expeatfarmer

A friend of mine is having a major clear out having just retired. For years he has had a Teagle hedgecutter hanging up in the roof and was about to scrap it> Having once owned a fuel tank for a Teagle I thought it was ok to get the rest of it as I had the tank before I made the rule of having nothing but Ransomes. If anyone is a keen collector of such machines I would be happy to accept a reasonable offer for it. Complete and original down to the leather shoulder strap.

My MG40N arrived from France on Saturday evening ticking one more box on my model list only two or maybe three more to complete the set, wheeled itw, skimmer and an English spec MG40 with Sachs engine and bonnet. If anyone has any leads on any of the missing three I would be very grateful. The MG40N was built by Ransomes specifically for the French market, this one is fitted with a pto driven hydraulic pump to raise and lower the implement crane which the French seem to prefer over three point linkage. The drawbar is much heavier than UK spec. and it is also fitted with a NATO hitch. The engine starts and runs well, steering brakes a bit iffy and it needs a jolly good clean but apart from that I am well pleased. I even managed to buy an original French Sales brochure for this model on E bay France last week.

Good Photos Norman Despite the atrocious weather I actually enjoyed myself ... must be mad! At least I did not get soaked again packing up. The little Winget tractor fitted with the front loader was interesting. I think RHYS also had a good time.

As a relative newcomer to actually showing machines, I am interested to know how judging is carried out. Most of my machines are either original patina condition or fully restored but used and as such have battle scars. Having a nice shiny machine is ok but hard to maintain if the machine actually does a job. Winning a prize is very nice but taking the machines to shows for me is about meeting like minded people and spreading interest in the machines of your choice. At Tractor World it was quite amazing just how many people approached me with stories about Ransomes tractors they owned or had owned and indeed that is how I came to own MG2 137 because the owner was sad to see it languishing at the back of a shed in bits.

It is a t600, was made by Norman Motor cycle company.

Yesterday I rescued a Norman twin cylinder 600cc marine engine. It was originally fitted to a small launch on Windermere. A neat little unit horizontally opposed crank start. The magneto has been modified to external coil ignition but looks as if it could be easily reversed. Not sure what I will do with it but too good to scrap, if there are any vintage boat enthusiasts that can make good use of it let me know.

One day you will spell my name right Nirmon

Both main drive wheels are badly worn outer rims are available but the wheel centres are not, I decide to use two repair rims on each wheel and cut down the wheel centre with a plasma cutter so that I can then weld on a repair rim. Repairing or replacing the engine cowl might not be so easy.

At least I will be able to dig you out when you get stuck in the snow. I think yours looks superb with the wide track setting.

Looks like I might have to get out the touch up paint and polish.

It seems to vary some have used the same stamp but I have two MG2 that have smaller numbers than the model type stamp.

I will have to clean it up this week and tidy up a few battle scars, although it is fully restored it is definitely a working machine and I try not to worry about the odd scratch.

Today I discovered our main house drain was blocked, out came the digger dozer with a vengeance, I dug a trench 4ft deep and 14m long through heavy clay soil in less than an hour, that's good enough for me!

There will be at least three this year if Rhys is coming with his 6.

Well done I am really pleased it worked for you. Will you get a new plate made up or re stamp the old? Jonathan

Does anyone have a spare flat topped engine cowling for a T engined MG2 please, the existing I have is in a very sorry state.

Booked in Norman 2 machines.

Sounds right good luck with photo, tracing paper and a soft lead pencil to take a rubbing off the plate may work.

Hi From my experience there should be a lot more numbers on the crown wheel than those you have found so as you say they may be a replacement. If you are really lucky there may be the serial number of the tractor stamped into the underside of the gearbox cover or you may be able to decipher the number off the plate by removing it and looking at the body in the hope that the stamp marks have indented the body.Sometimes you can extract the number by taking a photo of the plate and playing around on a computer with editing the contrast and tones. Which engine does your tractor have? If you have the engine number we may be able to date that by comparing it to known tractors.

Thanks Norman

Who should I get to book me in? Thanks for the care offer, what time does show open if I offload Sunday?

Rhys if you get desperate for a Drayton for your project I will lend you one until another turns up.

I have just been given a 6L cleaner from Maplins for my birthday, tried it out on a carb that was absolutely caked in crud, came out spotless but discoloured. I am experimenting with different fluids for different metals. Well worth having if you clean up parts regularly.

I thought I might take my digger and MG5 Norman when do entries close?

Yes it has the original T series Sturmey Archer engine with exposed valve springs at the front. Seems to be in good order albeit in pieces.