As passionate members of the Harry Ferguson Tractor Club of Australia, Geoff Lee and Maxine Gardiner of Molyullah spoke about the legendary little grey tractors at our March Stock and Land gathering.
Geoff said the club was dedicated to helping fellow members in their restoration and preservation of the tractors, associated implements and memorabilia. He said one member had about 100 Fergys while he and Maxine owned 14. There are about 800 members Australia wide.
Key to the success of the tractors, was Harry’s invention of three point linkage hydraulics in 1932, enabling implements to be accurately and easily operated. That was largely motivated by Henry Ford’s Fordson tractors of the time, having a most disagreeable habit of rearing over backwards and killing the driver, if the attached trailed plough for example snagged a stump.
In 1948 the first Ferguson tractors in Australia, petrol TEA 20 models, sold for 650 to 680 pounds ($1300 to $1360) Production finished in 1956 with 517,651 little grey tractors made in that time. There were petrol, diesel, kerosene and lamp oil models made for different markets.
Geoff said all parts, except engine blocks, are still made for the tractors.
Maxine told the group that members annually made substantial and rugged group trips on their tractors.
In 2013, a memorable one involved 12 tractors driving from Cooktown to the tip of Cape York and that involved Geoff and Maxine towing a tractor 3000km, just to get to Cooktown. Others came from Tasmania and WA.
The Cape trip involved negotiating basic roads at 15km/hr and diesel tractors in the group, towing petrol models through numerous river crossings on the Laura, Coen, Weipa, Bamaga route.
Geoff said the club was dedicated to helping fellow members in their restoration and preservation of the tractors, associated implements and memorabilia. He said one member had about 100 Fergys while he and Maxine owned 14. There are about 800 members Australia wide.
Key to the success of the tractors, was Harry’s invention of three point linkage hydraulics in 1932, enabling implements to be accurately and easily operated. That was largely motivated by Henry Ford’s Fordson tractors of the time, having a most disagreeable habit of rearing over backwards and killing the driver, if the attached trailed plough for example snagged a stump.
In 1948 the first Ferguson tractors in Australia, petrol TEA 20 models, sold for 650 to 680 pounds ($1300 to $1360) Production finished in 1956 with 517,651 little grey tractors made in that time. There were petrol, diesel, kerosene and lamp oil models made for different markets.
Geoff said all parts, except engine blocks, are still made for the tractors.
Maxine told the group that members annually made substantial and rugged group trips on their tractors.
In 2013, a memorable one involved 12 tractors driving from Cooktown to the tip of Cape York and that involved Geoff and Maxine towing a tractor 3000km, just to get to Cooktown. Others came from Tasmania and WA.
The Cape trip involved negotiating basic roads at 15km/hr and diesel tractors in the group, towing petrol models through numerous river crossings on the Laura, Coen, Weipa, Bamaga route.
Geoff Lee
David Palmer
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