News
News of Nuffields, Leylands, Marshalls, Shows, in fact anything to do with Tractors
The Nuffield 900 event, held over the weekend of the 14/15th of June, in conjunction with the annual rally of the Cornish Tractor Club at Fraddon in Cornwell, was hailed by all who attended as a great success!
The long journey to Cornwell was well worthwhile, with nearly 100 assorted Nuffield, Leyland and Marshall tractors and a lone Steyr, ranging from derelict to pristine condition, there was plenty of variety for visitors and enthusiasts to view. Giles Morcom, who organised the event, put many hundreds of hours into ensuring that the event, which celebrated 60 years of the Nuffield Tractor, was a huge success, well done Giles! He also organised a separate display depicting the history of Nuffield Tractors with an original M3 rowcrop, rescued from the depths of a hedge, and a restored M4. There were many interesting ‘Story’ boards with rare archive pictures and period sales brochures.
The Nuffield, Leyland, Marshall and Steyr tractors line up for the official photograph recording the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Nuffield Tractor.
Silver Jubilee 272 update.
In 1977 Kesko, the Leyland Tractor importer in Finland, realised that they were approaching the 21,000th Nuffield and Leyland to be imported into Finland. The Factory was asked if they could build something special to mark the occasion, so, since Queen Elizabeth was celebrating her Silver Jubilee, it was decided to build a Special Silver Jubilee version of the 272. Two were probably built because the Finnish specification is different from the one shown in the photograph below. (14 inch wheels, wide mudwings, Minimec fuel pump and no Union flag on the roof) The tractor was shown at the Farma Machinery and Country show in July 1977, a silver plate was attached to the instrument panel to verify it as a Silver Jubilee model and number 21,000 in Finland. The tractor was then delivered to its first owner who worked it till the early eighties after which it was sold to its current owner. It is still in good order, however it has been stored in a barn for a few years now. Hopefully some photographs will soon be available.
There is still no news of the second tractor.
4/25 History - Peter Campbell owns a 4/25 chassis number 25D/300977/-4875 he would like to know if anyone recognises this number so that he can put together some history for it. Any information should be sent via; contact@thenuffieldandleylandtractorclub.co.uk
In 1977 a pair of Silver Jubilee 272 tractors were built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee. Pictured below is one of the tractors heading the Edinburgh Festival Parade. One tractor is thought to have been exported to either Norway or Finland. Does anyone know the whereabouts of either of these two tractors? If you do know where they are please let us know through contact@thenuffieldandleylandtractorclub.co.uk thank you.
Red Diesel Fuel and Classic or Vintage Tractors
A recent UK Government document has been issued on the subject of ‘Red Diesel’ (Rebated Diesel). As usual with any ‘Government’ publication it’s not what it says but what it doesn’t say! Basically the facts are as follows; If a Tractor is NOT being used directly for an ’Agricultural’ activity then it must use ‘White’ diesel. Therefore when you carry out a road run, drive to a show or use the tractor for any non-agricultural activity then white diesel is the order of the day. What the position is if you drive to a ploughing match and then carry out an ‘Agricultural’ activity by ploughing the field is unclear! To be ‘Safe’ white diesel should be used, then you can’t be wrong.
Further information can be obtained from the following web sites; www.naac.co.uk or www.hmrc.co.uk on this last site enter ‘Fuel for road vehicles’ into the search window, then follow the links.
A number of New Itemshave been added to the Information Section - Double Clutch Removal and Overhaul, Lubication Charts, Model Number ‘Break down’, Paint Codes, Torque Settings etc. etc. Go and take a look!
We have visitors to this site from many Countries in the World - Including; USA, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Iran, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, Venezuela, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Italy, France and other EU countries. We would love to have any news items that you may have from your own country. What’s happening? what are you doing? are there any unusual Nuffields / Leylands / Marshalls that you think other visitors might like to see or hear about? Do you have any Tractor Shows which you show at? Just send your news to contact@thenuffieldandleylandtractorclub and we’ll do the rest!