What’s Up Down Under

Ferguson tractors star in New Zealand show.

By Don Mackereth
Published on July 7, 2020
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by Don Mackereth
The Franklin Vintage Farm Machinery Club’s display at the Pukekohe Agricultural and Pastoral show drew a good representation of International Harvester tractors and a Massey-Harris Pony.

The spread of COVID-19 into New Zealand brought all our vintage tractor club activities to a standstill. In fact, New Zealand was under lockdown with all meetings and events totally closed for more than a month. Collectors have not even been allowed to visit other club members’ sheds for the fear of spreading the disease.

Fortunately, before the virus reached New Zealand, our club – the Franklin Vintage Farm Machinery Club – had a good showing for two days at the annual Pukekohe Agricultural and Pastoral in Auckland Feb. 15-16, 2020.

We had a great gathering of about 12 grey Ferguson tractors, some with the genuine Ferguson implements attached. The oldest tractor in the Ferguson line-up was a Ford Ferguson 9N of 1947 vintage, one of the last to be produced as production stopped in June of that year, while the others, affectionally known as the “little Grey Fergies,” ranged from 1950 to 1956, both petrol- and diesel-powered. The diesel-powered Little Grey Fergies were quite rare in New Zealand, with farmers being more confident in the petrol engines they were most accustomed to.

Of the implements in the Ferguson showing, there were single- and double- furrow ploughs, single- and double-disc ploughs, transport trays and a rear-mounted Ferguson earth scoop.

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