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Ferguson Accessory A-TE-61 “Hinged Seat and Feetrest Assembly” is the subject of this post and one mans generosity.

I bought on eBay last summer a pair of footrests some people call them footplates. http://www.ploughmyfield.com/2011/07/21/footplates-yes-or-no/

The front had a straight sheet of metal sticking up. On other footplates I had seen folded over ends that attach to the foot pegs that stick out from the side of the tractor. http://www.ploughmyfield.com/2011/08/04/bakewell-show-2011/

Upon further investigation I learned these bought footrests belonged to an MF65 tractor. I also found out that by removing the front section (attached by two rivets) I could replace them with the curled over fronts.

Rather than making them myself I contacted Phil Kolbe of www.fergietrailershop.co.uk to see if he had a pattern and could make me the front sections. He could if I could send him a drawing, which I did.

But then I discovered the footplates in the picture above weren’t originally fitted to a TE-20. The first footplates had ridges diagonally along there length and no holes. The type in the picture above were more commonly fitted to FE 35 onwards.

I spoke to Phil Kolbe again, “Yes” he could make me the items from my drawing but did I know he already made reproduction versions of the footplates fitted to a TE-20! “No” I said what do you mean mine aren’t originals. I did some digging around and he was indeed right.

I enquired how much it would cost to have a set made. Phil Very kindly offered to give me a set on the understanding that I would write an article about them.

I saw Phil at the Newark Tractor show 2011 and collected the footplates in person.

I requested the footplates without any undercoat (undercoat normally added) as I wanted to prepare the footplates as best I could to get the best finish possible. Even without paint I got the wire brush on them to remove all blemishes, Oil and grease. Then a coat of etch primer. followed by 3 layers of Ferguson Grey.

Don’t they look sensational. My four year old son loves then as it’s much easier to step up into the seat now.

A big thank you to Phil Kolbe of www.fergietrailershop.co.uk for giving me the footplates. Phil also supplies parts for Ferguson Trailers & Link boxes as well as Footplates for TE-20, MF35 and MF35 (Duel Clutch)

Now I’ve got to start investigating the second part of the A-TE-61 Ferguson accessory, The Hinged Seat.

08/07/2012
From the comments on this post. YES the front section should curl backwards and not forwards as it did in the later model. I have seen many examples of this type to support it’s shape.

17/07/2012
Hinged seat info now coming in thanks to Alistair (TEFBodger from the FoFH Forum) my plans to add a section on the right to a page about the seat. Thanks Alistair.

Tags: A-TE-61, Footplates.

I spent a warm day yesterday at Bakewell show with my son, we had a great time. I managed to slow him down long enough to take a 10 minute strole around the 20 or so tractors on display mostly Massey Fergusons. I think most of them I saw were exhibited last year. I only took specific photo’s to prompt me with several restoration issues I am currently having.
1. look to see the position of other toolboxes on the radius arm.

Still looking good on the radius arm. I know mine should be positioned on the mudguard as it wasn’t late on in TEF production that it was moved to the radius arm I think it looks better.

2. look at the types and styles of footrests that exist. can I use one of the solution others have found and adapt the set I have and make them fit my tractor.

Looking at these feet plated on the same tractor there is a bolt holding the front section to the main part. I think I could drill out the pivots holding my footplates together and have made a front section then bold it on.

These TE-20 footplates have been manufactured in one piece.

Tags: Bakewell show, Footplates, toolbox.

I again have bought some more Ferguson Parts on eBay. I really should spend more time in the garage fixing the parts I have got rather than trawling eBay looking for others. It’s just easier sitting in front of a computer rather than doing some proper work in the garage.

These footplates looked too good to be true, I also got them for a bargain price.(The price doesn’t mean anything if it’s not the right item)

The more I looked at the picture the more things didn’t look right.

For a TE-20 footplate the front top section bends over the foot rests but these are straight.

Looking at other footplates these could possibly be from an  MF165. I wondered if anyone could comment.

In the ferguson Accessory range they were item A-TE-61 and came with a hinge for the seat. to allow the driver so stand up instead of sitting down all the time.

I thought that maybe changing the front section and adapting it to fit a TE-20 would also be possible.

I then thought DO I WANT FOOTPLATES ON MY TRACTOR?

So what do you think, footplate a menice or a god send?  Add a comment below with what you think, click on the work comment below this post.

Tags: A-TE-61, Footplates.