Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2020 Sept

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair August / September 2020 for Issue 98

 
Tractors are very like people they have
their own characters, foibles and in some cases very annoying habits.  One thing
they abhor is neglect, be it maintenance
or simply lack of use, standing outside or tucked away in a shed does them no good at all.  Damp gets into electrical connections, condensation forms in fuel tanks, tyres deflate, batteries go flat the list is endless. Most of this can be avoided by simply using them, so at the very least start her up and if possible, go for a run.  There have been no events for a while now and the rest of this year does not look promising so too many machines have already spent too long just parked up
 
I have been warning about degradation of fuel for some time and the other day I sold a tractor and went to start it just to check it over before the chap picked it up.  That is when things started going sharply downhill despite a freshly charged battery it refused to talk to me and worse than that, no smoke came from the exhaust.  So, I bled it and tried again, no joy as it had a DPA pump the injector unions were cracked, dry as a bone; bled it again and cranked the engine administering a few sharp taps in the appropriate place, still nothing at the injectors.  'Phoned my diesel man Peter, he has been doing my diesel work for well over forty years and had rebuilt the pump a few years back, only
to find that the poor man had had a stroke and had to retire.
Steve who was recommended to me was a few miles in the other direction and was prepared to have a look at it, they had both been with the same Bury St Edmunds company back in the seventies.
 
A few days later the pump was delivered to him and I picked it up a couple of days
after that.  He said modern diesel fuel didn't last very long and that he was getting a lot of these problems now due to contaminated fuel, whereas before ethanol was added and sulphur levels reduced, as long as filters were kept clean you really didn't have to worry about old fuel 'going off'. That no longer seems to be the case. Admittedly the fuel had been in the tractor for at least four years, and although I
know that I would have added a lubricant to it, I don't recall if I had started using
a bactericide then, anyway the repair set me back £66 - 40p.  I've drained the tank, the fuel was very 'brown and had bits in' and have changed the filters, now I just need to refit the pump.
 
I have since sampled some more diesel tanks and I'm pleased to be able to report that the fuel in these is not brown and has no bits floating about in it. It looks the
same slightly greenish shade as when bought and some had been in the tanks for over two years, it had had a lubricant and biocide added when it was poured in and that certainly appears to be working well.
 
 
Registration/Legal Matters: 
Issued by the Driver and Vehicles
Standards Agency on 28th May
Coronavirus (COVID-19): annual test exemptions:
We have issued annual test exemptions to heavy vehicles which are due to have their annual test in June 2020. This includes vehicles that were originally
made exempt in March 2020. The exemptions have been applied automatically. You can use the MOT history service to check the expiry dates for your vehicles.
 
We are working towards resuming heavy vehicle testing in June. This involves
talking to our staff, ATFs, the industry and operators about how we can provide a service which is safe for all involved and helps the return to regular testing. Further information about our plans will be provided in due course.
Clarification: vehicle test exemptions
We recently sent an email alert concerning heavy vehicles due for annual test in June.
This did not clarify the period of the test exemption for these vehicles. Vehicles due for test in June will receive a three-month exemption from needing an annual test. This applies to vehicles which received a three-month exemption in March, as well
as those with a due date normally in June.
 
 
From Around the Country:
Dougie McNicoll's 24 Hour Charity
Ploughing Marathon, Roy Cowgill reports:
At 12 o'clock on Saturday 7th March, Dougie McNicoll started ploughing on Mr Gordon Nicholson's Welton Farm near Blairgowrie, driving a 1944 Standard Fordson with a 1930's Massey-Harris Trailing Plough. Dougie completed his marathon task at 12 o'clock on Sunday 8th March.
 
The many supporters on the site enjoyed a wide variety of ploughing through the ages with horses, vintage tractors, classic tractors, crawlers, and all the current tractor manufacturer's demonstrating in their plots.  Ford & Fordson had a great Stand with three E27N's, two N's, a 7810 and a 1220, all from local club members. The Ironside family came down from Aberdeenshire to assist with the stand and take some special photos of the event. One of the most interesting was a 1919 F which had been lying in a quarry under 20 feet of water and assorted rubbish for 35 years since 1941. It had been recovered by a local diving club and after some work was now running again - still in original condition.
 
Opposite our stand was David Shaw with his Ford 8730 with the Ransomes push pull ploughs.
 
covering more ground in a few minutes than Dougie managed in a few hours! It just goes to show how things have changed in 50 years. Looking across at the tractor manufacturer's demonstration plots, another jump in technology could be seen with computer screens being used when setting up. Our thanks must go to Greg and Mark Wilkinson for all their help at the event.  During his valiant ploughing marathon, Dougie raised over £15,000 in aid of Parkinson's Scotland.
 
 
Annual Autumn Working weekend:
  Lynn Alcock writes. This is just a preliminary notice that we have decided to cancel the Working Weekend this year. As most of the volunteers and patrons fall into the "high risk" group for one reason or another (well we're all 10 years older than when we started!) it would be unfair to expose us unnecessarily to the contagion.
 
It is my intention to produce another Newsletter shortly but there is very little happening to report on. So I am appealing to everyone to let me have something to put in it, whether it's a project undertaken to while away the time in lockdown, completion of some renovation, even if it's just a couple of photos so that we can all keep in touch. For the future, hopefully we will be able to arrange a Christmas get together and try to carry on with a couple of events next Spring.
 
 
Andrew Green from Devon writes:
In the last issue I was writing about the uncertainties surrounding cancelled and rearranged shows and events. Well, sadly the virus has wiped out the entire season's activities and I have to say the prospects for a planned return to Autumn/Winter meetings and activities look rather doubtful at this stage. Perhaps we may be fortunate to have some road runs or open-air gatherings as a compromise, but time will tell.
 
So, I thought that I would write a little more about my nostalgia corner. Last issue I mentioned about the evolution of the Fordson F tractor which eventually ceased production in 1928 after ¾ million were made. It had become outdated and in danger of being left behind by the opposition and so it was replaced by the new Fordson, designated the Model N, although we often refer to it as the Standard Fordson.  Initially production was set up in the Ford factory in Cork, Ireland until 1932 when it was transferred to the new plant that had been built at Dagenham. There were a number of tractors which were a combination of components assembled in Trafford, now known as 'Transitional', these were stamped with "Made in the Irish Free State". In the beginning the tractor was only available on steel wheels and initially was painted in grey with red wheels, the dark blue and orange livery emerged once production moved to Essex and cost £156. These are affectionately called the" water washers" because they had a water filled air cleaner which unfortunately caught out some drivers in frosty weather! After a fairly slow start, production leapt in the mid 1930's to around 10,000 tractors sold per annum.
 
In 1937, pressure from tractor salesmen resulted in a very striking new paint colour called Harvest Gold with an oil bath air cleaner and tweaks to the engine to up the power. The steel wheeled price had hardly changed but you could now buy your new tractor on rubber tyres for £195, this being known as the Land Utility model. With the outbreak of WW2, the production of tractors increased very significantly at the Government's order to increase food production, with over 20,000 units being built per annum throughout the war years. The other significant change was the paint colour, which was changed to dark green so that the finished tractors would not be so obvious to enemy bombers when lined up waiting to be shipped from the Dagenham factory. Also, the original wide wings were cut back to save on steel usage. Model N production then continued until 1945 when it was replaced by the E27N Major also called the High-Top Major.
 
With this article I am including some old photographs from my family farming days in Oxfordshire. My late father can be seen in action driving a Standard Fordson. From 1934, father is sat on the Standard pulling a land wheel driven potato spinner, perhaps a Lister Blackstone.
 
It's interesting to see the horse and cart which is collecting sacks of picked potatoes ready for transport to the long clamp or bury, which would be covered with straw and earth for long term storage. In the next picture dated 1934, father is seen scraping silt out of the farm pond.
 
Well that's all for now until the next time. Please use your common sense to keep you and your families and friends well and safe as we approach relaxation of lockdown. Do keep in touch - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
 
Gerard Schoenmakers from The Netherlands says: 
Its quiet on the Dutch front and because the virus is still active there is nothing to do with our tractors.  So, it is back to the shed as I am retired now with plenty of time. 
 
My E27N had no 3-point linkage, so looking on the internet I found a set not far from my home and usable for my gearbox.  It looked like it had done little work with no play on the joints, it was easy to fit and looks good on the E27N.  The next thing I found was a Ransomes FR PM three furrow plough designed for the E27N and it looks great.
 
I hope that we can plough this Autumn and I will try this combination out at the Dutch FFA ploughing match.  Stay safe everybody better times will come.
 
 
Major Crane: 
Every now and again an interesting bit of kit turns up, some were produced commercially but a few are one-off machines often built for a specific purpose because nothing else was available or because of the cost of a proprietary product.  Gary Capp has one of these that he has been working, he tells me that it is a bit of an animal to use and that its biggest fault is not having live hydraulics.
 
Gary relates it's history; the tractor came from a farm out near Skegness, Roughtons of Willoughby, it was traded in to J.T.Friskneys at Horncastle Lincolnshire.  The workshop needed an overhead crane of some description, they spoke to the MD Eric Young and he said no. So, they asked if they could build a crane from one of the tractors that had been traded in, the cost of the tractor was £45.00 this was back in the late 60's.
 
Three men set about building the crane on the tractor. They turned the diff round as it was to be driven in 'reverse', built the crane frame and jib and fitted a seat on the righthand side.  They altered the clutch and brake pedals, so the clutch is now to the driver's right and the brake to his left. They put smaller rear wheels and cut the front axle to lower the gravity of the crane. The front, which had now become the rear, has a weight box on it full of hundred series weights. The hydraulic linkage and the draw bar were taken off, they still used the tractor hydraulics for the crane. It has power steering. The initials of the three men that built it are welded on the crane frame. It was finished in 1972.
 
 
David Lemonius writes: 
Nothing much to report from our beautiful sunny part of country and coast.  Life as we know it is beginning to stir and I am getting pangs of cabin fever and thinking about going out for a run on my furloughed Super Dexta.  I've bid a sad farewell to my faithful pre Force 4000  - a regular to our road runs and working days; I have been pestered for a few weeks now and, conscious that I need to cut down the fleet, I relented and so it has gone. That just leaves the County Super 6 - hastily put in container at the beginning of lockdown - and the Roadless 75.  Plus, and in need of work, Force 4000 and a couple of David Brown 25's.  I hope everyone has been keeping well through all of this and look forward to meeting up on "the other side"!
 
Paul Bell sent me an evocative photo taken of a harvest scene from the mid 1950's.  Paul tells us the photograph from the early mid 50s was taken at Green Lane Farm, Kilverstone near Thetford, Norfolk. My father, Robert Bell, was a tenant of Lord Fisher of Kilverstone Hall. He is on the trailer, my mother Dorothy Bell in a dark suit is on the right and my brother Stuart and I are the small boys on the left.
 
The E27N on the binder belonged to my father and the Standard Fordson on the trailer belonged to my grandmother who farmed Hall Farm, Bridgham, about 7 miles Kilverstone  It looks like rye is being harvested, which would have been grown for Ryvita.  The location of the farm is now a large housing estate called Clover fields and a large Tesco supermarket. I would like to know if the Standard Fordson is still in existence. Registration EVF 643.   I now have a 1955 E1A Fordson Major and a 1964 New Performance Super Dexta which I use on road runs and to plough my allotment.  
 
[Note: EVF 643 does not show up on the DVLA's records but if any reader knows of it please let Pat Pawsey know and he will put you in touch with Paul.]
 
 
Finally:
You will have seen that the Club pages, like so much else in these strange times are very different.  The fact that they are so interesting is solely because of the memories, reports and photographs you sent.  Our thanks to all those who have contributed, and I hope that more of you will do so for future issues; please give me a call or better still drop me an email.

Read more ...2020 Sept

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2020 May

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair April / May 2020 for Issue 96
 
2020 is now well underway, as January is such a dark month is my least favourite, but now the mornings are noticeably lighter, the evenings always begin pulling out first and the weather has been very mild so far, this winter.   A false spring is causing early growth and there were reports in January of birds nesting, not that I've seen any, but there is plenty of time for a cold snap yet. Whatever your views on climate change there can be no denial that the seasons are certainly not as they were.  The show season has begun with a very successful start at the Bath and West, and the East Anglian long-time farming fixture of the Doe Show, reports on both follow. 
 
Registration Matter\s:
I'm glad to report that when applying for an age related registration mark there is no longer any need to send the applicant's actual photo card driving licence, as a photo copy of it is now sufficient.  Incidentally the identity requirements are different if applying to either retain an existing mark or for a business and companies. 
 
The DVLA requires that the individual applying must prove both their name and their address; two documents are still necessary. The first part is to confirm the applicant's name, they may submit either a photo copy of their photocard driving licence, or alternatively either their passport, or birth certificate, or marriage certificate or decree nisi or absolute are also acceptably, however in the latter examples original documents must be sent. 
 
In the second part, to confirm the applicant's address, their current year's council tax bill is acceptable, alternatively a utility bill, or bank statement or medical card/letter these latter alternatives must all be issued within three months of the application, form the second list photo copies are not acceptable. 
 
Historic Vehicles:  The rules regarding historic vehicle are causing some confusion.  A forty year rolling exemption was introduced back in 2014, from 1 April each year vehicles manufactured before 1 January forty years ago become eligible for historic tax class. See 'Taxing historic vehicles' (INF34) for more information.  The effect of this means that as from 1st April 2020 any qualifying vehicle manufactured prior to 1st January 1980 will become eligible.  However, for the vehicle to be eligible its V5C must clearly show that it was either made or first registered before that date.  Tractors used for their original purpose are not affected, as any vehicle used commercially does not qualify.  You may think this makes no difference as both taxation classes have a nil V.E.D rate (vehicle excise tax) this is not the case as vehicles taxed as 'Agricultural Machines' and used for that purpose benefit from the concessionary use of rebated fuel (red diesel) whereas vehicles taxed as 'Historic Vehicles' do not and must only use Derv (white diesel).
 
Book Review: International Harvester Tractors by Jonathan Whitlam who with his publisher Amberly is building quite a series of these 96 page soft backed volumes.  It follows the same format as the previous four titles reviewed measuring 234mm x 165mm with 96 pages and is profusely illustrated with matt colour mostly half page illustrations, priced at £14-99.
 
This is an ambitious project covering, as it does, in a single slim volume over a century from International Harvester's inception in 1902 when five American harvesting machinery manufactures joined together.  As the title suggests it concentrates on the company's tractor interests and charts the early development of theses to the introduction of the Farmall and on through the establishment of overseas manufacturing facilities. There is particular emphasis of the British built models from the Bradford and Doncaster plants, to their eventual closure.   Along the way the acquisition and eventual fate of other iconic bands that were bought, sold or incorporated including Case, Steiger and Versatile, responsible for the mighty 'Quadtrac'.  The involvement of Tenneco and their sale of Case IH to Fiat that in turn led to the formation of Case New Holland as it is today.
 
This is a huge subject and necessarily covered with a very broad-brush approach, it is packed with facts you certainly need to concentrate while reading it.  The lack of an index is unfortunate but that aside this is an excellent introduction to an important group of tractors, another worthy addition to your book shelf.
 
 
From Around the Country:
 
FFA members triumph in National Championships 
Roger Ingham reports: David Thomlinson of Swan Farm, Escrick near York swept the board in this year's British Championships, winning the overall championship in the classic class with his immaculate Ford 3000 and Ransome plough and only just missing the outright championship award . To follow that success he travelled to the Scottish Championships and won the Six Nations Classic Championship, a tremendous achievement for him. David, an arable farmer, has been ploughing competitively with great success for a number of years now and on this form will take some beating.
 
 
Another FFA member, Ray Alderson, a well known champion ploughman, also a farmer from Bolam in the County of Durham won the European Ploughing Championship at the Scottish Championships. Ray is a former British trailer plough champion and only just missed winning this year's final.  Congratulations to both members for their splendid success this year, I am sure both of them will be fiercly competing for honours at next year's round of championships and we wish them every success.
 
 
The Isle of Wight Classic Tractors Charity Road Run: 
Saturday 11th January, from David Lemonius. The day dawned with sunshine but soon turned to cloud with light spots of rain. An amazing collection totalling 53 of tractors both old and new together with 3 Unimogs filled up the car park of the Eight Bells in Carisbrooke. John Stallard brought along his recently acquired Roadless 118K, Jack Redfern in his Massey Ferguson 7722 which had been sprayed black!  Ralph Cook brought along his faithful old Dutra D4K. There was a good showing of John Deeres - in fact it looked like a takeover early on!  And of course there was the usual gathering of Fordson Majors, Dextas, 5000s, 4000s, Nuffields, Masseys and Ford New Hollands. A crowd of interested public gathered to send the tractors on their way by which time it was raining
 
 
The route took the participants out along the Bowcombe Road turning off up through Bowcombe Farm to Garstons at Gatcombe, then onto Cridmore where a brief stop was made.  After Cridmore it was an off road run through to North Grounds at Appleford and continuing along the road to Chale Green, Atherfield Green, Shorwell and Brighstone.  Turning up Strawberry Lane to Lynch Lane and then running off road through Westover Farm to the main Freshwater road thence along to Chessel, Brook and along the Military Road to Compton Farm where we were entertained by Anna Smith and her band of helpers who provided delicious cakes and savouries.  We are most grateful to them all.
 
This run was dedicated to the memory of John "Butch" Butcher who was a co-organiser with Isle of Wight Classic Tractors since its inception some 10 years ago. Butch sadly died back in the summer of 2019 and we are donating £475.00 to the Isle of Wight Hospice.  A further £475.00 will be donated to the Newport Alzheimer's Café who do a great job in caring for those affected.
 
Our grateful thanks to our Sponsors "Needles Pleasure Cruises" enabling us to give all our donations to worthy causes.  Our thanks too to the Eight Bells at Carisbrooke, the Landowners and Farmers over whose land we pass and of course to the Isle of Wight Police who give us advice on our route.  Not forgetting all the participants and the onlookers who helped to swell the funds!
 
 
The Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show: 25th -26th January 
The first large event of the new year, Phil Gibson writes: It turned out to be a very busy weekend and it's great to be back out again to meet old friends and make new ones. The event is organised by FFA members Nick Bryne and Mike Mitchell and friends with all proceeds being given to charities.
 
Ian and Lin Prince had travelled from Essex to help me on the stand as did Ken Bailey from Suffolk, both bringing tractors to add to the excellent turnout from local members and friends. Most models were represented with 3 lovely Fordson F`s , 2, E27N`s which was good to see as it is the 75th anniversary of 1st production and FFA will be featuring these at various events around the country so if you can book one in at an event near you for our displays it would be most appreciated.  Various other models were on the stand in the hall including a bright yellow major with a well fitted Perkins V8.540 engine up to a Roadless 980 and a Doe with some larger Ford  tractors outside.
 
Saturday is always the busy day with the HJ Pugh auction and many traders there for the day, Sunday was quieter but in the top hall there was a model show which was well worth looking at.  On Sunday afternoon a junior member Mikey Brent won 1st prize in the under 16 class with his Dexta that he shares with FFA member (Grampy) Keith Selway, what a great way to end what was a most enjoyable weekend
 
 
Thanks to everyone who exhibited, renewed their membership or joined the FFA for the 1st time, we hope to see you next year, happy tractoring for the coming year.
Phil Gibson.
 
 
Doe Show's, Sixtieth Anniversary
Held on the 4th - 6th February, Lin Prince reports: This all came about after meeting Graham Parker Sales Director at last year's show. FFA member Peter Nutley showed him some pictures of his Land Army display. Graham thought it would make a good feature in the entrance marquee for the 60th show along with two sixty year old tractors. FFA then became involved in helping Peter with the display and supplying one of the tractors, Ken Bailey's Fordson Dexta and Ransomes plough the other was supplied by Doe's a Fordson Power Major.
 
 
Ernest Doe's is a large agricultural equipment supplier covering East Anglia and the South East. Dealing in New Holland and Case tractors and combines. There was a large array of new and second hand machinery to be viewed. The star of the show was unveiled at 11am on Tuesday a special edition diamond white New Holland T7.210 to commemorate 60years of the show. There was a display of tractors sold by Doe's over the last 60 years including a Ford FW 60. Also in the working field were five Triple Ds and two static examples.
Peter's display provided much interest for both young and old and FFA gained seven new members. We would like to thank Graham Parker and Karl Last for the invitation and their help.
 
Tractor World
Held 23rd and 24th February Pat Pawsey reports: this year's show came close to being cancelled due to the severe flooding along the rivers Seven and Wye.  Exhibitors arriving were faced by road closures and saw vast expanses of water where sheep should have been grazing or crops growing.  The suffering of the owners of flooded houses and business must be terrible and will continue for many months after the water has gone.
 
    
 
By the opening day most roads were passable, it is the Club's first major show of the year and although more space would have allowed a better display, as the tractors were rather too tightly packed together to allow them to be seen as we would have liked there were some very interesting and rare examples on show.  It is the seventy fifth anniversary of the Fordson Major E27N and of the fifty tractors on the Club's stand there was a splendid array of nineteen of them.
 
The tractor of the show, for me, was the full tracked Roadless fitted with a Perkins P6 engine, one of some twenty-four built and of these it is believed that only six were originally fitted with Perkins P6 engines and that only one of those now survives.  This splendid example started life with a T.V.O. engine but is no less impressive for that, we are indebted to Phil Mostyn for bringing it to the show by kind permission of Frank Lythgoe who has some splendid tractors.
 
 
Phil bought seven E27N's to the show four from Frank's collection and three others belonging to himself his son Giles and Hammy a friend.
 
 
 
The Club's prizes were award to:
 
Best in Show: Tim Pearman - County FC 1174
Best unrestored: Lawrence Fisher - Fordson Major E1A with loader
Judges Favourite: Billy Wood - Ford Cargo tractor unit, V8 Cummings.
 
The stand was busy on both days and our Annual General Meeting was held for the sixth year running in the Friesian Hall on Sunday, reports of which will be posted on the web site in due course.  Despite the weather the show was well attended and was a brilliant start to the season.
 
Andrew Green from Devon writes
We have had a really miserable winter down here in Devon. It just seems to
have been a long wet and mild season but the strange thing is that we have not had any flooded rivers as we are near by the Taw river of Tarka the Otter fame and the Tarka railway line, which shows that no great amounts of rain fell at any one time. For us farmers, it has been a real struggle to get much or any winter corn planted. As I write, the sun is out and the birds are sounding happy. I hope they know something we humans don't and that Spring will be here soon! Moving on, days are lengthening which means that our thoughts turn to the Show season, so in this respect I should ask
you to note the date of our County Show at Westpoint from 21st to 23rd May.  Also I would like to mention my local village of Coldridge which has its biennial fete, vintage rally, flower festival and dog show on 27th June so please put both of these dates in your diaries now.
 
On a personal note, one tractor that always catches my eye when it is exhibited  is the Ford 960, 38hp, 5 speed, petrol, owned by our friend and colleague Maurice Retallick. It was bought new in 1955 in Jackson Michigan and used on the farmer's own 120 acre vegetable unit.
 
 
When he retired, he couldn't bear to sell it as his 3 children had learnt to drive with it and so he took it to his town house and garaged it for 25 years. When forced into an old folks home at 85, a dealer bought it who then put it up on Ebay in the U.S. and Maurice bought it! After a long protracted process to import it, Maurice has stripped, rebuilt and repainted it as you see it today. It is quite a sight when Maurice turns it round like on a sixpence in the main ring! Just an interesting story which I thought our readers might enjoy. Well that's all for now but please keep in touch to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2020 July

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair June / July  2020 for Issue 97
 
   "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men Gang aft agley,"…as Robert Burnes penned in his poem 'To a Mouse', about a poor creature that together with her nest of young was turned up by a plough in 1785, an apt observation of today's upside down world. The modern ploughman, snug in his heated air-conditioned tractor cab would be totally unaware of the havoc he had so carelessly wrought continuing on his way, not so a ploughman in those days walking behind his team of horses. 
 
Registration/Legal Matter's: 
Vehicle Testing: Cars and Light Goods Vehicles.  The position depends on the date the vehicle's test expired and is split into two groups, heavy goods and PSV vehicles are treated differently.
 
Groupe 1: for a MOT expired or if the first test was due on or before 29th March you must either SORN the vehicle or apply to have it tested as garages are still open.  Note, you must not take it for test if you are self-isolating in those circumstances or if you fall into the 'extremely vulnerable' group you should seek advice, see the DVLA's "Coronavirus: MOT's due from 30th March" guidance.
 
Groupe 2: if the test was due after 29th March the MOT will be extended for six months but it is your responsibility to ensure that it is in a roadworthy condition. For example, a vehicle that's test expired on 3rd April will automatically have its MOT extended to 3rd October, it will be possible to renew that vehicle's tax once the MOT record has been upgraded, this can be checked online.  Further guidance will be issued as matters develop.
 
Heavy Goods Vehicle Testing: on 20th March the DVLA suspended heavy vehicle tests. All HGVs, trailers and PSVs with an annual test due to expire in a particular month will be issued with a 3-month certificate of exemption (CTE) until further notice.
 
Replacement certificates will not be issued but digital records will be automatically updated.  There are different rules that apply for vehicles and trailers that are returning to service after their test certificate expired, those that have not had their first test or for carrying dangerous goods, for these groups an exemption will need to be applied for.
 
The onus is firmly on the operator to ensure that any vehicle is in a roadworthy condition.  You should verify the vehicle's test certificate status by checking on the Government's web site "Check the MOT history of a vehicle" to make sure that it has been updated.
 
E10 petrol: early last year the government's intention to increase the methanol content from 5% to 10% in petrol to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions was discussed (Issue 89).  On 4th March they announced the opening of a consultation period that ran until 3rd May, that is now closed.  It is proposed to introduce E10 in place of the current E5 as the standard 95 octane grade in 2021 and that petrol containing no more than 5% is available for at least five years thereafter, however this may only be available in the higher octane 98% super grade. 
 
Members tractors were not designed for petrol containing ethanol and I'm afraid that our advice is unchanged, certainly only buy the petrol containing the lowest % of ethanol and invest in an additive to prevent damage. See the Federation of British Vehicle Clubs website, our Club is a member (www.fbhvc.co.uk), go to 'Legislation & Fuel'. It is quite a complicated subject, but the Federation only recommend three additives providing protection against ethanol damage these are:        
V5PePower, VSPe and EPSfrom Millers Oils
Ethomix from Frost ART Ltd
Ethanolmate from Flexolite
Choose your poison, it is up to you.
 
Ten-year-old tyres on heavy vehicles: 
Following a tragic fatal accident involving a coach in 2012 a campaign to ban the use of old tyres on heavy goods vehicles was started. Another fatal crash in 2017, this tine involving a large van on a motorway, resulted in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) commissioning research and subsequently instituting a scheme to alleviate the problem.  These proposals did not ban the use of these tyres and sensibly related to tyres on steering axels, which were the cause of both these dreadful events. It told anyone who wished to use such tyres to show that they had undertaken a proper tyre management process.  As a result of this instruction you may well receive an advisory note when your vehicle is next tested when that restarts.
 
Although the DVSA's research, when published was far from clear cut, Jessie Norman, then minister at the Department of Transport, decided to ban the use of ten year old tyres on heavy vehicles and this decision was later confirmed and extended by Michael Ellis to include minibuses.  As yet no legislation has been enacted so it is, of course, unknown how historic vehicles may be impacted.  
 
However it does seem odd that although we are constantly told by the government that their decisions are led by the science (whatever that is) and that on leaving the European Community we would slash the unnecessary red tape imposed on this country by commission, that those same ministers are introducing more without allowing their own Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency proposed remedy the chance to prove its worth.
 
We are indebted to The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) for a comprehensive report on the progress and for an in-depth report of this see FBHVC News, 2019 Issue 5 they also took part in the consultation process.
 
 
From Around the Country:
 
John Allsop, a member from Derbyshire,
I saw a drawing by Lucy Hague, a friend of Elizabeth - his daughter - of some beach huts and was so impressed that he asked her if she would draw his tractors which she has done. 
 
 
The E27N is John's and was built in 1947, it features elsewhere in this issue, note the starter motor and I know just why he has fitted it, they are not cheap to buy but do make the tractor so much more usable as one gets older.  The E1A is Elizabeth's and dates from 1952. The drawing was done from photographs and makes a splendid composition.
 
Andrew Green from Devon writes: 
In these extraordinary times, there is little to look forward to in the foreseeable future!  However, life goes on under a huge cloud. Our County Show has been put back to the end of August, the 28th to 30th and we obviously hope that it will be able to go ahead then and the Mid Devon organisers are also hopeful that they can still proceed on their 25thJuly date. There will be many other organisers of shows and village fetes who will be hoping that this dreadful virus will recede, and we can get back to some degree of normality, whatever that means in today's world!
 
On a more positive note, I thought I would just write about a fantastic trip that my wife, Lyn and I made to Canada in 2016 and, in particular, a visit to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village at Dearborn, near Detroit. This was a fulfilment of a lifetime dream as I have been a great fan of things Ford all my life. It did not disappoint as even Lyn thought that it was going to be 2 days of wall to wall tractors and it was anything but! Yes, a few tractors and agricultural exhibits but there were cars including several American presidential limousines, planes, trains, engines and many museum pieces. It was a thrill for me to see the early prototype tractors that developed into the Fordson Model F tractor and the No 1 production tractor was there.
 
 
About 750,000 were produced over the next 11 years including 6000 of the very early 1917 production that came over to the UK to help us out with the WW1 effort as nationally we were desperately short of men and horses to feed the country. This situation was not helped by the German U boats sinking Allied shipping. These tractors became known as the MOM tractors as they were ordered by the Ministry of Munitions. Quite a few of these still survive to this day.
 
Henry Ford was born in 1863, the son of an Irish immigrant farmer. As well as building and producing the Model T car, he also resolved to make the life of the farmer somewhat easier by developing a machine to alleviate the hard graft of manual labour, hence the Fordson tractor. I think it was way ahead of its time and better than anything else on the market as by comparison they seemed like self- propelled stationery engines! Yes, I am biased, but you can put the latest New Holland tractor alongside the Fordson F and see how it evolved from Henry's finest!
 
 
There is one benefit that our hobby has at this present time insomuch that we do not have to adhere to the social distancing requirements! But very seriously for a minute, please all of you take great care, keep safe and well, look after yourselves and your family.  As the great man, Winston Churchill used to say, KBO!
Well that's all for now, please keep in touch This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
John Skipper writes: Well, it is hard not to mention Covid 19 when we are all in lockdown and the usual programme of shows and tractor runs has been curtailed. Sadly the premier event in SW Wales, the Pembrokeshire Show in Haverfordwest scheduled for 18-20 August, has been cancelled. But, the organisers have scheduled in a stand for Ford and Fordson for the 2021 event and I'll be in contact with Association members as soon as details are known.
 
Time is never wasted and the Super Dexta has enjoyed a good overhaul ready for the organic hay crop later in the year.
 
 
Covid won't stop that - just the weather! The Dexta was rebuilt 5 years ago and it has served me admirably since then, taking turns with my IH 434 on the topper, mower and haybob. I'd had big ambitions to exhibit the Dexta with the Ransomes TS54A 2 furrow attached - brilliant little plough - and, although my furrows are far from straight, it's a great combination.
 
It just leaves me to wish all Association members good health and to keep safe during this challenging time. Many of us can count our blessings as generally we do not live in a bedsit in inner London. Getting out to the barn and workshop is a pleasure to savour.
 
Representative and Committee Matters
 
Michael Alcock - our new Representative for Northamptonshire writes - having been a tractor fanatic since I was seven years old, when I had a Power Major of my own, becoming a contractor with Ford excavators and tractors and, latterly New Holland equipment, was a natural progression.
 
 
Other interests include old British scrambles bikes and Tractor Pulling. My first Puller was built in five weeks, had twin V8 Chevys and that was 38 years ago. Currently we have one under construction with two Alcohol V8s.  If I can be any assistance to anyone in the Northampton area please contact me on 07946 568052.
 
Many members will know Michael and Lynn who, with friends, front "Vintage Enthusiasts," a like minded group who raise monies for local charities and have a good time doing so, staging working days and other events in Northamptonshire area. Keith and Jane Broomhall attended the ninth Autumn working day last year, report in the December January issue, and what a splendid friendly event it was. This year's is scheduled for 12 - 13 September.
 
Roy Cowgill: introduces himself, a Committee member and area contact for South West Scotland.
Having been brought up on a farm it no surprise that my interest in tractors and machinery developed at an early age. My earliest memory is of a Ferguson TEF and a gold belly 35, both of which were changed for a Power Major, then subsequently for Super Majors, Super Dexta then two Ford 5000 in 1965, along with a solitary MF135.
 
 
 
At the start of the 70's I joined the Ford tractor dealer in Stirling and during this time I saw a couple of significant changes in the line-up. The first was the introduction of the factory fitted safety cabin, the second was the introduction of the Ford 7000 the first production line turbo charged tractor.
 
I was at the product training presentation at Fords training centre at Boreham house where I was introduced to the "Pocket Rocket", a very powerful and nimble tractor in its day. During this time, we supplied many Select O Speed tractors including 4 x 4000 to the new coal fired power station and a Roadless 75 to a local estate. I sold another Roadless 75 SoS a year later but had to settle for the standard 8speed box when Ford stopped suppling the SoS gearboxes. I moved to MIL (Midland Industries Limited) supplying loaders, buckrakes, feed boxes and potato planters to dealers throughout Scotland, Northern England and Ireland.
 
On joining Erskine tractors Ford went through another major change with the introduction of the 10 Series tractors, which will always be remembered for the Syncromesh gearbox or rather the Rubix Cube selector mechanism, which fortunately only lasted a few months before the H pattern was brought in making gear changes much easier. Even with these challenges the tractors sold well locally, some are still around here today.
I left the industry for some 27 years to work in a nuclear power plant but never lost my passion or interest in Ford tractors. So, when the opportunity of early retirement presented itself it allowed me the time to devote to my collection of tractors and the time to assist with the local tractor club.
 
These opportunities have enabled me to share my knowledge and promote fellowship within the community while flying the flag at many shows and events throughout the area. It is important that ALL members come forward and talk to us, give their input, ideas and share their experience in order for our Club to grow and prosper.  I look forward to meeting and talking with everyone when the shows, rallies and road runs start up again and can be contacted on 07971104695.
 
The Chairman: I have made no secret of the fact that I would like to retire as Chairman of your Club, the problem is that there has not been a flood of volunteers to take on the role.  This is obviously not a good time for more change, not that I would discourage anyone who wishes to come forward, but until things settle down, I am happy to continue to the best of my ability.
 
Finally: Your committee hopes you are well and that we can all come through these troubling times without mishap.  Undeniably it is a difficult period with our freedoms severely curtailed, our access to friends and family prevented and, in many cases, real hardship caused to businesses, jobs and income as never before in peace time. Unfortunately, there is no rule book to follow, it will only be when the outcome is known that we see if the sacrifices now being made by so many were justified.
 
Please do take care and stay safe.  Let us hope that life can return to a more normal rhythm before too long, our freedom returned, and lessons learned so that a similar crisis can be prevented from recurring.
Word Count 2589 @ 8/4/20 Target. 2.7 to 3.0k 
 
Photos:
Target 7 to 10
Photo        Ref. piece                           Caption
1        Andrew Green                An experimental tractor then called an 'Automobile plow'
2        Andrew Green                A Fordson model F, the one that started it all seen in the henry Ford museum.
3.        John Skipper                John Skipper with his Dexta and plough in his shed
4.        John Allsop                John Allsop and his daughter's tractor drawn by Lucy Hague
5        Michael Alcock        Michael Alcock with his Roadless 118
6.        Roy Cowgill                Roy Cowgill enjoying the sunshine on his Dexta
 

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Written by Jake Jennings on . Posted in Uncategorised.

2020 March

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair February - March 2020
for Issue 95
 
2019 turned out to be an excellent year for the Club culminating in the most successful Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show we have had, not least because our Representative coverage of the country was hugely strengthened during the year.  Make no mistake our Representatives really are the backbone of the Club and without their knowledge and enthusiasm it just wouldn’t be happening.  Their numbers continue to increase and we are delighted to advise that:
 
Representative for Derbyshire:
Raymond (Ray) Clayton has agreed to become FFA Representative for Derbyshire. Involved with several clubs and associations over the years, Ray says he has always been interested in engineering, Land Rovers, steam engines and classic tractors and is keen to promote the Association in Derbyshire.  He has already identified events to attend in 2020, including steam rallies, ploughing and crank-ups and we look forward to working together.
 
FFA Rally/Event Co-Ordinators:
As you are aware, Lin and Ian Prince have worked as our National Rally Co-ordinators in recent years.  They are continuing in this role, but will be joined by Roy Cowgill, our Representative for South West Scotland, who will take over responsibility for the organisation of events the FFA attend in Scotland.
Changes to the magazine’s layout appear to meet with your approval and in this issue the Club’s revised ‘advertising page’ is also listing our Area Representatives. Other proposed changes include information of shows the Club plans to attend in the news section, but, for a full list do look at the FFA website.
 
 
Registration Matters:  
A simple question, what is the correct (read legally permitted) registration plate for a classic or vintage tractor?
We have all come across the dreaded ‘Expert’ who has the definitive answer to any question that arises, the trouble is that so often they are just plain wrong. When compiling these pages, we cover Club events and news that we hope will interest you and try to answer members queries that arise from time to time. It is surprising how long a simple answer can take, that is not necessarily because the information is not known but because rules and regulations change over the years, sometimes retrospectively.  
I’ve been asked several times recently about registration plates on older agricultural machines, for example what colour is permitted and do they have to be displayed front and rear.  Having farmed all my working life, I thought I knew the answer, but it’s a little more complicated than I thought.
The magic date is 1973 {relevant date as per The Road Traffic Act of 2001}; vehicles registered after that must be fitted with the modern reflective type plates. There are some later regulations that will not generally affect members of vintage and classic vehicles, and we can also ignore regulations regarding plates illuminated from the rear.  Agricultural vehicles must carry a plate fitted vertically to the rear or one positioned on each side and, if towing trailers, unless fitted with side mounted plates, must carry one on the rear of the rearmost trailer.
Vehicles built before 1973, even if first registered later, are included and can be fitted with plates of white, grey or silver characters on a black background.  If an agricultural machine is towing a trailer the plate on that trailer may be that of any other agricultural machine that is registered to towing vehicle’s keeper.
 
 
From Around the Country:
 
East of England Ploughing & Working weekend.
August 31st and September 1st held at Rix Farm Langham by kind permission of Mr J Rix. The weekend was blessed with good weather and was organised by Ken Bailey and Roger Starling, our thanks also to Maureen and Paula who manned the BBQ and very good it was too.  Terry Stinson recruited the qualified ploughing judges.
 
Results:
Vintage mounted 1st Roger Starling
2nd Donald Sapsford
3rd Ken Bailey
Classic mounted 1st Terry Stinson
2nd Alec Lyle
3rd David Bolton.
Ladies Champion Sarah Tween.
 
There was also a real treat on the Saturday when Michael Moore, a well-known Essex businessman and talented engineer, brought along his Pre-Force 4000 Triple D and plough combination, something very special.
 
Twenty-four entries were received and ploughmen entering were eligible to qualify for the Nationals. 
It was very satisfying to note the improvement in the standard of work that has been achieved over the last few years.  The £750 proceeds raised were donated equally to Macmillan Cancer Support and Royal Papworth Hospital.  Unfortunately, Ken’s second working weekend was cancelled due to adverse ground conditions.
 
 
Ford and Fordson Working Day 20th October:
 Phil Gibson reports: By kind permission of the Godfrey Family at Worlaby North Lincolnshire.  Gary Capp who is Area Representative for Lincolnshire and local member, Barrie Mumby, organised this working day. Conditions were challenging with all the rain this autumn, especially the long pull uphill to the top of the field; it was very sticky on top but good chalk based free draining land.
The weather did spoil things in the afternoon with heavy storms, but credit to all the lads on the non-cabbed tractors, they didn’t stop until the field had been finished with around 45 acres ploughed.
 
There were combinations of 2 to 10-furrow outfits, the FW60 that came with a 10-furrow reversible was very impressive as it was travelling on the top all the time with no dry furrow. The event was only one mile from the Humber bridge and the docks at Grimsby and, in no time, we had a large invasion of seagulls, I only hope the ploughmen and all the people walking the field taking photos had wide brimmed hats!
Two members had travelled from Cumbria as they wanted to see Doe tractors at work and were not disappointed with 5 working, including the one built by John Haywood that had 6 and 4-cylinder engines and a very long 8-furrow plough. Another couple had come from Kent as they had recently bought a Doe and they joined the club as new members.
 
I had a very good day manning the Club stand with 4 new members and a fair amount of merchandise sold, but above all it was good for the FFA to be in this area to enable local members to join in and we look forward to the possibility of a 2-day event in this area next year, or indeed any area around the country if any of you can find some land.  Thanks again to our hosts and the farm manager, Peter Harriman, for this excellent site which also had lots of hard standing for the lorries.
 
 
57th Scottish National Ploughing Match: After the cancellation of many ploughing matches this autumn all over the UK, I travelled to St Monans in Fife over the weekend 26th/27th of October to the 57th Scottish Nationals held at Bowhouse Farm and hosted by the Anstruther family, to find dry fields and what must have been near perfect match conditions. Although nearby was a field of spring wheat still awaiting the combine.
Helping me man the stand and organising the exhibits was our Scottish event’s organiser Roy Cowgill, also with us all weekend was organiser Bill Ironside and family from the topside of Aberdeen.
This was a large site split by a main road. Courtesy trailers were a welcome sight as the furthest fields were half a mile away, but a large area was needed as the match also hosted the European Vintage finals.
There were 38 ploughmen in 5 classes some ploughing over the 2 days, and it was very nice to see different tractors and ploughs, with one catching my eye a M.A.N 4wd driven by a German competitor.
On show was steam ploughing and on the second day shire horses were ploughing in front of us. As well as all the match classes, there were a variety of main dealers supporting the event and demonstrating their equipment; New Holland was represented by Fife Tractors.  All sorts of stalls were both on the fields and in the large farm buildings, interestingly flour was milled in the buildings from the farm’s wheat crop and there was also a brewery, which came into its own in the evening with music in the buildings! 
It was good for the Club to be at its first Scottish Nationals, to meet up with members and to welcome new members to the fold in what turned out to be a totally dry and busy weekend.  I look forward to next year’s Scottish Nationals which are being held in Ayrshire.  Thanks to Roy Cowgill and to Phil Gibson for this report.
 
 
Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire Ploughing Association
Held their annual ploughing competition on Saturday 2nd November at Kingholm Quay, Dumfries.
Willie West writes: Conditions on the day were rather trying after heavy overnight and early morning rain, with many struggling with the slippery conditions. In total 25 tractors competed including 7 Fordson, Ford or New Holland machines, these were:
  Gordon Rae, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire with his New Holland TL100A
        Alistair Brown, Darvel, Ayrshire with his New Holland 4835
        Brian Robertson, Mauchline, Ayrshire with his Fordson Dexta fitted with Duncan cab
        Davie Laird, Cumnock, Ayrshire with his Ford 4600
        Kenneth Wylie, Dumfries with his Ford 4000
        David Kirkpatrick, Mouswald, Dumfriesshire with his Model N
        Kenny Prentice, Auldgirth, Dumfriesshire with his Model N
 
Some also found themselves on the winners’ podium with Gordon Rae taking 1st in the conventional class as well as overall reserve champion, Alistair Brown taking second in the conventional class
Gordon Rae and Alistair Brown in action
 
David Laird with his Ford 4600 came 4th in the classic conventional class whilst Kenneth Wylie took first in the classic reversible class.
David Kirkpatrick from Mouswald near Dumfries had an excellent day taking 1st in the vintage trailing class, overall vintage champion and also the Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire ploughing Association 2019 Championship.
 
 
Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show; Held 9th & 10th November. The Club owes a vote of thanks to Phil Gibson and Gary Capp who were largely responsible for making this event such a success; Phil was very ably assisted by Lin, Ian and Ken,  This year we departed from our normal format, with the Club’s stand based in and around a large marquee in a better position on the show ground. Peter Nutley bought a fine display – a World War II exhibition featuring the contribution of the Women’s Land Army toward the war effort; Peter’s exhibits are simply excellent and are never the same twice as those who have seen them will know.
Lorries were again included this year and there were some very interesting exhibits both inside and outside the tent.  I particularly liked Jamie Shaw Brown’s Mailam 501 and his Howard Trencher based on a Pre-Force 5000 that is still used as it should be.
 
Congratulations are in order for Phil Gibson whose Ford 3600 petrol won the
NVT&HS prize for the Best Ford & Fordson Tractor in the show.
 
I must say that not having to battle erecting marquees was a real bonus as far as I was concerned, we are all getting too old for it and when the weather is poor it can be a real struggle.  It was grand just to turn up and find that most of the hard graft was already done and then, the added bonus, not having to take everything down wet, was brilliant.  Rodney Gibson presented the Club’s Prize winners with their awards:
 
Best in Show - Paul Cooper E27N L4
Best Unrestored - Chris Tranter, Roadless N.P. Major
Judges Favourite - Barrie Mumby 5000 Pre-Force 
 
Paul Cooper receiving the FFA Club's Best in Show prize from Rodney Gibson
 
Unfortunately, some members tractors ended up elsewhere on the show ground; please remember, if you want your exhibit to be with the Club’s display you must say so on the entry form, I know how easy it is to forget to do so. On both days there was a continuous stream of visitors creating a real buzz in the marquee and with record merchandise sales and forty membership subscriptions, the FFA enjoyed a very successful show.
 
 
Andrew Green from Devon writes:
I want to begin by inviting those of you who are already reading or receiving the FFT magazine or are just interested in Ford and Fordson tractors to get in touch (see details below) or indeed just turn up to our winter evening meetings at Whiddon Down Village Hall (WDVH). We are a very friendly group and we don’t have any complex initiation ceremony or ignore or eat new people who do turn up!! In other words, you would be most welcome to come along and join in. I would extend this invitation to folks from East Cornwall or West Somerset as our meeting venue is well located being right on the A30. We are a very hospitable social group of like-minded people who share a basic common interest in Ford and Fordson tractors and enjoy each other’s company.
Our next meeting  is on Wednesday 29th January at WDVH at a time of 7.00 for a 7.30 start when we welcome  a gentleman called Peter Hayward from Honiton, a former manager with Express Dairies, who is coming to chat to us about doorstep milk deliveries and the humble milk bottle, being a collector himself. It promises to be a really great evening, so do come along and be part of it. As I write, I am still sorting out the details of our final winter get-together which is on February 26th at WDVH. I will be in touch by email with more details as they are finalised.
We are also hoping to visit a member’s collection in February when details are completed, but if it’s anything like last year’s, it will be brilliant. Don’t forget the excellent Somerset Tractor Show at Shepton Mallet over the weekend of January 25th and 26th which is a great tribute to Nick and Pat Bryne and colleagues who always raise considerable sums for charity. This is very worthy of our support. Do get in touch  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07809 031177.
 
 
Finally:
We are featuring E27N Majors at Malvern Tractor World this year as it is the seventy fifth anniversary of that models launch, so please bring one if you can, of course any other Ford or Fordson product or derivative will be very welcome.  The High Henry, as some people now call them, although I don’t remember that sobriquet ever being used when they were front line tractors, is my favourite as they were the shiny new tractors in the yard when I was a boy, in fact it was the first tractor I drove on my own when I was about seven and the first one I bought after retiring. We shall be holding the Club’s AGM there again on Sunday, 23rd February, do come if you can.
As its time to start planning which shows you are going to this year, I’ll just quickly mention that we shall be at the Doe show with Peter Nutley’s display for the first time, and will again be at The Bath & West Showground for The Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show and, for the second time, at Whitwell Steam & Country Fair..  Please see the website for a list of events the Club will be attending.
 
Apology:
Dear Members, please accept my sincere apologies if you experienced a delay in receiving your copy of Issue 94 of Ford and Fordson Tractors. This was caused by an administration error on my part. Jane Broomhall

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2020 January

2022 Chair Update

From the Chair Dec 2019 - Jan 2020 for
Issue 94
 
Judging from the comments I've been hearing from you round the shows, the improvements our editor Chris Graham has been making to the layout and content of the magazine are meeting with your approval.  It certainly has a fresher feel about it and from what he tells me there are more refinements to come. 
 
With that in mind and with a little nudge from Chris we thought that the Club's 'Advertisement Page' layout was well past its sell by date and needed a major rethink, its purpose is to promote the Club and inform members.  So, this month we are reminding readers that to be a Club member, the magazine subscription must be paid directly to us.  This is still causing confusion, which I believe is because readers have been renewing their subscription by standing order directly payable to Kelsey, probably mandated before the Club became independent, just as I used to pay mine.  These days with so many other things going on it's easy to forget and they just never got around to changing it. 
 
We are also moving the panel that contains committee details from our main pages to free up space for more news. At the same time, we are introducing a panel that details Club Representatives and these will run in alternate issues, starting with the committee this time.  Lastly, we are featuring forthcoming Club events not promoted elsewhere and selected merchandise.  Keep an eye on it in future and please let us know what you think.
 
 
From Around the Country:
 
The Dutch FFA Ploughing Match was held on Saturday 31stAugust at the farm of FFA member Johan Hogeboom at Eeserveen.  The soil was sand with chopped straw on top and very dry and burying the straw was the biggest problem.  The organisers introduced a new class for three-furrow mounted.
  Results:
Two-furrow mounted 1 Co Looyestein, Dexta
2 Henny Mennega, Dexta
3 Gerard Schoenmakers, Roadless Super Major
 
Three-furrow mounted 1 Jurrie Potze, Major L4
2 Foppe Drent,3055
3 Andre Hendriks,5000
 
Parallel 1 Cor Dam, 3000
2 Marcus Wenning, 5000
 
Reversable Jaap Dam,4000
 
Hans Boss's restored pre force 5000 a lovely tractor.
 
The organisers were Jans Stevens and Foppe Drent
Our thanks go to the landowner Mr. Johan Hogeboom and to Mrs Greet Drent for running the catering. It was a wonderful day and we hope to see you all next year.
 
 
Dorset Steam Fair 2019:
 
For the first time for many years I missed Dorset, so I am indebted to Matt Bryne for his take on this year's show.  Matt, with commendable modesty, failed to mention that he won the Stanley Pond trophy for his beautifully restored 1931 Fordson and Ransomes cultivator/seed drill seen in the working area this year.
 
 
As many of you will know the Bryne family are true enthusiasts each doing their own thing, our congratulations to Matt for his achievement.
 
This year at Dorset there were, as always, a lot of Fordson and Ford tractors working on the site and they seem to be a favourite for people to use for hauling their exhibits to shows and shunting steam engines around the site.
 
Early morning at Dorset's working field before a hot working day
 
 
A regular and one I always find an interesting tractor is a Perkins P6 engined E27N, owned by Alan Sparkes, fitted with a large Automower rear winch. It has side chassis frames running the length of the tractor and then a substantial front weight in front of the radiator.
 
Within the show there was a nice line up of Fordsons on the granfers day display and a Matbro Mantis in a display of clay pipe laying. There was a very nice "hedgerow" E27N on the forest and farm area and also a Super Major based super 6 which, in its working life, had had an issue with a front hub and was then fitted with a 2wd axle. Also, there were various 10 and 40 series tractors on water bowser duties keeping the dust down.
 
In the working tractors section, there were 2 model F tractors, Richard Carey's 1922 which was seen running a sawbench and Jason Craddock's 1923, also my 1931 Irish N. There were 2 waterwashers, an original condition 1936 tractor owned by Martin Tully, and Mikey Carey's 1937, which was his grandad's tractor and was exhibited at the second GDSF 50 years ago and has been in preservation with the family all those years. The Ridges family always bring some interesting tractors and this year their original condition 1942 full track standard crawler and also original 1945 E27N were a lovely pair of tractors to see working, as were the 1942 N and early restoration 1945 E27N from the Cox and Turner collection. There was a very nice selection of P6 engined E27Ns in the section including Graham Spark's Roadless Model E full track crawler, as always, a nice tractor to hear and see working. The Super Major based Doe triple D with Fritzmier cab, belonging to Jake Hooper, has been a regular visitor to the show on and off for a long time and it was good to see it doing what it was built for.
 
A highlight for me was seeing 4 Roadless 6/4 tractors in one place on the static roadless commemorative display, two of which came over from Ireland for the show, the well restored green and yellow model and a very nice original condition blue-grey one. Both belonged to Malcolm Cooke who also exhibited his Roadless 120 which was the last tractor built by the company before they were taken over by Jewells; this particular tractor was supplied new to BT and has been restored in its original yellow livery. This display also had a good variety of Roadless Majors and Dextas along with a Selene 4WD Major and Dexta showing the origins of the 4wd side of the company. There was a nice selection of tractors on the 90 years of County display, ranging from a full track TVO E27N crawler belonging to Rob Jenkins and James Hardstaff's four drive skid steer which led the display ahead of the many equal wheeled Ford conversions, including a 1454 which was locally supplied by Dorset tractors along with most other main models from County's history of Ford tractor conversions.
 
 
Farming Yesteryear Rally 
 
6th September at Scone Place, Perthshire, Roy Cowgill writes:
 
 
Bill, Jane and Robert Ironside came down to help out at the Scone Rally where we had a very varied stand with no two exhibits the same (in fact we had 4 Fordson N's all with different wheels) two Roadless Super Majors one 1962 and a new performance 1964. We also had a New Holland T5.115 Centenary (Bronze No. 31 out of 100 built), a petrol NP Dexta, a 1959 Dexta which has completed two charity runs from John O Groats to Lands End with a coastal trip round Scotland raising nearly £25,000 for cancer research. With 17 tractors on the stand we had the bonus of picking up second prize for the best stand.  With ten new members signed up and quite a lot of merchandise sold we can count it as a great success.
 
 
Vintage Enthusiasts Autumn Working Weekend
 
On the 7th and 8th of September. The Vintage Enthusiasts held the 9th annual Autumn Working Weekend at Brixworth in Northamptonshire.
 
With the weather set fair a perfect weekend was in store. The dry hard ground provided challenging conditions for the ground engaging machinery which was pulled along by mainly Blue tractors.
 
 
180 acres of ground was made available to us, by kind permission of the Brixworth Farming Company, to plough and work but, sadly, due to the fortnight's wet weather in July/August some 20 exhibitors were absent due to work getting in the way of play!! Those that managed to get there made a good show of working all the available land.
 
There were other attractions in the form of a licenced bar and food, bric-a-brac stall, tombola, jewellery, cakes and strawberries and cream on sale, as well as a massive raffle.
 
Grev Bray - master woodcarver- put on a great show, producing many and varied carved items.
 
The Power Pullers and the Peak Vale Tractor Pullers put on a brilliant display with many and varied blue machines hooking on to the "Stinger" - the Peak Vale sledge.
 
 
The main aim of the weekend, apart from everyone having a good time, was to raise funds for the Air Ambulance and this year we again managed around £8,000, taking our 9-year total to £40,000.  Our thanks for this report from Michael and Lynn Alcock. prime organisers of this very enjoyable event.
 
 
Wendy Gibson Kents FFA "Ma Larkin"
is Stepping Down
 
 
After eight years Wendy has decided to retire from her role as committee member responsible for FFA merchandise sales, allowing her to pursue her many interests outside of the tractor world and to spend more time with her extended family.
 
Our sincere thanks to you, Wendy, for your years of commitment in this, often, challenging role.
 
 
Andrew Green from Devon writes: 
 
Summer has gone, the Show season is over and working days are done.  Autumn is with us and thoughts now turn to the workshop and sorting out those niggling problems and perhaps more major projects for the winter. Speaking of projects, some of you will know that I have been looking for parts to complete the rebuild of a Ford 4000 tractor. I would just like to say that I can really recommend Ron Greet from South Devon for the supply of new, used and reconditioned spares to fit most makes. Their support and back-up have proved to be most efficient and helpful (other breakers are available!).
 
Moving on, I am now finalising our winter evening programme. Our December evening meeting is on the 11th at our usual venue of Whiddon Down Village Hall, time 7.00 for 7.30 start when Brian Portch is coming along to tell us about the brilliant Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I have heard him speak before and it should be most interesting so do come along. The speakers for our 2020 evenings will be concluded very soon but the dates are fixed for 29th January and 26th February. I will be in touch very soon with more details. Please keep in touch via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and hopefully see you around again very soon.
 
 
69th British National Ploughing Championships, Lincolnshire, 12th and 13th October - Jane Broomhall reports:
 
Following a perfect Saturday for participants, exhibitors and spectators alike, our 'drowned' ploughmen and stewards persisted in their task on Sunday. For the second time in recent years the Championships were hampered by wet weather and, whilst the ploughing went ahead, there were few spectators other than family members and officials on day two.
 
Nine ploughmen competed in the FFA class - Pete Gilson, Geoff Sleightholm, Terence Stinson, Brian Gilbey, John Lewis, Derek Springett, Ray Thompson, Geoffrey Dibb and Harry Williams, travelling from Essex, Yorkshire, North and Mid-Wales and Oxfordshire. John Lewis took the trophy with 273 points, with Harry Williams and Geoff Sleightholm in second and third places respectively.
 
John Lewis FFA Champion after at the end of a wet day.
 
 
Participating tractors ranged from 1940's Fordson N's to Dexta's Super Dexta, Fordson Major and Ford 3000's.
 
We are grateful to two of our Lincolnshire based members who were kind enough to exhibit their tractors on the FFA stand.  Richard Mason's Ploughmaster 6/4 and 5004 Northrop, and Mark Coupland's Ford 4000 and Fordson Super Major, created considerable interest. Ken Bailey also exhibited his Ford 2000, travelling from Essex with marquee and stand equipment for the weekend.
 
Thank you to the Society of Ploughmen for allowing the FFA's participation and to everyone for your support of this prestigious event.
 
 
Book review: 
 
 
J J Wright and Sons Ltd. Ford Main Dealers, for 60 Years.  is a hard cover book of 128 pages measuring 305 x 215mm written by F G Milk & B J K Dye. priced at £15.  Fred Milk started with the company in 1959 joining the agricultural service department as an apprentice and later migrating to sales in 1971.  Brian Dye served his apprenticeship with a Nuffield dealer before joining Wright's agricultural team at about the same time.
 
It charts the fortunes of JJ Wright and Son Ltd from Joseph Wright's career from 1881 starting as a blacksmith, through bicycle repairs and manufacture, his move into automobiles and founding the business in East Dereham in 1899 through to its eventual demise. The book concentrates on the agricultural department based in London Road and is packed with photographs and interesting period ephemera, together with anecdotes of an agricultural engineer's daily life, from the period of Fred and Brian's time, when a service engineer was sent to a broken down machine on farm and they were expected to diagnose the fault and be able to repair it there and then, not leaving until it was back at work. Not as today when the engineer often just plugs in a computer and then fits whatever replacement assembly that it tells him to; it was a time now long gone.
 
 
This book will appeal to anyone interested in how agricultural engineering businesses of yesteryear were founded, developed, operated and unfortunately in most cases died. Wrights was a diverse company with full foundry and machine shop capabilities, undertaking work for the government and other manufacturing concerns, together with commercial vehicle and car sales and servicing, It is full of interesting information; I was looking forward to reading this and was not disappointed, as they say a good read and has my vote.
 
 
Finally:
 
As another year draws to its close, I'm personally very glad that periodicals such as this are one of the
few havens, during these troubled times, that you can open without fear of having some politician's views rammed down your throat. 
 
There are now just a few ploughing matches, road runs and crank ups left to look forward to.  Let's hope that the winter is neither too bleak nor long, thankfully we don't seem to get as much frost and snow as I remember when a boy.  I think snow is a poor barometer of a severe winter as snow clearance certainly in East Anglia used to be a very local affair, also there was less traffic, villages were far more self-sufficient and there were no salt lorries; keeping roads open was not the priority that it has become today. Probably the better evidence of change is the lack of ice thick enough to skate on in recent years, we seemed to skate on the pond or local gravel pits most years when I was a child.
 
The Club's first major event will again be Tractor World at Malvern and we look forward to seeing as many of you as can come.  I don't know if Mark has plans to move us again, but suspect it will depend on the number of entries and other features and plans.  I thought that Mark's last-minute move from our usual place last year made for a much better display, but the quality of that is entirely down to what you our members bring.
 
It's time to start thinking about which events you will be going to next year.  If you would like the Club to be at your favourite show give your local representative or a committee member a call, they may be able to support it or if they can't why not have a go yourself, we will do what we can to help you.  I know I keep saying this but, as no one can be in two places at once, it really is the only alternative.

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2020

2022 Chair Update

Prior to Ernie creating this website, our sole method of communication was via the magazine, the only other alternative is by post which unfortunately must be ruled out on cost alone.
 
The magazine has proved to be an excellent vehicle for disseminating club news and I do not see this changing, however, it is clear that as Ford and Fordson Tractors is a bimonthly publication and as the deadline for copy to be submitted to it is about a month before it drops through your doors, some three months can pass between an item of interest coming to our attention and to your being told about it.
To try and keep you better informed we shall, for a trial period, be publishing a regular ‘Club News’ item on this website. It will also feature items sent in by area representatives of ‘happenings’ they would like brought to your attention and you the members who have something you would like aired.
Please email items that you wish to be featured either to Ernie or to myself Pat Pawsey and we will do our best to include the most topical. We shall also include stories of interest that have missed publication previously due to editorial constraints or for other reasons.
 
Make no mistake this is your club and we need both input from you and feedback on the content we publish if it is to work properly.
 
Above in the blue header you can see the Isues 94 to 99  of "In the Chair" 2020.
Cick on the Month & Number you want to view and this will open on another page for you.
 
Click In the Chair 2020 button in the blue header to return to this 2020 Main page.
 
I hope you enjoy reading these In the Chair information pages as it is my way of keeping the Members upto date with what is going on with Your FFA.
 
FFA Chairman

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2021 November

July 2021 for Issue 105 - Oct/Nov 2021

The Ford & Fordson Association is successful club and because of this, event organisers, and members
ask us to attend their shows.  Taking a stand, the merchandise, providing teas and coffee and manning it
not to mention organising any display does not happen by magic.  The trouble is that too few are
prepared to help and most of those that do are getting on in years.
 
Talking to other clubs and societies they have the same problem, which is the ever increasing average
age of committee members and helpers, means that they no longer have the energy or strength that
they used to possess.  They still enjoying what they do but feel able to do rather less of it, of course,
one can't help getting older, speaking personally I have yet to find any benefit though. 
 
On the other hand, the young are not to blame as they have families to bring up and their careers to
build.  Looking back, I recall cash was tight and my priorities and interests have changed over the years.  There was never quite enough time and although the world has changed dramatically there are still only twenty four hours in a day.
 
I make no apology for raising this problem again but, this is your Club, and make no mistake, its future is entirely in your hands.  If you want the Club to have a stand, at as many shows as in recent years,
members will have to step up and help, they will find the experience rewarding and fun.  The trick is
simple enough people make light work of any job so please contact your local representative or any committee member. Otherwise the Club's stand will be at les events, or as your mother told you 'Many
hands make light work'.
 
 

Your News:

 
 
John Worley & Charlie reporting on Whitwell  Show 26th - 27th June
 
The show this year turned out to be the most successful ever with entries from all over the south
of England. On both days large attendances were seen, I think it was the public's first chance to attend
an event. There were over 600 exhibits including tractors, classic cars and steam engines this show is rapidly becoming the largest and best in Hertfordshire, that's due to Richard Hill and his team. Over 170 tractors attended which included a large proportion of Ford and Fordson, one of the pictures included is
a Fordson Standard with a hay turner owned nick and Mike Hill.
 
Over £8000 was raised for the local garden Hospice of Letchworth. My thanks to Richard Hill and team for
the photos and for an excellent show.
 
Charlie has contributed to previous issues, a different perspective; I visited the Whitwell Steam and
Country Fair now held at Codicote, Hertfordshire. The weather forecast was iffy, but the day was
overcast, dry and mild.  I am normally a regular exhibitor at this friendly well run rally, but not this year
for personal reason.
 
My first surprise on arrival was having to join a traffic queue on the road waiting to enter the site. Sunday
is usually a busier day so a larger holding area is needed. On looking around I was amazed at the size
of the exhibitor's area. The rally has been gaining strength as the years passed, but this was a leap
forward. I expect driven by being the first event in the area for so long. The car park was evidence of
public relief at an outing.
 
The free high quality programme lists 135 tractors, with some 40 Ford and Fordson. Exhibits ranged from
lawn tractors, a Ford 1210, a Doe 130 to a modern monster in the farm equipment section.  All the
usual exhibit sections were very well populated except for the stationary engines being only half those listed. Sunday will probably see more exhibits
 
Younger visitors were well catered for by a fairground, model steam train rides provided by the North
London Society of Model Engineers and last but not least a pair of donkeys being kept busy giving rides.
The one disappointment was the very limited food section. I heard a one hour queuing time stated.
There was of course the real ale bar, that aside, I found it a most excellent day out, all for £7
 
 
Andrew Green - reporting on the Devon County Show 
 
Devon County Show was held on the 2nd to 4th of July. I think it was successful, quite different, but
there was a good atmosphere and quite a buzz about it. Let's hope the organisers will see a favourable return for all their hard work and efforts in staging the event. There were about 50 tractors exhibited
which made for a pretty good display and quite a reasonable showing of Blue tractors.
 
I was particularly drawn to David Guppy's County 4004, Den Marks' Super Major and
Maurice Retallick's American Ford 960. Nick Gilbert, the tractor steward and FFA member has told me to mention there was quite a rare pre-force Ford 3000, Super Dexta which was also narrow with Select-O-speed transmission. Also to be seen was a most unusual exhibit which was a Stanhay fruit
box shifter built in 1967.  Only 2 of these were ever made and it used a Landover 6 cylinder, 2.6 litre
petrol engine & transmission and I guess you could say it was like a gantry which could carry up to 6
boxes at a time underneath its body from the field back to farm. It was, unbelievably capable of speeds
up to 45mph! It was really good to be out and about again, long may it continue. Organisers are planning
for the next Show to be held in May 2022, fingers crossed of course!
 
Over the last few issues, I have been recounting some of my family's farming experiences with Ford & Fordson tractors and equipment. Last time I was enthusing about the pre- force 1000 series and early
Force series which quite neatly moved us from the 1960s into the Seventies. This was the decade of
strikes involving the miners, postal workers and dustmen and rampant inflation around 25% per annum,
the 3 day working week and the Ford Cortina and Escort cars. You may recall in 1971 how on D Day, or Decimalisation Day how petrol changed from 6 shillings and threepence to 32 pence per gallon, yes a
gallon!! During this time, the Ford Force range proved to be very successful being market leaders for
many years. I mentioned last time how the Ford 7000 tractor came into being and became the mainstay
in the quest for more power and how it has become an increasingly desirable collectors tractor. In 1973,
one optional extra on the Force range which became available on the larger tractors was the development
of Dual power which was a clutch-less on the move high low lever which doubled up the number of
gears available to the operator. This was a huge advantage to be able to go 22% slower if you hit a
hard patch without having to change gears and then to be able to flick back up again when the workload eased. Dual power also gave you engine braking in every gear unlike some of the competition's tractors!
 
I should perhaps mention County tractors as I know there are many readers of our magazine who are
great fans of the range. As you will all well know, these were Ford engine and transmission skid units that were adapted and fitted with 4WD conversions. I will be quite honest and say that I personally have little knowledge and experience of Countys but they always give me a warm glow when I see one at work!
I should say that one of my brothers had quite a few on his farm in North Oxfordshire where his steep
banks and heavy land were well suited to the role of these 4 wheel drive beauties. There were other
similar conversions carried out by others including Roadless, the Doe triple D which was a dual drive articulated machine, Matbro, Northrop, and of course Muir Hill but Countys were far and away the
biggest manufacturer who converted well over 35 thousand units which were exported to many countries across the world. There were other Ford based skid units that were used in numerous industrial
conversions all over the world, far too many to mention. In the early 1980s the introduction of 4WD by
Fords to their tractor models was the beginning of the end for the specialist 4WD firms.
 
Moving on, in 1976, it became a legal requirement for all new tractors to be fitted with a safety cab that
met the 90 decibel noise limit inside the cab. These new cabs became known as Q cabs and were a huge leap forward in operator comfort and safety with proper lighting and ventilation systems. In the fullness
of time, air conditioning was provided but it was into the 80s before being offered as original equipment
. It could be pretty unbearably hot inside these cabs in the height of summer, so the windows were
all opened wide and of course in came the dust and dirt!!  It does make you appreciate today's controlled environment cabs.
 
In the mid 70s, I also branched out on my own with the acquisition of the tenancy of a small farm in mid Oxfordshire and I was also working for my new near neighbours doing some contract work. It was quite exciting when the first new large tractor arrived on the farm in early 1981, a Ford 7600E 2WD with the
E denoting the economy version basically without Load Monitor. This represented a saving of some
£900 off list price, a sum definitely not to be trifled with and as my old dad used to say that we were
only poor old tenant farmers! You might well be wondering how on earth these big sums could be afforded anyway and it was impossible without finance which spread the cost over say 3 years or more if you so wished. I did have a second hand early 7600 which went in part exchange which helped the deal.
In early 1982, the farm next door, across the valley came up for tender and I was pleased that I was successful. This was a heavy land farm, on banks and 4WD was now essential.
 
So the 7600E was then fitted with a Schindler front axle which came through the dealership of
Curtis & Horn Ltd based in Oxford but supplied from a firm called Farm Tractor Drives based in Derbyshire which was run by Arthur Battelle, father of Nick, our FFA president.
 
 
Well, this Swiss made imported axle transformed this tractor and made
it a very useful workhorse and very capable of coping with the challenges
of the new farm. We also added a double front weight tray which would carry up to 20 wafer weights which significantly improved traction. This was one
of those tractors which I wished I had kept but unfortunately it had to be           traded in to offset the high capital cost of its replacement. As I have said before  this is the reality for most of us but I hope someone is still using and enjoying it!
 
I think this is a good moment to stop for the time being but I will finish up
by wishing you a great summer
and I really hope that we shall be able to get out and about, have some
fun and catch up with old friends. But as I always say, please stay safe,
take care, use your common sense and look after yourselves and
your families. KBO. Please do keep in touch - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.       
 
 
 
 
The Eighth Stebbing Vintage Tractor Run Sunday 20th June: 
 
From long time member Dick Hughes. With a certain amount of trepidation
a date was set. We were inundated with entries all looking to get out
after the lockdown & we limited the numbers to 65. As has become the norm,
we start & finish at Brazenhead Farm, Little Bardfield courtesy of David Hunt.
 
A good mix of makes & models including over 20 Ford & Fordsons took part. Of particular interest was Michael Moore's Mini D with his wife in a dickie seat mounted on the back. We mark the route out with
little flags the day before which are collected up by Ken & Max in a
  pickup as back markers. We plan some short cuts for the slower tractors that  can't keep up on the road sections.  However, the slow coaches managed to take a wrong turning & by the time they were back on track the markers had been picked up! 
 
We plan variations to the route every year to include off road sections,
with permission from local landowners. This year was no exception with
five separate farmers accommodating us.
 
We did leave some mud on the road after one such foray, but we haven't had any complaints. The journey took us through Stebbing, Felsted, & Little Leighs with a comfort stop at Great Saling Village Hall. The last leg went across the fields to Great Bardfield & back to the start, a distance of 30 miles.  For the first time
the event was publicised in advance on social media. This resulted in hordes of spectators turning out
along the way which added significantly to the pleasure for all concerned.
 
Through sponsorship & street collections we raise money for charity most recently for Essex & Herts.
Air Ambulance. As icing on the cake, when we got back to the farm getting ready to go home, we
were treated to a 'fly over' by the Air Ambulance helicopter as a thank you for our efforts. The ending
for a very enjoyable day.
 
As I write we have raised a staggering £10500 our best yet & the grand total since we started the
event is now over £47,000.Dick Hughes is joint organiser with David Hunt & Mac Beanland. 
Combined ages 234 years!
 
 
The 17th Annual 'Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run 
 
Took place on Sunday 4th July with 110 participants and record crowds through Harleston town and the surrounding countryside. An emotional day for all concerned and, hopefully, large sums of money raised towards our target of £1Million for Cancer Research. By our treasurer Jane Broomhall, who is a regular participant.
 
 
Gerard Schoenmakers' Roadless Ploughmaster 6/2:
 
Gerard has finished the project which surely must be described as a labour of love and very fine she
looks too, a real credit to him and his friends' skill and dedication.  You will recall that this two wheel
drive Roadless model was never sold either in the UK or on mainland Europe and that only thirty two were made that were exported to Mexico.
 
Gerard reports that the tractor took over a year to build, and several technical problems had to be solved
on the way such as the sump, the flywheel and the frame.  After a lot of hard work, it was painted
then came the big moment - the start up and drive out of the shed, only it didn't happen!  She fired
up straight away but there was no drive so the tractor was split, and the trouble was found to be that
the clutch release bearing did not have enough clarence the shaft was ground and it all works fine now.
On the morning of 14th July came the 'icing on the cake'  Gerard and his pal Jurrie applied the bonnet stickers to complete the job.  Gerard would like to thank Jurrie Potze  for all the help  and  Johan Tempelman  for the technical advice. He is waiting a full set of wheel weights awaiting shipment from the UK. 
He is looking forward to  11 Sept to take her to the Dutch FFA ploughing match in Nieuwe Pekela in the
north east of the Netherlands.
 
 
Coast to Coast and Back: 
 
From Phil Gibson, 25 years ago Dave Harrison started the coast to coast tractor run from his farm on
the banks of the Mersey near Liverpool to Whitby and back again. This is no ordinary run as takes 6 days with about 600 miles covered. Held in June with the longest day taking in the delights of the Yorkshire
Dales and the North York Moors with many miles off road sometimes on tracks which are challenging even
to tractors, a good seat cushion is a must for me.
 
Dave has few rules, no cabs allowed, if you break down you are put on a bar and taken to the night stop
to make repairs, I was in need of a tow a few years ago, my 3000 Select-O-Speed decided to try to
select 2 gears at once. One rule above all is to wait for the man behind you at junctions, critical with
only our leader knowing where we are going plus a very good set of waterproofs, even in June the
weather can change very quickly on the high moors I use a insulated one piece suit.
 
 
The run starts on a Sunday morning at 4.30 a m, its 3-4 hrs to a breakfast. Then through the Trough
of Bowland or by other routes through the Yorkshire Dales sometimes Northerly to overlook Morecambe
Bay before we turn East to head back down to the Pubs and B&Bs around the Masham area for our night
stop with the North York Moors to be tackled next.
 
We run on white diesel to save any problem from the boys in blue and have 3 planned fuel stops on
the journey, some fuel is carried in a trailer together with a tools and some spares. This year I needed
one of the spares. a rear tube as we had to keep pumping it up throughout the 2nd day, at the night
stop we fitted a new one, it had chafed on a gaiter inside the tyre. Various repairs have been done at
night stops from head gaskets to water pumps and dynamos.
 
 
We follow our leader each day not knowing which road or track we are taking.  On the moors you really
are on your own, quite often not being able to see any farms or villages as far as the eye can see, this
is a wonderful part of our country and we are very lucky to have the opportunity to drive these tracks.
To enable us to travel off road Dave obtains permission from farmers or forestry owners, sometimes on
the moorland a game keeper will lead us as grouse have recently hatched or areas of moor have been
burnt to enable new heather to emerge.
 
Days 2-5 are around the North York Moors travelling to within sight of Teesside in the North and
Scarborough in the South. One day we drove on an old railway cinder track to Boggle Hole, which lead
to the beach at Robin Hoods bay and through the sea if it is not to deep, about halfway up my front
wheels. On the beach we sample ice cream made locally by a fellow road runner and Farmer from Whitby,
ice cream Mike.
 
The sea was incoming and by the time we went towards the jetty it was around 3 feet deep and quite
rough and came just over my gearbox, a new trophy for my workshop is a large piece of seaweed from
my front axle.
 
Two local drivers had joined us for the day on Grey Fergies and needless to say they got
wet, but it was sunny and warm with time to dry out before our next stop at Whitby.The Harbour Master allows us to park on the Pier and around the Bandstand for around 3 hours before driving onto the beach. Then 3 miles or so to Sandsend, but not this year with the sea in.
 
The run raises money for charity, this year the Air Ambulance, with donation boxes on some tractors,
Whitby is always good for the charity and this year especially so. Some of the lads end up at the
popular Magpie Cafe for sit down Fish and Chips, I wander into town where there is a jewellery shop
with everything hand made from silver with Whitby Jet, I buy a small 'peace' offering each year to my
wife as her birthday is a week later, it helps with gaining permission for next year's run!
 
The only other regular stop is at Goathland of Heartbeat fame where Scripps garage is still preserved
as it was in the programme, a very nice tea and scone is always the order of the day. We stop for 3
nights at the Fox and Hounds pub at Ainthorpe, that I recommend and are able to park on the green in
front of the pub. We eat have the odd drink and with much banter and  great evenings.The majority
of the 25 or so tractors are Ford or Fergy from everyday farmyard to concours, some modified with
larger engines which is good for towing any broken down tractors and drivers from all walks of life.
The last day is back to Liverpool via the Dales with the last few hours through the towns at rush hour,
time to concentrate concentration.
Dave has Fords in his collection but always likes to do the run on his Massey 185 Multi Power, without
Dave's work planning the next run would not happen. This year we presented him with a table lamp
made by the famous Mouse Man factory in Yorkshire in recognition of all his hard work. Thanks Dave!
 
 

Forthcoming event: 

                 
British National Ploughing  Championships - 9th and 10th October, at Mindrum, Northumberland  We have
ten members ploughing on the 10th and the FFA stand will be supported by Roy Cowgill and Phil Gibson

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2021 September

June 2021 for Issue 104 - Aug/Sept 2021

Correction: 
In the last issue the eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed the error I made on a photo caption by
calling Nick Bryne's truck a Thames Trader, it is not. The Trader was introduced later, and Nick's is an ET6.  Unfortunately, printed mistakes often become quoted facts, so it is necessary that they are corrected,
I apologize.
 
The National Historic Vehicle Survey conducted by The Federation of British Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), to
which some of you contributed, makes interesting reading.  In the five-year period between 2015 and
2020 the total number of registered historic vehicles grew from 1,039,950 to 1,538,927 an increase of
some 48%.  The percentage of agricultural vehicles remained at about 10% of the total and, over the
same period, the estimated average age of an owner has increased by two years to sixty-three. The importance of the movement to the economy is demonstrated by the steady increase in the annual value
of the spend, increasing from one point six billion in 1996 to seven point two in 2020, the report can be accessed on the FBHVC's website.
 
Registration applications for age related and retained registration marks are taking much longer to process
as a result of the pandemic.  The DVLA have been suffering from staffing problems caused both by illness
and working practices introduced that have delayed the service.  Hopefully the situation will improve and return to pre Covid levels shortly, in the meantime applicants must be patient
 
Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show 2021 - 13th and 14th November 2021- Members
please note:
 
2021 AGM - we will be holding our AGM on Saturday 13th November at 5.00 pm in the President Suite
which is located on the first floor of the Cedric Ford building. Please join us to hear the latest news
about your Club, to raise questions, and to voice your opinions.
 
Exhibitor Entries - the show ground is introducing online exhibitor entries for all classes this year. Entry
will still be free of charge to all online entries, via www.newarkvintagetractorshow.com  however postal entries will incur a £5 administration fee.  Entry is available from Monday 14th June with a closing date
of Friday 17th September.
 
I am happy to assist any member unable to submit an online entry - just give me a call on 01379 677866  ensuring you have all relevant information to hand, i.e., your name, address, telephone number, exhibit  including manufacturer, model, year, and fuel.
 
Jane Broomhall - Secretary/Treasurer
 
70th British National Ploughing Championships
9-10th October 2021
Mindrum Mill, Mindrum, Northumberland TD12 4QL
 
FFA have ten plots at the above Championships on Sunday 10th.
With no qualifying possible in 2020 we would welcome interest
from match ploughmen who are members of the Association.
 
The closing date is early July so please call 01379 677866 immediately and register your interest.
 
 

Your News:

 
Ian West from Alberta: wrote in April, it's early Spring with daytime temperatures in the high single digits. Night-time temperatures continue to hover around the freezing mark for the most part. Despite this
I've encountered a few mosquitos so Spring proper can't be far off. Unlike coastal climates, no greenery
is visible to date this far inland, but the dramatic seasonal changes never cease to amaze me here after
49 years of residency where in the space of a week, literally, Mother Nature bursts into bloom. Our
Winter is to all intents over and certainly was mild with below normal snowfall here in the greater
Edmonton area. This will have negative implications for soil moisture reserves that largely depend
on snowfall due to annual rainfall in the range of 20inches only. Very briefly, we did experience some
bitterly cold in February in the range of minus 40C which rates favourably in Canadian terms.
Average daytime Winter temperatures would typically range between minus 10-15 with January and
February dropping to the lower minus 15-30C.
 
Wintertime on a grain and hay farm affords one a leisurely lifestyle by comparison with livestock
producers.  Apart from commodity marketing I choose to perform seasonal machinery maintenance
or restoration in preparation for Spring activities in the comfort of a heated workshop. Alberta is well
served with natural gas throughout the province and is piped to each customer directly. Forced air
heating is the preferred mode as opposed to water/radiators as this maintains much more uniform temperatures.
 
Now you might ask-how do we handle equipment during such low temperatures? A 60% antifreeze solution
is preferred for a start. Winter grade diesel too is top of the list though I'm finding since the abolition or reduction of sulphur, diesel seems much lighter year-round and much less prone to congeal. Tractors in
daily service are generally kept indoors in heated facilities and may also be equipped with block
circulation heaters, typically in the 1200-1500watt range. Thankfully with modern multi-grade lubricants
wear and tear is considerably minimized. In early 1970's I recall trying to start my Super Major which
was equipped with the aforementioned circulating heater only to discover upon starting that I'd no hydraulics. Once I managed to get indoors it became apparent that as a result of some moisture in
the hydraulic sump -it had frozen the intake screen. Thereafter, annual hydraulic oil changes solved
the problem. Water distribution lines are typically buried 8ft,. particularly under driveways, where frost
tends to penetrate, as a result of compaction and lack of snow cover.
 
This background of circumstances largely brought about the purchase of my next … Ford 8600 in 1987.
 
It is a 1975 model, purchased with 3,100hrs at the time, from the original owner in off farm condition.
It came equipped with 3-point linkage, dual rear wheels, heated cab and the standard Dual Power.
Its working life during our pig production term was dedicated to liquid manure hauling, field cultivation
and feed manufacturing using a New Holland 357 Grinder mixer.
 
In the 10 years of owning the Mix-Mill
we made in excess of 10,000Tonnes of feed and this machine proved to be a life saver in terms of its portability and economics of on farm processing. I made several modifications to the machine and if there
is an interest from the readership, I would be happy to share in a separate article. I've no recollection
of seeing these feed processors in the British Isles, but that doesn't mean they weren't available.
In the 33years of ownership of the Ford 8600, it has proven to be an excellent workhorse with a very satisfactory track record in terms of mechanical reliability.
 
A complete engine overhaul was done at 10,500hrs after developing an engine knock which was as a result of a couple of worn connecting rod bushings. Even up to that point engine oil pressure was being maintained with minor consumption between oil changes surprisingly. I didn't anticipate the problem to be so basic, even having consulted with more experienced mechanics, so at that point in November 2011, I opted to purchase a used New Holland TM130. Now, faced with a knocking engine … What to do?? Salvage wise I knew I'd take a financial hit as the tractor had been conscientiously maintained and all the other critical components
had been either replaced or repaired so decided I'd do an overhaul myself over the Winter months.
 
Cylinders were bored oversize, new pistons, crankshaft polished and new main bearings, valves
reground, new injectors and fuel injection pump overhauled. With the engine removed, I overhauled
the clutch with a new disc, pilot, and release bearings also.  By then, with a good portion of the tractor disassembled already and a favourable costing to date, I decided to paint the tractor using a combination
of air spray and aerosol cans as touch up using NH factory paints. I was satisfied with the overall factory grade finish and completed the restoration with a complete decal set in addition to re-upholstering the cab.
 
About 600hrs after the restoration I encountered a problem as a result of the engine oil pump relief
valve seizing which required splitting the tractor again for sump removal. On installing a new oil pump,
I once again experienced an oil blow out problem, from the base of the spin on oil filter adaptor from
the canister style base, which persisted for a time until I finally secured the correct rubber type gasket
in combination with torqueing the filter adaptor nut to 110ft.lbs. Other items of note during my
ownership … Dual Power clutch packs replaced around 6000hrs and a couple of hydraulic pumps
replaced - one of which failed around the same time as the need to overhaul the clutch packs and
again just ahead of the engine knock issue.  New inner rear tyres and fronts were replaced Summer
2020 and, judging by auction and sales data, the tractor has maintained its value admirably. It's a basic,
no frills tractor by today's standard, devoid of any problematic electronics and is still the preferred
tractor when it comes to lugging ability on heavy field work. We practice conventional tillage here
unlike many of our large scale, highly capitalized operators, using a no-till regime but with a growing
public awareness and suspicion of chemical solutions, I suspect modern arable practices will only continue
to be subject to increasing scrutiny. I also include a picture taken on April 17 of my 8600's inaugural task
to date this year, rotovating a 40acre hay field which will revert back to cereal production.
 
Unfortunately, at the time of compiling this article Covid19 continues to be headline news here with
an increasing fear of the variants. Our vaccination levels are falling short of projection for a number
of reasons, resulting in vintage events provincially being cancelled for a second year unfortunately. Out
of country travel too looks improbable, unlike in February a year ago when my wife Linda and I had the
great pleasure of attending the Malvern Three Counties show. We are very fortunate in the agricultural community, nonetheless, being able to enjoy the great outdoors as we go about all our cropping and
farming practices unlike our urban folks who potentially have become unemployed and are living under much more restrictive circumstances.
 
In closing, I would welcome any enquiries anyone might have pertaining to my submissions to date.
I can be reached preferably by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  In the meantime, Stay Safe and continue
to maintain all those Ford & Fordsons!!
 
 
Martin Carley reports on the progress Miguel Davis is making with his Dexta in France: 
 
Miguel writes a combination of public holidays and annual leave has allowed me to continue my restoration.  The electrical part of the tractor is now finished, and I have reassembled the dashboard and the
instruments panel.  Other work has included: replacing the glow plugs, and fuel supply pipe have all
been replaced, as have the water pump and water hoses.  The radiator has been cleaned and repainted
and is ready to be reassembled.  I also had a problem on the front part of the engine (aluminium dirt fell
into the crankcase), which required me to disassemble the axle and wheels to repair.
 
 
John Skipper fits a Horn-draulic loader to his Super Dexta:  
 
A few years ago I managed to find a 24:1 loader to go with my International 434. After a considerable
bit of restoration I achieved a great working combination: loader easy to mount and dismount and
simple to operate. But I could tell that Dilwyn the 1964 Super Dexta was not happy and ready to prove
that he too could enter the fray.
 
In the middle of last year I spotted an advert for a Dexta loader. At last. So off I trundled to a remote
corner of Carmarthenshire to find this assembly of brown metal and perished hydraulic pipes sitting in a
nettle patch, begging to be saved. "What sort is it?" I asked. "No idea", came the response, "but it was
made in Cardiff so it must be good. But haven't used it in 30 years as the Dexta was used as a yard
scraper".  A bit of elbow grease revealed the identity: HORN-DRAULIC LOADER, manufactured by
Steelfab Ltd. Serial number AB2927.
 
Many readers will be familiar with this brand name but it was new to me. I was lucky enough to be
put in touch with Julian Carder from JCB, who had inherited a vast pile of Steelfab literature and has researched the history of the company. Julian described 'thousands' being manufactured for a wide
range of small/medium sized tractors like the Fordson Major, Dexta and many other makes. Steel
Fabricators Ltd was based in Cardiff and the company was the UK licensee for Horn-Draulic loaders
and the Shawnee Digger, a detachable backhoe for tractors.
 
A search uncovered the long history of Steel Fabricators Ltd going back to its formation in Birmingham
in 1935. Production of loaders, after its move to Cardiff, was indeed prolific, but was badly affected
by the downturn in farming in the 1990's and, after six decades, they went into receivership in 1998.
I have been trying to find instruction manuals for those fitted to the Dexta. The earlier Horn-draulic
Dexta loaders threw up quite a few problems apparently, with mine eventually identified as the later
Model 502.  I've got the 502 sales brochure - but no instruction manual! The sales brochure is for
Steelfab Ltd, making my 502 version after 1962, when the company changed their name from
Steel Fabricators.
 
Restoration of my Model 502 was pretty straight forward. The quality of the steel under the surface rust
was excellent. There was also some of the beige paint left on the loader frame and Empire Blue on the
dirt bucket. The hydraulic hoses, rams and simple 'up-down' control box were in very poor shape, with
£350 spent getting them professionally restored (contrasting with the £40 I paid for a rusty pile of
potential scrap).
 
Type 502 Horndraulic loader is complicated to fit, a bracket fits on the bellhousing beneath the tractor
via 4 bolts. The loader supporting arms (rams attached) are then fitted onto this with the rear supported
in a bracket mounted beneath the rear axle. These brackets are still mounted on the original Dexta,
but I've tracked it down and only Covid restrictions have prevented me heading off to reclaim them.
Given that so many Horn-draulic loaders were made I've found it pretty difficult to get hold of anything specific to mine. The search continues, but no matter, I'm getting close and I reckon Dilwyn will only have
to wait a little longer.
 
 
Gerard Schoenmakers progress creating his Roadless Ploughmaster 6/2.
 
After buying a Fordson Super New Performance Major, an industrial 590E engine and 38-inch rear wheels
the project started.  The first job was to swap the live drive gearbox with a standard box. (Roadless 6/2
had standard boxes). We only swapped the gears so that the date code of the housing matches the
other castings.
 
The engine had not turned for at least 20 years and needed a complete overhaul. After overhauling we
tuned the injection pump and adjusted the injectors. 
 
It ran fine right from the first start. Because of the position of the pivot point of the A-frame we had to
alter the aluminium sump.
 
The industrial 590E has the reservoir in the middle so we had to move this to the back. We used the
bottom of an aluminium sump off an industrial four-cylinder Fordson and welded this in the cut-out section
of the six-cylinder sump. We had to machine the upper side with a mill because the welding had distorted
the sump a bit.
 
Then we fabricated the special Roadless parts, we were lucky to have had sight of the original drawings
and my friend Jurrie made new metric drawings. In his workshop I drilled all of the holes (and that were
quite a lot).  Because of the adaptor plate between the engine and the gearbox Roadless uses
a special flywheel that is 30 mm thicker than normal.  We fabricated one by combining two Fordson flywheels, one for a live drive clutch and one for a heavy duty single clutch.
 
The live drive flywheel is bolted on the crankshaft and then the single clutch flywheel is bolted to its back. We  still have parts to fabricate and will report on our progress.
 
 

Forthcoming events:  

                 
Old Ford Rally: 18th July -  The British Motor Museum, Gaydon CV35 0BJ: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01926 649649. For FFA enquiries:   Lee Coxon on 07768 136225
 
The Old Timer Tractor Rally: 31st July 1st Aug - Wooferton, Nr Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4AW;
Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Weald of Kent Steam Rally -  7th and 8th July - Little Engeham Farm, Woodchurch, Kent  TN26 3QY.
For FFA enquiries John Vowell on 07803 003047 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Marsham Show: 14th - 15th August, Orchard Cottage, Allison Street, Marsham, Norfolk.
Enquiries: Bob Parke 07860 174906. For FFA enquiries: Ian and Lin Prince on 07745 171516 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Witchampton Tractor Rally - 29th August at Wimborne, Dorset:  Meet at the Witchampton Club, BH21 5A
Refreshments available ahead of 11.00 am departure. Trailers are welcome on this approximate
4-hour run around the beautiful Crichel estate and surrounding areas. Then back to the club for live
music and food. One of the largest events for the club and the first rally since 2019, let us make it a
special day. Enquiries:  John Maiden, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Read more ...2021 September

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