Tractor & Farming Heritage
April 2006
Celebrating the history and development of the tractor
4 Welcome Reflections on the pace of change - and assurances on the content of our own magazine. 8 No half-measures! When Trevor Chippendale chose a Massey-Ferguson 590 to help around his garden nursery, he had no idea where it would lead to. David Bowers reports on a remarkable collection. 14 Leading the way for Scotlands farmers Peter Small finds pages of interest when he comes across some old copies of Scotlands National Farmers Union journal, The Farming Leader. 17 News Fourteen pages of news, including a good sample of recent ploughing matches and other events. 34 Sisters under the skid! When Technical Editor Jerry Thurston compares two superb four-wheel-drive classics - a Muir-Hill 141 and County 1184 - the result is almost too close to call. 40 The what if?boys of Scarr Bottom Northern Ireland correspondent Leslie Hutchinson opens some confidential files from the old David Brown company. 45 Letters 48 A passion shared Polly Pullar visits David and Joyce Symington to see the huge tractor collection, mostly of Cases, that they started in the 1980s. 54 The New Holland family Big and brash, or smaller and sweeter, Jerry Thurston compares both ends of the nice-looking New Holland range of tractors at the recent Doe Show in Essex. 59 Tractor Marketplace Our new-look, centrally-positioned advertising section is the best place to buy and sell 75 Dont miss this one! Pete Kelly previews the route of Easter Sundays National Vintage Tractor Road Run around Lanark, hosted by Avon Valley Vintage Power. 78 The International Story Mike Teanby focuses on crawler tractors in the sixth part of his comprehensive history of International Harvester. 80 Major metamorphosis E1A Fordson Majors have been put to many uses - but what are those strange yellow things that keep going in and out of the sea at Abersoch, North Wales? 86 Michaels all - Irish Titan! Keith Langston tells the heartwarming story of a long-term Irish restoration. 92 Magnificent but Mysterious! Jeff Bloom tells of the total rebuild of his Marshall M tractor that came second in its class at last years Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show - and of the frustrating time he had in tracking down its history. 100 Fast work, by George! How a Fordson Power Major tractor donated by George Walker of Norfolk as the draw prize at this years British Tractor Challenge was rebuilt in an amazing 20 hours by a team at a Wiltshire agricultural college. 102 Reviews & New Products 104 Whats this? No bleeping clutch! That old TV series Candid Camera comes to mind as our Fordson Dexta specialist Graham Hampstead opens up an old tractor he bought last year. 108 Bargain time at Shepton Mallet Jane Brooks finds plenty of tractor bargains to be had at H J Pughs auction at the Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show. 112 Their Imperial majesties! Australias first home-produced tractor, the McDonald, remains a mystery to many British enthusiasts. Neal McDonald, a member of the founding family, helps Pat Freeman to piece together the story. 118 My happy days! John Blake tells what it was like to be a member of the Young Farmers Club during the heyday of British farming. 122 The old friend that came to stay When Gretna enthusiast John Johnston had the chance to buy a Ferguson Brown hed first driven as a young boy 20 years earlier, he couldnt allow it to slip by. David Bowers tells the story. 128 Fun Farm A batch of unexpected lambs spring a mid-winter surprise, and Pete Kelly finds satisfaction in seeing the field that he laboured to plough last autumn drilled at last. 129 Rare Breeds Factfile No 26 in Marianne Thomass series tells the story of Welsh pigs. 130 Diary Dates
4 Welcome Reflections on the pace of change - and assurances on the content of our own magazine. 8 No half-measures! When Trevor Chippendale chose a Massey-Ferguson 590 to help around his garden nursery, he had no idea where it would lead to. David Bowers reports on a remarkable collection. 14 Leading ....