The legendary TE20 tractor Massey Ferguson turns 70
Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO, celebrates the 70th anniversary of the entry into production of its famous tractor Ferguson TE20, affectionately known as’ Little Grey Fergie, the July 6th, 1946 it left the assembly line of its old factory Banner Lane in England. The legendary tractor, which changed the agricultural world, was the brainchild of engineer and inventor Harry Ferguson, one of the founders of the current Massey Ferguson.
The key to their success was their only hitch system to the third point controlled by the tractor hydraulics. The “Ferguson System” effectively converted to the tractor and the implement in a single work unit, replacing the previous method.
Hailed as one of the most important engineering developments of the twentieth century, the Ferguson System produces mainly advances in the efficiency of food production. Thus, the lifelong ambition of Harry Ferguson to help farmers with an affordable price to mechanise all aspects of crop production for better and more economical way to feed the world is achieved. Only 20 horsepower, the TE20 (Tractor England) was incredibly light and small, however, easily outpointed much larger units, with many lower operating costs. This caused the mechanization in agriculture spread throughout the world. Over half a million of these tiny tractors were manufactured in Banner Lane plant between July 6th, 1946 and July 13th, 1956. A large number of them are still working in the field and are prized collector’s items.
“We are immensely proud of the legacy of being the pioneers of agricultural machinery technology,” said Richard Markwell Vice President and Managing Director Massey Ferguson Europe / Africa / Middle East. “Massey Ferguson continues with the development of the idea of Harry Ferguson with the clear aim of making simple, reliable and where farmers can trust to look after their crops and livestock farm machinery. Currently, MF has one of the strongest lines of equipment with numerous international awards and increased market share”, he has stressed.
Massey Ferguson is a global brand of agricultural machinery that encompasses a wide range of tractors, harvesting equipment and agricultural implements. Its famous red body equipment are distributed in 140 countries.
The 70th anniversary of the Ferguson TE20 has inspired the current exhibition: “Tractors – from factory to field” at the Museum of Coventry Transport and public exhibition of a bronze sculpture of Daniel Massey in the city museum Herbet and the art gallery.
A key event of the celebration of this event will be the exhibition “70 tractors for 70 years,” starring Culture Coventry, a spectacular parade of Massey Ferguson tractors Ferguson through the city to the Milleniun Place, outside the Museum of Transportation, which will take place on 30th July. Friends of Ferguson Heritage Club are responsible for collecting tractors for the parade, which will include a wide variety of classic and veteran models as well as some of the latest models in production Massey Ferguson.
About AGCO
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO), is a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery. AGCO collaborates with agricultural production through a full range of products, including tractors, combines, tools for treating hay, sprayers, forage harvesting machines, implements, seeding equipment, storage of grain and feed production animal, and their spare parts.
AGCO agricultural products are sold under five main brands Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson ® and Valtra®, marketed globally through more than 3,100 dealers and / or independent dealers in over 140 countries around the world . Financing is available to qualified buyers through AGCO Finance. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia (United States). In 2014 it reached a figure of net sales of 9,700 million US dollars. Its firm, Massey Ferguson collaborates with the NGO Save the Children.
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Source: AGCO Iberia S.A.
