Straight & narrow
Throughout the decades there have been many examples of ‘specialist’ tractors – models built or adapted to undertake particular roles. Arguably the most famous of these are those produced by Ferguson, and their successors – those manufactured by Massey Ferguson.
Realising that there were instances when a normal-width tractor was not suitable, Ferguson produced narrow versions of the infamous TE-20 – with different engines, just like the standard tractor.
The first of these was the TE-B 20, a Continental-powered tractor with a track width of 42 inches, which was followed by the TE-C 20 – featuring a Standard petrol engine. The TE-E 30, using a Standard TVO engine, was next, followed by a lamp oil-powered version – the TE-J 20.
In 1952, the standard tractor was slimmed down even further to create a vineyard version with a track width of 32 inches. Until this point dealers and conversion companies, such as Lenfield and Reekie, had been catering for the needs of those looking for tractors to suit specialist applications – and so it was in Ferguson’s interests to provide products to suit potential customers.
The TE-K 20, TE-L 20 and TE-M 20 used the Standard engine in petrol, TVO and lamp
