Shropshire is renowned for its agriculture and tractors are a way of life for many there. The county is well-known for being a hotbed for classic machinery, and a lot of older Massey Fergusons are still putting in a good day’s shift. The MF 1200 seems to be a particular favourite in the area, and is a familiar sight at rallies and on road runs.
Paul Hillage is a professional mechanic, and has lived in the area all his life. “Although I don’t come from a farming background, I’ve been around tractors since I was a boy,” he explained. “I remember seeing a 1200 when I was growing up, working on a farm in the same village. I always liked the look of the tractor and, once I was older, I decided to buy one when the opportunity came along.”
First classic
The MF 1200 is Paul’s first classic tractor, and he has owned it for 13 years. “It was registered in 1976 and I spotted it in an advertisement in the classified section of this magazine,” he told me. “It came off a farm in Evesham, and after I’d phoned the owner for
