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a few of you have seen my field - all over the place and full of reeds, thistles and nettles. A strimmer doesn't work and a wheel horse deck has no chance. So I have gone large. A 1.45m flail - which really make the tractor sweat don't have many pics as I was mowing! took half a day to get through 2.5 acres of thick grass and a tank of diesel picked up a trailer at the same time, that helps too!

I know there is a lot experience and knowledge of these O&R enigne powered machine on here, so I thought I'd dip a toe in the water and post this sorry sight in a Tray- From a quick scan of the topics on here, I presume the red paint indicates an early-ish model. The engine cowling is a devoted effort by someone in the past to repair or keep running this unit without replacement parts being available, as the retractable pullstart is long gone. Being offered it, I'm tempted to have a go at it, but doubt if I could get it back to original appearance, the cost and availablility of parts and the current condition. The only numbers I could see on the motor are shown here- This being in the UK will not be so easy to sort, so may put under the bench for some 'over winter' repair therapy?. Regards

Will come back with an update on this towards the winter. It has now been married up to a good example of the original mower it used to push around in the 1920s- Needless to say in the meantime, it's being parked up on a display stand to earn it's keep at the Museum. I'm busy with miniature stuff at the moment.

What You have is one third of the Wheelhorse implement package, Plough, Discs and Cultivator assemblies which all use the same mounting beam. I have the other two thirds, I'm missing the plough. Have a look in the Wheelhorse magazine 1981 on Red Square, it shows the setup. The clevis part on the front can be fitted in either of two positions, one way up it's square to the beam for the discs or cultivator, or turned over it is at the correct angle for ploughing use. The furrow wheel looks to be an addition, it's not shown in the original pictures.

Had a play with this 1980's MF 525 combine this afternoon. Not been run for around 10yrs at least and sitting with a flat tyre. Of course the flat had to be up against the wall and the combine leaning against it. I'm under there trying to blow the tyre up, with the compressor we brought down from the main farm. Luck was with us and the tyre inflated and stayed up. Next job was to see if it would start. New battery fitted and after some whirling, priming, fiddling and more whirling, the Perkins 3ltr something burst into life. So far so good. Now to move it. First we had to move the 1970's, I think it is, IH digger. That started with no problem. Always does with a squirt of Easy Start. It's always need Easy Start as long as I can remember. Back to the combine and it refused to move. Left hand wheel made an effort, but the right hand one refused to budge. Brakes seized was the first thought. But it had been left with the brakes of. Now I know nothing about these things, but weighing up the axle and hubs etc I came to the conclusion, due to no centre differential, the hubs are hydraulic driven. Back at the main farm, I had a look at an operators manual. This proved my suspicion. The wheels are hydraulically driven. But there was no info on stripping them. So my friend is going to get in touch with an agricultural fitter he sometimes uses.

Your right Paul, I'm not quick enough. The engine is possibly a Type 100, there is some overlap with serial numbers & 3/4HP/0.85HP engines at time this was made, but the lack of fins on the crankcase suggests that it is most likely to be a 3/4HP one. My information also suggests it should have a plastic reed valve. David

Managed to get it finished this afternoon, I’m quite pleased with it considering what I’m using to hand.

Found a few bits in stock from Johns, a 1/4 bit of plate , a length of 3/8 bar and a couple of old cam belt idler pulleys, ive used an old brake drum that happened to be the right size and had a nice lip on to bend to. After a clean up with the grinder and spray with primer I transferred my blueprint on to it. With a few clamps and lots of heat ive got this far.

Got a drawing of the steering wheel, just need to make some sort of jig to bend the 3/8 bar round.

Its a Brinly plough which is good news, I’m pleased with that,

Little bit of assembly work.

Its had a coat of red paint.

I doubt it Andrew as I haven’t got a steering wheel made yet. And its all in bits.