Constable's Work Of Art
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast|January - February 2018

Bernard Holloway falls into conversation during a road run and uncovers an Italian masterpiece

Constable's Work Of Art

I just caught a glimpse of a rare Italian built MF 154S and its driver who proffered a friendly wave at least I hoped it was, as he passed. The whereabouts of most local, classic tractors and owners are known to me but I couldn’t place either and the mystery remained unresolved until I participated in a road run some two weeks later. The event in support of a prostate cancer charity was attended by some 60 participants with the tractors running in various groups to minimise traffic disruption. It raised well over £1,500 so hats off to all who participated, the organisers Debbie and Phil Broad and their team, The National Trust and adjacent land owners for allowing us to cross their land. By coincidence the owner of the 154S slotted just in front of me and introduced himself as John Constable and we fell into conversation at rest stops and after the run.

Watching the family herd of Friesians slaughtered and dragged to a pyre of coal and railway sleepers is certainly not an event that one forgets and the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 1960 is still clear in John’s mind as is the effect it had on his family notwithstanding the 18 month hiatus before his father could rebuild the herd. Although John helped with general farming duties, rolling, combining and hay making around the mixed arable and dairy farm his heart was never in the business as his abilities lay elsewhere. As he says” I was happiest taking machinery apart and fixing it up and working with my hands. One of my first projects, and being keen on motorcycles which in my youth were cheap to buy, was the restoration of a Royal Enfield with my friend Dick McKenna, when we were at school”

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MÁS HISTORIAS DE CLASSIC MASSEY & FERGUSON ENTHUSIASTVer todo
The (Dodgy) Italian Job
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

The (Dodgy) Italian Job

Dan Harris guides us through buying a tractor which is rare enough to turn heads but shares something unwanted with an 1980s Alfa Romeo 

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7 minutos  |
September - October 2017
Straight To The Point
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Straight To The Point

With hard ground and difficulty in getting his plough to penetrate, Andrew Hall sets about fitting some new points

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3 minutos  |
September - October 2017
MF Ploughman Comes Out On Top
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

MF Ploughman Comes Out On Top

The 2017 British National Ploughing Championships returned to a previous site as good weather, good ploughing and a good crowd were enjoyed.

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2 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Diamonds Are For Ever?
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Diamonds Are For Ever?

Here’s some good news from the editor for those wanting to give their restorations that special final touch

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3 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Original Is Best!
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Original Is Best!

Peter Love travelled to Shropshire to take in a very original Massey Ferguson 65 Mk2 that its owner purchased some 15 years ago. Yet it is only now that he has got it out of the shed and taken it to a couple of events. At Tractor World Autumn at Newbury Showground in October, it took 'Best Exhibit in Show' and quite rightly so, writes Peter. We find out the best way to clean up a tractor like this and get the best out of it, at the same time keeping the original look

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8 minutos  |
January - February 2018
Back to Life After 30 Years
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Back to Life After 30 Years

It is thought the MF 35 was used as a shunter in Belfast International Airport.Chris McCullough finds an industrial tractor that once towed aircraft round an international airport and then ended up in a shed

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2 minutos  |
March - April 2017
Putting Right Neglect
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Putting Right Neglect

The tractor as Russell bought it, with industrial tyres.Russell McNab reports on how he restored an MF 135 and kept his wife happy in the process – until she discovered his other plan

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3 minutos  |
March - April 2017
French Classics Are Continental
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

French Classics Are Continental

Mention Massey Ferguson to enthusiast Tom French and a smile immediately lights up his face. Bob Weir went to Cumnock in East Ayrshire, to see the recent additions to his superb collection

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6 minutos  |
March - April 2017
Excellence In Power And Performance
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

Excellence In Power And Performance

A classic view of a farm at work prompted Alan Barnes to look into the story of the MF 65

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5 minutos  |
September - October 2017
George Likes His Chips
Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast

George Likes His Chips

Massey Ferguson’s 3000 Series is an array of cult classic models and one of the first ranges to use microchip technology. George Cook from Kelso owns a superb example of a 3070 – Bob Weir went along to take a look.

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5 minutos  |
September - October 2017