,000 144 MF 35, three-cylinder, runs, roll bar, 1.6, £2,300 145 1959 MF 35, four-cylinder, 6,088 hours, runs and drives, 1.4, £1,200 146 MF 35 three-cylinder, runs and drives,…

JANUARY 11th-22nd January Timed Online Auction. Preston, Lancashire. Cheffins. cheffins.co.uk 12th January Timed Online Plant, Machinery & HGV Auction. Brightwells. brightwells.com 12th-13th January Collective Sale of Tractors, Plant, Implements, Livestock Equipment, Oak Beams & Firewood. Hazle Meadows Auction Centre, Ross Road, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 2LP. H J Pugh. Tel: 01531 631122 12th-22nd January Online Timed Auction of Machinery, Straw & Forage. Brown & Co. bid.brown-co.com 15th-16th January Cambridge Machinery Sale. The Saleground, Sutton, Ely, Cambridge CB6 2QT. Cheffins. Tel: 01353 777767 17th January Live Online Auction of Plant, Agricultural & Commercial Vehicles & Heavy Commercials. Thainstone Centre, Inverurie AB51 5XZ. Aberdeen & Northern Marts. anmarts.co.uk 17th January Timed Online Auction of Plant, Trailers & Sundries. Husseys. husseys.co.uk 24th-27th January Auction of Industrial Plant, Construction & Agricultural Equipment. Roall Lane, Leeds,…