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The Massey Ferguson 100 Series became known as the red giants after launch. These tractors were hugely important for Massey Ferguson as it set out to compete against three other new tractor ranges introduced that year. The 100 series was also hugely important for Irish farmers, as they provided a strong and reliable power source that drove farming ahead in the years immediately after we had joined the European Economic Community (EEC), as it was known back in 1973.
While the Massey Ferguson 35 and 65 were successful tractors, the company established the Massey Ferguson Corporate Co-ordinating Committee in 1962 to look at what was needed to stave off competition from other manufacturers. The result of the committee’s work was the DX line.
The aim was to develop a new line of tractors and not just continue upgrading the old models. This new line was to include tractors in the highest horsepower range that could be designed and produced in the most economical locations, while being as similar as possible for different markets.
Against the background of Ford launching the 1000 Series, and David Brown and Nuffield both also introducing new tractor ranges, Massey Ferguson’s 100 Series models were a very impressive response.
There were four new Massey Ferguson models introduced to the market for the 1964 Smithfield Show, held in London, all of which were also shown to Irish farmers for the first time the following year at the 1965 RDS Spring Show.
The tractors were the MF 130, MF 135, MF 165 and MF 175. The entry level MF 130 tractor was built in France, while the other three models were built at what was one of the world’s largest tractor factories, at Banner Lane, Coventry, England.
New features
Massey Ferguson kept the design simple and shied away from complex hydrostatic transmissions, keeping a basic six forward and two reverse gearbox for all of the Coventry-built tractors.
The most significant change for the tractors was the introduction of the new hydraulic system for the bigger tractors.
Massey Ferguson introduced a pressure control system which was designed to give additional traction by means of a weight transfer system. This was achieved through a special linkage hitch, which had a chain attached, that was fixed to the drawbar of the implement being pulled. The system proved rather unpopular at the time and even for many years later.
Launch re-enactment
The Fingal Vintage Society MF Heritage Evening event was a form of re-enactment of the launch of the tractors.
Four beautifully restored models from the original 100 Series were draped with sheets as the 350 visitors entered the room at the City North Hotel on the M1.
Campbell Scott, director of marketing services at Massey Ferguson for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, was the guest speaker for the night and he delivered a superb performance, detailing many aspects of his career.
After opening the event in the company of Hit the Diff singer Marty Mone, Campbell joined with Massey Ferguson stalwart Ian McCulloch to discuss of their time at the company.
Ian McCulloch, who later went on to work at Murphy Machinery in Kilkenny, recalled how he first saw the red giants’ hile a student at Gurteen College. Ian recalled how he started as a Massey Ferguson trainee in 1969 – the era where the red giants were at their most successful.
Campbell recalled his early days with Massey Ferguson in the mid-1980’s and how he got to experience the Massey Ferguson heritage through meeting and working with so many people who had come though the 100 Series era.
Nick Batelle provided some entertaining Massey Ferguson video footage from the 1960s, including two promotional videos – one of which related how a young English farmer met his wife through his work on a farm with a Massey Ferguson 100 Series tractor.
Campbell Scott provided an informative background to the tractors after dinner as Kristie Ward of Grassmen fame unveiled them one at a time, accompanied by dry ice and suitably strong music.
This was followed by another series of interviews with some former Massey Ferguson (Eire) personnel. These included Stan Mitchell, now of Dublin Grass Machinery, who worked as marketing director from 1971 to 1981; Don Holland of Kerry Farm Machinery, who trained at Massey Ferguson in Stoneleigh in the early 1970s and worked as a technician in Somalia and other parts of Africa at the time; Matt Buckley of Quality Tractor Parts who worked with Massey Ferguson until 1981; Kevin Moore of Kevin Moore Tractors, Killucan, who worked with Massey Ferguson in Ireland and England; and John Dillon who retired some years ago after a lifelong career with Massey Ferguson in Ireland.
The event concluded with a raffle and a great opportunity for Massey Ferguson tractor fans to get together and discuss the red giant tractors of 50 years ago.
Myles O’Reilly of the Fingal Vintage Society was one of the main protagonists behind the memorable event, supported by his chairman Shay Clarke and a very active committee.
Shay thanked all those who took part in the very special event. Its success sparked a rumour that a similar John Deere event to celebrate the launch of the 20 Series models might be on the cards.
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