It was commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland - which is about as close as you get to it "making a programme" in the age of independent production companies!
In so many ways our paths crossed.. I was born in 1946 in rural West Wales, the year that the little grey Fergie was born.. I leant to drive on a little grey Fergie at the age of 11. And in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would work for Massey Ferguson at Banner Lane in Coventry. I went from there to work for Jaguar in Coventry who were acquired by Ford. Then Aston Martin who were also owned by Ford. So I owe these two great Irish men a huge thank you for giving me so much throughout my life.. I still see Massey Ferguson tractors every day.. And by the way a note to Audi officionados, who extoll the virtues of the Quatro being the first four wheel drive racing car, well Harry was there at leat 10/15 years earlier. I also recall the Jensen Interceptor with its FF (Ferguson Four wheel drive) system built in West Bromwich from 1966 to 1971. The Audi Quatro didn't appear until 1980. Thank you Mr Kielty for a really interesting story..
You are right in what you say about audi's quatro but in actual fact the FF on Jenson FF's stands for ferguson formula, not specifically ferguson four wheel drive even though it amounts to the same thing more or less.
You do realize that Fergeson is not Massey Fergeson correct? Massey and Fergeson did not partnership for a good 20 years after Fergeson made his 3 point hitch. After Ford and Fergeson parted ways. Fergeson made his own tractors for a time. Then he partnered with Massey in the 50s when he needed money.
Brian - I salute you sir! I started my career with Lucas Girling in Cwmbran in the late 1980s - we supplied the brakes for Massey Ferguson tractors at Banner Lane. Many happy memories of those days! 👍👍
My dad bought a new 35 Massey Ferguson in the Fall of 1959. It was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. I learned to drive it the next year at age seven. We farmed with it until my Dad retired. It was a great tractor. I have a lot of good memories farming with that tractor.
A great presentation, thank you for putting it up on YT. We have owned a TEA20 since 1980. Out tractor was built in October 1951 at Coventry (my birth month & year) and sold in NSW Australia in January 1952 (my wife Carol's birth month & year). In the time we have owned it, there has been no "restoration". It has just continually been "fixed" & still performs well today. A tribute to the thinking & engineering of this great little tractor.
There is a large omission in this story in the fact that the first Ferguson System tractors were built in England by David Brown for Harry Ferguson years before the Ford agreement. I have driven one of the Ferguson Brown tractors owned by my employer, a Massey Ferguson distributorship.
Another thank you due ... Discussing the mystery of the 3 tractor variants with my father. He mentioned David Brown tractors had the first 3 point hitches he had ever seen .. We still have an old Brown ...
I enjoyed what I believed to be a good documentary but it’s only half the real story. Either it was badly researched or truncated to fit a time slot. Nothing was mentioned about Harry’s association with the David Brown company or the fact that most of the tractors for the home market were produced at the Standard Motor Co factory in Banner Lane Coventry and using Standards own adapted Vanguard engine. And I Could go on. Patrick K, I felt did a good job but the research dept let him down badly.
Yes the 'black tractor ' built by David Brown was the first to incorporate the ferguson system. I can't remember why ferguson didn't pursue a deal with David Brown but I think it had something to do with the fact that Ferguson wanted his system to be marketed in the US.
Really? I see no proof of this. And you admitted the year this was done. I say its complete BS. Fergeson made the 3 point hitch. Never have I seen anything different on this. And it really bothers me that you didn't mention the year of this other tractor was made.
To start the Ferguson tractor (I drove in the 1950's) you moved the gear lever to the the 'Start' position. This meant you could not accidently start it in gear. Very clever.
i had a hillman imp with a faulty earth and this was a party trick hold the keys on start and hold the gear lever hard to the side it started used to say its a grey fergy all went well till it fried the thottle cable in defiance 😂
Harry Ferguson was a real character. He would often spend time on his very tidy, smart shop floor, chatting with his men making the tractors. At one stage, he was in the toilets relieving himself, and there was a young apprentice in there. The young apprentice was suitably in awe of the “big boss” and quickly finished his business and went to rush out. Harry Ferguson shouted after him “young man! Don’t you wash your hands before returning to your work?” To which the somewhat scared apprentice responded with “oh no, it’s all right Mr Ferguson, sir, I am not going back to work, I am off to the canteen as I have my lunch break now!”
Owned several Ferguson Tractors 2x 28s mf 35, mf 135 with reliable Perkins 3d engines. Went through factory in Coventry 1974, amazing place seeing our tractors coming off the line. Staff showed me the parquet floor where they used to dance during the war. We depended daily totally on those machines John C NZ
To those not familiar with tractors, the 3 point linkage is till used on tractors to this day. Even the ball joints at the end of the lifting arms remain the same.
this I suspect is why the patents stood up un the lawsuit against Ford as the three point hitch was born complete in its first iteration and this left no possiblility of further patents added in further improvements, a fully formed concept first time the only thing changed is the size and abilities of this device
In my experience, without a shadow of a doubt the wee Fergie was a fantastic little machine. Our very 1st tractor was a 35x & we used it on the farm for well over 30 years. It boxed way above its weight. We even had half tracks for the wee beast. I still have photos of it. If I close my eyes I can still feel, see & smell piloting this wonderful & diminutive little machine. Great memories.
The Irish language ( English) is so familiar for me. I lived in kisale for some years and listening to this documentary with the humorous attitude.. that’s Ireland as it best…. You got to love it.
My only complaint was the phrase "Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates, rolled into one." These three men can't be rolled into one. Only one of them appreciates America and is patriotic. The other two are woke globalists with fascistic inclinations. Well, Henry Ford was a bit like those two, too.
You know I recognized the Ferguson System right off. Having worked on a farm in County Wayne near Ann Arbor in my roiling youth, used only Ford tractors - small farm. Aye, I know the old Massey Ferguson Plant and would pass it many many times as it was at the intersection of two major expressways near the westside border of Detroit. It sat across from Detroit Diesel (GMC) plant taken over by the Penske Corp. I'm sure all those old plants have new owners and business, if in fact they're still standing today. It had to be a rare thing for a young man of my generation to easily recognize the great names of tractordom: Farmall, Allis-Chalmers, International, John Deere, Massey Ferguson & Ford. Now growing up here with a love of history and most of my family working at FoMoCo, I knew the storied careers of the founders of "The Big Three", but admit the great men who built the tractors escaped my attention, until now. Great story, great man. Excellent video.
In 1957 a first crossing of Antarctica started, as the Trans Antarctic Expedition. Vivian Fuchs and company started at the Weddell sea coast and drove towards the south pole and ended up at mcmurdo sound on the Ross Sea. New Zealands contribution was to lay depots between mcmurdo and the pole. The NZ team used Ferguson tractors (probably labeled as Massey Fergusons), modified with tent enclosures and caterpillar type tracks (so I guess they steered by rear axle braking). The NZ team reached the pole first in January 1958. Thereby the first overland trip to the South Pole using self propelled vehicles was with Ferguson tractors. 22 years later MF built a modified 165, sold as an MF 40B, which sits in my yard today. Still starts and runs like a trooper.
Remember that those horses used up 40% of the farm’s production as fuel. They were part of a system that required not just the fuel but spare horses and a steady stream of replacements bred and trained, vets, blacksmiths for shoeing and so on. Massive numbers of labour for every farm to tend these animals as well. Consider that a pair of horses and a man would plough an acre a day at most while today a ‘small’ 100hp Ferguson would easily plough 20 acres a day and every acre of the farm can be a productive acre in that its produce can be sold rather than four in ten being to feed the power source.
Possibly the most reliable thing ever produced by the British Car Industry 😂 Even the grey Ferguson spanner amazed me as a kid, one end for bolts on the tractor, the other for bolts on the implements, inch scale on one side, fuel gauge on the other! Brilliant design!
As a proud owner of many Massey Ferguson tractors over the years all I can say is a heartfelt thank you to Harry Ferguson for not caving in to the Detroit bully.
THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO! BORN IN 1942 AND BEING A FARM BOY WHO SAT ON A FORD-FERGUSON NEW TRACTOR AT AGE 3, THEN AT AGE 6 STARTED USING IT! ON OUR FARM WE WERE TO HAVE THIS FORD FERGUSON, LATER A FORD 8N, THEN AN AMERICAN BUILT FERGUSON! IN 1959 WE BOUGHT A LATE MODEL JOHN DEER B , AND PUT AN AFTER MARKET 3 POINT HITCH CONVERSION! AS TO THE FORD /FERGUSON LEGAL FIGHT FORDS BASIS WAS THAT THEY MADE SLIGHT OPERATION CONTROL CHANGES AND THAT THEY SURPASSED THE ORIGINAL FERGUSON DESIGN! MY DAD WAS A PURE FORD LOVER UNTIL 1953 , THEN PURCHASED A USED 1949 CHEVROLET 3/4 TON PICKUP!
Went to buy a Massy Ferguson 275 and ended up with 2 x Ferguson TED 20's as well 😅, now to find spares and implements for the two old beauties here is South Africa is going to be fun.
International Harvester developed their proprietary "Fast Hitch" in the early 1950s that featured a moment connection on two (or even one) lower arms that quickly mounted or dismounted without the operator leaving the tractor seat. The Ferguson System 3-point still won the day because of the large number of 3-point implements already in farmer's hands; and, when Ferguson's patents expired, all manufacturers ran with it.
What a great tribute to Harry Ferguson. My dad bought a 1100 Massey Ferguson in the 60's when I was 10 yrs old. Learned to plow on that tractor. We owned a 1080 and 1085 later on. I think it was pretty rotten how ford stold his patent on the 3 point and started building his own. Then Harry had to sue Ford. I would'nt to this day own a ford car because of that.
Wow thanks for sharing. He definitely should have signed a contract, but the son of Henry Ford was definitely Harry's demise. He lost health and happiness to an extent. Great memories for you I'm sure! I wish you every blessing
One of the original 1939 Ford Ferguson 9N tractors is what I learned to drive on in the mid-1960's. It was our farm's utility tractor that my brother still has. Great memories about that tractor.
Fantastic memories. Tractors give young people great confidence for driving cars. So glad to hear your brother still held on to it. That's a piece of priceless family treasure 👍🏻😃
I had a Ford Tractor with the Ferguson System. A great life changer. Since then, many great Fords and New Hollands that I use every day. All tractors need ballast on the front.
Just so happen to have a 1948 ford 8n & 2 Massey-Ferguson tractors. My Father was born on the DAY the Ford-Ferguson deal went down. Thankfully that we "ALL" had such "GREAT INNOVATORS " of those by-the days to Enhance our Present days. "To Dream the Impossible Dream".... just SO Fitting. Thank you Sir for the Excelent vidio. Best wishes with all your endeavours.
I learned to drive on a Ford 8N at age 8 on my granddad's farm, I believe my uncle still has that tractor since he acquired the farm. My first tractor purchase was a Ford 9N and now I own Massey Ferguson tractors
Note the difference in perspectives: Ford and Ferguson, both being sons of the plough, would be happy and comfortable to seal a deal on a handshake. This often sealed with a nip of whiskey. Conversely in business months of haggling, legions of lawyers and whole forests denuded to produce the fine print of an 'agreement'. It seems odd that of all the culling of products which would have taken place at the end of WW2, the agriculture sector would have been one of the few which would have been a growth area and open to world markets.
Interestingly Fergusons first experiments with a 3 point linkage plough were with a Fordson tractor and an Eros, which was a tractor conversion for the Model T car, the first linkage had two arms at the top and one at the bottom . The Reason Ford tractors were called Fordson was because another firm was already producing a tractor called Ford - presumably to make people think it was a Henry ford product, but it was so bad and did not meet the company's claims on power which lead to the introduction to the University of Nebraska tests for tractors.
Thanks for this great presentation. At 77 I gained so much knowledge from this. In Ireland I have often thought the MF35 should be on their flag as it is so treasured there, and now I know why. As a dairy herdsman I had one in the early 70s as a scraper dogsbody. My brother in law was a Byrd of Evesham who had many of them. I have had lunch at the Lygon Arms where my sister held her wedding reception and we all went to the hunt ball too, so that was so interesting to learn. Thanks again.
Amazing how the Internet has brought all of these Tractors back to life. I want to say there is still production in Kenya. In addition to "Tractor Wars" there was actually a War between Tractors and Construction equipment in the USA most famous being "Le Tourneau" who was an actual person no different from presented here but he was able to have his numerous patents upheld. There is a Book I think called "Moving Heaven and Earth" about him and a rather famous Flood of 1943 of the Illinois River which truly put to the test "earth moving by hand" in the State of Illinois as the system of revetments and need to straighten out rivers to create more production created a near catastrophe for both Le Tourneau and Caterpillar both being built in the same place at the same time. The reason for this was access to the Railroad which still during World War 2 1943 was steam driven. Diesel electric hybrid locomotives having been invented around the same time as this story truly began became a major factor in how the USA would consistently get a "one up" in creating output to fight the "War of shortages" one of those shortages of course being both Farm Tractors and implements. The other shortage of course was one of bulldozers and the implements made to pulled behind that machine. I think all of these machines used petrol engines so not sure when the first mass produced diesel tractors for farm use appeared but that would have been considered "verboten" back in the day because diesel engines were for "Government work." There's actually a very famous John Deere "combat tractor" that obviously was never sent into War but the geo-politics of all of this really is a fascinating story for something so seemingly modest anyways. Massey Ferguson definitely back from the dead being made in Georgia now but competition as with during this time ferocious but not near so accessible nor of course endearing.
Thank you for such an incredible post. Extraordinary information and great book reference too. Good to also hear about what was going on with the other machinery companies aswell as industry and invention was forging forward and pioneering through times of adversity and competition. It's great to see the minds and passion for agriculture and a brand new future create such a legacy which we have inherited today. Love hearing these stories! So inspiring! There are so many intelligent and remarkable people sharing their experiences and insights Incredible to hear 😃
Wow I am thrilled and flabbergasted about the story. I'm 70-year-old man now always been interested in tractors when I was a little kid I used to collect Matchbox tractors and I remember having the blue Ferguson tractor and they Ford tractor and the Massey Ferguson tractor and have never known the true story of the Ferguson name I am absolutely in awe of this story of fact. And you think that I almost missed the details thank you so very much for bringing this up as I continued through my life to be interested in tractors and being a excavation contractor and again yet I did not know the story thank you so much
I read in a danish magazine, Traktortech, that Harry Ferguson was not interested in a deal with Ford, but was pressed by the British government to make a deal because of the war they expected to come. And then the deal was made, Ford told him to send the drawing not expect more than a suitcase and Ferguson sends the drawing with a destroyer’s contained 2 railroad waggons of drawing. The story tells something about how the 2 men worked.
The British government wanted Ford to build Merlin engines, so Ford representatives asked to see how Rolls Royce built them. An inspection was arranged. Ford men duly studied, documented and watched over RR engineers at work, after which, Ford said there was no way they could build the Merlin. When asked why, Ford said its because you couldn't take sample engines, strip them, mix up the parts and then reassemble them and have them run, because there were no two identical parts that measured identically. That was a RR problem, their production tolerances were way off. Sure, they were suited to RR production methods, but not mass production. Ford eventually had the government agree on what were suitable tolerances and production could then commence.
The most productive and most often used tractor on the farm I grew up on was a Ferguson (TO35 gas) and I have that heirloom today growing food and moving snow. Built in Detroit.
Thank you Patrick for a truly excellent documentary. Everything about the production is, to my mind, faultless. There is only so much can be included in an hour and you aced it. Míle buíochas!
Great documentary. The first thing I ever drove at 5 years old was my fathers TO-35 now at age 47 I have that tractor and plan to renew it soon . Thanks for sharing this video.
I have a restored 1949 Ferguson TE A20 with 1800cc Standard Triumph petrol engine. One thing I learned is that 'grey' isn't the full story of the Fergie paint colour....the official formula includes yellow ochre and azure blue!
Thanks for posting this interesting video. I agree with some of the other comments regarding some omissions (e.g. association's with David Brown and the Standard company.) It would have been useful to have also included some of details of the various attachments and simple, practical design features (minimal number of tools needed for adjustment etc). Nevertheless, a great video and I liked the presenter. I used to spend time at a neighbouring back in the 1960's. The farmers there ran at least one Grey Fergie and viewed Harry Fergusson with extremely high regard.
I have a 1950 model to 20 that's still used daily to feed cattle here in Maryland what can you buy today that will still in use 72 years later its been very reliable tractor since I've had it
I always thought that it was the original Henry Ford, that broke the deal. Good to finally know the Truth. Excellent video and history work. Hats off to Ford and Ferguson for making Farming easier all over the world and even today. Nothing has taken it's place. It's also sad to think of what more Mr.Ferguson could have done with the Ford might and money behind him. We will never know what could have been?
It’s amazing to me that they were able to go to such esoteric locations as Growell, Dromore and the Ferguson Park plant. I didn’t know that plant was even still standing.
Brilliant, just a shame that they didn’t show more of the Coldridge collection which was owned/maintained by the late Michael Thorne, lovely chap and dedicated to his responsibilities in all he did with the Ferguson kit he had.
I still use an 8n tractor today. It's sad but somewhat understandable that the partnership ended. I had always thought that Henry Ford had broken the agreement but now I know it was his grandson. It must be said though that real blame must be laid at the feet of Adolph Hitler. At the end of the war Ford was loosing massive amounts of money and drastic measures had to be taken just to survive.
It's worth pointing out that horses were late on the scene and that Oxen ( a working bullock is called an Oxen) historically were used for a much longer period. It would have been oxen that were used to clear wooded areas that were FELD to create FIELDS. Horses took over from oxen as farms grew in size, simply because horses could move quicker than Oxen over the increasing distances between fields making them more productive. At least, that's my understanding of the change over the years.
Yuo remind my childhood in Tanzania these days under British collon Massey ferguson was the best tractor And my father was Agromechanica under Massey ferguson in East Afrika
That's a good learner for pursuing a life-changing invention! He definitely should have considered the legacy and just not the short-term success. That mistake was costly. I think he underestimated his ingenuity and brilliance when collaborating with Ford.
Thank you mystery solved , I recently was in a discussion about the production of the three similar tractors . I jokingly replied '' I think Ferguson invited the 3 point hitch ... There must be quit a story .. Ford being the character he was ... would have wanted in on that ... big time ...
That was a joyful information, not a single minute wasted. But can somebody explain to my about the Ferguson I did see some time ago with aluminum grill and bonnet/hood. All original parts, I did control.
Could have mentioned The Ferguson-Black and his collaboration with David Brown with whom he also had a disagreement and then went to Coventry and got Standard Motors to make his tractors
Just. Enjoed a good video, but to keep history as accurate always remember up until 1953 there were two completely different companies. Massey Harris and Ferguson. They amalgamated around 1953 and fir a short time could have been known as Massey Harris -Ferguson. Our last 55k Massey Harris had MH -F on a lot of the casting, and indeed on the I.D plate
That would have been Daniel Massey who started the company. He cleared bush lots then sold the farmland. He was a tinkerer dreamer who recognized need for efficient dependable farm machinery as opposed to horses and slave labour. His son took over company, I am a direct descendant of Elizabeth who married son of man who built first homestead in upper Canada.
My dad started farming with a work horse then bought a 8n Ford and a Allis Chambers , then after a few years he traded the 8n Ford and Allis for a Massey Ferguson 35 and 65, then later he bought a 135 MF and a 165 Massey Ferguson other then buy a M Farmall he stayed Massey Ferguson’s until he retired from farming. Today I have a 1990 Massey Ferguson 3070 92hp and 3 of my brothers has Massey Ferguson’s and one sister has the MF 255 my dad had and my older brother has the last tractor my dad bought a MF 471. My dad had bought at least 15 Massey Ferguson tractors. He at usually had 2 to 3 Massey Ferguson’s at a time and would trade for new Massey’s about every 3 years or so. I was so used to driving Massey Ferguson’s they were simple comfortable easy to shift and drive compared to the other brands. I drove many other brands of tractors helping other farmers growing up. On my mom’s side my grandpa had International’s. A uncle has Ford . Neighbors had Allis and John Deere’s. Today I have a Massey Ferguson 3070, John Deere 5320 and a IMT 539 that’s the same as a Massey Ferguson 35 built in Yugoslavia under a Massey Ferguson contract but named IMT which stands for Industrial Motor Tractor that was sold here in the USA in the 1980’s until the USA put a embargo on Yugoslavia in 1990. The IMT tractors were sold at 1/3 price cheaper then the Massey Ferguson’s and 90 percent of the parts were interchangeable with Massey Ferguson tractors.
My friend has an International harvester which he maintained from his father in the 60s. Still runs well. He has a Ford and some Masseys including the faithful 135 which he rebuild last year. Thanks for sharing your amazing story. Very impressive list and models. Great read 🙌🏻🤗
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If only the BBC still made quality and unbiased documentary’s like this…. Throughly enjoyed this informative and entertaining show. Thanks
It was commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland - which is about as close as you get to it "making a programme" in the age of independent production companies!
That won’t happen it’s all about cheap labor
In so many ways our paths crossed.. I was born in 1946 in rural West Wales, the year that the little grey Fergie was born.. I leant to drive on a little grey Fergie at the age of 11. And in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would work for Massey Ferguson at Banner Lane in Coventry. I went from there to work for Jaguar in Coventry who were acquired by Ford. Then Aston Martin who were also owned by Ford. So I owe these two great Irish men a huge thank you for giving me so much throughout my life.. I still see Massey Ferguson tractors every day.. And by the way a note to Audi officionados, who extoll the virtues of the Quatro being the first four wheel drive racing car, well Harry was there at leat 10/15 years earlier. I also recall the Jensen Interceptor with its FF (Ferguson Four wheel drive) system built in West Bromwich from 1966 to 1971. The Audi Quatro didn't appear until 1980. Thank you Mr Kielty for a really interesting story..
Excellent tribute 🙌🏻 many great days had and many ahead. God bless 😊
You are right in what you say about audi's quatro but in actual fact the FF on Jenson FF's stands for ferguson formula, not specifically ferguson four wheel drive even though it amounts to the same thing more or less.
You are all forgetting the Dutch Spyker racing car of 1903 as well as the Miller/FWD four-wheel drive Indy car of 1932.
You do realize that Fergeson is not Massey Fergeson correct?
Massey and Fergeson did not partnership for a good 20 years after Fergeson made his 3 point hitch.
After Ford and Fergeson parted ways.
Fergeson made his own tractors for a time.
Then he partnered with Massey in the 50s when he needed money.
Brian - I salute you sir! I started my career with Lucas Girling in Cwmbran in the late 1980s - we supplied the brakes for Massey Ferguson tractors at Banner Lane.
Many happy memories of those days! 👍👍
My dad bought a new 35 Massey Ferguson in the Fall of 1959. It was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. I learned to drive it the next year at age seven. We farmed with it until my Dad retired. It was a great tractor. I have a lot of good memories farming with that tractor.
A great presentation, thank you for putting it up on YT.
We have owned a TEA20 since 1980. Out tractor was built in October 1951 at Coventry (my birth month & year) and sold in NSW Australia in January 1952 (my wife Carol's birth month & year).
In the time we have owned it, there has been no "restoration". It has just continually been "fixed" & still performs well today. A tribute to the thinking & engineering of this great little tractor.
Thank you for sharing! Happy New year 🎉
There is a large omission in this story in the fact that the first Ferguson System tractors were built in England by David Brown for Harry Ferguson years before the Ford agreement. I have driven one of the Ferguson Brown tractors owned by my employer, a Massey Ferguson distributorship.
Well spotted 👍🏻
Another thank you due ... Discussing the mystery of the 3 tractor variants with my father. He mentioned David Brown tractors had the first 3 point hitches he had ever seen .. We still have an old Brown ...
I enjoyed what I believed to be a good documentary but it’s only half the real story. Either it was badly researched or truncated to fit a time slot. Nothing was mentioned about Harry’s association with the David Brown company or the fact that most of the tractors for the home market were produced at the Standard Motor Co factory in Banner Lane Coventry and using Standards own adapted Vanguard engine. And I Could go on. Patrick K, I felt did a good job but the research dept let him down badly.
Yes the 'black tractor ' built by David Brown was the first to incorporate the ferguson system. I can't remember why ferguson didn't pursue a deal with David Brown but I think it had something to do with the fact that Ferguson wanted his system to be marketed in the US.
Really?
I see no proof of this.
And you admitted the year this was done.
I say its complete BS.
Fergeson made the 3 point hitch.
Never have I seen anything different on this.
And it really bothers me that you didn't mention the year of this other tractor was made.
To start the Ferguson tractor (I drove in the 1950's) you moved the gear lever to the the 'Start' position. This meant you could not accidently start it in gear. Very clever.
i had a hillman imp with a faulty earth and this was a party trick hold the keys on start and hold the gear lever hard to the side it started used to say its a grey fergy
all went well till it fried the thottle cable in defiance 😂
A beautiful, informative documentary, brilliantly made. Thanks
Harry Ferguson was a real character. He would often spend time on his very tidy, smart shop floor, chatting with his men making the tractors. At one stage, he was in the toilets relieving himself, and there was a young apprentice in there. The young apprentice was suitably in awe of the “big boss” and quickly finished his business and went to rush out. Harry Ferguson shouted after him
“young man! Don’t you wash your hands before returning to your work?”
To which the somewhat scared apprentice responded with
“oh no, it’s all right Mr Ferguson, sir, I am not going back to work, I am off to the canteen as I have my lunch break now!”
Thats mad! 😂 thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Owned several Ferguson Tractors 2x 28s mf 35, mf 135 with reliable Perkins 3d engines. Went through factory in Coventry 1974, amazing place seeing our tractors coming off the line. Staff showed me the parquet floor where they used to dance during the war. We depended daily totally on those machines John C NZ
This was a very informative and historical video, thanks very much 😃🚜👍
Crushed my left foot sitting on the fender of an 8 N with a Ferguson loader 6 years old in 1961. It still hurts. Amazing story. Thank you
Absolutely excellent documentary, thanks Patrick.
Now regretting selling the one I restored 20years ago😢
To those not familiar with tractors, the 3 point linkage is till used on tractors to this day. Even the ball joints at the end of the lifting arms remain the same.
this I suspect is why the patents stood up un the lawsuit against Ford as the three point hitch was born complete in its first iteration and this left no possiblility of further patents added in further improvements, a fully formed concept first time the only thing changed is the size and abilities of this device
In my experience, without a shadow of a doubt the wee Fergie was a fantastic little machine. Our very 1st tractor was a 35x & we used it on the farm for well over 30 years. It boxed way above its weight. We even had half tracks for the wee beast. I still have photos of it. If I close my eyes I can still feel, see & smell piloting this wonderful & diminutive little machine. Great memories.
We had a MF 35 as well as several other MF's. The 35 was "my tractor" as an 11 - 14 year old. Fond memories .
The Irish language ( English) is so familiar for me. I lived in kisale for some years and listening to this documentary with the humorous attitude.. that’s Ireland as it best…. You got to love it.
This is an Irish Accent when speaking English. The Irish language is a separate thing. Gur raibh maith agat! ( thank you in Irish)
The Cork accent is much nicer than Patrick Kielty's😉
What a brilliant tribute. Fascinating doesn't begin to describe it
This is one heck of a story and done very well. Thank You! History rewards you.
My only complaint was the phrase "Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates, rolled into one." These three men can't be rolled into one. Only one of them appreciates America and is patriotic. The other two are woke globalists with fascistic inclinations. Well, Henry Ford was a bit like those two, too.
Beautiful reportage, like a fairy tale, and at the end a song by Jacques Brel, sadly touching and perfectly fitting
My grandfather owned a Ferguson tractor. Many good memories riding on this tractor with my father when I was young.
You know I recognized the Ferguson System right off. Having worked on a farm in County Wayne near Ann Arbor in my roiling youth, used only Ford tractors - small farm. Aye, I know the old Massey Ferguson Plant and would pass it many many times as it was at the intersection of two major expressways near the westside border of Detroit. It sat across from Detroit Diesel (GMC) plant taken over by the Penske Corp. I'm sure all those old plants have new owners and business, if in fact they're still standing today. It had to be a rare thing for a young man of my generation to easily recognize the great names of tractordom: Farmall, Allis-Chalmers, International, John Deere, Massey Ferguson & Ford. Now growing up here with a love of history and most of my family working at FoMoCo, I knew the storied careers of the founders of "The Big Three", but admit the great men who built the tractors escaped my attention, until now. Great story, great man. Excellent video.
Many thanks for sharing your story and your appreciation. God bless 🙌🏻
In 1957 a first crossing of Antarctica started, as the Trans Antarctic Expedition. Vivian Fuchs and company started at the Weddell sea coast and drove towards the south pole and ended up at mcmurdo sound on the Ross Sea. New Zealands contribution was to lay depots between mcmurdo and the pole. The NZ team used Ferguson tractors (probably labeled as Massey Fergusons), modified with tent enclosures and caterpillar type tracks (so I guess they steered by rear axle braking). The NZ team reached the pole first in January 1958. Thereby the first overland trip to the South Pole using self propelled vehicles was with Ferguson tractors. 22 years later MF built a modified 165, sold as an MF 40B, which sits in my yard today. Still starts and runs like a trooper.
I really enjoyed that! thank you for making this fine film!
Remember that those horses used up 40% of the farm’s production as fuel. They were part of a system that required not just the fuel but spare horses and a steady stream of replacements bred and trained, vets, blacksmiths for shoeing and so on. Massive numbers of labour for every farm to tend these animals as well. Consider that a pair of horses and a man would plough an acre a day at most while today a ‘small’ 100hp Ferguson would easily plough 20 acres a day and every acre of the farm can be a productive acre in that its produce can be sold rather than four in ten being to feed the power source.
Grampa bought a new 1953 Ferguson 30 w/all the options, plow, disc harrow, sickle mower, rear scoop bucket, wonderful machine.
Possibly the most reliable thing ever produced by the British Car Industry 😂
Even the grey Ferguson spanner amazed me as a kid, one end for bolts on the tractor, the other for bolts on the implements, inch scale on one side, fuel gauge on the other! Brilliant design!
As a proud owner of many Massey Ferguson tractors over the years all I can say is a heartfelt thank you to Harry Ferguson for not caving in to the Detroit bully.
THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO!
BORN IN 1942 AND BEING A FARM BOY WHO SAT ON A FORD-FERGUSON NEW TRACTOR AT AGE 3, THEN AT AGE 6 STARTED USING IT!
ON OUR FARM WE WERE TO HAVE THIS FORD FERGUSON, LATER A FORD 8N,
THEN AN AMERICAN BUILT FERGUSON!
IN 1959 WE BOUGHT A
LATE MODEL JOHN DEER B , AND PUT AN AFTER MARKET 3 POINT HITCH CONVERSION!
AS TO THE FORD /FERGUSON LEGAL FIGHT FORDS BASIS WAS THAT THEY MADE SLIGHT OPERATION CONTROL CHANGES
AND THAT THEY SURPASSED THE ORIGINAL FERGUSON DESIGN!
MY DAD WAS A PURE FORD LOVER UNTIL
1953 , THEN PURCHASED A USED 1949 CHEVROLET 3/4 TON PICKUP!
Worked With Tractors as a kid never knew the story of Ford and Ferguson tractors. Cool i learned something today.
Great video, very well presented Thank you. the old grey 20 and the red 35 then the 135 are still running in many parts of the world still
Went to buy a Massy Ferguson 275 and ended up with 2 x Ferguson TED 20's as well 😅, now to find spares and implements for the two old beauties here is South Africa is going to be fun.
International Harvester developed their proprietary "Fast Hitch" in the early 1950s that featured a moment connection on two (or even one) lower arms that quickly mounted or dismounted without the operator leaving the tractor seat. The Ferguson System 3-point still won the day because of the large number of 3-point implements already in farmer's hands; and, when Ferguson's patents expired, all manufacturers ran with it.
I could be wrong but i was always told that the fast hitch didn't have draft control
What a great tribute to Harry Ferguson. My dad bought a 1100 Massey Ferguson in the 60's when I was 10 yrs old. Learned to plow on that tractor. We owned a 1080 and 1085 later on. I think it was pretty rotten how ford stold his patent on the 3 point and started building his own. Then Harry had to sue Ford. I would'nt to this day own a ford car because of that.
Wow thanks for sharing. He definitely should have signed a contract, but the son of Henry Ford was definitely Harry's demise. He lost health and happiness to an extent.
Great memories for you I'm sure!
I wish you every blessing
One of the original 1939 Ford Ferguson 9N tractors is what I learned to drive on in the mid-1960's. It was our farm's utility tractor that my brother still has. Great memories about that tractor.
Fantastic memories. Tractors give young people great confidence for driving cars. So glad to hear your brother still held on to it. That's a piece of priceless family treasure 👍🏻😃
Best documentary I've seen in 2022 & this is December.
So glad to hear that! I'm delighted ☺️
What a wonderfull Story Thank you so much.
I had a Ford Tractor with the Ferguson System.
A great life changer.
Since then, many great Fords and New Hollands that I use every day.
All tractors need ballast on the front.
Just so happen to have a 1948 ford 8n & 2 Massey-Ferguson tractors. My Father was born on the DAY the Ford-Ferguson deal went down. Thankfully that we "ALL" had such "GREAT INNOVATORS " of those by-the days to Enhance our Present days. "To Dream the Impossible Dream".... just SO Fitting. Thank you Sir for the Excelent vidio. Best wishes with all your endeavours.
I learned to drive on a Ford 8N at age 8 on my granddad's farm, I believe my uncle still has that tractor since he acquired the farm. My first tractor purchase was a Ford 9N and now I own Massey Ferguson tractors
Thank you Patrick and all involved.... ,a very interesting story.
Top documentary, I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Note the difference in perspectives: Ford and Ferguson, both being sons of the plough, would be happy and comfortable to seal a deal on a handshake. This often sealed with a nip of whiskey. Conversely in business months of haggling, legions of lawyers and whole forests denuded to produce the fine print of an 'agreement'. It seems odd that of all the culling of products which would have taken place at the end of WW2, the agriculture sector would have been one of the few which would have been a growth area and open to world markets.
Interestingly Fergusons first experiments with a 3 point linkage plough were with a Fordson tractor and an Eros, which was a tractor conversion for the Model T car, the first linkage had two arms at the top and one at the bottom . The Reason Ford tractors were called Fordson was because another firm was already producing a tractor called Ford - presumably to make people think it was a Henry ford product, but it was so bad and did not meet the company's claims on power which lead to the introduction to the University of Nebraska tests for tractors.
Thanks for this great presentation. At 77 I gained so much knowledge from this. In Ireland I have often thought the MF35 should be on their flag as it is so treasured there, and now I know why. As a dairy herdsman I had one in the early 70s as a scraper dogsbody. My brother in law was a Byrd of Evesham who had many of them. I have had lunch at the Lygon Arms where my sister held her wedding reception and we all went to the hunt ball too, so that was so interesting to learn. Thanks again.
No problem. Thank you for your kind words 👍🏻
Amazing how the Internet has brought all of these Tractors back to life. I want to say there is still production in Kenya. In addition to "Tractor Wars" there was actually a War between Tractors and Construction equipment in the USA most famous being "Le Tourneau" who was an actual person no different from presented here but he was able to have his numerous patents upheld. There is a Book I think called "Moving Heaven and Earth" about him and a rather famous Flood of 1943 of the Illinois River which truly put to the test "earth moving by hand" in the State of Illinois as the system of revetments and need to straighten out rivers to create more production created a near catastrophe for both Le Tourneau and Caterpillar both being built in the same place at the same time. The reason for this was access to the Railroad which still during World War 2 1943 was steam driven. Diesel electric hybrid locomotives having been invented around the same time as this story truly began became a major factor in how the USA would consistently get a "one up" in creating output to fight the "War of shortages" one of those shortages of course being both Farm Tractors and implements. The other shortage of course was one of bulldozers and the implements made to pulled behind that machine. I think all of these machines used petrol engines so not sure when the first mass produced diesel tractors for farm use appeared but that would have been considered "verboten" back in the day because diesel engines were for "Government work." There's actually a very famous John Deere "combat tractor" that obviously was never sent into War but the geo-politics of all of this really is a fascinating story for something so seemingly modest anyways. Massey Ferguson definitely back from the dead being made in Georgia now but competition as with during this time ferocious but not near so accessible nor of course endearing.
Thank you for such an incredible post. Extraordinary information and great book reference too. Good to also hear about what was going on with the other machinery companies aswell as industry and invention was forging forward and pioneering through times of adversity and competition. It's great to see the minds and passion for agriculture and a brand new future create such a legacy which we have inherited today. Love hearing these stories! So inspiring! There are so many intelligent and remarkable people sharing their experiences and insights Incredible to hear 😃
Wonderful. I simply LOVE your style oftelling the story. The accent, the content, the voice, it's just wonderful. Signed, an adopted Clare-man 😉
Appreciate it man 👍🏻😃
Wow I am thrilled and flabbergasted about the story. I'm 70-year-old man now always been interested in tractors when I was a little kid I used to collect Matchbox tractors and I remember having the blue Ferguson tractor and they Ford tractor and the Massey Ferguson tractor and have never known the true story of the Ferguson name I am absolutely in awe of this story of fact. And you think that I almost missed the details thank you so very much for bringing this up as I continued through my life to be interested in tractors and being a excavation contractor and again yet I did not know the story thank you so much
This thing was beautifully produced!!!! A tractor doc... Who would have guessed?
I read in a danish magazine, Traktortech, that Harry Ferguson was not interested in a deal with Ford, but was pressed by the British government to make a deal because of the war they expected to come. And then the deal was made, Ford told him to send the drawing not expect more than a suitcase and Ferguson sends the drawing with a destroyer’s contained 2 railroad waggons of drawing. The story tells something about how the 2 men worked.
The British government wanted Ford to build Merlin engines, so Ford representatives asked to see how Rolls Royce built them. An inspection was arranged. Ford men duly studied, documented and watched over RR engineers at work, after which, Ford said there was no way they could build the Merlin. When asked why, Ford said its because you couldn't take sample engines, strip them, mix up the parts and then reassemble them and have them run, because there were no two identical parts that measured identically. That was a RR problem, their production tolerances were way off. Sure, they were suited to RR production methods, but not mass production. Ford eventually had the government agree on what were suitable tolerances and production could then commence.
Excellent documentary!
The most productive and most often used tractor on the farm I grew up on was a Ferguson (TO35 gas) and I have that heirloom today growing food and moving snow. Built in Detroit.
Brilliant to hear that!
Thank you Patrick for a truly excellent documentary. Everything about the production is, to my mind, faultless. There is only so much can be included in an hour and you aced it. Míle buíochas!
Great documentary. The first thing I ever drove at 5 years old was my fathers TO-35 now at age 47 I have that tractor and plan to renew it soon . Thanks for sharing this video.
Correction it’s a TO-30
So much I learned through watching this documentary.
Unbelievable!
100% 👍🏼
It's a fascinating story. I suppose the two men were very alike, in their own ways as odd as two left boots.
Great program 👍.
I have a restored 1949 Ferguson TE A20 with 1800cc Standard Triumph petrol engine. One thing I learned is that 'grey' isn't the full story of the Fergie paint colour....the official formula includes yellow ochre and azure blue!
possibly a covert reason for current conflict then. i was looking at the white mouse racing team recently too.
Henry saved the people of Great Britain from starvation in two wars.
Excellent Doc ! Thanks!
Thanks for posting this interesting video. I agree with some of the other comments regarding some omissions (e.g. association's with David Brown and the Standard company.) It would have been useful to have also included some of details of the various attachments and simple, practical design features (minimal number of tools needed for adjustment etc). Nevertheless, a great video and I liked the presenter. I used to spend time at a neighbouring back in the 1960's. The farmers there ran at least one Grey Fergie and viewed Harry Fergusson with extremely high regard.
From Wellington nz very well done doco thanks
I have a 1950 model to 20 that's still used daily to feed cattle here in Maryland what can you buy today that will still in use 72 years later its been very reliable tractor since I've had it
Interesting video. Thank you
I always thought that it was the original Henry Ford, that broke the deal. Good to finally know the Truth. Excellent video and history work. Hats off to Ford and Ferguson for making Farming easier all over the world and even today. Nothing has taken it's place. It's also sad to think of what more Mr.Ferguson could have done with the Ford might and money behind him. We will never know what could have been?
It was - don't expect the BBC to report facts.....
Very Very interesting. Thank You
My grandfather would never allow an ford tractor on the farm . He farmed with aillis Chalmers David browns than Massey Ferguson
Very interesting. Learned a lot.
Great tribute
It’s amazing to me that they were able to go to such esoteric locations as Growell, Dromore and the Ferguson Park plant. I didn’t know that plant was even still standing.
Brilliant, just a shame that they didn’t show more of the Coldridge collection which was owned/maintained by the late Michael Thorne, lovely chap and dedicated to his responsibilities in all he did with the Ferguson kit he had.
That was fantastic. Really enjoyed that. Ive liked and subscribed.
I still use an 8n tractor today. It's sad but somewhat understandable that the partnership ended. I had always thought that Henry Ford had broken the agreement but now I know it was his grandson. It must be said though that real blame must be laid at the feet of Adolph Hitler. At the end of the war Ford was loosing massive amounts of money and drastic measures had to be taken just to survive.
It's worth pointing out that horses were late on the scene and that Oxen ( a working bullock is called an Oxen) historically were used for a much longer period. It would have been oxen that were used to clear wooded areas that were FELD to create FIELDS. Horses took over from oxen as farms grew in size, simply because horses could move quicker than Oxen over the increasing distances between fields making them more productive. At least, that's my understanding of the change over the years.
Excellent Presentation,
Good on you Harry, beating Ford in the US .😀😀
It would be very helpful if you did make a harness video. You know how will be invaluable to those who are just starting out with restoring tractors
Restoration videos would be a good update. I'll check and see if they have any local tractor videos involving restoration 👍🏻
Very interesting, great story. Made them proud in Co. Down! 😊
What year did Massey-Harrris buy Ferguson?
I just restored a 1949 Massey-Harris 50, which was later sold as a Massey-Ferguson 50.
Thanks for this information this history
Yuo remind my childhood in Tanzania these days under British collon Massey ferguson was the best tractor
And my father was Agromechanica under Massey ferguson in East Afrika
Delightful
Henry Ford II vs Ferguson
Henry Ford II vs Ferrari
?
I own a 1951 John Deere model A
Great presentation 👍✌️🍺🍺
SO, what the world learned from the Ford-Ferguson fiasco was-
Always-always-always-always get a signed contract.
!
That's a good learner for pursuing a life-changing invention! He definitely should have considered the legacy and just not the short-term success. That mistake was costly. I think he underestimated his ingenuity and brilliance when collaborating with Ford.
Henry Ford N Harry Ferguson ,were men that changed the world for the betterment of mankind .
9000 cars in one 24 hrs day ! Think about the greatness of that in the year it was accomplished!
The good old grey Fergy is beyond a legend!
Thank you mystery solved , I recently was in a discussion about the production of the three similar tractors . I jokingly replied '' I think Ferguson invited the 3 point hitch ... There must be quit a story .. Ford being the character he was ... would have wanted in on that ... big time ...
used to be Massy/Harris in Toronto years ago.
Lots of "Massey-Fergies" on farms here in NZ! Good old tractors!
That was a joyful information, not a single minute wasted.
But can somebody explain to my about the Ferguson I did see some time ago with aluminum grill and bonnet/hood. All original parts, I did control.
That would have been a Ford 9N, the first ones had a cast aluminium ( or as it was in the US - Aluminum! ) Grill and bonnet, they are very rare!
@@martingardener90 If I remember right it was written Ferguson on it and I did see it in Norway...... Did try to get it noob
Could have mentioned The Ferguson-Black and his collaboration with David Brown with whom he also had a disagreement and then went to Coventry and got Standard Motors to make his tractors
Your awesome love the videos
Thank you so much! I'm delighted 😀🙌🏻
Just. Enjoed a good video, but to keep history as accurate always remember up until 1953 there were two completely different companies. Massey Harris and Ferguson. They amalgamated around 1953 and fir a short time could have been known as Massey Harris -Ferguson. Our last 55k Massey Harris had MH -F on a lot of the casting, and indeed on the I.D plate
That would have been Daniel Massey who started the company.
He cleared bush lots then sold the farmland. He was a tinkerer dreamer who recognized need for efficient dependable farm machinery as opposed to horses and slave labour. His son took over company, I am a direct descendant of Elizabeth who married son of man who built first homestead in upper Canada.
Brilliant 👍🏻🤗 thanks for sharing and getting in touch!
The 9N was the first Ford tractor not the 8N.
Great observation. Glad to know that 🙌🏻
I used to own a 9N .
True
It was a very good back ground of Harry I didnt know much about
🤬. Always fun to add more work to your day. That power shift really sounds smooth.
Great 30 minutes. Enjoyed this. Only error made is Patrick needed to be drinking a Murphys or a Beamish at the end.
no - they needed someone else to do it!
I’ve been with ‘Fergies’ since I was born in Rhodesia.
Here in South Africa, we call them ‘Vaaljaapies’ (Grey Jonnies).
My dad started farming with a work horse then bought a 8n Ford and a Allis Chambers , then after a few years he traded the 8n Ford and Allis for a Massey Ferguson 35 and 65, then later he bought a 135 MF and a 165 Massey Ferguson other then buy a M Farmall he stayed Massey Ferguson’s until he retired from farming. Today I have a 1990 Massey Ferguson 3070 92hp and 3 of my brothers has Massey Ferguson’s and one sister has the MF 255 my dad had and my older brother has the last tractor my dad bought a MF 471. My dad had bought at least 15 Massey Ferguson tractors. He at usually had 2 to 3 Massey Ferguson’s at a time and would trade for new Massey’s about every 3 years or so. I was so used to driving Massey Ferguson’s they were simple comfortable easy to shift and drive compared to the other brands. I drove many other brands of tractors helping other farmers growing up. On my mom’s side my grandpa had International’s. A uncle has Ford . Neighbors had Allis and John Deere’s. Today I have a Massey Ferguson 3070, John Deere 5320 and a IMT 539 that’s the same as a Massey Ferguson 35 built in Yugoslavia under a Massey Ferguson contract but named IMT which stands for Industrial Motor Tractor that was sold here in the USA in the 1980’s until the USA put a embargo on Yugoslavia in 1990. The IMT tractors were sold at 1/3 price cheaper then the Massey Ferguson’s and 90 percent of the parts were interchangeable with Massey Ferguson tractors.
My friend has an International harvester which he maintained from his father in the 60s. Still runs well. He has a Ford and some Masseys including the faithful 135 which he rebuild last year. Thanks for sharing your amazing story. Very impressive list and models. Great read 🙌🏻🤗
Thanks for this. We love MF tractors in Somalia
My first mf was 282 assemble made in old Mexico still running that was the beginning of looking for affordable or cheap labor across the river
That's amazing. Thanks for sharing. Happy Christmas 🙌🏻
The FF- Ferguson Formula- is a 37% - 63% split bettween front and rear drive. Ford vehicles, do not use this formula.