Tractor & Farming Heritage July 2014

Totally International Flexible Fordsons

E E R F l Events wal

Meet the IH mechanic

Specialist E27Ns restored

History of Fendt

From Dieselross to Vario TMS

JULY 2014 www.tractormagazine.co.uk

RESTORE The family Fergies that mean so much

TOP TIPS Spring time tractor maintenance

Case 1570 Agri-King The Spirit of ’76 ◆ CHEFFINS

i Vintageonal Road Run

SO yOU wANT TO RUN A SHOw? An organiser tells the truth

SPRING SALE ◆ TRACTORS AT wAR ◆ MF 65

£3.90

REASONS TO

FULL REPORT Nat

July 2014

■ INTERNATIONAL ■ FENDT ■ SUPER DEXTA ■ ALLIS-CHALMERS ■ FORDSON E27N ■ LAMBORGHINI

AND FARMING HERITAGE MAGAZINE

No. 129

Tractor JULy 2014

planner inside

Welcome

This atmospheric image of an old Fordson was taken at a farm near Wimpole, Cambridgeshire.

Photo Stephen Malcolm

N

ow the magazine stands at 148 pages it’s a greater opportunity to fit in the varied mix of stories that come in to us each day. It means more work but the extra effort is worth every moment.

Among the stories this month there is Dave Taylor’s take on what it’s like to get involved with organising an event. I’m sure it will strike a chord with those of you who have found yourselves in this position.

It certainly did for me when I used to help out with the Woodhall Spa Country Show – nothing spectacular, just helping set up the cattle section and anywhere else as required. But watching the process develop throughout the year from idea to completion, with the volunteer team

putting in massive amounts of effort behind the scenes is quite an eye-opener.

I went to the show this year as a spectator and was so pleased to see it packed out with visitors, and with everything being in the right place at the right time the organisers should be really proud that they put on such a brilliant show – well done Woodhall. e brilliant image above was kindly sent in by Stephen Malcolm, a hobbyist photographer and chairman of the Royston Photographic Society, Hertfordshire, with a passion for rural photography (www.stephenmalcolmphotography.com).

He also says he has aspirations to go semiprofessional – judging by this effort, I don’t think it will be too long before that happens! is is a good point to say whether you have a picture or a story please don’t hesitate to send them in to us, we’d love to see them and share them with the readers.

Meet the team...

Ben Phillips

Dave Bowers

Tractor restorer – aka the tractorlad.

Feature writer with a keen technical eye.

Jo Roberts

Pete Small

Professional heritage Farming heritage writer based in Wales. historian and writer.

Tony Hoyland

Editor

Richard Lofting Stuart Gibbard

To link to our Facebook page, just scan the image (right) with your smartphone.

Alternatively, go online and visit www.facebook.com/TractorMag

tractormagazine.co.uk

Roving reporter and technical writer.

Author, historian and tractor specialist.

Also thanks to Dave Taylor, Justin Roberts, Peter D Simpson, Jonathan Whitlam, Tony Rimmer, Alan Barnes, HR, Old Sump Plug, Graham Hampstead.

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CONTENTS

TRACTOR AND FARMING HERITAGE JULY 2014

Regulars 3

Welcome

18

News

20

24 82

All the latest news in the world of tractors and heritage.

40

42

44

Totally International

COVER STORY

Jo Roberts meets a tractor mechanic, a specialist in all things International.

88

Beyond the calls of duty

Between all his other jobs, Graham Hampstead still manages to sneak some work in on the Super Dexta.

Heritage 46

50

114 Next month

Preview of the August issue of Tractor & Farming Heritage magazine.

146 Last Word

We find out where Farmer Brown’s nickname came from, and how he came to be such a ‘dapper’ countryside gent.

54 COVER STORY

60

YourTractors 6 COVER STORY

12 COVER STORY

28 COVER STORY

32 COVER STORY

38

Fergie family connection

Full report on the NVTRR from Shropshire where more than £10,000 has already been raised for good causes.

Getting your tractors out of the shed

Tractor rallies don’t have to be boring and they can be fun.

The flexible Fordsons

We meet Peter and Mark Dean who have restored a Chaseside front loader as well as an E27N snowplough.

Thurles tractor challenge

Tractors new and old were invited to Thurles in Ireland in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record .

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Three of a kind

54

66

COVER STORY

71 76

12

What better way to spend the day?

Farming in France

Tony Rimmer embraces life in the local farming community and finds that there is plenty to do in ‘retirement’.

The history of Fendt

Although Fendt is now part of the AGCO Corporation, it still remains justifiably proud of its long history.

Tractors at War

Stuart Gibbard explains how the tractor played its part in mechanising British agriculture during the First World War.

David Brown’s greatest years

Building the perfect collection

Nothing stands in the way of Steven Smith creating his collection; if a model hasn’t been made yet that he wants, he just sets to and builds it.

70

The history of Fendt

Jonathan Whitlam takes a dip into his photographic archives to find two Lamborghini 854DTs and a R854.

We preview historian Stuart Gibbard’s latest book – the second part of his David Brown Tractor Story.

Denis Bell tells us why his two grey Fergies are so special.

National Road Run

Presenting: The Fordson Majorettes

Dave Taylor explains how the Majorettes formation team came about.

Tractor Talk

Your news, views and comments about the vintage and classic scene.

Ready for the main event

We complete our preview of the main themes marking Blue Force 1000 event at the Newark Showground.

Graham’s Grumbles

Graham Hampstead asks for our loyal country readers’ support to squash the moves afoot to try and ban bird scarers.

Readers’ tractors

American farmer John ‘Tom’ Burgin tells us why his family have always trusted the Allis-Chalmers name.

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The staple stuff of British agriculture

Yorkshire fog and crested dogstail don’t sound too important but they are of one of the most important grown – grass!

Workshop 92

I’ve been waiting for you

Ben Phillips likes his MF 135s; but he also has a soft spot for the MF 65 – and finally one comes into his workshop.

96 COVER STORY

Spring maintenance

As it is the start of the rally season and summer road runs, Richard Lofting gives us some practical advice.

Marketplace

Spirit of ’76

101 What’s on

Tractor Archive

106 Products

Home Farm Diaries

108 Sales & Auctions

Emblazoned with the stars and stripes, the Spirit of ’76 was a special limited edition of the Case 1570 Agri-King.

More heritage memories from the farming literature of yesteryear.

H R is ready to take on all the challenges hay time can throw at him; including the annual battle with rooks to save his crop.

Your guide to heritage days out throughout the season in our comprehensive event guide.

All the latest tractor and farming heritage related product releases.

Review of the Cheffins Vintage Sale in April where a record number of tractors were up for sale. tractormagazine.co.uk

TractorNews

Classic way to raise funds

W

hen two brothers living in Cornwall inherited a pair of tractors in Scotland they were faced with the problem of getting them down to their farm. But then they struck on the idea of a tractor relay as a fun way of transporting them that could raise some valuable money for charity at the same time.

So Josh Stephens, 22, and brother Callum, 16, organised a team of 12 members of the Lostwithiel Young Farmers’ Club in Cornwall to embark on an epic journey from John o’ Groats to Land’s End in two classic tractors for Cancer Research UK.

Starting on April 12, they travelled 999 miles down the length of Great Britain from the northernmost point of mainland Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, completing the trip in a total of nine days, taking it in turns to drive the tractors. e tractors are a rare Case 2290, a six cylinder, big two-wheeled drive Americanstyle tractor made in the 1970s; and a Fiat 1300 Super, a six cylinder, two-wheel drive, one of only a handful of models in the country. e brothers plan to put them to light work on their mixed livestock and arable farm near St Winnow with a view to

keeping them in good working condition for shows.

Callum said: “It’s been a really fun journey and we were delighted that everyone rallied round to support us every step of the way.

While it was a very enjoyable experience, I am feeling relieved to have finished now.

We’re going to keep both tractors in good working condition, probably taking the Fiat to some shows, while the Case will come in handy on the farm.”

Donations continue to be received. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/LostwithielYFC or text LWYF99 £3 to 70070.

Baling Festival

This magnificent Case belongs to club secretary Hefin Lloyd Jones, who is organising the charity road run.

Charity road run spectacular The Clwyd Valley Vintage Tractor Club will be hosting a Road Run on June 21, in North Wales in aid of the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre. The run will start from the village of Groes, near Denbigh, and continue for some 26 miles, taking in splendid scenery with views of the Vales of Clwyd, Elwy and Mynydd Hiraethog. For further details contact Hefin on 01745 583722.

The IH Collector Club of Australia has joined together with Murray Stokes and his friends, a group of baler enthusiasts from Goorambat in Victoria, to organise the Historic IH Baling Festival, which will be held in 2015 over the weekend of March 28-29. The event will be hosted at Thyra, near Moama in New South Wales,

by Greg and Sandra Glenn, who own one of the best collections of International Harvester tractors and machinery in Australia.

“Our plan is to have at least one of every different model of IH hay press/baler at the festival, including those that were manufactured here and those that were imported into Australia,” explains Murray. “Depending on what you classify as ‘different’, we expect anywhere from 23 to 30 models to be represented and perhaps 50 balers in total.”

Only £3 an issue when you subscribe – see page 22 or www.classicmagazines.co.uk 18

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Snippets Memorial Road Run The date for this year’s Michael Ducksbury Memorial Road Run will be July 6. The run starts from College Farm, Newcastle St, Tuxford, Notts NG22 0LN at 9.30am; for further information email collegefarm95@gmail.com or tel: 01777 838122.

Diary date Debbie Birtwistle of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance receives a cheque from Sally Jones (treasurer). Looking on are, from left, Richard Newman (chairman), Edward Jones (secretary), Phil Merritt (pilot), Mike Lawrence, and Paul Owen, clinical paramedic with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, and Ed’s 1941 McCormick W4 Tractor. Photo J Reeves

Isleport’s fundraising flying high

A

McCormick W4 tractor and a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter made for an unusual backdrop for a cheque presentation by the committee of the Isleport Steam and Vintage Working Show to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance recently. e air ambulance supporters had a fundraising stand at the show in 2013, the first that the committee had organised, and made £450 for its funds. e

committee later decided to match the sum and make the amount up to £1000.

In addition to supporting the air ambulance, the show made a donation to Macmillan nurses for £1000. Mike Lawrence, who owns Isleport Farm, near Highbridge, where the show is held, said: “Our success has made us want to run another event in 2014 and once again any surplus will allow us to help support our favourite charities.” e Isleport Steam and Vintage Working Show, which

features old time haymaking, harvesting and ploughing, will take place at Isleport Farm, near Highbridge, on July 26-27. One of the themes will be the local Highbridge firm of road rolling contractors, W W Buncombe. e organisers welcome anyone with photographs, exhibits and memorabilia relating to the company, who can contact the organisers if they are interested in taking part in the event. For further information email: isleportshow@live.co.uk or tel: 07969093604.

Fitting location for book launch

Dates set for Little Casterton

Stuart Gibbard’s latest book, The David Brown Tractor Story Part Two: Agricultural Tractors 1949 – 1964, was officially launched at the Durker Rood Hotel, Meltham, Huddersfield, on April 30. It was a great event at a fitting location – David Brown’s former home in Meltham. Turn to page 64 for our extended preview of this long awaited book covering the history of the marque from 1949 to 1964.

This year the Little Casterton Working Weekend will be held on September 20-21. The ever-popular event focuses on the demonstration of vintage farm machinery and implements working as they were designed to do, generally operating with appropriate motive power.

The venue will be land adjacent to Hall Farm, Little Casterton PE9 4BE. For more information tel: 01780 763254 or visit www.knightltd.co.uk/lcww.htm

tractormagazine.co.uk

Stuart Gibbard explains why he believes David Brown was the best tractor manufacturer in the world in his new book.

The Ayrshire Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club Annual Rally takes place on July 20 at Whitefordhill Agri-Centre, Ayr KA6 5JW; for more information contact Margaret Howie on 01292 287297.

Harby Country Show The popular Harby Country Show, organised by the Vale of Belvoir Machinery Group, will take place over the weekend of September 6-7 at Canal Farm, Langar Lane, Harby, Leics LE14 4BL. Visit www.vobmg.co.uk or tel: 01949 860691 for more details.

Club museum open days The David Brown Tractor Club Museum will be open on the following Sundays in 2014 – June 22, July 20 and August 24. The museum is located at Spinks Mire Mill, Meltham Mills, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 4AN. The club has also announced further added attractions throughout the year. On September 21 there will be a Grand Road Run for all makes of tractors (11am start); October 19 tours around the David Brown factory at 11.30am and 2pm.

Finally there will be an auction and road run on December 7.

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YourTractors

Blue Force 1000

Ready for the main event

With only a few weeks remaining before Blue Force 1000 is held at the Newark Showground on June 28-29, we complete our preview of the main themes marking the 50th anniversary of the Ford 1000 Series and 50 years of tractor production at Basildon.

WORDS & PICTURES Blue Force

B

lue Force 1000 is open to any age or condition of tractor and commercial vehicle encompassed by the club Blue Force from both members and nonmembers. e Ford agriculture line which commenced in 1917 has probably been the greatest tractor line the world has ever seen and continues today with blue products from New Holland.

Basildon

e construction of a purpose-built factory for the fully integrated production of tractors began in 1962; and May 15, 1964, saw the very first tractors go down the production

History Half a century of making tractor history Production of the multi-purpose 5000, 4000, 3000 and 2000 began The first tractor is shipped from Basildon, the dawn of a new 1965 era The Ford 7000, the first tractor from Basildon to feature a 1971 turbocharger to help farmers to operate more modern and larger implements 1964

1975 The Ford 2600-7600 fitted with the first Q cabs 1986 1989 1996 1998 2003 2007

The 10 Series, the first truly modern tractor fitted with the Super Q cab The Silver Jubilee 7810 celebrates 25 years of production at the Basildon plant The Ford 60 Series and Fiat M Series feature Range Command semi powershift transmission 60,000 New Holland TS tractors fitted with Tier 1 engines rolled off the production line TS-A fitted with Tier-2 engines and industry leading Horizon cab Tier-3 T6000 and T7000 first roll off the production line

2010 The launch of the Blue Power range 2014 50 years of continuous tractor production a Basildon

A range of heritage tractors displayed by Blue Force members in New Holland’s Customer Centre.

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line of Europe’s most modern tractor manufacturing facility. A quarter of a century later, in 1989, over two million engines had been produced and the now iconic Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee model was launched to commemorate this. Another key year for Basildon was the unveiling of the state-ofthe-art visitor centre in 2012, the same year the plant achieved bronze world class manufacturing status and the UK prime minister, David Cameron, visited the factory.

Since 1964, over 1.6 million tractors and 3.1 million engines have been produced at Basildon. Today the plant employs more than 1000 people dedicated to producing industryleading tractors. e facility can accommodate more than 10,000 different product specifications and 85% of total production is exported across the globe.

Colin Larkin, Basildon plant manager, explains: “In the UK, New Holland’s tractor sales have increased, with the Basildon-built T6 and T7 performing particularly well. e Basildon facility manufactures 14 tractor ranges, 133 models and 12,000 configurations using 9680 part numbers; in a year, no two tractors that roll off the line are exactly the same.”

The Dancing Does; to make this display work and look even more impressive, more than eight Does based on the Fordson Major and the 130s will weave in and out with only inches to spare to a wide variety of music. For this event a new arrangement has been devised which will be even more impressive.

Efficient manner

Carlo Lambro, brand president of New Holland Agriculture, stated: “e plant at Basildon has been at the centre of our tractor operations for 50 years. Today it produces tractors in the 120-270hp range which are helping farmers and contractors across the globe to farm in an ever more productive, sustainable and efficient manner.”

New Holland Industries will be showcasing some of its latest machinery from the small Boomer tractors through the full range including the British-built T6 and T7 ranges up to the larger American built T8. If possible a T9 will be on show.

It will not only be tractors that the Basildon based company will have on show, but also harvesting machinery from forage harvesters to combine harvesters and balers. e full agricultural range will be on show.

New Holland Construction will also showcase some of the latest construction machinery standing side by side with some of the construction and industrial machines of the past. Sister company Iveco will also be displaying some of its latest commercial vehicles alongside historical light vans and commercials.

The famous Basildon tractor plant, completed in 1964 by the Ford Motor Company, and today it is the only dedicated tractor factory in the UK building New Holland’s T6 and T7 tractors.

Performing tractors at shows as main ring events have been commonplace in America for many years. Oen performed with tractors in row crop configuration and using independent brakes, they can virtually pirouette on the spot resulting in some quite dynamic and breathtaking displays where the audience waits in anticipation for a collision which very rarely happens.

Ring displays

At Blue Force 1000, the main ring events are sure to raise some eyebrows. e Fordson Majorettes will perform a unique routine with up to 10 Fordson Majors moving around the ring in tight formation. A second routine which has been well rehearsed is the Dancing Does choreographed by Angela tractormagazine.co.uk

June 28-29, 2014 Newark Showground, Newark NG24 2NY

Exhibit entries

Ring events from New Holland will show how technology has changed from the early Ford days through to modern machines; as well as a parade of tractors, the New Holland team will give a detailed documentary of the latest products and compare with machines of the past.

Hardstaff of the Doe Owners Club. Other main ring displays will feature all that is good about New Holland. e most modern display will be the Precision Farming Technologies demonstration showing how modern technology can allow tractors to drive within an inch or two of each other and perform intricate manoeuvres.

Still under wraps will be a display arranged by ex-Ford men, some of whom still work for New Holland. e Ford tractormagazine.co.uk

demonstration team was something to be revered by manufacturers around the world; we will just have to wait and see what this team presents but rest assured it will be something special. ere will be a full listing of times and demonstrations in the special show programme which will be available on the day. A souvenir show publication and professional DVD on Blue Force 1000 will be available from late summer. ✦

Entries at Blue Force 1000 will include agricultural, industrial and commercial vehicles from the early 1900s to present day. Displays of tractors will stand side by side with harvesting equipment from Ransomes, Ford and New Holland.

A unique show for Blue Force members, nonmembers and enthusiasts alike to exhibit at and enjoy tractors and machines encompassed by the club Blue Force from 1917-2014 in all conditions from working, fully original, early restorations to fully restored and brand new New Holland products – all are welcome.

To enter a tractor or vehicle or for further details: visit the websites www.blueforce.uk.com and www.blueforce1000.co.uk You can email info@blueforce1000.co.uk or info@blueforce.uk.com Telephone Jamie on 07815 777125 or Peter on 07711 137194.

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NextMonth

AND FARMING H ERITAGE MAGAZINE

Postcode Lottery ▲ Jo Roberts finds out why local heritage is so important to farmer Tudur Parry, and why he chooses tractors which were registered in his own neighbourhood.

ON SALE JUL Y8

From Rust to Riches

History of Fendt

See how Rob Leighfield and his friend Steve Thornhill turned this 1953 Field Marshall Series 3A into what must be one of the best examples of its type in the country.

We follow the development of the innovative and leading tractor manufacturer in part two of our story through to more modern times when it was acquired by the AGCO Corporation.

Plus Pea Harvesting ■ Turner Engine Rebuild ■ Holt 120 ■ Reader’s Tractors ■ Club Focus – NBVTC ■ Graham Hampstead ■ Massey Ferguson 100s 114

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