Farmers Guide 25 Years Ago models of the 2 and 4wd 54–83hp Ceres models were available with synchromesh transmissions, a hand clutch to engage the PTO and lower link sensing hydraulics. Massey Ferguson announced the acquisition of almost one-third interest in the Danish combine maker Dronningborg, which made MF combine harvesters for UK and European markets. Developments in electronic technology in Denmark had resulted in the introduction of MF’s yield mapping system linked to GPS and a yield meter that measures the grain as it is harvested. John Hodge noted that nearly 500 further education colleges in the UK, including those for agriculture and horticulture, would in future be funded mainly by central government instead of local education authorities. One
Roadless tractors Roadless Tractors Ltd founded by Lt Col Philip Johnson in 1919 had been involved in developing battle tanks during World War I. Roadless Traction made crawler track units in the early 1920s and by the early 1930s it was making full track conversions for Fordson N tractors. After building full and half-track conversions for the Air Ministry in World War II, the Roadless DG half-track conversion for the Fordson Model N appeared in 1944. Roadless Traction also made halftrack conversions for Fordson, Case, David Brown and other popular makes of tractor in the 1950s. Roadless introduced the Italianbuilt Manuel front-wheel drive conversion for the E27N Fordson Major in 1956 and front wheel
drive conversion kits soon became available for other popular models. The Ploughmaster 6/4 introduced in 1963 was the first of many models of Roadless 4wd tractors with small diameter front wheels and Ford tractor skid units. The last model of Roadless Ploughmaster, the 78 with a Ford 7600 turbocharged engine appeared in 1975. The equal 4wd Roadless 115 with many Fordsourced parts and a 115hp power unit, was launched at the 1968 Smithfield Show. The Roadless 120 with a 120hp power unit was added in 1971 and, as safety cab regulations had come into force, Roadless tractors were supplied with Duncan safety cabs. Most manufacturers were
Henry Brown’s Vintage Diary 5–7 May 19–20 May 20 May
27–28 May
28 May
round Kent – Merton Vintage Show at Faversham Showg near Canterbury, ME13 9HY. at Pincots Gloucestershire – Castle Combe Steam Rally 8NY. GL12 ar Farm, Wickw by Norfolk – Rackheath Vintage Fayre organised eath Rackh y, Societ e Engin ustion Norfolk Internal Comb 6LT. NR13 ch Norwi near Farm, Lincolnshire – Carrington Rally at White House 07768 tel or k ly.co.u tonral carring www. on Carrington. Info 233948. Suffolk – The Kettle Autojumble at Church Farm, Kettleburgh Woodbridge IP13 7LF.
before giving specifications and prices for almost 80 different models of big round and square balers from 12 manufacturers. International Harvester was an early pioneer of pickup balers with an engine-driven model made in America in 1940 that required two men to ride on the machine, and by the early 1970s the Howard Big Baler, Farmhand Vermeer and Hesston big balers were at work in the UK. Big square baler prices ranged from about £14,000–£56,000 for a Claas Quadrant which made 0.5t silage bales while big round balers cost from about £10,500–£19,800 for a high output Krone model. ■
college principal had commented that the change had already caused a huge rise in college management and, with colleges becoming liable for VAT, they would have to find ways to increase their income. On the machinery front Vaderstad launched the Rapid 800 universal seed drill on a Suffolk farm. It had an 8m sowing width and the host farmer planned to use it to contract drill over 650ha of peas. East Anglian dealer Cowies Eastern Tractors reported a £1.1m order for 25 Massey Ferguson Dynashift tractors and Claas introduced the new Corto 8100F selfpropelled triple gang mower. With a 25ft cutting width and a £32,250 price tag, the new mower would be seen for the first time in May at Grassland ’93. A special feature on balers took a brief look at machines in earlier days
building their own 4wd tractors in 1978 when Roadless introduced the unequal wheeled 780 and 980. However sales were very low so, in 1982, Roadless turned to building 2 and 4wd mechanical handlers but within a year the company went into liquidation and was bought by Somerset Ford tractor dealer LF Jewell. It made a small number of Jewelltrac 103 and 120 4wd tractors but ceased trading in 1991.
This 1981 Roadless 980 4wd tractor – based on a turbocharged Ford 7600 skid unit – was auctioned at Cheffins’ Cambridge Vintage sale in April.
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In May 1993 Farmers Guide wondered if readers were sitting on a gold mine, and if they were able to establish the presence of minerals on their land they were advised to gain planning consent for mineral extraction before the government changed the rules. On the tractor front the Maxxum 5150, the latest addition to the Case range, had a 6-cylinder 125hp power unit, 16-forward and 12-reverse powershift transmission and gasassisted cylinders to help the driver lift the hood when servicing the engine. Massey Ferguson announced new 6-litre, 6-cylinder 1000 Series engines for its 3115 and 3600 tractors. They also introduced the new 62hp MF 374S tractor, with an overall width of 53in for orchard work. Renault launched its Ceres range of tractors – Ceres being the Roman god of harvest. Four
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