A Three Generation MF 35

Steve Wiseman tells the story of his family’s 1959 tractor

My grandfather purchased the tractor brand new for the Polytechnic Sports Ground in Chiswick , London, where he was working as head groundsman. It was supplied by Penwarden & Frost, a dealership in Farningham, Kent.

My father also worked at the same sports ground (he became head groundsman in 1966 after my grandfather retired) and the tractor was still in regular use up until the time he died in 1999.

In the late 1950s, my grandfather and father had been looking at different makes and models of tractors to replace their ageing Standard Fordson N. It was either going to be a Fordson Dexta or a Massey Ferguson 35. Eventually they decided on the 35.

This particular tractor rolled off the production line at the Standard Motor Company works in Banner Lane, Coventry, on April 29 1959. It is fitted with the four-cylinder Standard 23c diesel engine that would go on to gain a reputation for being a notorious starter if not set up right, particularly in colder temperatures. This engine was succeeded by the three cylinder Perkins engine that acquired a very good reputation for starting and reliability. The 23c diesel engines were phased out by the end of 1959.

The tractor has seen some small changes over the years. It was originally supplied with an underslung exhaust that was soon to change for a two-piece vertical exhaust. A loader was also bought for it and fitted around 1963. I remember my father saying that the loader wasn't the nicest of things to use.