Classic Tractor Issue 247​​ November 2021

Farming Diary: ​​ Harvesting and mole draining has been keeping our Suffolk Bunch group busy.

Fleet Profile:​​ ​​ This large Suffolk farm has been a loyal user of MF tractors for almost 60 years.

Harvest Special: Old Joins New: ​​ Classic and modern harvest kit works together to mark a dealer’s centenary.

Harvest Special: Combine Comparison: ​​​​ Three similar-sized harvesters from the​​ late 1960s and early 70s are compared.

Harvest Special: Axial-Flow Evolution: ​​ A 1984 IH 1460 Axial-Flow is revived​​ and put to work next to a recent model.

Harvest Special: Cost-Effective MF: ​​ The useful life of this MF 565 has been​​ extended with aid from farming friends.

Harvest Special: MF 520 & 535: ​​ Two older MF combines enable a small farm to take its harvesting back in hand.

Harvest Special: Lely Victory: ​​ A Lely Victory goes harvesting for the first time since it was last used in 1988.

Reflections: ​​ Arthur Battelle, at 96​​ years old, recalls his time as​​ an​​ importer of Schindler axles.

Memory Lane: ​​​​ Andy Delaney looks back to the 1970s, when he was field testing the MF 1250.

Classic Tractor Issue 246​​ October 2021

Fleet Profile:​​ ​​ A Herefordshire farmer tells us why he prefers Fendts from modern classic era.

Farming Diary: ​​ Despite the delayed start to harvest, the Suffolk Bunch had a busy time in July.

Reader Rebuild: ​​ This stunning 1979 Same Jaguar 75 has been rebuilt into the best in the country.

Working Weekend: ​​ A report from a great classic silage day held by forage enthusiasts in Somerset.

Forage Fleet: ​​ Pristine classics kept in top order make the silage on this west Cumbrian farm.

Tractor Trade: ​​ Employees of NH dealer Russells have shared interest in classic blue tractors.

Memory Lane: ​​ MF photographer, Ted Everett, recalls his work on the MF 300 Series launch.

From the Archives: ​​ The focus is on tractor front loaders in this review of the history of Farmhand.

Reflections: ​​ Arthur Battelle reflects on his work for Roadless during the late 1960s and 70s.

Classic Tractor Issue 245​​ September​​ 2021

Forage Harvesting Special:​​ Fleet Profile:​​ ​​ Silage on this Warwickshire dairy farm is made by a large fleet of classic blues.

Forage Harvesting Special: Deere Study:​​ ​​ A study of eight John Deere 7710 and 7810 models used for grass harvesting.

Forage Harvesting Special: Reverse Drive:​​ ​​ A reverse-drive MB-trac leads this all Mercedes-Benz forage harvesting trio.

Forage Harvesting Special: Regional Round-Up:​​ ​​ Reports on some of the older machines making silage in Scotland and Cumbria.

Forage Harvesting Special: Classic Silage Day:​​ ​​ Metcalfe Farms goes back to its roots to make silage using just classic gear.

Farming Diary: ​​ A unique​​ JD sprayer goes to work and MB-tracs are replaced by Challengers.

Market Shares: ​​ Analysis​​ of the tractor market shares in 2020, using registration data from DfT.

From the Archives: ​​ 1960s and 70s photos stir memories of MF dealer John H. Gill’s sales success.

Reflections: ​​ Arthur Battelle, at 96 years old, recalls his time working for Ford in the 1960s.

Classic Tractor Issue 244​​ August​​ 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ A Derbyshire farming family show us their fabulous fleet of 11 John Deeres.

Farming Diary: ​​ Classic muscle tractors and super-wide implements get busy drilling in Suffolk.

Reader Rebuild: ​​ A 1976 Zetor Crystal is given a quality refurb using hard-to-find original parts.

Ford Case Study: ​​ A Case Study with nine Ford Series 10 users across five Continental countries.

Original​​ Classics: ​​ After 40 years in a barn, this 1966 John Deere 4020’s UK life story is revealed.

Buying Advice: ​​ 75-90hp options for a smallholder who wants to move from compact to classic.

From the Archives: ​​ Background and success of the David Brown tractor Ditcher-Digger-Loader.

Show Report: ​​ Complete set of Leyland Harvest Gold tractors celebrate the range’s 40th year.

Reflections: ​​ Arthur Battelle reflects on the start of his 60-year career in farm machinery.

Classic Tractor Issue 243​​ July​​ 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ A quality collection of Fords and New Hollands that all still work for a living.

Prairie Monsters: ​​ We compare the USA muscle tractors that topped Case’s range back in 1980.

Farming Diary: ​​ A unique John Deere-based sprayer has joined the Suffolk Bunch’s classic fleet.

From the Archives: ​​ The complicated production history of the Teleshift telehandler is unravelled.

Fendt 926 Vario:​​ ​​ A key member of the Fendt team looks back at the UK launch of the 926 Vario.

Original Classics: ​​ Three very tidy classic Masseys get the sugar beet drilled on a farm in Norfolk.

Memory Lane: ​​ A former JCB, Bamfords, Leyland and Marshall demonstrator relives the past.

Reflections: ​​ MF’s photographer recalls the build-up to the launch of the 500 Series in 1976.

Tractor Trade: ​​​​ We return to Swinnerton Machinery’s workshops to check on the latest jobs.

Classic Tractor Issue 242​​ June​​ 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ A brace of MB-tracs do the daily work on a very busy dairy farm in Co. Cork.

Farming Diary: ​​ Big power classics go to work with the Suffolk Bunch to get spring work done.

Zetor at 75: ​​ We look at classic and modern Zetors to celebrate the brand’s 75th birthday!

David Brown 4WD Special: ​​ Traction Action: ​​ Getting to grips with the different axles David Brown fitted to its 4WD tractors.

David Brown 4WD Special: ​​ Six of the Best: ​​ This collection of six DB four-wheel drives from the ‘70s could be unique.

Reader Rebuild: ​​ A modern classic 1997 MF 8120 gets a top quality refurb by a fan of the brand.

Valtra 50 Series: ​​ This Case Study on the Valtra Mega 50 Series involved visits to five operators.

Trantor Expert: ​​ Mike Cottam worked on Trantor design and owns three of these unique tractors.

Original Classics: ​​​​ Lawn tractors are highly collectable in the USA and increasingly so in the UK.

Classic Tractor Issue 241​​ May​​ 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ We profile a 470-acre arable farm with a big fleet of 19 mostly classic models.

Farming Diary: ​​ Suffolk Bunch members get busy with spring work and buying yet more tractors!

CLASSIC TRACTOR @ 20: ​​ Class of 2001:​​ ​​ We plot the progress of four mid-range tractors that were current back in 2001.

CLASSIC TRACTOR @ 20: ​​ Writers’ Highlights: ​​ Our contributors select highlights from the articles that they’ve had published.

Modern​​ Classics: ​​ Three scarce Fendt Favorit 800 Series tractors go up against a dynamometer.

Maxxum Flagship: ​​​​ We profile the Case-IH Maxxum 5150 and visit a contractor with two of them.

Reflections: ​​ Retired MF photographer shares photos and memories of Coventry’s last tractor.

Old vs New: ​​ A 1992 Same Explorer 80 is compared with a brand new Explorer 100 model.

From the Archives: ​​​​ Old pictures provide a great flavour of MF dealer John H. Gill’s ‘84 open day.

Classic Tractor Issue 240​​ April​​ 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ This Welsh farmer and contractor relies on a fleet of four modern classic Deeres.

Farming Diary: ​​ Some classic arrivals, winter ploughing and Suffolk Bunch tractor recollections.

American Imports: ​​ We view and drive three big American V8 Masseys that have just arrived here.

Reflections: ​​ This Yorkshire tractor driver has used a total of 20 Masseys in the past 50 years.

Original Classic: ​​ A Ford 4000 with a very original look and many extras recreates a 70s scene.

Reader Rebuild: ​​ A fire-damaged Leyland 804 is given a stylish new look and goes back to work.

From the Archive: ​​ The Twose Vibraject was ahead of its time as a self-propelled slurry injector.

Case Study: ​​ Eight Fendt Favorit 600 Series owners gave us their views for this Case Study.

Classic Workwear: ​​​​ Looking back at some driver’s kits and overalls that came with classic tractors.

Reflections:​​ ​​ Mike Cottam’s multi-faceted career has included working on the Trantor design.

Classic Tractor Issue 239 March 2021

1971 Special: Top Models: ​​ We meet up with two larger models introduced by Ford and MF in 1971.

1971 Special: New in 1971: ​​ A look back at the farm machines that were new on the market 50 years ago.

McCormick @ 20: ​​ The Background: ​​ How the​​ New Holland/Case-IH merger led to the sale of the Doncaster factory.

McCormick @ 20: ​​ The Launch: ​​ Rare insight into the politics and people behind the 2001 launch of McCormick.

McCormick @ 20: ​​ The Early Years: ​​ How​​ the McCormick business got up and running in its first couple of years.

Farming Diary: ​​ The Suffolk Bunch’s tractors are dyno tested at a special day held for charity.

Original Classic: ​​ The return of a steel-track crawler to a Norfolk farm has been very successful.

Fleet Profile: ​​​​ A Co. Tipperary farmer and contractor relies on classic German-built models.

Tractor Trade:​​ ​​ The team at this Shropshire dealership know classic-era Fords inside and out.

Classic Tractor Issue 238​​ February 2021

Fleet Profile: ​​ We visit a Cumbrian dairy farm with a super tidy Ford and New Holland fleet.

Farming Diary: ​​ The Suffolk Bunch put in winter wheat after sugar beet using a host of classics.

Made in Germany: ​​ Top 10 Selection: ​​ Our editor chooses his top 10 classics​​ from Germany.​​ ​​ Do they match yours?

Made in Germany: ​​ Intrac Rebuild: ​​ A Herefordshire engineer has brought​​ a 1983 Deutz Intrac back to life.

Made in Germany: ​​ Case Study: ​​ Owners give their impressions of their differing tractors, all built in Germany.

Made in Germany: ​​ Fendt Favourits: ​​ This father and son team own a pair of Fendt Favorits on consecutive A-plates.

Made in Germany: ​​ Mighty Mercs: ​​ A fan of the MB-trac tells us about his experiences with 1100 and 800 models.

From the Archives: ​​​​ The story of the Suffolk HQ of Manns and Claas UK and how it has evolved.

Tractor Insurance:​​ ​​ It may be time to reassess insurance on your tractor as classic values are rising.

Classic Tractor Issue 237​​ January​​ 2021

High Hours Special: ​​ MF 4270: ​​ A 35,000-hour MF 4270 owned by an​​ Irish contractor gets a deserved refurb.

High Hours Special: ​​ Leyland 272 Synchro: ​​ We visit a Leyland 272 Synchro that’s clocked over 60,000 hours in 40 years.

High Hours Special: ​​ Readers’ Tractors: ​​ Readers’​​ high hours tractors that have been around the clock up to five times.

Reader Rebuild: ​​ A self-propelled gravel cart based on a Ford 7710 returns to work after refurb.​​ 

Farming Diary: ​​ The Suffolk Bunch group find time to do a Continental-themed comparison.

Cat D8 Gathering: ​​ Seven mighty Cat D8s, all in the same ownership, working together in Essex.

Driving Impressions: ​​ Finding out how the Ford TW-20 feels at work, 41 years after its introduction.

Original Classics: ​​ We visit the only Hesston 7730 bunker forager in the UK as it brings in maize.

From the Archives: ​​ Looking back at the history of the John Deere Mannheim plant and its tractors.

Memory Lane: ​​​​ Richard​​ Blair concludes the story of his time working for​​ MF​​ as a​​ demo​​ driver.

Trailer Braking:​​ ​​ We review the AEA’s very useful new guide to tractor/trailer braking systems.