Early tractor model displayed at Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show

When Ferguson enthusiast Raymond Browne, from Cookstown, Northern Ireland, stumbled across a TE20 covered in briar and brambles, he knew straight away it was an early model.

But it wasn’t until days later he realised he had discovered TE20 Number Six, which rolled off the assembly line during the first week of production in 1946.

It is the oldest known example outside the Ferguson museum’s Number One and was put on show at the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show last weekend.

Mr Browne said: “I had been at a breaker’s yard looking for parts for a TE20 that I’d bought a few months earlier in June 2019.

“I noticed a tractor in the bushes and saw tell-tale pointers like a long air filter housing and the variable stay at the top of the radiator. Those features told me immediately it was an old one.”

But it was so overgrown further investigation was impossible, that day. Instead, he returned later with heavy-duty recovery equipment to extract the tractor and transport it home.

Only once it was in his yard did the excitement really start to mount. As he pressure-washed the mud and foliage away, the number six emerged on the bell housing.

“I couldn’t believe it. To say I was over the moon doesn’t even come close.”

Other crucial pointers to the genuine age also checked out, such as the power unit, which was typical of the first few.

The tractor had an American-built Continental engine — a stop-gap to fill in for the planned Standard unit. Development of the Standard motor had been held back by steel shortages and rationing in post-war Britain.

Those same logistical setbacks also slowed production of Ferguson’s TE20 and just 315 were produced in 1946, making the early types even rarer.

“The engine was in relatively good condition with the crank and pistons still OK so it hadn’t been worked too hard in its life,” he added.

Likewise, the cast iron gearbox needed surprisingly little work for a 75-year-old vehicle, despite being full of rainwater. Mr Browne replaced four bearings but noted that the selectors were still serviceable.

The front axle and steering needed more attention. The steering box seals needed replacing along with the pivot pin, king pin bushes and bearings. Wheel hub bearings were also replaced.

Other work required was to the check chains and shackles. These were badly worn and Mr Browne decided to replace them from his extensive store of parts, amassed over years from farm sales and barn finds.

Warped brake drums were also addressed in-house.

“The drums were out of true but that was sorted out using my own lathe here,” Mr Browne said.

Items like the original starter motor, regulator and dynamo were sent away to undergo reconditioning with a specialist before refitting.

Among the final jobs were the tinwork, tyres and paintwork. While the mechanicals were in relatively good shape and mostly repairable, the years had taken their toll on the tinwork.

“It was pretty much all rotten and I needed to replace it with appropriate parts from my stores,” he said.

Only the grille tee-piece had to be manufactured — otherwise the tin is original Ferguson vintage for this tractor.

With genuine period tyres and authentic paint work TE20 Number Six is back to its original splendour, and will be on show alongside several other beloved Little Grey Fergusons as part of the marque’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

The David Brown Tractor Club celebrated 60 years of the 880 and 990 at the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show.

The club stand showcased some of the earliest 990 and 880 models brought to the show at Newark Showground by members.

There was also a focus on the Hydrashift gearbox, 50 years after it was introduced, and information on founder David Brown.

David Brown made a significant contribution to farm machinery development. His involvement began in 1936 when a subsidiary of David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield) Ltd struck a deal with Harry Ferguson to manufacture the Ferguson Brown tractor.

The tractor was the world’s first production tractor to be equipped with a hydraulic lift and converging three-point linkage.

Around 1,350 Type As were built before Ferguson left to work with Henry Ford, prompting David Brown to create his own prototype tractor. The tractor — the Vehicle Agricultural Kerosene 1 or VAK1 — was demonstrated at the Royal Show in 1939, and established the brand.

This importance to agriculture meant David Brown Tractors Ltd was awarded the Queen’s Award to Industry and the Design Council Award.

Newark Tractor Show visitors were able to see a wide range of David Brown tractors, alongside other key historic brands and equipment.