It’s not difficult to find a second-hand McCormick MTX 150, particularly if you’re in the market for a half-tidy 150hp workhorse that won’t break the bank. However, if it is an MTX you’re looking for, it’s worth keeping half an eye open for one of the silver-painted Diamond Edition models. There’s virtually no difference in second-hand value between a red and a silver version at present, yet only 60 of the Diamond Edition tractors were actually produced.
History
The McCormick legacy was re-created back in 2001, when the Italian ARGO Industrial Group acquired the former Case-International Wheatley Hall factory at Doncaster in Yorkshire. The deal secured the rights to continue making McCormick-branded tractors based on former Case-IH designs, re-establishing the McCormick brand as a major force on the international tractor market.
The McCormick Diamond Edition tractors were launched in July 2006, to commemorate 60 years of the McCormick brand at Wheatley Hall.
All MTX150 models (and CX105 Diamond Edition tractors) feature a unique silver livery with a grey engine and chassis, highlighted by a specially-designed bonnet and roof graphics.
Now demolished, the factory, which was returned from munitions manufacture to agricultural equipment production after WWII, started tractor production in 1951 with the launch of the International Harvester McCormick Farmall M.
McCormick dealer Colin Catley owns Catley Engineering Ltd, at Desford in Leicestershire. Not surprisingly, as one of the UK’s most successful McCormick agencies, Catley has developed a passion for McCormick tractors over the years, inspiring him to purchase a Diamond Edition McCormick MTX 150.
Features
Colin Catley’s tractor is identified as serial number JJE3337186, which makes it number 28 of the 60 Diamond Edition MTX 150 tractors, with an October 2006 production date. Although mechanically identical to their red counterparts, the Diamond Edition tractors have a silver metallic and dark grey livery with ‘Diamond Edition’ graphics, accentuated by a chromium-plated exhaust heat shield.
Inside, the cab features a three-spoke silver/black steering wheel, a CD player with MP3 and iPod compatibility, air conditioning and an upholstered passenger seat. The tractor also comes with a driver’s kit, which includes overalls, a fleece, a cap and a key ring, in addition to a numbered commemorative certificate.
The Diamond Edition cab was fitted with a three-spoke silver and black steering wheel.
Special edition tractors are a commonly recognised method of marking an anniversary, usually with a manufacturer running a limited number of tractors to celebrate a specific occasion.
The initial plan for McCormick was to produce a run of 60 Diamond Edition MTX150 models, however this decision was soon revised to include 60 Diamond Edition CX105 models.
This choice of models, selected by McCormick for its Diamond Editions, reflected the factory’s best-selling tractors at the time. Yet while the CX105 Diamond Editions all sold very quickly, the MTX150 Diamond Editions were, perhaps surprisingly, not quite as popular.
The BetaPower 6.7l engine in these tractors is a superb lump, and this tractor pulls extremely well
Colin Catley’s tractor was no exception. Assigned to Riverlea Tractors at Whitland in Carmarthenshire on 1 November 2006, the tractor remained unsold, eventually making the journey to Grundy Agriculture in Lincolnshire the following September, where it was temporarily leased to Hawk Hire.
The tractor would eventually be sold in April 2008 to a farm in the Isle of Wight, where it would work the next 10-years before being traded to a dealer in Dorset. Always on the lookout for something special, Colin Catley saw the tractor advertised in October 2018, and immediately purchased it over the phone.
Repairs
“The tractor is in very good mechanical condition,” reports Catley.
“Aside from giving it a full service and a good polish, the only repairs I’ve made were to overhaul the Carraro front axle, replace the half-shaft oil seals and fit a new air-conditioning radiator/cooler.
“The BetaPower 6.7l engine in these tractors is a superb lump, and this tractor pulls extremely well.
“The four-speed powershift gearbox changes crisply, and with both front axle and cab suspension, ride quality is better than almost anything else built at the time.
“Cosmetically, the tractor’s silver livery is completely original. However, the wheels were quite pitted, so I removed them and had them powder-coated in the OEM grey colour. I’ve also sourced and installed some OEM-spec Michelin tyres.”
The Diamond Edition McCormick MTX150 tractors were launched in July 2006, to commemorate 60-years of McCormick production at the Wheatley Hall factory in Doncaster.
Since its arrival at Catley Engineering, this immaculate Diamond Edition MTX 150 has been adopted as a shunter for moving equipment around the yard, used as an exhibit at local shows and as a showcase model on the front forecourt. More recently, Colin Catley has even sourced a second Diamond Edition MTX tractor for one of his biggest customers who, like him, bought it as a potential investment.
The Diamond Edition tractors represented both the pinnacle and the swansong of McCormick tractor production at Doncaster, as production would shortly be relocated to Fabbrico in Italy.
Engine: FPT 6.7l BetaPower.Power: 152hp.Transmission:
16F/12R Semi-Powershift.Hyd Output: 109l/Min.Weight: 6,160Kg (unballasted).
It’s not difficult to find a second-hand McCormick MTX 150, particularly if you’re in the market for a half-tidy 150hp workhorse that won’t break the bank. However, if it is an MTX you’re looking for, it’s worth keeping half an eye open for one of the silver-painted Diamond Edition models. There’s virtually no difference in second-hand value between a red and a silver version at present, yet only 60 of the Diamond Edition tractors were actually produced.
History
The McCormick legacy was re-created back in 2001, when the Italian ARGO Industrial Group acquired the former Case-International Wheatley Hall factory at Doncaster in Yorkshire. The deal secured the rights to continue making McCormick-branded tractors based on former Case-IH designs, re-establishing the McCormick brand as a major force on the international tractor market.
The McCormick Diamond Edition tractors were launched in July 2006, to commemorate 60 years of the McCormick brand at Wheatley Hall.
All MTX150 models (and CX105 Diamond Edition tractors) feature a unique silver livery with a grey engine and chassis, highlighted by a specially-designed bonnet and roof graphics.
Now demolished, the factory, which was returned from munitions manufacture to agricultural equipment production after WWII, started tractor production in 1951 with the launch of the International Harvester McCormick Farmall M.
McCormick dealer Colin Catley owns Catley Engineering Ltd, at Desford in Leicestershire. Not surprisingly, as one of the UK’s most successful McCormick agencies, Catley has developed a passion for McCormick tractors over the years, inspiring him to purchase a Diamond Edition McCormick MTX 150.
Features
Colin Catley’s tractor is identified as serial number JJE3337186, which makes it number 28 of the 60 Diamond Edition MTX 150 tractors, with an October 2006 production date. Although mechanically identical to their red counterparts, the Diamond Edition tractors have a silver metallic and dark grey livery with ‘Diamond Edition’ graphics, accentuated by a chromium-plated exhaust heat shield.
Inside, the cab features a three-spoke silver/black steering wheel, a CD player with MP3 and iPod compatibility, air conditioning and an upholstered passenger seat. The tractor also comes with a driver’s kit, which includes overalls, a fleece, a cap and a key ring, in addition to a numbered commemorative certificate.
The Diamond Edition cab was fitted with a three-spoke silver and black steering wheel.
Special edition tractors are a commonly recognised method of marking an anniversary, usually with a manufacturer running a limited number of tractors to celebrate a specific occasion.
The initial plan for McCormick was to produce a run of 60 Diamond Edition MTX150 models, however this decision was soon revised to include 60 Diamond Edition CX105 models.
This choice of models, selected by McCormick for its Diamond Editions, reflected the factory’s best-selling tractors at the time. Yet while the CX105 Diamond Editions all sold very quickly, the MTX150 Diamond Editions were, perhaps surprisingly, not quite as popular.
The BetaPower 6.7l engine in these tractors is a superb lump, and this tractor pulls extremely well
Colin Catley’s tractor was no exception. Assigned to Riverlea Tractors at Whitland in Carmarthenshire on 1 November 2006, the tractor remained unsold, eventually making the journey to Grundy Agriculture in Lincolnshire the following September, where it was temporarily leased to Hawk Hire.
The tractor would eventually be sold in April 2008 to a farm in the Isle of Wight, where it would work the next 10-years before being traded to a dealer in Dorset. Always on the lookout for something special, Colin Catley saw the tractor advertised in October 2018, and immediately purchased it over the phone.
Repairs
“The tractor is in very good mechanical condition,” reports Catley.
“Aside from giving it a full service and a good polish, the only repairs I’ve made were to overhaul the Carraro front axle, replace the half-shaft oil seals and fit a new air-conditioning radiator/cooler.
“The BetaPower 6.7l engine in these tractors is a superb lump, and this tractor pulls extremely well.
“The four-speed powershift gearbox changes crisply, and with both front axle and cab suspension, ride quality is better than almost anything else built at the time.
“Cosmetically, the tractor’s silver livery is completely original. However, the wheels were quite pitted, so I removed them and had them powder-coated in the OEM grey colour. I’ve also sourced and installed some OEM-spec Michelin tyres.”
The Diamond Edition McCormick MTX150 tractors were launched in July 2006, to commemorate 60-years of McCormick production at the Wheatley Hall factory in Doncaster.
Since its arrival at Catley Engineering, this immaculate Diamond Edition MTX 150 has been adopted as a shunter for moving equipment around the yard, used as an exhibit at local shows and as a showcase model on the front forecourt. More recently, Colin Catley has even sourced a second Diamond Edition MTX tractor for one of his biggest customers who, like him, bought it as a potential investment.
The Diamond Edition tractors represented both the pinnacle and the swansong of McCormick tractor production at Doncaster, as production would shortly be relocated to Fabbrico in Italy.
Engine: FPT 6.7l BetaPower.Power: 152hp.Transmission:
16F/12R Semi-Powershift.Hyd Output: 109l/Min.Weight: 6,160Kg (unballasted). 
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