A LUXURIOUS LEVIATHAN

Massey-Harris had been one of the first tractor manufacturers to offer a four-wheel-drive tractor, after introducing the General Purpose during the 1930s with its four, equal-size driving wheels. Designed more for row crop work than out-and-out tractive ability, the General Purpose proved to be somewhat ahead of its time and, as a result, never really achieved its full potential.

In 1971, Massey Ferguson launched a four-wheel-drive tractor in the shape of the 1500; a large, articulated-steer machine powered by a Caterpillar V8 diesel engine producing 152hp. This was quickly followed by the even larger 1800, with 180hp under its bonnet, also courtesy of a CAT V8 motor.

New designs

Designed and built in North America, these two new behemoths were also the first Massey Ferguson models to feature a new, 'hard-nosed' radiator surround design, which would later be adopted across the board in new tractor designs launched during the rest of that decade. They were also the first to feature a cab designed as an integral part of the tractor, rather than just being an optional afterthought, and it was a pretty quiet and impressive one too.

However, these large machines were specifically designed to work in the wide-open fields of North America, and were never officially sold into Britain or Europe – mind you, with an average weight of eight tons, it’s probably not that surprising that they never made it across the Atlantic.

However, MF hadn't forgotten its European markets, and a scaled-down version was designed alongside the 1500 and 1800 models. It was the 1200 and, although it shared many features with its larger siblings, it was very different under the skin. It wasn't built in North America, either, with Massey Ferguson choosing to produce the 1200 in Manchester.