Out of the blue I’ve had an email from 1260engineer, or Jeff as he is better known. You may remember  he used to work at Holland Brand Workshops. He has a website and promises to start posting some fab articles soon. I loved his work and detailed articles on the holland brand workshop website. So more of the same soon!

www.1260engineer.com

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The 7th & 8th of November 2009 saw the 7th annual Newark Vintage show. Normally the Peterborough show a week before defuses the crowns as some people attend that event instead. With no Peterborough show this year Newark Seemed busier than ever by 10am when Roy and I arrived. Roy had the bright idea of pre booking the tickets online so as well as a £1 discount each we also didn’t have to que.

On the saturday when we attended there was an auction at 11am. We arrived early to look round to see if anything was worth bidding on. There was lots of Ferguson items ploughs, some TE-20’s and other parts. there was nothing that took our fancy so we didn’t bid. On the Sunday there was an Old Sodbury sortout, a sort of car boot sale for tractors. I didn’t know anyone going on the sunday so I on’y know if it was a success of not, whether there where ant bargains.

Although advertised as an outdoor even the majority of the tractors where inside or under tents. So after our first cup of tea of many we made a start on working our way round. Being veteran Newark goers we knew the format. We started of in the … hall but before we got there some fab MF’s where waiting at the entrance.

Unusual auction item

Nice 135 industrial

French built 130

How clean is that engine

I loved this Ferguson 40

The FERGUSONCLUB stand

Single rib tyres originally fitted to the early TE-20’s These I think are reproductions

New for this year a marque connection the two main halls

What a finish, Will mine ever look like this?

Narrow Plough/ridger for working between the raspberry canes

And the tractor to pull the ridger was also narrow

I love the badge

Shortened back axles. the Reekie conversion used normal 28″ wheels. the ferguson narrow was longer than normal and used 24″ rear wheels as the Reekie’s where prone to tipping over on slopes

A fine ferguson display by an Ayrshire group

Adjustable toplink

Plough front furrow adjuster I’d love one of these for my plough

My next purchase. I’ll need a bigger garage.

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If you are going to Newark at the weekend I’ll see you there on Saturday.

http://www.newarkshowground.com/nvts_home.htm
If however you can’t make make it but you’ll be near your computer I’ll be “twittering” or “tweeting” all day.

Twitter is a micro blogging website it allows you to make a post of 140 characters  to your hmepage to keep people up to date with what you are doing on a minute by minute basis. I have seen posts with messages like “I’m just getting on the train” or “I’m just sitting on the loo” I won’t be making any such posts but I will be posting throughout the day whilst at Newark any interesting snippets, weather and general goings on at the show.

My twitter site is http://twitter.com/@ploughmyfield

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This came to my attention on the FoFH Forum and I wanted to share it with as many people as possible so that they have the chance to watch it before it becomes unavailable.

On Monday 2nd November this documentary was first shown on the BBC about Harry Ferguson and his flying career.

It is available until 9th November to watch again on the iplayer or to download and watch withing 30 days. It was a really interesting program giving a good insight into the man and his little known by me, flying past.  This isn’t available to people outside the UK I don’t think.

Link Here to the Documentary

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I have spent a few days in the lake district with my family getting away from it all. It seems my tractor spotting obsession followed me. It has become apparent that tractors have got under my skin and into my veins. I couldn’t resist taking a few snaps of this very original looking TE-F20. I didn’t find its serial number but it has a lift pump. I think the cab is a later addition as it has all the lighting kit on the back including plough lamp bracket.

Tags: CAB, Lighting, TE-F20.

Picture by kind permission Motorman Tel’s Flickr Site

Usually only a Horse ploughing match, this year Beamish decide to show what replaced horses on the farm. Enter me. I was asked to demonstrate using the museums TE-A20 (TVO converted) Ferguson and my 2 Furrow plough. I had so much fun. A big thank you to Beamish for letting me be there.

The day started very much earlier than the opening picture. I Had travelled up from Sheffield the day before and spent the evening chatting to the plough match competitors. I was told it was a very friendly sort of an event.  At about 7:30am I made my way to where the tractor was stored. Why did I get up so early when the ploughing didn’t star until 10:30am. I had to build my plough before I could use it.

Armed only with two trusty Ferguson spanners and a pot of grease It took about an hour to put the whole thing back together. I’m glad I remembered to  take a couple of pictures of it all assembled to know how to reassemble it from pieces.

Not bad for £75 Well that’s what I paid for it originally. I’d struggle to get one as good for £275 now. The mouldboards and skimmers and coulters are covered in grease from the last time I used the plough It is not rust on them.

Ferguson Tractor Jack

With the plough assembled with plenty of time to spare I could experiment with the Ferguson Tractor Jack I had bought as Auction a couple of months earlier. I can’t remember why I only bought the back section. I have the front. With the right lower links fitted to the tractor (the original lwer links not new replacements like my tractor) it was easy to attach the jack.

So then the moment of truth the lift. Needless to say it all went according to plan both back wheels off the ground ready to either change the wheels or alter the track width.

It works and it works so well. You can see a movie below of the lowering process.

With the Tractor filled with TVO it was off to the plough field.

First Job marking out. one stake at either end and one in the middle. I measured from the next plot over about 15ft. I’m not sure in a real plough competition what this distance should be. I was on the start of a row and was only ploughing as a demonstration.

I am not sure what happened the as I made several passes up and down the field but somehow in the excitement and concentration I forgot to get off the tractor and take some pictures.

I was following the opening on Stubble start as recommended by the ferguson manual. opening on Stubble

This is a marke cotrat to opening on Grass. opening on Grass

So the first time I remembered to take some pictures I had completed the “Open”.

More to follow tomorrow night

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My reply

Hi Richard,

Glad you like the site,

would it be OK to publish the email you sent on the website with the pictures you supplied?

Please send more pictures of all of those special accessories for your ferguson you mentioned.
I know it’s a subject all the readers are interested in.

can we have some upclose pictures of the wiring for the lighting Kit please. Where it goes inside the bonnet, where it goes along the engine, at the back of the dash, to the back mudguard.

Regards

Tim.

Richard  sent some more pictures back. I don’t think the plough lamp or number plate bracket is wired up as i can’t see any of the wires.

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Saturday 17th October 2009 saw the 118th Norton Ploughing Association plough match just south of Sheffield. Roy went along and was kind enough to send in some photo’s I was unable to attend as I was at Beamish.org.uk attending their ploughmatch on the Sunday.

Hi Tim

Norton match was very good the weather and ground superb. I spoke to Maurice Butcher he drove the Bedford lorry at WILSON & SON (Ferguson dealers in Sheffield) for 2 or 3 years in the late 1950’s he know Frank Wilson of course and Freddie Wilson. Freddie was the son of Frank. Kenneth Wilson was listed as a director of Wilsons in the 1950’s Kellys directories as was their  father Alfred E. Wilson.

Roy.

One of the competitors used this Ferguson TE-D20.  I think the grey item cable tied to the front is to attach a marker to line up on the first run. Getting the first run as straight as possible is one key parts to a good plough score all the other furrows are based on that first one. The Number plate of this tractor is very close to mine an age related plate I believe.

Here is the plough at the back of that tractor. A Ferguson 2 Furrow with front furrow adjuster. The most interesting thing about the picture I think is the inserted item. It looks like some sort of attachment to hold the implement up without engaging the hydraulics whilst moving between jobs. I don’t think it was a Ferguson item but I did see one of these for sale on eBay recently.

Another Ferguson 2 furrow plough. This one I’m not sure would be allowed into the Ferguson class as it has a couple of banned items fitted. 1. the adjustable top link. 2. A stabalizer bar fitted to the left lower link arm.

Checkout the rules of the Ferguson class (now officially recognised my the society of ploughmen) here if you do want to enter a Ferguson class and there is one available at your next plough match.

Ferguson Tractor & Ferguson Plough rules

This looks like an FE35 with a Ransome plough, probably entered into the Vintage Hydraulic class.

And finally the “get the job done” solution, this modern alternative to vintage ploughing. It just doesn’t look the same as a nice Ferguson and 2 furrow plough.

Tags: 2 Furrow plough, Ferguson, Norton, Plough.

Ploughmyfield.com gets a logo

To me there is nothing that represents Ferguson tractors better than the Ferguson spanner. Nearly all the bolts on the tractor and implements can be tightened or loosened using the double ended Ferguson spanner. Whilst ploughing the notches on the side indicate depth of furrow in Inches and on the other side millimetres.  So to me there was nothing other than to have a representation of the spanner as the logo for the website. I also like the idea that a spanner represents mechanical and it’s the mechanical repair and restoration of tractors that I am also trying to demonstrate with the site.

So the next step ploughmyfield.com t-shirts!

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I have had this Exclusive email in from Stephen in production on the reborntractor.net project detailing proposed release date and cost of forthcoming DVD. I’m trying to get a copy as soon as possible to review for the Site.

Thanks Stephen Looking forward to seeing your work. The Flickr photo’s look great and really wet your appetite.

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For those of us in the northern hemisphere the nights are really starting to draw in. It’s dark by 7pm where I live. Now is the time of year when I start thinking about all those winter projects. I never seem to get any restoration work done in the summer there is always something else to do.  Throughout the summer there are so many country shows, tractor working days and plough  matches to distract you.  So now is the time to dream about a restored tractor immerging from the garage in the spring having spent the winter being fully restored. Somehow it never quite goes to plan and I end up completing less than half the jobs I intended to complete. I believe you have to have a plan or a list in place of the thinks you would like to achieve otherwise you get distracted from the jobs you have set out to accomplish.

• Re arrange the garage – I can’t get in to work at the moment
• Lighting Kit,
  Clean the side lights and paint.
  Source new cork packers top and bottom, grommits for bonnet, wire braid(black) Heat shrink. – Newark
  Finish the wiring loom and install it on the tractor.
  Complete a wiring loom for the back of the tractor.
• Finish Painting the tractor.
  This is a large task so splitting it down to smaller items might make it more manageable. It’s also more items to tick off when complete. Everyone likes crossing completed tasks off a list don’t they?
• Half shaft seals Replace.
• New mudguard skins + Paint.
• Steering box seals.
• Fill sand and paint the rear wheel centres.
• Shotblast, fill sand and paint the rear wheel rims.
  I also need new tyres for the back wheels these will have to be Goodyears 11.2×28 at the same time I should fit new inner tubes.
• Use the Ferguson jack I’ve bought. To do this I need to replace the new repro lower link arms I have bought with some original ones as the new ones are a different size and shape to the originals which means the connection for the jack doesn’t fit.
• Ferguson Link Box – Renovate, new skin, welding needed

I’m never going to get that lot done in a winter!

One distraction I have booked is the Newark Vintage tractor & Heratage show on the 7th -8th November at the Newark showground. By pre entering you save £2 on the ticket price. I’m going with Roy and after the show we will be going to have a look at his TE-D20 he bought earlier this year, the restoration progress of which has been documented on these pages

Great Picture.
Have you ever seen that picture of Harry Ferguson driving the Ferguson Tractor out of the Hotel in London? Originally the photo was taken at the time of the tractors launch. Great publicity shot. Well this picture isn’t that one. It is however just as fun. I’d love to have a go at this it looks a great challenge.

http://www.englishheritageimages.com/pictures_430568/st-etheldredas-church-hatfield-aa054112.html

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reborntractor.net trailer video (not 3ton trailer) available for you to take a look at. I must admit the presenter is a little easier on the eye than Harold Beer! I wonder when the DVD is going to be ready and how much it will cost?

Wheel Weight Purchase.

After a conversation with Colin Taylor he had the bright idea that I should be looking at collecting Ferguson accessories rather than implments. I barely have the room to store and work on my tractor let alone implements. I came across this ferguson front wheel weight with 4 bolt holes rather than the 3 bolt holes for the earlier front wheel weights and rims. So I’m on the lookout for another one. It should be cheeper to buy one rather than a pair. I’ll add it to my list of items to buy.

I can’t find any information about these weights anywhere. When where they introduced? Which models will they fit?  I know the earlier Ferguson wheels had only 3 bolt holes.  Anyone with information, advice?

Also Where can I get new bolts from the ends must be square to fit in the holes on the back. I’d like to use the weights in conjunction with my transport box to pick a bit more up in the box without the tractor front end lifting.

Lighting Wiring loom.

I’ve spent quite a lot of time recently trying to reproduce the wiring loom that came as part of the Joseph Lucas lighting kit. With the side lights I purchased I have one length of original wire which I have measured. I have then compared this against the wire in this picture.

I have then with the aid of a bit of string made a wire harness to test on the tractor.

BA Bolts

The 0BA bolts have arrived and they are very close to the originals. not exactly sure if they are the same as the originals seem to be worn.

(photo’s to follow)

Beamish Weekend + Vid
I spent a great weekend at Beamish where an agricultural weekend was held. A great FE35 and 3ton trailer in very original condition also two fordsons with very different specifications.

Using a TE-D20 to bale straw from the thresher.

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I hate to see metric bolts on my 50 year old Ferguson tractor. Nowhere in the TE-F20 parts list can I see anything that isn’t imperial sizes. To me the wrong bolt in the wrong place can kill the image of a nicely restored tractor. I’ve gone to great lengths to try to source like for like on all the bolts I have replaced on the tractor.  Recently I even got hold of a rusty old plough someone was discarding to source 12 X 1″1/16 A/F,  5/8″ UNF nuts for the wheel rim bolts. The modern 15/16″ A/F nuts cannot be undone with a Fergie spanner. So why the rant? well I’m having trouble sourcing a nut and bolt and it’s really bugging me. I need 8x  0BA X 1/2″ long round headed bolt. See the picture below.
Does anyone please know where I can get these from?

Why do I need them? This type of bolt came in the Lucas lighting kit and was used to fit the sidelight arms to the tractor bonnet. Can you help? Have you got some? Do you know a supplier? Please get in touch.

The elusive 0BA x 1/2″ long bolt and nut

Follow up to this plee, one of the readers Jerry Galvin has sent in this link to a company specialising in BA nuts and bolts over the internet. I’ve ordered some and I’ll keep you posted on there suitability. Thanks Jerry

Whilst on the subject of nuts just spend 5 minutes walking round you tractor before you start it up next time and see if all the bolts have nuts and are tightened up. Why do I say this? Because I found a nut missing from one of the bolts that holds the dynamo onto the engine bracket. What would have happened if it had vibrated itself out?

Loose bolt close up

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Paintwork DVD Release
After reading about the forthcoming release of a DVD on tractor painting in Classic Massey Magazine I contacted Old Pond Publishing to find out more information as I know painting tractors is a subject readers can’t get enough of.

Alan doing his stuff at Newark 2007

Vapormatic e-Newsletter
Be in with a chance of winning a cordless drill, sign up for the Vapormatic e-newsletter for a chance to win.

http://www.vapormatic.co.uk/subscribe

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Saturday saw the best Longshaw sheep dog trials to date. This year was the 111th and I believe this is the oldest sheep dog trial in the country if not ever.

I usually attend the Fell race on the Saturday and travel to the event on my tractor. I met a friend on the way whilst on one leg of the journey. Great picture this as Alan can’t drive!

I Parked up, folded in the side lights and placed over the tractor the newly acquired canvas cover. As you can see from the wheels the field was very muddy. Many of the cars opting to park on the road.

A lot of cars got stuck with the boggy conditions. I was asked to help pull them out!

I’m afraid I didn’t do very well. You can see in the photo above the right back wheel of the tractor slipping.
With a lack of tread on the tyre and no Dif lock I couldn’t shift this car. Much to the delight of all my running friends.

So in came a proper tractor.

great comment here from james.

A I can just imagine the thoughts running through my son’s head.

“So why can’t dad get one of these? The seats more comfortable, and it’s got a cab, and its got way more gears, and you can get cars out of the mud, and it’s got a stereo.”Yes Ollie but it won’t go in the garage!

On the up side, I had a fantastic drive out, I won a prize in the fell race for first runner  to finish who had arrived on a tractor. I was the only one!
I also provided a bit of entertainment for all my running friends. I don’t know how I’m going to top this next year.

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I couldn’t leave my tractor with just one side light arm, so I managed to find another one.

Notes for me on fitting.

Wiring the Lighting Kit.
55 watts (main Bulb)= 12Volts x 4.58amps
wiring (5 amp min) – path. connector in bonnet.
black, 10m (Earth)
Red, 10m (To Main)
Blue 5m
Green 2m
Brown 2m

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Rather than taking a rusty tractor to it’s annual outing to the Longshaw sheepdog trials on Saturday 6th September, I’ve followed Roys post below and I’ve painted the back wheels of my tractor. I’ve not done a proper job so don’t look to closely. I still can’t find the money for the new tyres so I masked the back wheel rims Wire brushed them and used a £2 can or grey primer to paint them. I removed the centres and as these had been shotblased I just painted them. They look a so much better than rust! The centres are unusual as they have lots of holes in. I presume for bolting wheel weights to. Someone suggested they where centres from a Ford tractor. Can anyone identify the pattern of holes and match them to a tractor?

A great Follow up from Roy here, It looks as though this tractor also shares the same centres, thanks for the picture Roy.

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I can’t believe it, Thanks to Mike I have one swing out side light arm for the bonnet. It looks a bit sad on it’s own.

Mike who’s tractor appears at the bottom of the lighting page has only had one side arm on his tractor. In a recent meeting he told me he was selling the tractor and offered me the arm. It looks fab in place in it’s new home and all I need now is the other side and some wire.

The arms are held on with screws and bolts. As ever one screw proved difficult to remove. The screwdriver kept slipping in the slot and I couldn’t get a grip with a pair of pliers. In the end I resorted to filing two flats on the nut and holding it with some mole grips. Finally it was off.

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It’s time to look again at Roy’s progress. I get an email from Roy from time to time letting me know how the restoration of his TE-D20 is going. It has got to the stage that the mechanical side of the tractor is all working correctly so Roy has turned his attention to the cosmetics. Having had a tow ball welded to the back of the transmission housing (see previous post for pictures) of his Fergie he has spent many hours grinding off the tow ball to return it to normal. It’s got to the painting stage and it’s looking good in red oxide primer, then grey top coat.

 ”I finally got the wheels from Sleaford last week (the sellar had arranged to supply early ferguson front centres), collected new tyres and tubes from Fergiland today it was a nice run out with a lunch stop. Busy stripping them  have red oxide primed them,. I will have the tyres fitted but not  inflated to allow spraying after masking.”  Roy

It’s nice to see Roy’s wife is taking an active role in Roy’s hobby, we just need to get her onto the grey ones now.

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Lucas LD109 side lights as fitted to many 1950’s Vehicles

I’ve splashed out again on the side lights that fit on the end of the side light metal brackets on the swing out arms which are attached to the bonnet of a ferguson tractor.

I still need the metal arms to complete the set. I am becoming worryingly obsessed by the Ferguson lighting kit originally available in 1949. The last little bit to get is the swing out arms which are fetching very high prices at the moment. I am thinking I will have to bite the bullet and spend what it takes to get a pair of swing out arms the next time I see some.

The full lighting Kit can be found on the lighting page

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