In the beginning

In the beginning, man created the tractor – a simple machine built for dragging implements to prepare the land for the planting of crops. This type of machine evolved to become more productive and despite the success of tractors like the Fordson, it was evident that Ferguson’s three-point linkage would revolutionise mechanised farming.

When the going was good, these little tractors were worth their weight in gold, but certain conditions dictated the use of machines with more traction and this is where crawlers came to the fore. They, for obvious reasons, had their drawbacks and it became apparent that fitting tractors with a driven front axle would increase traction without the problems associated with steel tracks.

Development by specialists such as Roadless Traction and County Commercial Cars saw the popularity of four-wheel drive tractors increase – both in specialist applications and on farms – but the increased cost meant that they were not suitable for all.

The fact remained that there was a simpler, less costly solution to increased productivity – and that was to fit a more powerful engine. Alongside the introduction of the Ferguson System, rival manufacturers continued to develop their ranges and spawned models like the David Brown 50D, Marshall MP6 and Massey-Harris 744PD – powerful two-wheel drive machines solely equipped with a drawbar.

Not always suited to conditions in the UK and Ireland, many of these tractors found their calling on the export market, but farmers and contractors at home made it clear that there was still a need for models with more power