I'm from Co. Limerick and Leylands were very popular in this neck of the woods. This was thanks to one man, the legendary late Joe Ahern from Grange, Kilmallock (it's actually on the Limerick side of Bruff). I could be mistaken, but my understanding is that Joe consistently sold the most Leylands in Ireland for a good many years. His knowledge of Leylands was immense and even after the demise of Leyland/Marshall, Joe was able to source just about any part for a Leyland. Like all other makes, Leylands did have some issues and acquired an unjustified poor reputation in some quarters. There are still lots of leylands working away quietly on farms which is probably a testament to their engineering.
We had a 285 (brothers still have it in Ballivor) and 2100. Absolutely loved them for the double chop. The gearbox was solidly mounted and the engine on bushens. However there was no universal joint on the drive shaft. This meant the fingers on the clutch would rub unevenly on the clutch plate and eventually you couldn't clutch it. I remember doing a few full days of double chopping without a clutch. I just put it in gear before I started the engine and started with the pto on. Stayed in the same gear while cutting. That's how much I liked them. Also, the rear axle was placed in a very forward position giving great rear traction, which was good for pulling the harvester and a trailer. As there was no external weight placed on the axle. We put large wheels on the 285; my cousin was driving behind me one day and said I was doing close to 30 mph. Maybe he was exaggerating
During my pre-college farm experience, 1973-4, I spent many days spreading pig slurry with a Leyland 384 and Alfa Laval 1200 gal gravity fill tanker. As you said in the video great engine, and road speed. It had a canvas Duncan cab/safety frame with glass doors, which made it exceptionally noisy in the cab, and I always drove it without them, even in the depths of winter. Later in 1979, used a 272 syncro cultivating and drilling. The farm replaced a MF 165 front end loader & 185 with a 262 & 272. Exceptionally good to drive on the road, and field. Comfortable, quiet cab.
I drove a 262 or 272 Synchro as a young lad in the 90s, mostly for yard work on a dairy farm in West Cork. Nice to drive, surprisingly fast. It was nearly as fast in reverse as in forward gears - made quick work of scraping the yards! 😊
Super video Alan. Fella beside us here has a serious collection of Nuffields and Leylands. Some very rare ones at that. We have a bit of a soft spot for them at our place to.😊😊
Great video and thanks Back in 1988 and 1989 I worked for Marshall's Sister company in Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) as a Welder, I saw them been built and they painted the tin work in our spray booths. We had a factory 1984 Marshall (I think a 602) and I used to drive it with a dolly and a large lorry flatbed trailer, Great times for a 21 year old.I'm looking forward to your next video. Dave
I'm sure I will, I remember a few imported IMT and Steyr that changed to Marshalls and a handful were re badged Nuffield, for a cancelled African order and ended up in Ireland again some of it in recent Classic Tractor magazine , I enjoy your work and gutted I missed out on the MF 100 book 😏@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery
Thank you Alan. Back in the late 70s I worked for a farmer that had a 344 and then a 272 Synco. I thought the 272 was an impressive tractor for the time. And great for buckrake work, with that gearbox. The rear linkage, PTO, and hydraulics did not seem as refined as those on Fords or MFs of the time.
The 2100 alignment engine /gearbox problem is well known..the engine in its work vibrated separetly from the g/,box giving serious clutch and shaft issues..a simple remedy secure engine mounts ro the chassis..same as the 4cyl and it worked fine.!
I’m still working my 154 mini here in Texas. I think it is about a 79 or 80 model. Not a lot of Leyland tractors here in the US so parts are a little difficult to acquire but the 154 rarely breakdown. Yes it’s diesel and going strong.
Let's go. i was waiting for this!! I love the Leylands, truly British. My Dad has a Leyland 285 and is pretty much in immaculate condition, and my brother has a Leylands 272, which a 272 could rival some Ford and Massey Ferguson tractors The 272, 472, 262, 154, 245 & 282 were some phenomenal reliable machines often over engineered and their robust tractors. While yeah, the 6 cylinder Leylands were unreliable. The 4 cylinder Leylands makes up for it, in my opinion, and may i just say they're one of the most elegant tractors ever! Could you do a video on the Marshalls that took on from Leyland?
Sunday is a great morning for the Agri videos! My uncle had a few Nuffield and then a couple of leylands . They’d do about 30mph (who needs brakes or steering?)
Good stuff, interesting video thanks. I remember having the chance to drive a 472synchro in 1982. It was new and was used to move new equipment into and out of an agricultural show… I was fifteen. It was some machine at the time. Also remember reading about how the synchro gearbox evolved out of the old 10 speed box. The engineers were able to use the old housing so were able to save money.
Back in the 1980ies I was doing most of my tillage work with a Massey 1080, my brother had a Leyland 2100 i remember borrowing it from him th drive a Vicon 14foot power harrow the 1080 would be struggling driving this harrow especially going up hilly fields, the Leyland 2100 would be humming along- no bother at all, the 2100 was 8 hp more than the Massey 1080, I said at the time that it was the best 8 hp that I have ever seen, I would love to have a 2100 syncro, but alas, they are as scarce as hens teeth . I currently use a Leyland 472 syncro a beautiful running engine.
There was one other problem the 485 and 4100 had unfortunately some of them snapped in half due to the 4wd wheels at the front because the brackets weren't reinforced
@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery Agreed, it was a shame because Leyland was doing well at the beginning, but they rushed the heavy duty series and didn't test them, and sadly it backfiredLeyland
Those 2100,s broke a lot of contractors ,great engine but idler reverse was a nightmare especially backing up silage and as for the sliding spline coupler between gearbox and clutch it was the epitome of hardship for many poor divils
Oh I think it was about 1600 leyland 282 that were built. I see plenty of them advertised for sale in the UK and Ireland. There is plenty of after market parts suppliers like Agriline, QTP, John Conatys etc that still supply parts for them. 👍
my dad had a Leyland 272 and also 2100. 2100 was pulling an 8ft john deere trailer mower. Great tractor all round, but from I remember, it gave trouble. I think it was overheating or the head of the engine. it was sold and bought a john deere instead
Great info, thanks for making this. Not to winge, & you're not a bad looking chap, but my only wish is that you showed more of the tractors & less of yourself.
@LawEire2B Thanks 🤣🤣 Yes, I wish I had the time to add 25 minutes of different pictures. It takes a serious amount of time to download available images, check them for copyright, clip, and edit them onto the B roll. I'd love to be able to add lots more photos and video, but I simply don't have the time. Thanks for watching 👍
I had a 272 if I remember correctly back in 1972 there was a gentleman from England that helped me with that tractor I have a farm in Michigan I run the Leyland and Ford tractorsi wish I had them both
The Leyland were not a patch on their predecessor the ever reliable Nuffield, too much technology and not enough attention paid to the the basics,a fancy grill and bonnet does not make it plow any better, cheers from Tasmania
Just a quick response to weekend hero, from my own experience I had a 1957 Nuffield 460, which was used mainly for hay contracting,I towed a B55 international wire tie baler until the late sixties, replacing it in 1975 with the Leyland which although had a lot more horsepower , for me that extra power certainly didn't translate to it's performance,I was so disappointed with it I swapped it for a Massey Ferguson 65 but even that didn't compare with the old Nuffield, cheers from Tasmania
@@michaelcolgrave4184 still using them to this day. Later synchro models and q cabs were far better and we had a 1060 back in the day on the family farm.. Very similar dna ..leyland 498 engine when looked after will run trouble free.
To weekend hero, yes , the BMC four cylinder motor in our Nuffield was also used in the first of the Leylands following the takeover,I think they shipped them all out here to Australia to get rid of them , I suppose that I'm just a traditionalist I just like the uncomplicated the Nuffield had an engine gearbox, and the necessary gauges , so simple, when I got the Leyland almost everything was electronic and that's where most of the troubles originated from, today's machinery just gives me a headache, cheers from Tasmania
Yes, I will do it at some stage.. If you haven't seen them already, I have a JCB fastrac video and a couple of videos on JCB's development of the hydrogen engine. Thanks for watching 👍
Sad state of Leyland its like having your hands tie behind your back n trying to swim as manufacturing was mess, short of funds for new products n driving Leyland was like that just basic tractor. By mid to late 80's farming economy was at its worst, only way forward for tractor companies going forward is not just been innovative but offering efficient features. For us it was International 786 with Nuess engine to NH TM125 with 0% interest that improve our farming efficiency, also adding GPS. There were only two ways be taken over by big companies or go different route.
Leyland wasn't that bad it's a common misconception it's because the 285 and 2100 did bad and everyone assumes all their tractors were bad which isn't the case many of the 4 cylinder Leylands are still out there doing hard work and I have proof
This isn't 100% true because at the beginning, Leyland was dominating the agriculture market in the early seventies they were 5th in the market. While yes, Leyland, at the end, was having money issues, they certainly weren't the worst tractors ever. Unfortunately, a lot of people spread misinformation towards Leyland. In fact, Leyland actually revolutionised a lot of things, such as the synchro gearbox mesh they were the first tractor company to utilise this feature, and they had great visibility
I wasn't replying that Leyland tractors were bad but just didn't stand out from competition, yes had Q cab, Perkins four cylinder but lack features that competition had. Moving forward from tough times in 80's to 90's tractors had move on n Marshall was on back foot.
There is more to Leyland then most people know...... it's not just about tractors.... it's the way the world works..... Leyland never made money...... just like 90% of state companies never make money. ..... it's how mafia works. ..... and has always been that way...... the board, the directors, the management, the union, the dealerships were all masons. ...... it was always a money laundering scheme. .... taxpayers paid for it..... wasn't the first time and still going on.... solar scheme,. wind scheme..... heat pump scheme. ..... if the people knew how the world really works. ..... they would have a cold shivering feeling they have been fooled.....
I'm from Co. Limerick and Leylands were very popular in this neck of the woods. This was thanks to one man, the legendary late Joe Ahern from Grange, Kilmallock (it's actually on the Limerick side of Bruff). I could be mistaken, but my understanding is that Joe consistently sold the most Leylands in Ireland for a good many years. His knowledge of Leylands was immense and even after the demise of Leyland/Marshall, Joe was able to source just about any part for a Leyland. Like all other makes, Leylands did have some issues and acquired an unjustified poor reputation in some quarters. There are still lots of leylands working away quietly on farms which is probably a testament to their engineering.
Great info their Gérard, u must look a bit deeper into Joe Ahern. Thanks for that 👍
A dairy farmer near me had a Nuffied 460 from 1970 to 1987 it was a Great tractor, and I'm a JD. man .
We had a 285 (brothers still have it in Ballivor) and 2100. Absolutely loved them for the double chop. The gearbox was solidly mounted and the engine on bushens. However there was no universal joint on the drive shaft. This meant the fingers on the clutch would rub unevenly on the clutch plate and eventually you couldn't clutch it. I remember doing a few full days of double chopping without a clutch. I just put it in gear before I started the engine and started with the pto on. Stayed in the same gear while cutting. That's how much I liked them. Also, the rear axle was placed in a very forward position giving great rear traction, which was good for pulling the harvester and a trailer. As there was no external weight placed on the axle. We put large wheels on the 285; my cousin was driving behind me one day and said I was doing close to 30 mph. Maybe he was exaggerating
Super stuff, thanks for that, Patick. Ballivor isn't too far from my home place. Regards. Alan
During my pre-college farm experience, 1973-4, I spent many days spreading pig slurry with a Leyland 384 and Alfa Laval 1200 gal gravity fill tanker. As you said in the video great engine, and road speed. It had a canvas Duncan cab/safety frame with glass doors, which made it exceptionally noisy in the cab, and I always drove it without them, even in the depths of winter.
Later in 1979, used a 272 syncro cultivating and drilling. The farm replaced a MF 165 front end loader & 185 with a 262 & 272. Exceptionally good to drive on the road, and field. Comfortable, quiet cab.
Thanks for that. It's great to hear from people who worked them back in the times when they were new 👍
We had a 270 it pulled like a 100hp tractor, with 4wd it would have been incredible
@@josephvaudrey7968 It sure would.. Thanks for watching 👍
I drove a 262 or 272 Synchro as a young lad in the 90s, mostly for yard work on a dairy farm in West Cork. Nice to drive, surprisingly fast. It was nearly as fast in reverse as in forward gears - made quick work of scraping the yards! 😊
Thanks Dan. They seem to have been very popular in the South West of the country compared to other areas. Thanks for watching 👍
Super video Alan. Fella beside us here has a serious collection of Nuffields and Leylands. Some very rare ones at that. We have a bit of a soft spot for them at our place to.😊😊
Thanks, Cathal.. They are more popular in Ireland than I expected, it seems. Thanks for watching 👍
Great video and thanks Back in 1988 and 1989 I worked for Marshall's Sister company in Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) as a Welder, I saw them been built and they painted the tin work in our spray booths. We had a factory 1984 Marshall (I think a 602) and I used to drive it with a dolly and a large lorry flatbed trailer, Great times for a 21 year old.I'm looking forward to your next video. Dave
Thanks Dave. Nice to get some inside info. Hope you enjoy the next one 👍
I'm sure I will, I remember a few imported IMT and Steyr that changed to Marshalls and a handful were re badged Nuffield, for a cancelled African order and ended up in Ireland again some of it in recent Classic Tractor magazine , I enjoy your work and gutted I missed out on the MF 100 book 😏@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery
Thank you Alan. Back in the late 70s I worked for a farmer that had a 344 and then a 272 Synco. I thought the 272 was an impressive tractor for the time. And great for buckrake work, with that gearbox. The rear linkage, PTO, and hydraulics did not seem as refined as those on Fords or MFs of the time.
Thanks Philip.. 👍
The 2100 alignment engine /gearbox problem is well known..the engine in its work vibrated separetly from the g/,box giving serious clutch and shaft issues..a simple remedy secure engine mounts ro the chassis..same as the 4cyl and it worked fine.!
I’m still working my 154 mini here in Texas. I think it is about a 79 or 80 model. Not a lot of Leyland tractors here in the US so parts are a little difficult to acquire but the 154 rarely breakdown. Yes it’s diesel and going strong.
@@mcdaniel236 That's great. Thanks for watching 👍
Let's go. i was waiting for this!! I love the Leylands, truly British. My Dad has a Leyland 285 and is pretty much in immaculate condition, and my brother has a Leylands 272, which a 272 could rival some Ford and Massey Ferguson tractors The 272, 472, 262, 154, 245 & 282 were some phenomenal reliable machines often over engineered and their robust tractors. While yeah, the 6 cylinder Leylands were unreliable. The 4 cylinder Leylands makes up for it, in my opinion, and may i just say they're one of the most elegant tractors ever! Could you do a video on the Marshalls that took on from Leyland?
Thanks, yes, as I said near the end of the video, next week's video is on Marshall 👍
Sunday is a great morning for the Agri videos! My uncle had a few Nuffield and then a couple of leylands . They’d do about 30mph (who needs brakes or steering?)
Wow, that's some speed. Yes, Sunday seems to be a very popular slot for tractor and farming content. Thanks for watching
@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery no problem. There’ll be a 1200 nearly on the way to Ireland soon. Down to the last bits and bobs in Somerset
Good stuff, interesting video thanks. I remember having the chance to drive a 472synchro in 1982. It was new and was used to move new equipment into and out of an agricultural show… I was fifteen. It was some machine at the time. Also remember reading about how the synchro gearbox evolved out of the old 10 speed box. The engineers were able to use the old housing so were able to save money.
Thanks, yes i would say it was a big machine and a thrill for you to drive back them. Thanks for watching
Back in the 1980ies I was doing most of my tillage work with a Massey 1080, my brother had a Leyland 2100 i remember borrowing it from him th drive a Vicon 14foot power harrow the 1080 would be struggling driving this harrow especially going up hilly fields, the Leyland 2100 would be humming along- no bother at all, the 2100 was 8 hp more than the Massey 1080, I said at the time that it was the best 8 hp that I have ever seen, I would love to have a 2100 syncro, but alas, they are as scarce as hens teeth . I currently use a Leyland 472 syncro a beautiful running engine.
@@DmitryMurphy-p7h Great information there. Thanks for that 👍
The 344 was a very reliable model.
There was one other problem the 485 and 4100 had unfortunately some of them snapped in half due to the 4wd wheels at the front because the brackets weren't reinforced
Yes, I've heard that.. Such a shame proper design engineering wasn't put into them. Thanks for watching 👍
@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery Agreed, it was a shame because Leyland was doing well at the beginning, but they rushed the heavy duty series and didn't test them, and sadly it backfiredLeyland
Almost 2k subscribers!
Nearly there 😊
I worked as a fitter tester in tractor experimental till it was high jacked in 1982
@@Kuga150 Thanks for that. What machines were you involved in testing?
282,285 new hydraulic casing, synchro gearbox and explore cab over in Denmark 😊
Good video, never had too many Leyland tractors here in West cork, Massey
Ferguson, Ford, David Brown, Universal were the main tractors
Thanks, Gearoid. Well done on winning the 100 series book. Get in contact with your details, and I'll get it out to you 👍
@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery Thank you I sent you an email
I remember a contractor local to me with a pair of 272s 1 on the pit, 1 drawing and a big 2090 on the double chop
Nice outfit in its day 👌
We have a 472 here in Utah it had a garbage loader on it we removed and just use it for pulling disc
Those 2100,s broke a lot of contractors ,great engine but idler reverse was a nightmare especially backing up silage and as for the sliding spline coupler between gearbox and clutch it was the epitome of hardship for many poor divils
Sounds like a nightmare 😕
I'm for northern ireland i know a man that has a few of them in his shed
Thanks for watching 👍
When are you going to do a segment on zetor
Zetor is high up on my list... Should be in the next 2 months or so. Thanks for watching 👍
Is it true only 17 282 where sold ,how rare now an where would u get parts for one
Oh I think it was about 1600 leyland 282 that were built. I see plenty of them advertised for sale in the UK and Ireland. There is plenty of after market parts suppliers like Agriline, QTP, John Conatys etc that still supply parts for them. 👍
my dad had a Leyland 272 and also 2100. 2100 was pulling an 8ft john deere trailer mower. Great tractor all round, but from I remember, it gave trouble. I think it was overheating or the head of the engine. it was sold and bought a john deere instead
That was a wise move 🤣
@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery it was 🤣 but great memories. I have pics of my dad Leyland
Great info, thanks for making this. Not to winge, & you're not a bad looking chap, but my only wish is that you showed more of the tractors & less of yourself.
@LawEire2B Thanks 🤣🤣 Yes, I wish I had the time to add 25 minutes of different pictures. It takes a serious amount of time to download available images, check them for copyright, clip, and edit them onto the B roll. I'd love to be able to add lots more photos and video, but I simply don't have the time. Thanks for watching 👍
Those were mine in the front cover 😂
Have a look at classic tractor restoration at youtube.com/@weekendhero_rwj
I had a 272 if I remember correctly back in 1972 there was a gentleman from England that helped me with that tractor I have a farm in Michigan I run the Leyland and Ford tractorsi wish I had them both
We all wish we still had the tractors we had years ago 😆
Can you a video on marshall
Yes!! As I said towards the end of the Leyland video, next Sundays video is on Marshall 👍
The Leyland were not a patch on their predecessor the ever reliable Nuffield, too much technology and not enough attention paid to the the basics,a fancy grill and bonnet does not make it plow any better, cheers from Tasmania
It's the same dna. If anything cooling and weight distribution were better and the 498 engine was an improvement for sure .
Just a quick response to weekend hero, from my own experience I had a 1957 Nuffield 460, which was used mainly for hay contracting,I towed a B55 international wire tie baler until the late sixties, replacing it in 1975 with the Leyland which although had a lot more horsepower , for me that extra power certainly didn't translate to it's performance,I was so disappointed with it I swapped it for a Massey Ferguson 65 but even that didn't compare with the old Nuffield, cheers from Tasmania
@@michaelcolgrave4184 still using them to this day. Later synchro models and q cabs were far better and we had a 1060 back in the day on the family farm.. Very similar dna ..leyland 498 engine when looked after will run trouble free.
To weekend hero, yes , the BMC four cylinder motor in our Nuffield was also used in the first of the Leylands following the takeover,I think they shipped them all out here to Australia to get rid of them , I suppose that I'm just a traditionalist I just like the uncomplicated the Nuffield had an engine gearbox, and the necessary gauges , so simple, when I got the Leyland almost everything was electronic and that's where most of the troubles originated from, today's machinery just gives me a headache, cheers from Tasmania
Would you do a video on JCB from the start? I got a JCB 3D with a Leyland 4/98 engine.
Yes, I will do it at some stage.. If you haven't seen them already, I have a JCB fastrac video and a couple of videos on JCB's development of the hydrogen engine. Thanks for watching 👍
Sad state of Leyland its like having your hands tie behind your back n trying to swim as manufacturing was mess, short of funds for new products n driving Leyland was like that just basic tractor. By mid to late 80's farming economy was at its worst, only way forward for tractor companies going forward is not just been innovative but offering efficient features. For us it was International 786 with Nuess engine to NH TM125 with 0% interest that improve our farming efficiency, also adding GPS. There were only two ways be taken over by big companies or go different route.
Leyland wasn't that bad it's a common misconception it's because the 285 and 2100 did bad and everyone assumes all their tractors were bad which isn't the case many of the 4 cylinder Leylands are still out there doing hard work and I have proof
This isn't 100% true because at the beginning, Leyland was dominating the agriculture market in the early seventies they were 5th in the market. While yes, Leyland, at the end, was having money issues, they certainly weren't the worst tractors ever. Unfortunately, a lot of people spread misinformation towards Leyland. In fact, Leyland actually revolutionised a lot of things, such as the synchro gearbox mesh they were the first tractor company to utilise this feature, and they had great visibility
I wasn't replying that Leyland tractors were bad but just didn't stand out from competition, yes had Q cab, Perkins four cylinder but lack features that competition had. Moving forward from tough times in 80's to 90's tractors had move on n Marshall was on back foot.
There is more to Leyland then most people know...... it's not just about tractors.... it's the way the world works..... Leyland never made money...... just like 90% of state companies never make money. ..... it's how mafia works. ..... and has always been that way...... the board, the directors, the management, the union, the dealerships were all masons. ...... it was always a money laundering scheme. .... taxpayers paid for it..... wasn't the first time and still going on.... solar scheme,. wind scheme..... heat pump scheme. ..... if the people knew how the world really works. ..... they would have a cold shivering feeling they have been fooled.....
The problems with the Leyland 2100 where do we begin?🥲