Family's Ford Returns

Joseph Lewis discovers how the first four-wheel drive tractor on a Dorset farm, sold in the mid 1990s, was bought back after a gap of 20 years to take up an active role in the family’s forestry

- Joseph Lewis

Simon Hobbs runs Hobbs Contracting Services, from his family’s farm near Dorchester. In 1985, Simon’s grandfather, Edward Ernest Hobbs, known to everyone as ‘Ted’ purchased the family’s first four-wheel drive tractor in the form of a Ford 6710. Simon grew up with this machine and learned to drive a tractor using this model.

When it was sold, he always said he would buy the Ford back to use in his own business. This wish came true in 2015 and during a visit in May 2016, we discovered the background to this significant purchase.

The Hobbs Family started farming near Dorchester in 1946. At this time, the farm comprised a dairy and an area of arable crops, but was shortly followed by beef cattle, a large pig unit and sizable flock of sheep. There was always a Fordson or Ford tractor helping out, particularly as the Ford tractor dealer, A. Brewer & Co Ltd., was close by!

Evidence of this is reflected in an early photograph of a farm worker on a Fordson Model N. The main source of information on the farm’s Ford tractor ownership is Edward’s meticulous documentation, which records every tractor and item of machinery bought and sold from the farm, during his time.

Notable examples include a Fordson Super Dexta, which with delivery and oil change cost £632.18 on 21 June 1961 and an old International was traded in for £50. On 30 March 1976, a two-wheel drive Ford 6600 was bought brand new for £4,835 excluding VAT and a Ford 5000 was sold for £1,835. Around 9 months later, on 19 November 1976, a two-wheel drive Ford 6600 with a Duncan cab was purchased from Dorset Tractors for £6,430.32. Into the 1980s, a Ford 4610 was acquired for £11,408 from A. Brewer & Co Ltd. on 9 August 1982.