The Massey Ferguson 1200 series was only brought into Ireland in very small numbers and most of the ones that are currently here are ex-UK, including the one featured here. These tractors were manufactured from 1972-1979 at Massey’s Manchester plant. This tractor was built in the final year of production. They stand out from the crowd because they have four equal-sized wheels and are steered using articulation.

The one that I found is based in north Kerry. Its current owner is Johnny Lynne, who is a plant and agricultural contractor. This tractor came to Johnny’s attention many years ago when he had seen it working in a neighbouring parish with a contractor. He remembers the tractor undertaking many different tasks, including drawing silage, ploughing and drilling.

When the tractor came up for sale in 2014, Johnny had to buy it. Once he got the tractor home, he stripped it down and checked it over mechanically. He found the engine and gearbox to be in perfect condition. The paintwork left a little to be desired so it was decided to give it a full re-spray. Now the tractor looks the part as well as sounding and running beautifully. When new, the 1200 should have produced 105hp and Johnny believes that currently every one of those horses are alive and kicking.

Putting it to use

Johnny uses the 1200 on a nearly daily basis. During the summer it is used to ferry bales from the field to the yard, Johnny bales silage with two Lely/Welger balers and a neighbour wraps the bales.

The two balers are run using the modern tractors in Johnny’s fleet which consists of a fresh New Holland TM155, a 2008 150hp McCormack, a Massey 6180 and a Massey 699. All the bales that he makes are handled and drawn to the farmer’s yard or designated area.

This is where the 1200 does its main work, handling a large bale trailer on the road and in the field.

Baling season

The articulation makes it very manoeuvrable and the equal-sized (16.9R34) tyres make it very comfortable on the road. For its age, the Massey was quick but not as quick as the modern 50km/h tractors. The balers produce around 15,000 bales per year, a good year’s work in this part of the country. Given that the 1200 is part of one of two transport outfits, it transports around 7,500 bales per year – serious going for an older machine.

Once the busy baling season is over, the Massey is put away and brought out for occasional trip with the low loader and working as a back-up for his 2,100 gallon Abbey tanker. Johnny says that the old Massey is more than able for the big tanker and pulls like a train.

Again the equal-sized wheels give the 1200 better grip than a standard tyre layout machine. The power comes a 5.8 litre, six-cylinder Perkins engine and is transmitted by a brilliantly simple eight forward and two reverse transmission with multi-power.

The clock is reading a paltry 8,611 hours, which is very low for a nearly 40-year-old tractor. Johnny has no plans to get rid of the 1200 from his fleet as it is doing a job and he has the skills to keep it working. When I was there the fleet’s Massey 6180 was split and getting a clutch. This tractor has given massive service, with 25,000 hours on the clock. Johnny shows that older gear can still get through the work with a small bit of mechanical knowledge and sympathy as the years and hours add up on machines.