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This is an anniversary which has rather crept up on us unawares, but none the less is a very important one. We are still the largest farm machinery club in the country, and certainly the oldest.
Our origins go right back to a discussion within the Norwich branch of the Institution of British Agricultural Engineers, who’s members thought a more broader outlook on the use and operation of farm machinery then becoming more widely used in the county, could be better served with the formation of such a club. A small sub committee met at Dereham in January, consisting of Ben Burgess, J.C. Mann from the Norfolk Agricultural Station at Sprowston, MR. R.R. Wright and Mr.J.R. Ware.
The objects of the club were soon established.
For the promotion of education and technical instruction in connection with all branches of farm machinery.
For the study and development of agricultural machinery and plant.
For making recommendations to the appropriate authority through the Norwich Centre of the Institute of British Agricultural Engineers.
To organise Demonstrations, Competitions etc., to further the interests of the members of the Club.
The name of the club shall be “The Norfolk Farm Machinery Club”
It was agreed that an inaugural public meeting should be held in Norwich, followed by monthly meetings held alternatively at Norwich and Kings Lynn, and then at other centres around the county as the need arises. Winter meetings would consist of a speaker, followed by a discussion. Summer meetings would be outside events, Demonstrations, competitions and outings to places of interest to members.
Well the first meeting was held on Saturday March 9 th at the Electricity Building, Duke Street, Norwich, and 40 members of the public paid 5/- to become members. Mr. W. Newcombe-Baker took the chair, and a committee was formed consisting of B. Burgess, S. Eglington, A. Garrod, N. Langridge, J.C. Mann, W. Parker, J.R. Ware and R. Wright.
Mr. J.E. Cleveland, from the Norfolk Agricultural Station was appointed Hon Secretary and Treasurer. The following meeting should have been held at The Dukes Head at Kings Lynn on the 31 st of May. However because the proposed speaker could not come, the meeting was postponed. A demonstration of Row crop work held at Gayton during the afternoon did go ahead, and the well known authority on farm machinery, Mr. Culpin gave a commentary on the various items of row crop machinery from a loud speaker van. The operators with the best work were awarded a prize of £3 and £2. A report of the event was sent to the I.B.A.E., but it was sent back as it was too critical of some machines demonstrated!
In September, members undertook a tour of Bin Storage and Farm Grain Driers in the Docking area, where they visited Mr. Parker at Church Farm Heacham, Mr. Newcome-Baker at Sedgeford, Mr. Peacock at Docking, Mr. Everington at Dunham and finally Syderstone Driers. You must remember then that combines and bulk handling of grain was a very new thing then, probably on a similar scale that satellite guidance systems are today!
By October the Committee were starting to think about meeting in other places, and on the 14 th of November a meeting was held at the town Hall, Aylsham, followed by a Brains Trust, the subject being “Mechanised Farming”.
The first actual NORMAC “Centre” was formed at Docking in January 1947, followed by Watton and then Attleborough.
So that was the first year in the life of NORMAC. Many problems like finding speakers and demonstration sites existed then as they do today, as does the enthusiasm to do things, see things and compete together, as many members of NORMAC do today.
P.S. If any members can lay their hands on any photographs of people or demonstrations in those early days could let me borrow them for reproducing in the next issue of Top Link, I would be very grateful. I promise I will take care of them and get them back to you promptly.-Ed.
Classic Farm Machinery - The Farmall Tractor
After launching the Fordson Tractor to the world towards the end of the First World War, vast numbers were produced and sold, thanks to Henry Ford's policy of high production and low selling prices, to the alarm of other manufacturers. They just had to think of ways to overcome this cheap, light but perfectly adequate little tractor that was flooding their markets.
One problem with the Fordson was that it was not built for inter row work. There was little ground clearance, and the track was not adjustable for different row widths. The International Harvester group of companies consisting of McCormick and Deering Harvester Co recognised this and set about designing a new tractor especially for inter-row working.
The work of International designer Bert R.Benjamin first saw the light of day in 1923 in the form of the F20. This was quite unlike anything seen before. A light 20hp engine with ball bearing main bearings, was sat on a straight girder frame. This was coupled to a three speed gearbox. The extra ground clearance was provided by having the final drive gearing housed in casings that dropped down to independent splined wheel axles, the wheels themselves being able to be made to slide up or down these shafts to alter the wheel width. The front axle was mounted right out front on a pillar, with a steering shaft running right down the top of the bonnet. This configuration left plenty of room for equipment to be mounted between the wheels where the driver could easily see the rows and could steer accordingly. Independent brakes were provided, operated by hand or automatically when the front wheels were turned to full lock. Tractors were also supplied with a single or V twin front wheels. A variety of mid mounted implements were also made to fit these tractors and a mechanical lift could be fitted for £16 !
The success of the F20 led to the introduction of the slightly larger F30 in 1931. This had a 4 3/4 x 5inch engine driving a 4-speed gearbox. It was said to produce 30hp at the belt. This tractor was followed in 1932 by the F12. The smallest of the range, using a 3 x 4inch engine producing about 15hp. The F12 sold in the UK for about £185 on steel wheels or £225 on rubber tyres. Over 27,000 units were made, and many were sold over here. By the mid '30s, however they were becoming dated. Many other tractor makers were employing industrial designers to introduce "style" to tractor design. John Deere produced a styled range, and later, the Ford Ferguson was designed with a look similar to cars and trucks of that period. International Harvester soon followed, and employed industrial designer Raymond Lowey to help with the design of a whole new range of tractors with a similar theme. The rounded radiator grill and horizontal slots first seen on the crawlers, but continued right up to the B450 are examples of his work. 1936 saw a colour change from grey to red, before a whole new range was introduced in 1939.
The new models consisted of the "A", a one plough row crop tractor with an offset driving position to allow a clear view of row crop implements, and the "B", a little larger version was also produced. A tiny row crop tractor called a "Cub" was introduced later, but was not sent to this country. The most popular Farmall's imported to this country were the "H" and "M". Many thousands were sent here as lease-lend machines and were highly regarded. The "H" used a totally new design 28hp P/P engine governed at 1650rpm. The "M" used a larger version rated at 35hp at 1450rpm. The old ball bearing crank was dispensed with, in favour of the more normal shell bearings. The crankshafts were "Tocco" hardened. Five forward speeds were provided, but top gear could be blanked off if the tractor was mounted on steel wheels. A whole host of extras could be added, including electric start and lighting - unheard of at that time. A petrol/diesel version was available in the US, but not here. A hydraulic lift unit called a "Lift-All" could be inserted in a space in front of the gearbox to provide hydraulic power. This was driven off the gearbox and had its own built in hydraulic reservoir. The lift cylinders were mounted in such a way that they could be used for a mid mounted lift or rear lift, the latter by way of a linkage arrangement to the lower links. Obviously, draft control was not available. The rear track could be adjusted from 44 to 80" on the "H", and from 50 to 88" on the "M". The tiny mudguards were an option. Both tractors did have independent brakes. Many tractors were shipped over as three wheelers, either having a single floatation type front wheel, or V twins. Some were converted at a later date to the more normal 4 wheel configuration. International were well aware of the damage dust can do, and fitted large oil bath air cleaners, as well as ample fuel filters. The engine was well known for its long life and reliability.
International's set up a British factory at Doncaster in the late '40s, and the first tractor to roll off the production line was the "M"; later to become the "BM". 1952 saw the first British diesels fitted. After experimenting with Perkins L4's these BMD's were fitted with the British designed BD264 engines with glow plug starting, producing 50hp. These later became the SBMD's with life hydraulics, driven off the timing gears on the engine. During coronation year of 1953, many tractors were painted gold, and were mainly sent to dealers as demonstrators. These are now highly collectible. In 1958, a new variant, the B450 Farmall was introduced with live, integral hydraulics, disc brakes and a differential lock.
Now of course, a new Farmall has appeared. Still made in the Doncaster Factory, but by an Italian based conglomerate found out of the Case IH merger a year or two ago.
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