49 Boston Avenue, Hornby, Christchurch 8004 New Zealand
Massey tractors on left, traction engines and other equipment on
right.
To sum up in a few words, and going by comments at the rally and
from what we have heard since, the Massey 150th Expo Rally held
Easter weekend, March 29-31, 1997 in Aylesbury, Canterbury, New
Zealand, was one big successful rally.
It doesn’t matter from what angle you look at it, whether it
was the brilliant weather throughout the four days (this including
set-up day on Good Friday), or the largest ever rally for New
Zealand and probably the Southern Hemisphere of 1,250 exhibits of
which half were tractors, or having an attendance of 15,000 plus
people over the weekend, it was all very successful.
The organizing committee with support from our Vintage Farm
Machinery Club, was both glad and rewarded in deciding to stage a
working rally in contrast to a static display at a show grounds.
The usual attractions of previous rallies, like pulling sledges and
dyno testing etc., were very quiet at this event, because there was
so much else to do with tractors. For example, some tractors were
hooked up to harvesting equipment, one day was the official
ploughing match which involved many tractors, and there were many
and varied parades in the ring during each day; but, the thing
which pleased many was the fact that they could hook onto a plough,
cultivator or whatever and do their own thing. Another plus were
the traction engines, crawler and spade-lugged tractors which had
no restrictions of movement on the grounds.
The harvesting demonstrations were one of the main highlights of
the week-end. Harvesting equipment at work included mowers,
side-delivery reapers, reaper and binders, old tractor-drawn
combines, to the later Massey-Harris self ropelleds and, to
complete the picture, two Massey Ferguson combines: one a MF 815
which lives on the property, and the other a huge MF 38 which is
second biggest of the latest Danish-made models.
Of course, you cannot have a rally of these proportions without
the old time harvesting scene of traction engines and old wooden
mills. We were fortunate to have two of these threshing side by
side for an hour or two on each of the three days, also to have a
tin mill and chaff cutter at work to cover all the various eras of
the last 100 years or so.
At the other end of the spectrum was the ploughing and
cultivation which was another real plus for the weekend. There were
30 acres for play or pleasure ploughing, and this served another
purpose for the competition ploughmen to set up their ploughs for
the official vintage ploughing match which was held on the middle
day of the three. This proved to be quite a competitive match with
27 ploughmen entered, and was divided into five classes according
to how many furrows, and whether the ploughmen fitted in to a
novice class or one for the more experienced. There were also
cultivators and other tillage equipment there to have a go with, if
you or your tractor felt so inclined.
Another first was an auction which was run during the last
afternoon, and for two reasons, the main one being to keep the
crowd around till the last, and the other was to provide an
opportunity for owners to quit surplus equipment. What better
opportunity for this when so many like-minded people are in
attendance to keep the bidding alive.
So many overseas people remarked that they had never seen
anything like it before, and of course New Zealanders hadn’t
either. It was great to have this international flavor at our
rally, and I talked to several individually who were not in either
the Australian or the American groups. Many remarked on the
numerous events taking place all through the day, both in the ring
and out in the harvesting or the various forms of ploughing.
The numerous craft displays (approximately 120) were a great
attraction for everyone and particularly for the ladies I know, but
whenever I had a look from the various marquee entrances, there
were many men-folk and children to be seen in there too. The
outside sites, whether they were craft, trade, books, badges or
whatever, all added to the occasion.
It was great to have some horses there too, the pack horses, the
Clydesdale mare and foal, together with horse gear consisting of
various types of harnesses, carts and drays.
That brings to mind even the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club who
came out in force one day to give rides to children and donated the
money to the Cancer Society. At this point, I should mention that a
substantial percentage of our takings, over and above our expenses,
are to be donated to the Cancer Society, for a building project to
accommodate people who are undergoing cancer treatment in
Christchurch city.
Now we had better start on the machinery. I will not feel guilty
this time about mentioning the Massey camp first and foremost,
because if it wasn’t for them, there would have been no rally.
For this Massey event, was it by chance that everything was so
successful and the sun shone throughout!! (No more of that, Derek.)
However, joking aside, that display of Masseys will take some
beating, even worldwide. To have five of their fore runners Wallis
tractors was a real bonus, two British and three American models.
Also, who would ever have guessed that after 40 years since the
last Massey-Harris tractor was manufactured, that we could assemble
154 of them in one place, and that in New Zealand, which is on the
other side of the world to where any of these tractors were
manufactured. By the very recent paint jobs on some of them, I know
a gallant effort was made to get as many there as possible.
It’s incredible the survival rate of these old red and yellows.
I can readily count another dozen or two in the area which did not
make it to the rally either.
A breakdown of the models represented were: four four-wheel
drive, one Challenger, five 81, sixteen 101 Twin Power and 101
Super, thirteen 101 Senior, one 203, seven 30, five 55, six Pacer,
six 744PD, one Foal (locally made), one 55 Miniature, six
Pacemaker, one 25, one 102 Junior, seventeen 101 Junior, eight 20,
fourteen 44, eleven Pony, four Colt, twenty-two 744D, and three
745.
The only models not represented were: 102 Senior, the big
war-time 201 and 202, 22, 33 (there were three of these at Gore),
Mustang, M-H 50, 333, 444, 555, and the British 745S. Most of these
models were not imported into New Zealand. It will be interesting
to note the numbers of Massey-Harris tractors that will be
assembled at the 150 Year celebrations worldwide during 1997, and
to see if, or how many times, the total of 154 can be equaled or
bettered.
Now to move on to the Ferguson line. We have one private
collector alone who displayed a Ford Ferguson 9N tractor, four or
five TEA’s and two or three FE 35 tractors, but his range of
Ferguson implements and equipment was tremendous. At least 50
various items ranging from ploughs through to things like a tractor
jack or a Standard Vanguard service van which was used by Ferguson
dealers in the early 1950s.
In our main Ferguson display was a Ferguson Brown and Ferguson
crawler specially brought down from the North Island to catch this
rally as well as the Gore Rally nearly two months earlier. Each of
these are the only ones of their type in New Zealand. Following
these were two Ford Fergusons, 13 TEAs, four TEF diesels, and five
FE35s, making a total of 26 tractors. Some were fitted up with
various implements or mowers, etc. This made a total of
approximately 34 Grey Fergies on the grounds, which was a good
effort.
Massey Ferguson was well represented too, with a total of 38
tractors, a late model baler, and an MF 815 combine.
The tractors comprised: three MF 35, three MF 135, one MF 185,
one MF 1080, one MF 1150, one MF 1200 pivot steer, one MF 1805
pivot steer, one MF 595, two MF 240, two MF 50E Indust., one MF
2720, one MF 3060, one MF 3075, one MF 3645, three MF 65, two MF
188, one MF 148, one MF 1135, one MF 1155, one MF 1505 pivot steer,
one MF 575, one MF 210, two MF 265, one MF 2640, two MF 675, one MF
3065, one MF 3095, and one MF 399.
At this point I must mention about the involvement and the
wonderful display of new Massey Ferguson equipment by Power Farming
(Wholesale) Limited (the New Zealand distributors for Massey
Ferguson), and its local agents Canterbury Tractors Limited.
Between them they displayed five or six tractors ranging from their
little ride-on with mower, to the big MF 8160-200 HP machine, also
a medium square baler and a huge MF 38 combine. These two firms
were also our major sponsors for our Expo rally.
Total tractors under the Massey umbrella Wallis, Massey-Harris,
Ferguson, and Massey Fergusontotaled a grand tally of 221, quite a
remarkable feat. The harvesting display comprised 12 Massey
combines, this including two early Australian Sunshine headers, one
a very early horse-drawn machine and the other an early auto. The
others were made up of two No. 15s, Clipper, 70,82, 92, 630, two
British 735s, an MF 815, and of course the big MF 38. Half of these
were actually demonstrated by harvesting some wheat and oats which
made a great spectacle for the public.
There was a wide range of Massey machinery, 27 items of
harvesting and hay-making from old side-delivery reapers to
binders, windrowers, rakes, mowers and balers. The 40 items of
Massey implements includes ploughs, cultivating equipment, drills,
and top dressers. (Most of these had been restored or at least had
a new coat of paint, truly a great effort by vintage machinery
enthusiasts from all over the South Island.)
To have as many as 14 Massey-Harris stationary engines gathered
in one place at one time would also take some equaling in this
country too. I never thought there were that many around. As for
the 12 Massey and Massey-Harris bicycles displayed, that was a
bigger surprise. These ranged from the early 1894 model right
through to 1930 which were then made by the Canada Cycle and Motor
Company but which still were carrying the Massey-Harris label on
them. They were made up of ladies and gents models and there was
also a racing bicycle.
Another two highlights were the models and memorabilia marquees
with their fine displays. First of all, the memorabilia which
included a great array of posters, book material, old advertising
catalogues etc. all giving the history of the Massey-Harris,
Ferguson, and Massey Ferguson eras. Some of this memorabilia came
from as far away as Scotland and Canada, with our Scottish visitors
John and Esther Caldwell supplying five lovely big posters on early
Massey-Harris days. Another fine display here was from David and
Shirley Boyle from Victoria, Australia, with their lA scale Massey
Sunshine farm implements, all hand-made, and all true to scale.
In another marquee were hundreds of models from
1/16 scale down what a sight they were, and
especially the revolving table of Massey models in a corner. In the
centre of this Marquee there was a huge farm model display. An
immense amount of work would have gone into this and I find it hard
to describe in words how wonderful and comprehensive it was.
Another big plus in this marquee was a traction engine and
threshing mill made entirely of meccano [balsam], all to scale and
measuring approximately four to six feet long and about two feet
high. It was running all the time and driven by a little electric
motor inside the engine.
Just at the end of this marquee, but outside, was another ever
popular range of scale working models which comprised a McCormick
WD 40 tractor, chaff-cutter, two hay presses (balers), a whare, and
a scale threshing mill. One of the balers was busy over the three
days keeping up with the making of little bales of hay which always
found a ready market. It is only the second time in many years that
it has baled over 1,000 bales at any one event.
All other makes of farm machinery were well represented with
tractors, but not so much with implements. It had to be an
all-makes rally so as to bring in a balance of exhibitors, a wider
appeal to the public, more involvement from the whole vintage
movement, and to include all the other colours of tractors which
helps to keep the whole vintage tractor world alive and
kicking.
Keeping to the catalogue order, the numbers of the various other
makes were: 40 Allis Chalmers, 46 Case, 18 Caterpillar, 18 David
Brown, 12 Ford-son, three Hart Parr, nine Oliver with four
implements, 120 International with seven implements, 26 John Deere
with eight implements, 38 Lanz, 11 Marshall, eight Minneapolis
Moline, three Chamberlain, three McDonald Imperial, two Nuffield,
two Yeoman Turner, two Bristol, two Hanomag, and one each A.D.N.,
Austin, Aveling Bar-ford, BMB President, Cockshutt, Dutra, HSCS,
Newman, Peterbro, Ransome MG5, Renault, VAUGHAN ws, and Ruggles and
Parsons.
Other makes of combines were one each of a McCormick No. 22,
Claas S.P., John Deere 40, and an Oliver 15. Other makes of farm
machinery and implements were Albion, Allis Chalmers, Andrews and
Beaven, Bentall, Booth and Boothmac, Case, Cooper Duncan, P and D
Duncan, Keetley, New Holland, Osborne, Rainsforth, Ransome, Reid
and Gray, and Trapski.
There was a good line-up of vintage trucks including these
makes: Austin, Chevrolet, Bedford, Dodge, Fargo, Ford,
International, Plymouth, Morris, and a Ford Thames, making a total
of 27. The nine vintage cars comprised: Austin, Bentley, Chevrolet,
Ford, Overland and Plymouth.
Fourteen traction engines were catalogued but not sure if they
all turned up., Anyway these old steam monsters add another
dimension to any event, and it was great to have them. They were
made up of one Aveling and Porter, four Burrell, four Fowler, four
McLaren, and one Marshall.
There were also two little scale engines that were running
around giving rides, these were a Burrell and an Allchin. Another
of these little fellows was a Ransomes Simms and Jeffries complete
with trailer which was auctioned but not sold.
There were many comments about the 150 stationary engines. What
an interesting spectacle they were, including thirteen Anderson,
five Associated, two Bentall, four Blackstone, six Briggs &
Stratton, two B.S.A., one Brock-house, one Brook Marine, one
Caldwell-Hallowell, two Campbell, two Clinton, one Continental, two
Cooper, two Cushman Cub, two Fairbanks Morse, one Fuller &
Johnson, one Gardner, one Heimrici (hot air), one Heco Simplex, one
Hercules, two Hornsby, five International, four Iron Horse, two
Iowa, two JAP, one Jacob-son, one John Deere, three Little Jumbo,
one Kelly Lewis, one Kirby-Lawson, six Lister, one McCormick, two
Mogul, two National, four Norman, one Nelson, four Petter, one
Pitt, one Priestman, two Ronaldson Tippet, one Remmington, one
Ruston Hornsby, one Sea Marine, one Simplicity, one Stewart Cooper,
one Stew. Little Wonder, one Suffolk, one Titan, one Turner, one
Twigg, one United, one Veechy Special, four Villiers, one Warwick,
one Watt Brothers, one Witte, and three Wolseley.
Many of these were driving pumps or generators etc. Also there
were many motor mowers, chain saws, old garden tractors, cream
separators, and a big collection of hand tools. Other exhibits
included household items, butter churns, clocks, oil cans, sewing
machines, radios, and musical instruments.
Another example of diversification for this rally was a large
collection of World War II military items and vehicles. These
included jeeps (Willys), Dodge trucks, weapon carriers, Command
cars, ambulances, Bren Gun carriers, and Quads built by Ford and
General Motors.
In the middle of our 25 acre main display area was a circular
ring where many tractor, machinery, and vehicle parades took place
each day. The highlight here was the final parade of Masseys, where
all the red and yellows which we could find drivers for traveled
around the ring and finished by lining up in the middle. These were
followed by Fergusons and Massey Fergusons and included many
implements, machinery, and combines. It was an outstanding sight
and a fitting tribute to one of the world’s leading makers of
farm machinery for the last 150 years.
Another interesting feature of this Massey parade, and one which
gives it international importance, was that it was led by the
little miniature Massey-Harris 55 tractor driven by John Caldwell,
a Massey enthusiast from Kilmarnock in Scotland. This little
tractor was built by Jim and Kelvin Ashworth just prior to the
rally. Also at the head of this same parade was the little
Massey-Harris Foal a half size Pony, driven and built by local
contractor Dave Yates.
In ending this Expo rally report, I take the opportunity to
mention about my ‘150 Years of Massey’ book which will be
available from July of this year. Originally it was to be launched
at this rally but I decided to add a further chapter covering the
two New Zealand Massey celebrations.
It is of A4 size and comprises six pages of Massey and Harris
(prior to 1891), 80 pages of Massey-Harris, 15 pages of Ferguson,
and 60 pages of Massey Ferguson. It will also feature approximately
30 pages of colour photography, and another five or six pages
covering the New Zealand rallies. The price is NZ$50.00 plus
postage and packing of NZ$13.50 for Canada and USA (International
Economy Post).
Orders (with payment) to be made to: Derek Hubbard,
‘Masseyville,’ 49 Boston Avenue, Hornby, Christchurch 8004
New Zealand.