Tractor & Machinery Magazine How to restore tractors Back Issue

Although e-mails seem to be taking over as the main form of communication, we still receive a fair number of phone calls here at soaring Kelsey Towers. A surprising proportion begins with “There’s a pint on this so can you settle an argument….” But there is also a steady stream of inquiries about which old tractor would be good for someone starting out rallying/showing/restoring. As there’s no definitive answer this usually kicks off a lively debate in the office and, frankly, I’m fed up with their arguing. So this month I’m letting them have their say but also bringing in some outsiders to fight for their own corners. Eight people choose their ‘Easy tractor’ in this month’s magazine – if you’re starting out it might be a useful guide and if you’re an old hand feel free to send in your own nominations.
Talking of lively debates, there are apparently some people who find the life balance between hobbies and marriage partners a difficult one to achieve. It is alleged that there are ‘signifi cant others’ who feel their partners should be spending evenings with them rather than down in the shed and even some who say that hanging painted metal in the kitchen to dry is an inconvenience. There’s no such problem down in Sussex where Barry Leggatt not only persuaded his wife to let him have a tractor – she actually bought him one. Of course there was a price to pay, as you can read on page 26. Down in the West Country there is a David Brown that has played a major part in this country’s history. It worked on a secret wartime airfield, played a part in the D-Day Landings and helped in the development of mid-air refuelling. Read all about it on page 21. Across the sea in south-west Ireland, there’s a big collection of Nuffield and Leyland tractors so we visit it and talk to “the Republic of Ireland’s most respected tractor man” (page 14), we discuss the reputation of International Harvester’s 454 (page 68) and discover what happened to a Roadless 120.