Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2023 117

F&FT 2023 - Issue 117

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, offers another essential selection of news and views from in and around the enthusiastic FFA

I hope to be moving house soon. I first moved in 60 years ago, and most of you will have experienced the chaos that the process invariably causes. If all goes to plan, I shall temporarily stop processing registrations for a month or so. But members who have vehicles complete and ready to register should continue to contact me, as I’ve made an arrangement for these to be handled on your behalf while I’m settling into my new surroundings.

In the previous issue I reported some issues with the DVLA, so I’m now pleased to follow-up with the news that several of these have been satisfactorily concluded. Finally, I gather that some of you received ‘spam’ emails appearing to be from me, suggesting that I was unwell and asking for help. I’d never send such a message so, if you ever receive such a thing in the future, please delete it. Indeed, I wouldn’t be fi t to be chairman of this club if I had sent it but,

nevertheless, I was very touched and moved by those who contacted me offering help. The internet is a minefi eld! I’ve changed my email password and have dual authentication, so the account is again secure. It’s just as safe to email me now as it was, but please be aware of the scammers. If an email is unexpected – and before answering it – consider whether or not you know the sender, and never open an attachment unless you’re sure about the source.

CARRINGTON RALLY

The 62nd Carrington Steam & Heritage Show (May 28th-29th) saw the FFA back at the event after a few years of absence. I moved to Lincolnshire in 2022 and, after my experiences with the FFA in Kent, I felt well placed to take charge of the club’s stand at this show. The weekend was a great success, being well supported by members and rally

organisers alike. Even the weather was kind! Together with my Ford 4000, other exhibits on the stand included Mick Bowen’s 1961 Roadless Halftrack, B Coulter’s 1963 Super Major, Barry Mumby’s 1965 Ford 5000, Richard Mason’s 1963 Doe Triple D and Stuart Eastmead’s 1950 Fordson N. My thanks go to Jane Goodhall, Val

Mason, Miranda and my granddaughter, for their help with running and stocking the stand, and providing tea and delicious cakes. Also, I’m grateful to Malcolm Robinson – the event secretary – for his support. Next year’s main show theme is Ford and Fordson, so I hope to see you there!
John Vowell, FFA Lincolnshire rep

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2023 116

F&FT 2023 - Issue 116

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, offers another essential selection of news and views from in and around the everenthusiastic FFA.

  • Technology is all around us nowadays, whether we like it or not; even the humble television remote has become so complicated it demands a degree to make it work! I bought my fi rst computer – a so-called ‘Super Brain’ – back in the 1970s, and used it to manage farm records.
       
      In those days, you had to fi nd someone to write the program to make it work, and that meant that you had

  • to start by explaining exactly what was needed to someone with no knowledge of farming. Things have moved on hugely since then, of course, and computers are now quicker, cheaper and far more reliable. What’s more, they can be used to run an almost limitless range of programs for virtually any purpose, all of which are available straight off the shelf. Well, that’s the theory. Just over a month ago, my current machine started to

  • misbehave, so I called a pal who’s helped with my computer problems for many years. In the past, if either installing a new machine or reinstalling the operating system – apart from having the whole system backed up on a hard disk – I’ve always also backed-up fi les separately, just in case. This time, though, I didn’t bother, and I’m sure you can guess the rest! I learned a salutary lesson, and many documents have been permanently lost.

REGISTRATION NEWS

I wrote to Ian Edmunds, at the Federation of British Vehicle Clubs, regarding the problems members have had, only to discover that the poor man has also experienced a computer ‘meltdown’; is it catching, like Covid? However, he thinks that the registration-related steps already taken are appropriate, and represent all that

can be done at the moment. Interestingly, he commented on the DVLA’s changing attitude, and will continue to make representations on our behalf, as below.
   ‘I’m aware of the sometimes unusual numbering system used on tractors, and it is perhaps inevitable that DVLA will sometimes have trouble with tractors as they are, in this respect, different to

anything else they deal with. Additionally, it appears that over the past few years, the DVLA has started to apply much stricter interpretations of its policy. In some instances, we consider its stance to be unreasonable, and continue to make that point.’

Pat Pawsey, FFA chairman

TRACTOR WORLD

A snowy Malvern greeted us this year for Tractor World, which took place on March 11th-12th at the Three Counties Showground. It was certainly picturesque but very cold all weekend, especially up in the hills behind the showground.
   The sale, always an important part of the show, was probably the largest I’ve seen at Malvern, and the parts traders gave visitors every chance of fi nding that long-searched-for spare part, tool or piece of equipment.
   As I was organising the display on the

FFA’s show stand, it was good that quite a few of our members had contacted me to ask about which of their multiple tractors I’d like them to bring? It’s always great to have some fl exibility with model choice, so that I can keep the show stand display looking fresh and interesting for visitors each year.
    I was a little apprehensive about our allotted space, as the large marquee wasn’t erected this year, but we had most of the area in the marquee between the two permanent buildings plus a

Tim Pearman’s American-spec Ford 3910 and 2810 models that were the centre of a lot of interest at Tractor World.


Johnathan and Nick Boaz’s three-cylinder Tricycle E1A and (left) Model F, the latter with a mid-mounted Athens disc plough.

The Marsh family’s New Holland 7740 next to the splendid Ford 7810 that Phil converted.

large area outside the entrance, and that worked well. But we could have done with it being a little wider!
    Four of the display tractors were very different. Tim Pearman brought a 47hp Ford 3910 and a 34hp 2810 4WD, both of which were late-1980s American specification. They were certainly unusual, and attracted plenty of attention over the two days – lots of visitors commented that they’d never seen an example of either model before. However, what really stood out for me was that both tractors featured large, trumpet housings with oil-immersed brakes, unlike our smaller Fords. What’s more, I also noticed they had T-bar-type handbrake levers of the type being fitted to UK-spec models back in the mid-1960s.
   Two others that are certainly worthy of a mention here were the Fordson Major and a Fordson F owned by Nick and Jonathan Boaz. However, the 1956 Major, on its journey across to the marquee, didn’t sound normal, then I discovered that it was fitted with a three-cylinder Perkins engine when normally you see converted Majors with larger, six-cylinder engines installed. In this case, though, the installation was certainly well engineered, like a factory-fit, with the bonnet

A nicely restored Fordson N fitted with an Automower winch.

  • shortened by five inches. Nick has also fitted a Roadless three-wheel row crop conversion, taken from a worn-out tractor;

  • an excellent restoration.
        Jonathan’s Model F came with the recent addition of a rare, Athens two

This is the one that the judge wanted to take home! Bernard Saunders’ lovely Triple D.

Pat Bryne receiving her award for winning the Most Original Tractor class at Malvern.

The Stokes family’s County 654 was the winner in the Best Restored Tractors class, and was a show winner last year as well.

furrow, mid-mounted disc plough. What a good idea that implement was; no more looking backwards to see what the plough was doing! That set-up was popular in America during the 1920s and ‘30s, and Jonathan explained that he’d found this one in a salvage yard in Minnesota a few years ago, then fitted it to his F. He’s also fitted the tractor with a battery ignition system to help with

starting, although was keen to point out that the engine still runs on the original Trembler Coil system. Other interesting tractors on show included the Marsh family’s Ford 7810 and New Holland 7740; both 2WD models, although the 7740 was the one I’d have taken home! There was also a Fordson N with an Automower winch conversion and, on display outside, an

E27N P6 with a Ransomes-badged, lowdensity baler with its own engine (made by D Lorant Ltd of Watford). The FFA award-winners at the show were as follows. The ‘Tractor the Judge would like to take Home’ was the Doe, owned by Bernard Saunders, while the ‘Tractor and Implement’ award went to Jonathan Boaz. The ‘Most original exhibit’ prize went to Pat Bryne (maintaining

This is something that no E27N owner wants to see; frost damage, and not for the first time!

her winning streak after success at Somerset), and the ‘Best restored’ was judged to be the County 654 owned by Anthony and Ray Stokes and family.
  Well done and thanks to everyone who brought exhibits to the show, especially given the uncertainly of the weather during the lead-up to the event. I’d also like to welcome all the new members who joined the FFA over the weekend, and to say how pleased we all were to welcome and offer refreshments to the many existing members and visitors who visited the FFA’s stand.
  It was good to meet the couple

Jane Broomhall presents Nick Boaz with the award for Best Tractor & Implement.

  • who surely must have travelled the furthest to attend the show, Ian and Linda West, who came all the way from Alberta, Canada, where they are the FFA representatives. Finally, the club held its AGM at the show where, happily, president, Nick Battelle, and treasurer, Jane

  • Broomhall, both reported that the club remains financially fit and healthy, with a membership that continues to rise. Thanks to all the committee members who helped with what turned out to be a very enjoyable weekend.

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2023 115

F&FT 2023 - Issue 115

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, serves up another essential selection of news and views from in and around the everenthusiastic FFA

REGISTRATION NEWS

An E27N Major’s identity plate showing the tractor number as the engine number (although this one isn’t on a P6).

  • The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) hasn’t announced any major changes affecting members recently. In fact, application processing times appear to be getting back to pre-Covid levels; all seems to be settling down nicely. It has been my practice to send an unsigned copy of the dating letter for applicants to keep in case the DVLA asked them any questions. Recently, though, several have sent the unsigned letter and retained the signed one, and that’s resulted in the application being rejected. To prevent this, I no longer send the copy letter. However, the DVLA is sending inspectors to verify more applications which, it says, is a measure to combat fraud. I don’t know whether this is to check if any import tax is due or, indeed,

  • if the vehicle has been imported, or just to check that the vehicle is actually what it’s purported to be. The problem is that neither the DVLA personnel dealing with a particular case, nor the inspector assigned to it, appear to know much about how tractors are identifi ed. For example, all Fordson tractors manufactured from 1917 didn’t carry what’s now called a Vehicle Identity Number (VIN) plate that is, until the advent of the Fordson Major E27N, when factoryfi tted with a Perkins P6 engine in 1948. Perkins used its own numbering/identity system that obviously didn’t match the Fordson tractor number. Previously, as was Ford’s practice for all vehicles, the engine number stamped on the block was also the vehicle’s chassis number. VIN plates

in this case the engine number and chassis number were the same on the identity plate when this E1A Major was built.

were also fi tted to the E27N‘s successor, the E1A, until about 1957, still bearing the tractor number. However, the plate clearly says ‘Engine No.’; logical in Ford thinking. Later E1A tractors had a plate fi tted without a number, and their tractor number again stamped only on the block. But the DVLA doesn’t understand this and is, therefore, claiming that an E1A – even if fi tted with such a plate – has no VIN number.

In another case, the team delegate involved has declined to accept a dating letter provided to one of our members, and asked that I send them a copy of the offi cial Ford record that I used to date this ’Y series’ tractor. This is despite the fact that, as I told her, I’d already sent a copy to the DVLA during its vetting process to confi rm that I possessed the necessary documents, in order to be accredited as the FFA’s approved representative. I have, of course, emailed copies of the requested documents to her in the hope that it will resolve the matter. This particular case has been on-going for some three months, which is quite unacceptable.

I shall draw Ian Edmunds of the Federation of British Vehicle Clubs attention to these and other concerns so that he can raise them in the appropriate quarters at the DVLA.

Pat Pawsey, FFA chairman

CLUB NEWS

The Club’s Annual General Meeting was held at Tractor World. Covid restrictions meant that almost immediately following Tractor World in February 2020, all shows and events were cancelled, with few re-surfacing until the end of 2021. Certainly Newark 2021 was our main event of 2021, where we also held our AGM and reviewed the accounts for 2020.
    Thankfully, our events schedule appears to be returning to a more normal routine, and we’ve already

enjoyed successful weekends at Somerset and Malvern this year. During the AGM at Tractor World, we reviewed the accounts for 2021 and 2022. Both years have seen growth in terms of FAA membership – an increase from 906 to 1,106 in the year to December 2021, and from 1,106 to 1,292 in the year to December 2022. In addition, we have member-only subscriptions totalling 30. It’s encouraging to know that membership extends throughout the UK, but also to Europe and the rest of the world. Also, it’s been pleasing to receive articles from all over the world for inclusion in this magazine.

   While merchandise sales were much lower in 2020, they have recovered since then, with high levels of interest at shows and via the website during 2021 and 2022. Accounts for both 2021 and 2022 will be placed on the website for you to review. Your committee continues unaltered, and the details can also be seen on the revised website at: fordandfordson.co.uk
   Thanks to you all for your continuing support, without which the club simply wouldn’t exist.

Jane Broomhall, FFA secretary/ treasurer

SHEPTON MALLET
TRACTOR SHOW

Nick, Pat and ‘Dexta’ with two of their award-winning tractors. They are wellknown to many, and staunch FFA supporters.

  • This event, which took place on January 28th-29th, delivered a very cold start to the show season at the Bath & West Showground, and was organised by Mike Mitchell and his family. The club stand was again to be found in the lower hall, surrounded by traders, tractors and, more importantly, lots of visitors to the event on both days. Saturday is traditionally auction day at this show while, on Sunday, there’s a Toy Fair, so

  • there’s always plenty to see and do.    The show has always raised money for charity and, this year, made an impressive donation of £11,000 to the Air Ambulance and five other charities. This is always a very relaxed but wellrun event, with sensible marshals who always know what they’re doing without being overbearing.
       The main theme this year was John Deere and, among the array of green

Mike Lawrence’s Chariot of Fire; a proven winner resting at home. It’s a truly fearsome beast!

machines, was FFA member Mike Lawrence’s tractor-puller Chariot of fire, which is powered by a 37-litre Rolls-Royce Griffon 58 engine that was originally fitted to a Shackleton Bomber. At 3,300rpm it produces 3,000hp, and the last set of spark plugs made for it by Smiths Industries cost £600. It’s a very interesting machine!
   Most Ford and Fordson tractor variants were to be seen at the show, with quite a few owned by FFA members who picked up trophies. Nick and Pat Bryne, together with son Matthew, won rosettes and cups with four of their tractors; my favourite was Matthew’s Irish Long Wing Fordson N towing a Ransomes cultivator with a seed box on top – both of which were top-notch restorations.

While dioramas may not be everyone’s thing, this really is quite exceptional.

  • Ken Marsh won a cup for his Ford 7810 2WD – quite a rare tractor – but, stealing the show, Martin Evans bagged two trophies for his Roadless 115 longnose, including Best in Show. Congratulations to you all. It was a

  • great weekend for the FFA and thanks to everyone who supported us, plus a warm welcome to the 16 new members who joined at the show.

    Phil Gibson, FFA roving rep

Congratulations to Martin Evans who was a double winner with his Roadless 115 long-nose. The tractor won Best in Show!

Ken Marsh was a cup-winner with his splendid Ford 7810.

Matthew and his award-winning Irish ‘long wing’ and Ransoms cultivator with seeder.

MDTEMG AUTUMN AFTERNOON

A Thomas 95/100, produced by John Thomas of Banbury, with a Ford six-cylinder engine.

The Mid-Devon Tractor, Engine & Machinery Group (MDTEMG) celebrated its 40th anniversary on October 15th, 2022, against a backdrop of glorious weather. Held on a splendid site at Cleaveanger Farm in Coldridge, Devon, by kind permission of Paul and Mary Stanbury, several local FFA members were present at the event, together with the original founder members of the club. The MDTEMG has grown and now boasts almost 100 members. What’s more, it survived Covid unlike many similar clubs which, sadly, didn’t. Meetings are held on a monthly basis, except during the three summer months and there are also working days, gasups, road runs and club trips. The club is proud of its fund-raising activities, and many tens of thousands

An E1A Major KFD; it’s interesting to compare its size with the Dexta and F models alongside.

One of the later, narrow-wing Fordson Ns provides a splash of colour between a pair of Fs.

A pair of E27N P6 Majors. If you’d been there you could have decided which style of preservation was for you!

of pounds have been donated to a wide range of charities over the years. There are too many to mention here but one of there main recipients has been the Devon Air Ambulance, which has received more than £27,000 in donations which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is most impressive! On the day of the anniversary event, visitors enjoyed seeing old engines, farm vehicles, vintage tools and barn machinery plus, of course, an impressive turnout of members’ tractors of all colours. These included a pair of Fordson Fs in beautiful running order (a rare sight in itself), a superb Standard, a couple of E27Ns, a KFD Major, a narrow Super Dexta, a Pre-Force 3000 and, finally, a 95/100 Thomas, which was a delight to see. There was also a lovely display of impressive Ford and Fordson products covering 60 years or so of production. A speech from John Moore, our chairman, a formal toast and a slice of celebratory cake rounded-off what had been a perfect day.

Andrew Green, FFA Devon rep

IoW CHARITY ROAD RUN

A varied line-up of entrants on a stop during the run. What a splendid landscape for a road run.

The Isle of Wight Classic Tractors Charity Road Run took place on December 27th, 2022, and, following the record turn-out in 2021, I’m delighted to report that we managed to top that, with 72 tractors leaving the start site at Hale Manor.

The weather was kind, with even a little sunshine, although there was a fairly brisk breeze blowing – not unusual for the island! As there was such a varied range of tractors taking part – everything from 25hp little grey Fergies to giant, 300hp John Deeres – we allowed the smaller, classic tractors to set off first, followed by the bigger machines. As usual, the interesting route included a mixture of off- and on-road sections, and we are very grateful to the owners over whose land we crossed.

From Hale Common the convoy made its way across country to Merstone Lane, then crossed to Chequers Inn Lane and joined the Newport-to-Niton road. The tractors continued on to Cridmore Farm and Chillerton, then through Gatcombe to Bowcombe and along the road through Shorwell, Brighstone and Brook. Here we joined the Military Road and found our way to Compton

A Dexta leading the pack on a bright but chilly day on the Isle of Wight, with white cliffs behind.

  • Farm where we were refreshed by Anna Smith and her band of helpers. We’re grateful to everyone who helped us make this event possible, and I’m happy to report that the run raised £1,700 for charity. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and The Friends

  • of St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, will each receive £850. Our thanks also go to Needles Pleasure Cruises Ltd which kindly covered our insurance costs.

    David Lemonius, FFA Isle of Wight area rep

TRACTORS IN NEW ZEALAND

  • Greetings, once again, from Alberta in Western Canada. I note that 2023 is the year of the Rabbit in Chinese culture, which takes my mind back to when this was also the case in 1999 and we were all facing Y2K. The world was said to be in dire straits with global computer systems threatened by the arrival of the new millennium. Predictions suggested that everything was going to grind to a halt but, thankfully, such fears were unfounded. Now, here we are, almost a quarter of a century later, and our lives certainly aren’t any less complicated but overall, it’s been quite a ride!
       In November, in celebration of a milestone birthday, my wife Linda and I travelled to New Zealand for a month’s holiday. This was our third trip to that country, and we opted to limit our travels to the South Island this time. In the lead-up to our trip we’d contacted a couple of vintage tractor clubs, and I’d particularly like to recognise The New

  • Zealand Vintage Machinery Club Inc here, which is based in the Canterbury region, on the outskirts of Christchurch. We were warmly welcomed by president Dave Reynolds and vice John Hutchison, and joined club members as they participated in one of their weekly work days, during which machinery was being reorganised throughout the museum and display areas, following a show the previous weekend. In addition, the club – with a reported membership of 300 throughout both islands – operates a vast resource library of technical manuals. In conversation with the librarian, John (ably assisted by Bev), I failed to stump them in terms of resource manuals for even the most remote models! I was told that clubs throughout the country can access this resource library for any related manuals; a most valuable service, no doubt. It was a pleasure to interact with such

This Lepoard-engined N is presumably one of Reginald Tildesley’s conversions, built in Welshpool. It really is splendid.

A Fordson All Round; lovely to see the closed-centre rear tyres, even if the fronts aren’t the part.

The 1910 Garret Compound Condensing Engine; magnificent is an understatement!

  • a vibrant and welcoming group, and we’d planned a second visit to attend an open-house, pre-Christmas get together. But, due to Linda being unwell at the time, we had to forego that pleasure. Before our return to Canada, however, we were invited to spend a day with the other vice president, Wayne Dyer, together with his wife (and the club’s secretary) Gill, during which we toured a fellow club member’s collection. The club, at the time of our visit, was facing a dilemma as its ground maintenance tractor, a Nuffield 4/65, had been pronounced ‘terminally ill’. However, I’m happy to report that the selection committee had narroweddown the replacement options to either a Ford 4000 or a 5000 so, hopefully, they’ve been successful in sourcing a suitable model. The next vintage club visited during our travels was the Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum, which is located about 140km south-west of Christchurch. Its collection boasts more

  • than 2,000 exhibits, including a 1929 Spartan Biplane, over 100 tractors (from 1912 onwards) and more than 50 vintage and veteran cars dating from 1907. There are also numerous farm machinery pieces, motorcycles and recreation specimens etc. The Ford and Fordson brands are well represented, with the display including a 1938 Fordson N All Around and an even rarer 1938 N powered by a Leopard diesel engine; believed to be the only one surviving from the 28 originally produced. The Leopard diesel version preceded the Perkins P6 models and was rated at 75hp; a significant powerhorse for its day! An extensive Ford and Fordson toy/model collection – including a Ford-powered JCB loader/digger and an Ernest Doe Super Major duo combination – was also featured. Incidentally, the museum is entirely volunteer-run, with a work roster for the 80 or so members who maintain the facilities and exhibits. It was particularly impressive to be presented with our

  • signatures in the guest book from our visit four years earlier. Well done guys! The second club that we’d been in contact with was the Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club, based in the greater Invercargill area, close to the south coast. It was founded in 1956 and has the distinction of being New Zealand’s oldest such organisation. The club’s prized 1910 Garret compound condensing superheated stationary steam engine is believed to be the only operational model in the world, with just two others believed to survive in the UK from a total of 213 originally built. Records indicate that this engine was imported in 1911, to power a seedcleaning plant in Invercargill. In 1930 it was purchased by Terrace Gold Mining Ltd. and used to operate a water pump for some time. It was then resold and ended up as a power source at a saw mill in 1938, but was retired by 1958 in favour of a diesel-powered unit. Next it was bought by an enthusiast owner in 1973 then, finally, it became Thornbury

The Scott Paul collection, sadly languishing. There look to be some very nice tractors within the slowly-deteriorating group.

A Ferguson 65 fitted with Howard Roto Pads, usually seen on Howard trenchers and the like.

  • Club property in 2016. In the six years since, it’s been brought carefully back to life by

  • club member and licensed boiler engineer, Linton Strang. As with the Canterbury club, Thornbury conducts a weekly work Bee where facilities

and equipment are worked on. The organisation has undertaken a major upgrade of the ‘history of agriculture and lifestyles’ section in the museum, which now benefits from striking graphic design and professional media involvement, thanks to input from club president, Fraser Pearce. We were privileged to have seen the 1910 Garret up and running in addition to another Garret traction engine, and enjoyed a comprehensive tour of the many activities and exhibits of a thriving club. Among the many tractors in the collection we saw an E1A Major, a County Super 4, a 1924 Fordson F and a 1937 Fordson N. Also, I spotted quite an interesting Massey Ferguson 65 equipped with Howard Roto Pads, which I was told had recently been transferred from a Ford 4000. The club is active on social media with regular postings on Facebook highlighting its many activities (which include hosting regional ploughing championships and various fundraisers). Congratulations all – most definitely a club worth visiting. Finally, on our way back north towards Christchurch, we drove through a town called Milton, and revisited the Ford and Fordson tractor collection owned by Scott Paul. There are about 20 tractors on show, ranging from a

  • Ford 7600 to an E27N but, although the machinery was protected by a metal roof, the sides were open. As a result, I noticed a marked deterioration in the exhibits compared with how they were back in 2018. I was unable to determine any history on the status of the collection as, apparently, Scott Paul no longer lives in Milton. In closing, New Zealand is a beautiful and scenic country boasting quite a range of terrain, from the majestic Southern Alps to the volcanic areas of the North Island. As such, it’s well worth considering as a relaxed holiday

  • destination. Driving is pleasurable with low traffic densities outside the urban centres, and traffic regulations are routinely enforced and adhered to. Ultra-modern farming practices are evident everywhere, with the main Canterbury Plains and Invercargill districts most notable on the South Island. Being in the Southern hemisphere, a trip down there in November-December is certainly a fitting treatment for in shortening one’s Canadian winter woes!

    Ian West, FFA Canada rep

EARLY ISSUES,
PLEASE?

Nick Wright tells us that he’s searching for some early editions of this magazine. In particular he wants to buy copies of issues 3, 4, 5 and 6. If you’re able to help him, please give him a call on 07710 018958, or send an email to: n.wright57nick@ hotmail.co.uk

THE PERFECT CARD

Edward Lea’s grandchildren with his Fordson Dexta make a charming family group. It’s always good to start them young!

  • Ford & Fordson Association member Edward Lea has been in touch with the news that he used a photograph of his three grandsons on his Dexta as a

  • Christmas card. The Dexta was bought in 1958 by Thomas Lea, Edward’s father. They retired from farming in 1988, and the

  • tractor was then rebuilt by Edward. Now he’s delighted to report that interest in the tractor continues via his three grandchildren who are (left to right) Guy (6), James (11) and Dylan (9).

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2023 114

F&FT 2023 - Issue 114

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, offers another essential selection of news and views from in and around the enthusiastic FFA

TRACTOR WORLD, MALVERN

many of you will be displaying your exhibits on the FFA stand. The club’s AGM will be held on Saturday the 11th, at 4.30pm in the Pavilion, so

please do join us to hear how your club is progressing. The meeting typically lasts for about 40 minutes, so you’ll have had plenty of time to purchase your items in the sale by then!

There’s always so much to see and enjoy at the Tractor World show; for many it’s the real season-opener, so don’t forget to come and see us on the FFA stand!

There’s always so much to see and enjoy at the Tractor World show; for many it’s the real season-opener, so don’t forget to come and see us on the FFA stand!

NEW WEBSITE!

The FFA’s new website (fordandfordson.co.uk) is now up and running, courtesy of Promonet Ltd, Kent, and we hope that you fi nd it easy to navigate, and that it contains all of the information you might need. In case of errors, please contact Jane Broomhall, the club secretary/ treasurer, who can be reached on 07884 115089.

Lots of work has gone into the FFA’s new website. Let us know what you think of all the improvements.

NEWARK VINTAGE TRACTOR & HERITAGE SHOW

Some of the Industrial tractors provide a splash of yellow at Newark. This photo was taken during the display build-up.

Well, where to begin? This was a fantastic show which took place on November 5th-6th at the Newark Showground, in Nottinghamshire.
   Things got off to a great start thanks to the very impressive entrance display. The doors into the feature marquee and the FFA’s stand within were flanked by some impressive giants of the classic tractor world. Richard Mason’s Muir Hill 171, John Brown’s County 1884 and John Hayward’s incredible, homemade Doe (complete with eightfurrow Ransomes plough on the back) set the tone brilliantly for the treats on display inside.
   But that wasn’t all there was in front of the marquee, as visitors were also wowed by members’ lorries. One of these was carrying the front and rear axles from a Fordson N, but without an engine in sight. It was a very different display, and just what was needed to grab the attention.
  The marquee housed both Ford and Fordson tractors plus many interesting derivatives. The majority of machines on show belonged to club members, and included an impressive variety of both ages and types. Those present included everything from Fordson Fs and Ns right through to a modern, New Holland T6 model.
  There was a rare Fordson N water washer but, interestingly, it was a narrow variant. This tractor was purposely placed beside a New Holland T5 to demonstrate to visitors the evolution of the tractor over the years. There

An ‘unfinished project’ perhaps loaded on a Fordson Thames outside the tent?

Skid steer loader comparison; visually not as much of a difference as with other models.

Linda Brumpton’s Fordson Major, which won the Best Ford & Fordson in the Show award at Newark.

A general view inside the marquee at Newark, showing the interesting diversity of exhibits on display for visitors to enjoy.

One didn’t have to walk too far to compare model differences, and all in the dry, too!

were enough Industrial versions on show to field a mini-display mainly in bright yellow. John Brown had brought his Ford skid-steer loader, and Linc’s Motors brought the latest New Holland version; they looked a bit similar until you noticed the cab and all the electronics on the newer machine.
  Congratulations to member Linda Brumpton on winning the Newark Trophy for the Best Ford & Fordson in Show, with a 1959 Fordson Major. The club awarded certificates – as is usual at the larger shows – to the winners of the following categories:   
  1. Best Commercial: Paul Thundercliffe, his artwork and decals on the lorry were stunning.
  2. The Concours Class: Matthew Newberry, a junior member with his Ford 8N. Well done! We need to encourage the younger generation into the hobby.
  3. Tractor & Implement Class: Ashley Clough with his original Ford 3000 and Ransomes sprayer. How sprayers have changed from his version!
  4. The Tractor the Judge Would Like to Take Home: Colin Peart’s very smart Ford 8630.
  5. The Most Original Tractor: Richard and Jo Turner’s superb Ford 5000.
   Overall, the club managed to muster 71 exhibits for display on the stand, which is a record for Newark. That is a tremendous achievement and I’d like to thank all of those who put in so much time and effort to make the show the resounding success that it was.
   You’ll all be pleased to hear that the FFA itself enjoyed an excellent weekend, with 67 new members and renewals being signed-up over the weekend. Happily, merchandise sales were also at record levels, which helps enormously with the on-going success and growth of the club.
  In the Stevenson Hall there was a large and varied display of Fordson

John Hayward’s massive, homemade Doe, complete with eight-furrow Ransomes plough behind.

A lovely Fordson N with a trailer designed for tractors, rather than a horse conversion.

Top of the range! Richard Mason’s Muir Hill 171 and John Brown’s County 1884 during set-up at Newark.

The award for Best Commercial went to Paul Thundercliffe; what stunning art work!

Junior member Matthew Newberry won the concours class with his Ford 8N. The award was accepted by his grandad!

The Best Tractor & Implement award was won by Ashley Clough, with his original Ford 3000 and Ransomes sprayer.

This was the tractor that the judges wanted to take home – Colin Peart’s superb Ford 8630.

The award for the Most Original Tractor went to Richard and Jo Turner’s Ford 5000.

THANKS PHIL!

Pat Pawsey, FFA chairman

On members’ behalf, we really must thank Phil and his band of supporters for all the hard work they devoted to organising the FFA’s fine stand at the Newark show, and liaising with the showground management. It was a truly splendid display which helped create a wonderful atmosphere inside the marquee. But, as Phil rightly said, none of it would have been possible without the co-operation and help of so many members who kindly brought their tractors to the event; so well done, one and all.

Ian Prince’s chain bridge-hauling Power Major came to the rescue of a stuck lorry at Newark.

Major E1A tractors, some of which were being exhibited by FFA members. Also, while not ‘blue’, over the road from our marquee was a great display of – I think – 13 Massey Ferguson 1200s plus, in another direction across the showground, a sea of green in the shape of a large group of Field-Marshalls.
  However, we were all so busy on the FFA stand that I can’t comment on the rest of the show as I didn’t get the chance

to see much else. Nevertheless, it was good to meet up with friends from all over the UK, Southern Ireland, and a few who were visiting from elsewhere in Europe. It’s always good to enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit with fellow enthusiasts! Late on Sunday afternoon, as we were packing up, a lorry driver came in looking for help. He’d got his six-wheeler stuck on the showground so, with all the big tractors having already disappeared,

FFA committee member Ian Prince had his Fordson Major volunteered to lend a hand. His tractor is fitted with a winch on the front, and spent most of its working life hauling a chain bridge. However, that wasn’t needed on this occasion, and the Major itself was perfectly capable of rescuing the stranded lorry, much to the relief of the happy driver!

Phil Gibson, FFA Roving rep

CANADA CALLING!

Am I no longer rational? Well, please read on! Here we are again with another year ticked-off; where, oh where, does the time go? Anyway, it’s been a monumental year on a number of fronts. Thankfully, I’m hoping the wretched Covid is well and truly in the rear view mirror now, and it’s good news that the most recent variants seem so much less of a problem. As the overall travel health risk diminished, my wife and I seized the opportunity to travel to Ireland for a family wedding last July. As luck would have it, this allowed us the privilege of attending the Ossory Agricultural Show at Rathdowney, in County Laois, where we enjoyed seeing vintage trucks, cars and tractors. This was a one-day event and clearly the level of organisation needed to coordinate the variety of events, vehicles and catering outlets for the show was monumental!
  In particular, on account of my passion for the vintage tractor component, I would like to recognise two clubs present; the Raheeny Club from the host county, and the North

Ian West (left) sharing the craic with a Raheen Club member during last summer’s visit to the Emerald Isle.

Ian back in Canada with his latest project. We look forward to progress reports on this one!

Tipperary Vintage Club from the adjoining county. The Raheeny Club was exhibiting some fine examples of the Ford brand, with lots of vehicles from the mid-1960s era. Many of the owners that I spoke to were very friendly and also evidently extremely proud of the vehicles they were showing. In some respects it was a shame that the whole thing was over in a day, as I could have happily spent a lot more time viewing and chatting at this wonderful show – well done indeed, Ossory! In the lead-up to the July holiday here on the farm, we experienced a really wet period between June and mid- July. However, upon our return it was a completely different story. From mid-

August through to the end of October we experienced temperatures that, on many occasions, were well into the 30°C range, resulting in reduced crop yields during the critical kernel-filling stage.

But the redeeming feature of those high temperatures and the associated lack of rainfall, was the almost ideal harvesting conditions created. This eliminated the need for grain drying, as we’d had to do for the past four years in a row. Soil moisture reserves here in Central Alberta are now at record lows as we head into winter and normal fall cultivations are an integral part of our cropping practices. But this year cultivating the bulk of our acreage had to be abandoned as the implements simply couldn’t penetrate under such dry conditions.

One positive aspect of the mild autumn was that it afforded the ideal opportunity to thoroughly winterise all the farm equipment in preparation for winter storage. Over the years I’ve found it critical to routinely change the long-life antifreeze to ensure that concentrations remain at the correct level, thus allowing the important additive compounds within these solutions to do their essential preservation work. Antifreeze concentration is routinely diluted to 60%, providing freeze-protection down to approximately -55°C.

Another winter protection practice is to remove all power equipment batteries

Vintage harvest at Westlock. Interesting to see the blower straw discharge from the thresher.

and store them separately. Due to the extreme temperatures experienced here, even the power draw needed to maintain an in-cab digital clock over the coldest winter months will deplete battery charge to the point where it will freeze and then split, rendering it absolutely useless. As well as writing-off the battery, this causes a terrible mess, with battery acid spilling over all nearby surfaces. Where bulk farm fuels are used here, it’s also critical to ensure diesel is of a ‘winter grade’ to prevent gelling. With petrol-powered vehicles, another must is to minimise the incidence of allowing fuel tanks to run routinely lower than half to minimise moisture build-up. Fuel line antifreeze (methyl hydrate) should be regularly added to a fuel fill to prevent this. All summer long I’ve been actively searching for a winter restoration project, which ideally would have been a Ford 3000. By mid-August I’d found a couple of possibilities that were to be sold at an upcoming online farm dispersal auction. One was a

1967 diesel Select-O-Speed model in a reasonable overall mechanical condition. It seemed to tick most of the boxes, despite the SoS transmission. The second possibility was a petrolpowered model with the standard, eight-speed gearbox, although it sounded as though there was a bucketfull of spilled nuts and bolts adrift in the sump! Subsequently, during the bidding process, it became readily apparent that the Ford brand was commanding much more of a premium than I could justify, regardless of the future potential, so the search continued. By early September I’d found what I considered to be a suitable alternative, in the form of a 1960 Massey Ferguson 35, fitted with the Perkins 3-152 diesel engine, and I was the successful bidder at the auction. While this tractor was listed in the sales literature as a nonrunner, I had the opportunity to check its condition in advance of the auction. While it definitely lacked a ‘good character’ appearance, I recognised a much greater overall potential. So far – I’m at the mid-stage of disassembly

of the motor and driveline components – it hasn’t revealed any insurmountable calamities, so fingers crossed it’ll be OK. Now, of course, the big question is whether or not I’ve lost my marbles by deviating from the Ford camp? Do readers feel that, in order to regain credibility with the Association, I should paint the new tractor blue? In the meantime, I’ll await your verdict with some trepidation. Finally, in early October, our local vintage club hosted a vintage harvest event, which included a variety of machinery including a John Deere PTO-operated reaper and binder pulled by a Massey Harris 44. Also, there was a John Deere thresher powered by an Allis Chalmers. Sheaves from the about three acres of wheat were collected with a four-wheeled wagon pulled by a Ford 8N and, in the end, three wagon loads were retained for future demonstration purposes. That’ll be something I look forward to seeing at the annual June show later this year.

Ian West, FFA Canada rep

SCOTTISH EVENTS REMEMBERED

Robbie Ironside’s award-winning Fordson N and Dexta on the Club stand at New Byth. An idyllic show setting.

The Ironside family – the North of Scotland FFA reps – attended rallies, road runs and open days from early May to the end of September in 2022. These included everything from the

Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club weekend rally at Scone Palace near Perth, right up to the Laigh o’ Moray Rally at Burghead near Elgin in Moray, plus lots of events at other locations in between.

Ford & Fordson Association members came with their tractors to display on the stand, some at their local rallies and others at most of the rallies. These enthusiasts help

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2023 113

F&FT 2023 - Issue 113

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, offers another essential selection of news and views from in and around the enthusiastic FFA

The Ford & Fordson Association is your club, and its success is totally the result of the members’ support and hard work. Make no mistake, it’s wholly reliant on your backing and, without it, the organisation would cease to exist. That’s not to say it’s all work and no play, though, as both members and those on the committee enjoy friendships built up over the years, meeting likeminded people at shows, road runs, ploughing matches and other events. Not to mention the immensely valuable information that’s freely available to members on virtually any subject, from a particular technical problem to where to track-down that elusive part.

   Committee members don’t receive expenses for traveling to events or for sustenance; they are only reimbursed for direct ‘out of pocket’ expenditure made on the club’s behalf, such as the cost of stationery and postage. This is why, even before Covid, we held committee meetings at shows to reduce travelling costs and, during the restricted period, via Zoom. It’s also why we decided to move the AGM – with members’ agreement – to a show event, to encourage member attendance and thereby reduce costs too.
   As the cost of living rises and environmental concerns mount, we’re all under pressure to reduce consumption. Fuel is particularly expensive and, in future, the club will attend fewer events

that have several of the committee present. This will mean that if you wish the club to have a stand at your favourite show, you must speak to your local representative to organise it, or simply consider doing it yourself. Often, I expect, committee members will also be there and will certainly make materials available for the event. In some areas this is already happening and works very well, but there’s no doubt that this will become the ‘new normal’.
  With increasing membership numbers and an excellent magazine, your club’s future is bright and, with your continuing help and support, the club will fl ourish. BUT your involvement is crucial!

Pat Pawsey, FFA chairman

THE GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR

The GDSF made a welcome return this year (August 25th-29th), and didn’t disappoint for Ford and Fordson enthusiasts, with plenty of variations on display in the static tractor section, and also among those in the working fi eld.
  There was a very interesting 1937 steel-wheeled Fordson Model ‘N’ waterwasher, owned by Tony Donovan from East Sussex. This tractor was converted by Weeks of Maidstone to a narrow width for orchard and vineyard use. The different parts are the front axle, the wheels and the rear wings.
   Tony Rossiter, age 77, has been making the 50-mile journey from Ashcott, near Glastonbury, to Tarrant Hinton for many years on his 1948 Fordson Major E27N, to take part in the working tractor section at the event. His Fordson is fi tted with a Perkins L4 engine and was pulling a two-furrow plough through the stubble fi eld during the fi ve-day show.
  Well done to Thelma Holland, from Yeovil, who won the John Everett

Tony Donovan’s 1937 N water-washer by Weeks, in the working fi eld at Dorset.

Memorial Trophy with her 1989 Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee in the working tractors section. Congratulations also to Tom Bryne from Shepton Mallet, who won The

Thelma Holland’s Silver Jubilee 7810 was the winner of the John Everett Memorial Trophy at the GDSF.

Fordson Prize with his 1955 J17 Roadless crawler in the static tractor section. This tractor was purchased

Tom Bryne’s Roadless J17 was bought in poor condition back in 2011, but has been beautifully restored by him since then.

in 2011, in very poor condition, and he restored it over six years, making any of the parts need himself, by hand.

We also noticed the beautifullyrestored 1963 Fordson Super Dexta, exhibited by Jim and Michaella Robb, who travelled all the way from Angus, in Scotland, for the show. This tractor was restored by Michaella and her father during early 2000.
  Rob Jenkins, from Bristol, was showing a very interesting 1945 Fordson half-track, fitted with Rotopad Tracks for 100% ground pressure relief. A very well-restored 1942 Fordson ‘N’ Rowcrop was also on display, owned by Alan Anderson, from Lancashire.
  Many show visitors – including FFA members – were very pleased to see dedicated members Margaret and Derek Badham, selling FFA merchandise and memberships on the club stand.

THE DUTCH FFA PLOUGHING MATCH

Roel Mennega was the overall winner at the Dutch FFA ploughing match, with his Fordson Dexta and Dreesman plough.

This event was held on September 17th at Zeijerveld Drenthe, in the Netherlands, by kind permission of the Fam van der Spoel.

While there were some experienced ploughmen competing, for others this event was their first match, so

Jans Stevens was the event organiser and reversible class winner, with his Power Major and Rumpstad plough.

the novices were put next to a good ploughman for some advice, and that worked well. When all the plots were finished it was time to clean the ploughs and tractors and wait for the judges to announce the results.
   The winners were as follows: Mounted class – Roel Mennega with Dexta and Dreesman plough; Reversible class – Jans Stevens with Power Major and Rumpstad plough.
  In spite of the weather, we had a fine day of ploughing and I hope to see you all again next year!

Gerard Schoenmakers, FFA Netherlands rep

However, instead of the good weather forecast, we had very heavy showers and some ploughmen decided not to attend. As there was only one trailer plough, it was put in the mounted class, and there was a reversible class.   
Twenty-one ploughmen went to the field and, every now and then, had to take cover behind their tractors from the heavy showers! The soil was sandy and good to plough, and natural drainage was good so the rain was quickly dispersed.

WHITWELL STEAM &
AGRICULTURAL SHOW

This year’s show, which took place on June 11th-12th, enjoyed a very good entry, with 148 tractors, of which 53 were Ford or Fordson machines. These included Roadless, Super Majors, Standards, Countys, 4,000s, Dextas and E27Ns.
  The show was well organised by the committee and their supporters and, on both days, it was a pleasure to see so many tractors parading around the ring. Two machines that stood out were a Fordson Perkins V8 turbocharged producing 240hp (with PTO), owned by

B Campbell from Bedfordshire, and a County crawler owned by Ron Garrett, from Hertfordshire.
I believe that this show is the best supported of its type in Hertfordshire (in terms of tractors attending), so congratulations to the organisers for a lovely weekend that was enjoyed by all. Speaking to Richard Hill (the event chairman), it looks like the Garden House Hospice and Sue Ryder will be receiving financial support again this year.

John Worley, FFA Hertfordshire rep

Another Perkins V8 conversion! There do seem to be a lot of these around nowadays.

A County full track and box; not often seen together, but here they were at Whitwell.

SHOW AT THE MOW

Bob Creed’s 1961 Dexta, recently ‘imported’ from the Isle of Wight

This event, which took place near Wimborne, is The East Dorset Trac Pack’s annual show, and is supported by the FFA, and it provides an opportunity for the local public to get up close and personal with many of the tractors they’ve seen on recent runs.
  A great selection of machines attended (from up to about 20 miles away), although the number of spectators was a little down on last year, almost certainly due to the oppressive temperature. Plenty of shelter from the sun was provided, and this gave people the opportunity to chat

with old friends, and seek opinions on mechanical issues. Dorset Tractors provided a welcome addition to the lineup, with its Ford 7700 and concours, 1968 Zetor 4011.
   This was a free-entry show, but a bucket for loose change donations made the rounds collecting money for the local Friends of Victoria Hospital, in Wimborne, with the total received being about £230. This was helped by the Trac Pack’s ‘whip ‘round’ made on its last run.
   This event was a great team effort by all involved, so I should finish with a big ‘thank you’ to all those who gave their time, despite the tropical conditions!

John Maiden, FFA Dorset rep

DACORUM STEAM RALLY

A V12 ex-Russian tank engine-powered Major; something rather different spotted at the Dacorum Steam Rally.

Held on July 30th-31st at Potten End, in Hertfordshire, this was the first time this event had taken place in three years, following the lifting of Covid restrictions. Consequently, I wondered if there would be a good turnout of tractors and other exhibits, but I needn’t have worried; there were over 60 tractors, of which 20 were Ford or Fordson machines.

Two tractors stood out for me; a Fordson Major V8 producing 240hp, and a Fordson Major fitted with a Russian tank engine from the Second World War era. Both machines are owned by Billy Campbell, who comes from Bedford.

After the parade of tractors on Sunday, I asked for photographs to be taken of all Ford and Fordson exhibits and, hopefully, these will be seen in future editions of the magazine. It was the first show for the new secretary and her team, and all seemed to go well over the weekend leaving the exhibitors happy but exhausted. Well done everyone!

John Worley

STATESIDE COLLECTORS

The USA Ford & Fordson Collectors Association’s annual show was held on September 8th-11th, as part of the Missouri River Valley Steam Engine Association Show, at Boonville, in Missouri. In the US it’s customary to hold annual club shows as a guest of an established show. There was an excellent turn-out

of over 175 Ford and Fordson tractors of all sizes and ages; some that readers would easily recognise and others that may look a little more exotic to the UK eye! The FFA had a good club stand selling merchandise, and held daily tutorials on the Ford hydraulic system. On Friday evening there was a member’s banquet

Ford 981 Select-O-Speed fitted with a mounted twin-row maize cob picker.

with a raffle and the usual awards being presented, including one for the person who’d hauled their tractor the farthest. There was also the ‘Misfortune Award’, which is given to the member who broke down on the way to the show.

There was a pulling competition and I was delighted to see many Fords taking part in this. The thing that always amazes me at these shows is the dedication of the members, as well as the distances they travel to get to events like this one. I spoke to several members that had hauled their tractors well over a 1,000 miles each way. Now that’s dedication!

A Ford 600; this model’s ‘red tiger’ engine was LPG-fuelled.

LINCOLNSHIRE WORKING WEEKEND

Richard Mason’s restored Doe 130; a really impressive piece of kit.

The club held a working weekend at Hibalstow, on land kindly loaned by C&M Anyan, and organised by Gary Capp and Barrie Mumby. The land was only available for one weekend at very short notice, so we were only able to advertise the event on Facebook and by word of mouth. Nevertheless, we attracted a varied selection of tractors, ranging from an E27N right up to a New Holland T7 loaned by Lincs Motors, and there were all sorts of models in between. Two tractors that really caught my eye were an E27N P6 crawler pulling a drag, and a very rare Mailam based on a 5000 skid unit; this is only a 65hp machine, but it was pulling around two

tons of Ransomes Hexatrac plough at a good pace! My dad always used to say ‘make sure your plough points aren’t too worn!’ Barrie Mumby had brought his 5000 and TS90 for me to scratch out headlands etc, and ‘scratch’ was all I was able to do in the hard ground (see photo of points), but he turned up that night with some new ones, which were much better. It was good to see a restored Doe 130 owned by Richard Mason, who wasn’t afraid to use it in the way its designers had intended. In all we had about 20 tractors ploughing, and more spectators than we’d expected, with everyone enjoying

A P6-engined County full track pulling a drag; an ideal combination avoiding compaction.

Jamie Shaw-Brown’s 5000-based Mailam and Ransomes Hexatrac plough.

Barry Munby’s ‘pre-loved’ plough shears; certainly not much conjur!

the chance to get back on the land. Hopefully we’ll be able to use this land again next year, with a bit more advanced notice regarding the date. But, for the time being, many thanks to everyone who brought their tractors.

Phil Gibson, FFA Roving rep

71ST BRITISH NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

View of the FFA’s plots at the start of the championships; it certainly looks to be ploughman’s land

This year’s competition took place on October 8th-9th, with His Grace the Duke of Devonshire kindly supplying land at Glapwell, in Derbyshire, which is part of the Chatsworth Estate. It was excellent land all over the site, and something very rare happened that weekend; I didn’t hear competitors complaining about the conditions! I decided to go to the site on Thursday as the weather was forecast to be bad on Friday; a good decision as it turned out. Friday was windy and very wet, with most people in the trade stand area having to be towed around the site. Some of our members supported the club by bringing tractors for the

stand, and we had 10 members ploughing in the FFA class. The standard of workmanship was excellent, as it should be for a national competition. Our two stewards for the match were concerned by the red chair on Richard Wilson’s plough (see photo), wondering if it was a legal attachment, and thinking his wife – Audrey – would be sitting on it working the ploughs handles! Thanks go to our stewards, Brian Hancock and Matthew Stone, and to everyone else who helped me on what turned out to be a very busy club stand over the weekend; members had travelled from all over the UK and Ireland.

His Grace the Duke of Devonshire and the Duchess with FFA prize-winners Tim Easter and John Lewis.

Harry Williams, known to many of you, unusually seen here on a Fordson N.

Richard Wilson’s red chair.

Congratulations must go to John Lewis who won the FFA Trophy. Second place went to Tim Easter and Roger Ingham finished third. To the rest, keep practising and better luck next year when we’ll be in Somerset for the Nationals!

Phil Gibson, FFA Roving rep

EASTERN COUNTIES VINTAGE SHOW

I’m pleased to report the return of this event, instigated originally by the late Roger Desborough, who is sadly missed. The show was held over the weekend of October 8th-9th, at the Norfolk Showground, just west of Norwich. Once again, the FFA had a stand with refreshments and merchandise available to members. With my Ford Cargo still out of test, the only way to exhibit any of my tractors was to drive them there – only 18 miles. I thought about taking my E27N L4, then remembered its last outing to Marsham and decided to take a red one! We had a great display of Ford and Fordson tractors, so much so that we filled our allocated space and encroached on the Ferguson contingent.

Ian Prince brought his ex-ferry Power Major with its winch and crane loader attachments, which was positioned outside our FFA hall, and provided a great way to find the club stand. There were a number of national clubs exhibiting, including the International Harvester Heritage Association, Case IH, Stradsett NVTEC and my local one, The Old Ram Tractor Club. As the name of the show suggests, if it was vintage or classic, there was something for everyone to enjoy; cars, motor bikes, stationary engines, hotrods and trucks. The truck display was one of the largest I’ve seen at any show. A new addition in the main hall was a large craft section with traders able to display their goods in a comfortable,

dry environment. Outside there were numerous trade stands selling tools, spare parts and ‘man cave accessories’. Whatever your taste in food, it was catered for by the various offerings. The autojumble took place on Sunday, and many enjoyed the opportunity to pile their trailers and, for a small fee, park in the designated area and, hopefully, sell out. It proved very popular, and I managed to buy a pair of headlights for a tenner.
  Overall it was a great weekend, and I should extend a big ‘thank you’ to the organisers for all their hard work. Let’s hope there will be a show in 2023; the current feedback is promising.

Keith Broomhall, FFA East Anglian rep

Ray Godwin’s Dexta fitted with a Ford V6 2.8-litre petrol engine, at the Eastern Counties Vintage Show.

A FRENCH EXPERIENCE

Probably a 2N with a Ferguson derivative beside it, basking in French sunshine.

Very little happens in this part of Burgundy, in east-central France, as far as tractors are concerned. Yes, it’s very rural and tractors abound – usually travelling very fast on our narrow roads! – but they are mostly modern and often green, so don’t hold the same interest for me as the blue variety does. So, when an enquiry arrived from Jean-Paul Estivie, secretary of the Club Ferguson-France last January, requesting information about parts he needed for his Ford/Ferguson 9N, this attracted my interest as I know very little about this model.
  My first move was to pass on the query directly to Pat Pawsey who, with his usual efficiency in finding the right people to help, dealt with the issue. However, not only did Jean-Paul send me a copy of the club’s magazine, he also invited me to its AGM which, this year, took place on May 14th in the village of Festigny, not far from my home here in the Yonne.
  I arrived bright and early at the Gîte ‘Ferm du Bois la Dame’ where I found a large number of very smart campervans parked around the house. As I approached, I saw a very large, red tractor of the MF variety, plus four

others parked in a row. The first was a Ferguson type ‘A’ painted black, the next was a Ford/Ferguson 2N, the third was an unrestored TE-A 20 (complete with side mower) and the final one was a fairly well-restored TE-A 20. Elsewhere there were several other MF tractors, including a number of garden ones. There was very large crowd of delegates, each with a badge indicating the department they represented. I was taken into an enormous building that had once been a barn – but is now used for functions such as weddings – and was introduced to Jean-Paul, who was a rather elderly gentleman. We talked for a while and he told me that he was preparing an article on the differences between the 9N and the 2N. Most owners believe they have a 9N when, in fact, the Ford/Fergusons only arrived in France in 1946, so would almost certainly have been 2Ns. This was somewhat fortuitous, as I’d taken the liberty of translating part of the article Is it a 9N or a 2N?, which appeared in issue 108 of this magazine. Although my French isn’t too bad, the meeting was quite long-winded; having started at 9.30, it went on until 11. The only person I recognised – André Villiers,

Député de l’Yonne et agriculteur (local government deputy and grower of cereals) – talked until about 11.45, after which there were questions. At last, at 12.30, the 120 or so guests were offered an apéritif, followed by lunch. At this point I was hoping to slip away, but was taken to the top table where the club’s two presidents (both past and present), M Villiers and others were already seated. I was so grateful to find myself seated next to Jean-Paul and his very pleasant wife, who both put me at my ease and made the rather extended lunch much more pleasant. Although I found the whole experience quite daunting – I’m not gregarious by nature – I do wonder how such a meeting might have gone down in the UK? After all, this was a threeday trip for the delegates, requiring two coaches for trips for wine-tasting, a visit to the mediaeval Castle of Guédelon plus food and drinks at a cost of €160 per person! By the way, my thanks to Jane Broomhall for the fleece I ordered as well as the application forms and club stickers that I duly passed on.

Martin Carley, FFA France rep

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112

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2022 Issue 112

F&FT 2022 - Issue 112

Association chairman, Pat Pawsey, offers another essential selection of news and views from in and around the enthusiastic FFA

Tractor registrations: Applications for both age-related and to retain existing registration marks, continue unabated. The DVLA and other government agencies constantly review the procedures and the evidence they require to validate an application and to prevent abuse, (eg tax avoidance) or the creation of ‘new’ vehicles from parts – the practice of taking a genuine vehicle and breaking it to make two or three replacements. A registration mark is unique to a vehicle, and isn’t reissued except if the DVLA knows that it’s been scrapped or permanently exported.
     In the previous issue I warned that the loss of a VIN plate could mean that the only option is a ‘Q’ plate. Of course, years ago before standardisation, manufacturers chose

how to identify their products. As a general rule, motorcycles were identifi ed by a frame number, and other vehicles by a number stamped on the chassis or, in Ford’s case, usually by the engine number. However, engines wear out fi rst and are often replaced, resulting in the loss of the VIN identifi cation. So, to preserve the original identity, Ford instructed that replacement engines should be stamped with the old number when fi tted but, unfortunately, this wasn’t often done.
     I must comply with the DVLA’s regulations, both to avoid jeopardising our club’s relationship with the organisation, and to ensure the integrity of previous registrations I’ve done. I’ve spoken to other clubs’ representatives about the problem, and to Ian Edmunds (FBHVC) for his advice.

When it’s possible to date the vehicle by other means, a letter should be written explaining both the loss of the original VIN number and the methodology used for dating the vehicle. The applicant then sends that to the DVLA, applying for a new VIN number. Once received, it should be stamped on the vehicle and evidence supplied, and an age-related registration mark should then be issued.
   If you need help to register your vehicle, please email the name and address it’s to be registered to, a contact number plus the make and model. If it’s been previously registered, the registration mark, together with any evidence to support that, should be sent via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pat Pawsey, FFA chairman

ALBERTA UPDATE

You’ll be pleased to note the FFA’s fl ag got its initial showing at our Westlock Vintage Tractor & Machinery show, held on the fi rst weekend in June. After a two-year lapse, the show was a reasonable success; the weather cooperated but tractor numbers were down, in part due to a mindset of focusing on pre-1960s models.
   The photograph here shows four of my Fords; a 1953 Ford Jubilee, a 1961

Super Major, a 1975 Ford 8600 and a 1986 Ford 4610. In total, eight Ford/ Fordson models represented the brand but, unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to park them together as a group.
   The weather here is currently a far cry from how it was in 2021. It’s been generally cool and wet since early June. As a result, the crops are at least three weeks behind, and I haven’t been able to

complete the spraying because it’s been too wet. In addition, we had a hailstorm that passed through the local area on Sunday, which set the crops back even further due, primarily, to the defoliation of cereal crops during the pre-flag leaf stage. Recent reports suggest June rainfall is set to be a record for the Edmonton area, with last year being a record drought!
  I was pleased to note in glancing

through the other articles, that the Malvern Three Counties event will revert back to March next year, so perhaps we’ll be able to attend. In the meantime, our holiday trailer stays parked, hay fields need cutting and a trip to Ireland for a family wedding beckons, assuming all the stars align in the meantime!

Ian West, FFA rep, Canada

ROYAL ISLE OF WIGHT
COUNTY SHOW

A very nice pair of narrow-winged Fordson Ns, both with Isle of Wight registration marks.

This event, which took place on June 25th-26th and used to boast the patronage of Queen Victoria, saw about 38 tractors and their enthusiastic owners in attendance.
    Our group included more than a dozen Fordson exhibits, among which were a very nice pair of wartime Standards, a range of Fordson Majors and a 1960s Super Dexter. The majority of the tractors on show are Isle of Wightregistered (DL), illustrating the fact that many haven’t strayed far from home during their long lives.
    We paraded in the main arena each day, and it was great to be back on show in front of a crowd that evidently appreciated our display.

Ian Rann

Two Majors, one a Super Major (NB yellow paint doesn’t necessarily mean an Industrial model!)

THREE OF A KIND IN DORSET

The ex-Althorp saw bench powered by a Power Major; it looks like break time!

The West Bay Vintage Rally (June 10th- 12th) was bathed in glorious sunshine, which swelled the numbers of exhibitors, participants and visitors. This event’s idyllic location – about 300 yards from West Bay’s classic West Country harbour – is also a big draw for visitors.
  There were 51 tractors and 90 stationary engines listed in the programme but, as is usually the case, the number of machines actually present was far higher. Commentary in the arena was provided by Somerset folklore hero, Ivor James, who is famous for his appearances on Channel 5’s Tractor World. He did an excellent job, offering an

enjoyable mix of factual information and his own brand of West Country humour.
   Among the interesting tractor exhibits, I spotted everything from a tiny, 1926 Austin Light Tractor to a concours, 1981 Roadless, complete with Howard rotovator. The working section was of particular interest for many, with a Marshall thresher with reed comber working away, and a late Power Major driving a 1900s saw bench that’s believed to have been used on Earl Spencer’s estate at Althorp.
   The Chickerell Steam & Vintage Show (July 2nd-3rd) didn’t attract anything like the 100 tractors that it had been

A pair of P6-engined tractors; an English E27N and one back from Down Under.

Rumoured were going to attend. Instead, I counted about 28 and, for some reason, none were listed in the programme.

A Roadless 9804 built by Jewelltrack, with a Howard rotovator.

The 1926 Austin ‘Light’ tractor that John admired at the West Bay Rally; a little gem!

A good looking Roadless 120. The E1A Cat conversion can just be seen further down the line.

A Ford 9000 still in its working clothes, at Chickerell.

Grey clouds hovered above the showground – near Weymouth – for much of Saturday, delivering some light rain. Nevertheless, the attendance was good, as was the number of steam and transport exhibitors present. Many of the tractors present belonged to the usual West Dorset exhibitors, with some interesting, rustic quality on show as always. There were some nice, blue machines with a splash of grey and orange, and I couldn’t help noticing a beast of a CAT 3408-engined

Major (love them or hate them?) plus a lovely Roadless 120 and a Ford 9000.
   Finally, the Pilford Transport Heritage Show at Wimborne (July 9th-10th) was a great event, despite the dust! This was the first show here since 2019 and it’s just a shame that the farmer hadn’t sown the grass a few months earlier so that the area could have benefited from a thicker covering and less dust.
   Although only 38 tractors made the programme there was, in fact, a great turnout of 80, of all colours. A full-blown Ford 8700 tractor puller was idling and towed around the arena by Ricky Bailey on his Major. Unfortunately, he broke down, so both had to be towed away together by a nearby Ploughmaster!
   The parade of tractors filled the arena on both days and Robson James (son of Ivor James) provided the commentary, during which he interviewed me about the attributes of the Ford & Fordson Association.
   We were certainly glad to be based upwind of the arena when the military vehicles – including Scorpion light tanks and other tracked vehicles – started kicking-up the dust! All-in-all, it was a great and enjoyable weekend, despite the dust!

John Maiden, FFA Dorset rep

A pair of 6D Fordson Traders in good order in the Chickerell lorry line.

HARVEST AND SHOWS IN DEVON

Super Dextas at the Devon County Show. The one on the right is an unusual narrow version.

The sun has been shining and we’re well and truly into summer as I write. Compared with other areas, we haven’t experienced the high temperatures, but we’re now very dry, and the combines are poised for wheat harvesting. I should say that the thatching boys were cutting wheats here about three weeks ago, and the stooked fields look a picture. These will soon be carried. My late father used to say that the sheaves need to hear the church bells on at least two Sundays, so I guess their time must nearly be up. Hands up anyone who has heard the bells on a Sunday morning!
   Of course, this summer weather is a delight for the show season. I went

to the Mid-Devon Show recently and there seemed to be a very good crowd there. Since my last visit, parts of the show had been reorganised and the whole atmosphere seemed to have benefited. There was a great tractor entry and parade this year in the main ring. For me, as a Ford and Fordson fan, the highlight was a lovely and very original Roadless Ploughmaster 75; still a very tidy working tractor, and one that would be great to have in the barn! The other attraction was that it still carried the original Devon dealer’s plate, from Norringtons. In its heyday that company had several branches, and at least four of our current Devon FFA members used to work at them!
   The Devon County Show took place early in July, and there was a great buzz about the Westpoint arena despite the sometimes heavy showers (well, it is Devon!). We call it ‘Liquid sunshine’ but it’s what normally keeps our countryside so green! We had a great entry of tractors and, in particular, the blue boys were very strong as this year’s tractor parade theme was Ford and Ford conversions.
   There were some lovely tractors on show, alongside the goats, and it was a thrill to see two – yes, two – Doe Triple Ds in one place. Other notables included a

This Roadless Ploughmaster 75 was looking good at the Mid-Devon Show; just as they should be!

County 1474, a Silver Jubilee 7810 and a County 1174, all from one exhibitor… wow! Looking ahead, I hope to resume our late autumn and winter evening meetings. However, it’s always difficult to find interesting topics to keep attendees amused so, if anyone’s got any bright ideas to make my life a little easier, please get in touch. Well, that’s all for now, so look after your loved ones, take good care and KBO. Please keep in touch with me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Andrew Green, FFA Devon rep

Jane Broomhall, a stalwart of the Pink Ladies Road Run, setting off on this year’s run.

PINK LADIES RIDE AGAIN

While we await the result of fund-raising for the 2022 Pink Ladies Annual Run for breast cancer, the indications are that another major step will have been achieved in reaching our £1million target.
  An amazing 110 women – including a record 29 new drivers – took to the roads on the Sunday, July 3rd, and were cheered through the Suffolk lanes. It was an emotional but also a joyful day for everyone.

Jane Broomhall, FFA general secretary

REWORKED WELLAND

Bernard Lobb’s County Four-Drive; a really nice example of this rare model.

Pete Summers with his 1944 Fordson on the FFA stand at this year’s Welland Steam & Country Rally

The FFA’s stand at this year’s Welland Steam & Country Rally (July 29th- 31st) was manned by FFA stalwarts, Derek and Margaret Badham, and had been moved to a new position. In fact, the whole show had a very different

layout this time, with the tractor club stands being positioned at the top of the hill and separated from the parked tractors and the main arena, by the stationary engine display. The heavy haulage ‘play area’ was next to them, with that enclosure running down to the craft, farmers’ market and model marquees. However, most of the remaining layout was largely unchanged.       Temperatures were high on Friday but, being higher up, it was cooler on the FFA stand than down in the ‘bowl’ below, where the majority of the action took place. The working area seemed strangely quiet, probably due to the difficulty involved in getting to it from the static display area and the stationary engines – for so long a real feature of the show – had a much-reduced entry. Trade stall numbers were down, as well,

although this has been noticeable at other events this year, too.
  The tractor entry was oversubscribed, but more than 180 machines were accepted, and there were certainly some interesting models among them. It was also a pleasure to see FFA member Pete Summers’ 1944 Fordson N being exhibited on the club’s stand; his grandfather bought it new during WW2.
   Elsewhere other highlights included Bernard Lobb’s County Four Drive which looked splendid, as did James Hardstaff’s P6 County Full track. Finally, we should point out that there were only four tractor club stands at this show, so we should all be extremely grateful for the tireless dedication and hard work that Derek and Margaret have given to the FFA over so many years; it’s much appreciated.

OLD TIMER TRACTOR RALLY

The FFA’s stand at the Old Timer Tractor Rally; a wonderful selection of tractors in a lovely setting.

This 1904 Humber-engined Sharp tractor was built in York and really is something special.

A week after the Welland show, Derek and Margaret were to be found on a very different site, running the FFA’s stand at the increasingly popular Old Timer Tractor Rally (August 6th-7th).
   This event, held on a flat, grassy site at Woofferton, in Shropshire, saw lower temperatures although the new working area still produced a lot of dust due to the dry conditions.
   This rally is aimed at enthusiasts interested in pre-1950s tractors, and there was an amazing variety of fascinating machines on show. Entry No.1 was a Sharp built in York in 1904, powered by a four-cylinder Humber engine and owned by well-known collector and rally organiser, Kevin Watson
  Under Margaret‘s wing on the club stand visitors could enjoy a splendid selection of machines, including Phil

Jonathan Boaz parking his Fordson F Rowcrop. This tractor runs as well as it looks!

Semmen’s 1920 and Derek Lloyd’s 1923 Fordson Fs, Julie Browning’s very early and lovely Ford N (with aluminium hood and 32-inch rear wheels), plus Margaret’s own 1942 Industrial N. Ed Price and Chris Tranter, the event

organisers, wish to particularly thank the Hyde family for providing the site, the commentator, Andy Johnson and all exhibitors and helpers. The date for next year’s rally has already been set for August 5th-6th.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

New FFA website

The FFA’s website was created many years ago by Graeme Clark, who has maintained and updated it ever since. However, old technology and hosting issues, together with a wish to ‘pass the mantle’, has resulted in Graeme requesting we research a new provider.
   
  As a result, we’ve agreed a new arrangement with Promomagic, a Kent-based company which is now working to create a modern, professional and easy-to-use website for the club. The process is likely to take a few weeks to complete, and we would appreciate patience from

members in the meantime.
  Our sincere thanks go to Graeme for all his efforts on behalf of the club, and for his continuing co-operation during the handover period.

British Ploughing Championships

The 71st British National Ploughing Championships will be taking place on October 8th-9th at The Chatsworth Estate, Glapwell, Derbyshire S44 5QE. We are once again participating, with 10 club members ploughing on Sunday, October 9th.
   FFA merchandise will be on sale and member’s tractors would be welcomed

for a stand display. We also need stewards to support the ploughmen. If you’d like to display your tractor, or assist as a steward, please contact Philip Gibson on 07713 251155.

Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show

The event will be taking place on November 5th-6th and, please remember when registering your tractor for exhibition that you specify you wish to display it on the Ford & Fordson Association’s stand. Contact Philip Gibson on 07713 251155 for more details.

FFA MEMBERSHIP

It’s so encouraging to see our membership increasing month by month, and to speak to new and renewing members on a regular basis. The annual cost of membership is £20 for those in the UK, £30 for Europe and £33 for anyone living elsewhere in the rest of the world, and includes six copies of this magazine per year, which is extremely good value.

Important: If you subscribe to Ford & Fordson Tractors magazine via the FFA, you are a club member, and I will always be in touch when your renewal is due. However, if you subscribe to the magazine via Kelsey Publishing, you won’t be a member of the club.

There are a variety of payment methods; cash at an event, cheque, card, bank transfer or direct debit. Many members prefer to pay cash, renewing their subscription at an event such as Malvern or Newark shows, which works perfectly. Cheques are still acceptable, and should be made payable to Ford and Fordson Association, then forwarded to the Membership Secretary at Newhall, 1 Sneath Road, Aslacton, Norwich NR15 2DS.

For credit/debit card payments, please call Jane on 01379 677866.
Bank transfers are also popular, using the following details: For bank transfers within the UK: Bank: NatWest, 27 High Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 7DX Account name: Ford & Fordson Association
Account No. 72642505
Sort code: 53-70-11
If you’re outside the UK, please use the following:
BIC: NWBK GB 2L
IBAN: GB11 NWBK 5370 1172 6425 05

Direct debit can be made via GoCardless, and we have 300 members who pay this way. It’s an easy process which I can start on your behalf; all you need is an email address and a bank account. The big advantage of this method is that you don’t have to remember when your membership is due for renewal, although we remind you as we like to keep in touch! So, if you have an email address, why not consider a direct debit next time your renewal is due?

As always, please keep us updated with any changes to your address and email details and, of course, your early renewal when contacted will be really appreciated.

Jane Broomhall, FFA general secretary

Read more ...2022 Issue 112

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2020 Nov

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair October / November 2020 for Issue 99

 
The DVLA is reported to have a backlog processing both retained and age-related registration applications due to changes to working practices as a result of Covid-19 precautions. I have had reports that many are issued quite quickly but a few have faced delays of up to four months. As always it seems to depend on “who’s desk” the application lands; but it is particularly important that no mistakes are made when applying.  The only advice I can offer to those waiting is to ‘phone the DVLA themselves.
 
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC):  
As we are about to leave the European Union, legislation to combat air quality and climate change issues moves up the political agenda, and it is important that historic vehicle owner’s concerns are taken into account to prevent unnecessary curtailment of our rightful freedoms.  The FBHVC to which the FFA is affiliated, continue to represent our interests with the government and other bodies and they have launched a survey, see their announcement below.  Your views are important to protect our future freedom to enjoy our hobby, please make time to complete it.
 
Take part in the National Historic Vehicle Club Survey now.....
The historic vehicle community, its events, freedoms to use the roads and even the fuel we use, are under increasing threats and pressures amidst a changing landscape of political and environmental influences.
The answers you give in this survey, will help shape the future for historic vehicles within the United Kingdom for the next 5 years. It takes just 20 minutes and we have prizes on offer for those that complete it.
 
Complete the survey here:
 
https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/2020-enthusiast-survey
 
 
 
 
 

From Around the Country:

 
Cambridgeshire Vintage Tractor Club Charity Road Run:
In aid of the NHS - report and organisation by Ray Parcell. On Sunday July 12th 107 tractors and others took part. Leaving Childerley Farm, not far from Bourn, we travelled through eleven villages to the lunch stop. In every village large crowds of people turned out to support us and were very generous with their donations which kept our collectors extremely busy.
After lunch we made our way to the top of Croydon Hill the highest point in South Cambs then turned into Croydon Wilds, a three mile very remote off-road section eventually bringing us out in Longstowe village. On to Bourn where again large crowds of people turned out to support us, before our second off-road section and back to the start.
 
Ken Bailey & 3000 enjoying the sunshine on Cambridge NHS Charity road run
 
Many makes of tractors took part. Ford & Fordsons were very prominent with excellent examples of Major, Dexta and 4000 series including two special Super Major conversions which were originally built by Auto-mower initially for Eve Construction for erecting pylon cables.  Fitted with 8-ton winches and crane jibs the owner believes they were also used by logging contractors.
I do not know how many were built, I would think under fifty; perhaps somebody out there will know? Both belong to Josh King who says they are a bit of a handful on the road.  A whopping £3,500 was donated for the NHS Charity and I would like to say a big thank you to all who took part.
 
 
John Skipper from Pembrokeshire reports on his year and hay making:
What a year this has been. The usual programme of shows abandoned and the premier Pembrokeshire Show cancelled until August 2021, we will have a stand there and I’ll keep you updated. The other aspect has been the weather; I farm organic hay and rely on rainfall during the growing months of April – June. Rain fell in buckets over winter, to be followed by three months of drought, the meadows became parched and the grass thin. Then it rained! A short window of dry between 19 – 22 July; I took the chance..
I can rely on my blue and red fighting machines: my 1964 NP Super Dexta and 1967 International 434. They work as a team and swap duties between mowing, tedding/rowing and baling. The little Dexta has a mighty, 3 cylinder heart in a small body and excels towing the Zweegers PZ haybob around and is more nimble on it’s feet than the 434. I even tried the Dexta on the New Holland 276 Hayliner this year; it managed well but its comparative low weight means the constant motion from the 276 in full flow creates conditions a bit like a destroyer on the North Atlantic convoys.
 
John Skipper's Blue & Red Fighting machines taking a break from hay making
 
On the final afternoon the Dexta towed over 550 good bales off the field to the barn, the farmer next door helping out by taking another 200 for his young stock over winter. That’s the way it works in South Wales: no money changes hands but we all work together – the Dexta having just returned from tedding 20 acres for haylage just up the road.
 
A Top Gear comparison, what’s best, 434 or Dexta?  Heresy I suppose to have a red machine rather than a Ford, but my two work so well together.  The 434 is a bit heavier and the Dexta with no front weights manages the mower better. But I find the Dexta’s gearbox slightly better spaced than the 434’s. Over five years of work neither has let me down, although the 434 tends to shed more lubricant than the Dexta. When fitting a new Dexta oil filter remember to remove the old top gasket before putting on the new one. I forgot this year and a gallon or so of oil on the yard was my reward.
A local dealer asked me if I’d like to trade in my Dexta for a nice new Siromer, more gizmos and wotsits, a bit more horsepower, etc etc.  Decided in nano seconds that my loyalty is well-placed in Dennis the Dexta. 56 years old, he knows me and I know him, irreplaceable. 
 
Whitwell Steam Rally Road Run 2020 - Saturday 25th July: 
Dave Albon writes: For the past few years the road run has taken place towards the end of April but as with other steam and machinery rallies this year it had to be postponed and was rescheduled for 25th and 26th July, but that was not to be.  Richard Hill and his team decided to put on a camp night on Friday 24th with the road run taking place the next day.
 
Some of the Ford tractors setting out on the Whitwell Charity road run
 
There was an excellent turnout of 107 vintage vehicles in total with 85 tractors of many different makes, including Ferguson, Massey Ferguson, Ford, Mercedes and others. There were also a couple of Bedford lorries early Range Rovers and 3 Minis all enjoying the day out.  We set off on a 22-mile journey through some lovely Hertfordshire countryside with the help of a police escort. The starting point was the rally field in Codicote and we made our way to Knebworth with a slight hold up due to a small fire near Knebworth station, then into Stevenage and along the bypass of the old town. It was lovely to see so many people, young and old, standing on the pavements and roadsides waving and cheering as we went on our way. The halfway stop and lunch break took place at The Cricketers in Weston. After about an hour we started up our machinery ready for the return ride home passing through Little Wymondley and back to Codicote.  When I reached Little Almshoe crossroads the rain started to come down and all of us driving tractors without a cab had a good soaking. It was a great day out and so nice to take part in a well organised event; they have been in short supply this year.  Richard should be congratulated on organising the run and keeping it within the Governments guidelines which in itself was quite hard to do. The Road Run has so far raised £1236 for the Garden House Hospice which is what this was all about.
 
Andrew Green looks back to time in Oxfordshire:
The sorry tale of Covid continues but some positive signs of dare I say ‘a new normality’ are returning. This year the best we can hope for are road runs, ploughing and working events or gas-ups. I have to say that unless we see something miraculous that there will be no winter evening meetings.
I hope you have been enjoying my nostalgia corner ramblings and will continue with the conclusion of the Standard Fordson model N production in 1945. It had been around for quite a long time and was in urgent need of replacement. The short-term answer was the Fordson E27N and just to remind you the E stood for England, 27 for horsepower and N for tractor. It had a new back axle but retained the old transmission and engine from the N. It sold quite well but the tractor became even more successful when a six-cylinder engine became available in 1948, the Perkins P6, of 47hp. These P6 engines were also used as replacements for petrol/TVO engines. Production only ran for 6 years when the New Major was introduced in late 1951. Unfortunately, the old family photo archives do not have an E27N at work although the register showed delivery of one in March 1947 at a cost of £304, just after the very severe winter.
 
At long last, in 1951 the New Major the E1A arrived and it proved to be hugely successful. It basically used the same back end as the E27N with a high/low range box added but it had a completely new engine which could be fuelled by petrol, TVO or diesel producing around 40bhp. The diesel version became dominant in the marketplace. The engine was further developed in 1957 to 44bhp and even further in 1958 in a new model, the Power Major now producing 52bhp. In 1960 the Super Major was introduced, similar to the previous one, but with updates principally to the hydraulic system. In 1963 this model was further radically improved and was now called the New Performance Super Major and continued until July 1964. The Major had been joined in 1957 by the Dexta, it’s smaller brother which was intended to take on MFs. This proved quite successful and was further updated in 1960 to become known as the Super Dexta, sold alongside the original Dexta. This meant that Fords now had 3 models of tractors to offer to farmers.
As time went on a lot of derivatives evolved, manufactured by other producers for farmers. County, Roadless, Doe, KFD and Matbro were the main players but there were also many Fordson industrial applications. My apologies for all these facts but you need the background to understand this important period for Ford Tractor Operations. It is true to say that the Fordson Major was hugely successful and a great workhorse on many farms.
To round off, it is now time for a few photos of Majors at work on our family farm. On our mixed arable farm, ploughing was a significant operation and I include this rather nice shot of an early Major pulling a
3-furrow Ransomes plough with some gun-barrel straight furrows on some land.
 
A Fordson E1A Major with period plough. Furrows straight as a die - take note ploughmen!
 
Haymaking time and an early Major is mowing with a semi mounted or trailed 6-foot wide cut machine which may be a MH. Next a hay field shot with a Major pulling an MH 701 baler driven by an Armstrong Siddeley twin cylinder diesel engine.
 
Note the sledge trailing behind where a man was stacking bales into 9’s and then a bar was driven into the ground through a slot in the sledge to slide the stack off, to be picked up by a bale squeezer on the front of a fore-end loader tractor. This was real mechanisation in its day!  Finally, a harvest field photo of an MF 701 pto driven baler bogged in up to the axles.
 
If you look carefully, there are 3 Majors all lined up to extricate it but just to make sure my late Mother is pictured sat on an MF35 on the front to show up those Majors! It is interesting to note the mounting framework on the MF for a Bomford hedge cutter.
Well that’s all for now. Keep well, stay safe and please use your common sense.
Do keep in touch to:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
The Old Timer Tractor Rally;
Naugurated in 2019 will return, to the same site at Wooferton, next year on 31st July and 1st August.  Sadly, one of the three organisers, Ken Crowther has lost his long battle with cancer. Colleagues Edward Price and Chris Tranter expressed their personal sadness saying, he will be greatly missed as a friend, for his passion for veteran tractors and for the huge loss to the rally, but they will continue to build on the rally Ken helped to start. 
The rally featuring pre 1950 tractors, stationary engines, working exhibits, cars, commercials and auto jumble, had a very successful first event and was on course to improve further this year. Ford and Fordson were there in 2019 to give its support, featuring a very nice Fordson N with a McConnel hedge cutter on the stand. The exhibit belonging to McConnel Ltd usually takes pride of place in the factory at Ludlow and made a rare appearance at the rally.  Last year money raised was divided between Cancer Research, MacMillan Nurses and the local church.
 
Entries and information from - email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Edward Price 07812 132295, Chris Tranter 07974 695412 and for stationary engines Graham Partridge 07976 319399
 
 
Two examples taken from “Fordson N & E27N Service Experiences”:
Reproduced by courtesy of the “Fordson Tractor Club of Australia Inc.” from ‘Power on the Land’ with particular thanks to Dawn Milson.
During a normal ’50 Hour First Service on a new Fordson P6, a big end nut was discovered in the drained engine oil, “wow” did the owner panic. Demanded a new engine, there and then! After removing the sump, which is quite a big task, as all P6 owners will be quite aware, an intensive search and check of all the big end nuts was conducted and found to be fitted correctly torqued.  The engine was reassembled and put back into the field again. The last time I inspected that machine, 5000 hours later, it was running and working without major maintenance.  The mystery of the spare nut was diagnosed as ‘someone’ had accidently dropped it when assembling the engine and left it there.
 
A call to a granite quarry revealed a Fordson N driving through its belt pully a large twin cylinder air compressor, supplying air to jack hammers and a large air winch on a crane. After a conversation with the operator, a small Italian called Jonny, I learnt that he had been cranking the tractor for two days, and still it wouldn’t go.  On asking him to crank the tractor while I investigated, he threw his hands up in the air, muttering oaths (in Italian I think) and disappeared into a small shed close by.  A couple of minutes later he emerged with half a dozen sticks of gelignite.  He yelled, “I blow basta up, blow up”.  As you can guess, I hot footed it away, quick and smart to a safe distance till he calmed down.  After diagnosing a faulty magneto, which was removed and repaired on the spot, two cranks later and away went the old N, which put a big smile on Jonny’s face.  I made a friend for life.

Read more ...2020 Nov

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