Magic of Tractors Classic and Rare Models of Tractors from the early 1900s

What is it about old tractors that is so fascinating and entrancing? The sounds and smells of these old relics? The hunt to find the rarest of models? Or simply the memories such machines evoke? ‘ The Magic of Old Tractors’ explores this intriguing world and is essential reading for anyone with a passion for classic tractors. Renowned international expert and self confessed tractorphile Ian M Johnston invites you to become acquainted with the nostalgic world of spanners, grease and exhaust smoke, and to experience the wonderful world of old tractors.

Ian M. Johnston’ s interest in tractors was kindled at an early age when, as a young schoolboy, he was reared in the midst of a farming community located on the east coast of Scotland. In 1953, at age seventeen, he departed for a two-year jackerooing experience in Australia, with the intention of returning to Edinburgh where he had been enrolled in a tertiary agricultural college. But following two exhilarating years in the Australian bush, he acquainted his parents of his intention to remain in Australia and establish a life in the country he had grown to love.

Introduction 6 Measurements used in this book 10 A word about kerosene fuel 11 So what is the magic of old tractors? 13 Horsepower and drawbar pull 19 Legend of the Big 4 28 The remarkable Saunderson Type A 38 The Rumely Oil Pull classics 47 The Moline Universal 53 The industrial cousins 59 Light-weights 70 Heavy-weights 106 The early Marshalls 133 Orenstein & Koppel S32K 146 The big semi-diesels 151 The BMC Mini, a brilliant tractor – nearly 176 T Herbert Morrell and the Oliver Super 55 182 The Alios Murr story 190 Tractor engine designs of the 1950s 203 The row croppers 218 The Renault 3042 228 Evolution of the David Brown Cropmaster 234 Spare Parts 243 Index 259 Acknowledgements 264