For many, 2014 was a Ford tractor celebration. But we cannot forget that Massey Ferguson (MF), Nuffield and David Brown also introduced new tractors 50 years ago in 1964. And many of these tractors continue their working life on Irish farms, and on nearly every continent of the world. It is important to register their arrival on the market with due accord.

Up to 1964, Irish farmers had been big Ferguson supporters. The arrival of the MF100 tractors on the scene towards the end of 1964 was an important event. The tractors were labelled the Red Giants by the company, which had recently changed its name from Ferguson to Massey Ferguson.

They were first advertised in the Irish Farmers Journal in late December 1964. The tractors were designed in Banner Lane in Coventry, England, where they were also built. Over the years, the MF100 tractors were built in many factories around the world. More than a million of the tractors were produced in an unrivalled production run between 1964 and 1979.

The four models in the Red Giants range included the MF130, MF135, MF165 and MF175. They ranged in power from 30hp to 66.4hp. They were all fitted with Perkins direct injection engines and a new hydraulic system that allowed for better implement control.

The new system on the models, from the MF135 upwards, used a quadrant control system with two levers. Tractors with multi-power had an extra hydraulic power boost.

The tractors were available with a new pressure control system that used a combination of a chain-and-ball mechanism linked to a mounted implement to give better weight transfer to the tractor’s rear axle when towing trailers. The pressure control device was designed so that the tractor could not flip over backwards when the load on the drawbar exceeded a certain level.

Power-steering and power-adjusted variable wheel tracks on the rear wheels were standard on the bigger MF175 model.

A fibreglass modern-looking weather cab was available for all models as an optional extra.

Back in 1964, when Massey Ferguson introduced the new MF100 Series tractors, the company’s Irish subsidiary was based in Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. Massey Ferguson operated through 25 tractor dealers. Only three of the original dealers are in the farm machinery business 50 years on, but none of them are now Massey Ferguson dealers.

The latest Wanders On, Contract and Farm Series DVD is now available from www.wanderson.ie for €20. John Anderson of Wanderson spent a year with agricultural contractor and farmer Roger Perry, based near Athy, Co Kildare, in order to make the DVD.

Roger runs a fleet of New Holland tractors, combines and a self-propelled forage harvester backed up by a JCB 416 loader. The DVD, one hour and 40 minutes in duration, follows him through the year starting with winter maintenance, dung-spreading, pressing, drilling, fertilizer-spreading, drilling beet and spraying.

Francis Loughran

Many vintage clubs and associations will remember Francis (Francie) Loughran in their own way but we, in Meath Vintage Group, will remember him as Francie, a true friend and a vintage expert.

Francie was a man of great integrity, wisdom and foresight. In the early 1990s, he could see the demise of our rich heritage which would be lost forever if nobody took a stand. So, Francie, together with some like-minded people, formed Meath Vintage Group.

Francie was known the length and breadth of Ireland, not only in vintage circles, but also from his days as a haulier when he travelled the highways and byways delivering goods to every town and village. It was on one of these journeys he met the light and love of his life Olive, née Flood, a member of a well-respected business family from Cavan. They settled in Co Meath.

Francie had a great knowledge of all things vintage. He was always willing to impart his lore whenever called upon for advice; he inspired many with this knowledge. He had a fine collection of vintage equipment of which he was duly proud.

Both Francie and Olive were great supporters of fundraising tractor drives and threshings. Distance was never a bother. They were always generous to the causes being supported. Francie was a great raconteur and had a marvellous stock of stories from his young days.

Meath Vintage Group will greatly miss its stalwart founding member, but that loss will pale into oblivion when compared with the deep loss felt by Olive, Mary Rose, Frankie, Dominic and Joey, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

To Francie we say: “Farewell old friend, the light of heaven to you, we’ll not see your likes again.”

Anne Berrill, Meath Vintage Group