The first Cheffins of Cambridge vintage auction of 2014 will place on Saturday 26 April. Traditionally, the April auction is the largest of the year. This year is no exception. Over 3,300 lots, including 300 tractors, will be offered on the day.

The first tractor to go under the hammer is a 1936 Ferguson-Brown Type A. This industrial model worked on South African airfields during World War II. It is believed to be one of only two in existence.

Another interesting Ferguson tractor being sold is a tandem machine in the style of a DOE Triple D using two Ferguson TED20 tractors. A number of fully restored Massey Ferguson tractors will be seeking new owners, including a 65 Multi-Power, two 165s and a 185. There will also be a fully refurbished Ferguson TEF20 fitted with a full Lucas lighting kit on offer, together with a restored grey/gold Ferguson 35 and a rebuild three-cylinder Massey Ferguson 35X.

David Browns will be out in force on the day. The first model up for sale will be a rare 1948 David Brown VTK1 Thresherman. This tractor has had only one owner from new and is one of just 185 made.

Other David Brown rarities include a nicely restored 1950 Cropmaster Diesel, a four-cylinder David Brown 30TD Trackmaster and a six-cylinder 50TD crawler, both in good order and complete with PTOs and swinging drawbars.

There will be close to 100 Ford and Fordson tractors at the auction, ranging from the earliest Fordson F to the mighty Ford FW-30 prairie tractor. A number of sought-after models will feature in the line-up, including a unique Fordson Dexta Hi-Clear and a restored 1946 E27N fitted with a Roadless DG4 half-track conversion.

Among the most unusual tractors present will be a 1956 Cantatore Field Boy, developed by Vittorio Cantatore of Moncalieri, near Turin, Italy. It was designed to imitate the Nuffield tractors. The tractor was fitted with a four-cylinder BMC B-Series diesel engine.

The auction will take place at the Cheffins Machinery Sales ground in Sutton, Cambridgeshire, England.

The classic and vintage tractor sale (sale number 5) will begin at 10am. The auction catalogue can be seen on the Cheffins website at www.cheffins.co.uk.

David Brown theme for Donegal field day

The South Donegal Vintage and Heritage Club will hold its annual vintage field day near Donegal town on Sunday 27 April. The theme for this year’s event is ‘David Brown through the Year. The club is planning a display from the Ferguson Brown tractor to the last true David Brown model, the 1694 tractor, some of which are still working in the Donegal area. Contact Lorraine McGarrigle, secretary, on 074-9734487 or 087-6165431 to book entries.

Thomastown plans MF challenge

Thomastown Classic Steam and Vintage Club is planning a Ferguson and Massey Ferguson challenge to get a model from each era of the great tractor company to participate in their rally on Saturday and Sunday, 28 and 29 June. Contact Michael Ryan on 087-3320856.