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

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

Original Is Best!

Richard Sherratt was a successful branch manager for Sharrocks, starting in the 1960s and working his way up as an excellent salesman in the era of the 100 series, before setting up his own company with his wife Ann.

He offered his customers good 24-hour service for parts and suchlike related to keeping the tractor, arable and grassland equipment (and so much more) going on the farm. He later patented a farm heating system that was sold off upon his retirement. Today he is fully occupied with his restorations and his excellent original-style 100 series seats and more.

Which is better? NP Super Major or 65Mk2?

In Richard's youthful working days the earlier 65s and 35s were very much about, even when the 100 series era was on-going, and these earlier tractors were taken in as part-exchange. As I have written before, the 65 is a much-underrated tractor and, as Richard says, was a better bet than a Fordson New Performance Super Major.

For a start it was easier to get off and on the footplate, which was slightly wider than the Fordson making it more comfortable with better spacing of the pedals and so on. You had more power from the Perkins 203 diesel engine with a better choice of gear ratios and, of course, stronger and more reliable hydraulics capable of lifting more with the lift arms directly in line over the rear axle. One has to remember the Ferguson System was patented and others had to work around it, giving Massey Ferguson a big advantage - and the tractor was certainly well built with a good and reliable pto.

Multi-power

This example is fitted with Multi-Power, which gave you 30 per cent more power and, if the farmer read how to operate the system properly, he had more advantages than with other makes of the time. Nevertheless, it was not fool-proof owing to drivers trying to take short cuts, particularly when freewheeling down a hill then pulling the lever up! BANG!

Denne historien er fra January - February 2018-utgaven av Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January - February 2018-utgaven av Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CLASSIC MASSEY & FERGUSON ENTHUSIASTSe alt
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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

time-read
8 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
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 mins  |
September - October 2017