M-H 701 baler dates

Roy in UK · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:08 pm Post subject: M-H 701 baler dates

Can anyone tell me when the Massey Harris 701 pick up baler first went into production? I was watching one being used on TV the other night on a BBC programme called "Wartime Farm" but I hardly think that baler was in production during World War 2, but I am willing to be corrected.

DavidP, South Wales · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:01 am Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Hi Roy,
They might be right and wrong. The info that I have been able to find is that the 701 as it was designated in the UK was the same as the No 1 baler in the US. A number of engines were offered, one being a Wisconsin. In the UK the Armstrong Siddely 14-22 proved to be the most popular.
I understand that the 14-22 was introduced in 1945 by A-S from their factory in Leicester.
If introduced in 1945 its very unlikely that it would have had much use by the time VE Day arrived.

The Wartime Farm is a very interesting programme and a valuable insight into those times for us who came along later. You will probably have noticed that at the farm gate where the tractors and manure spreader are parked there is I think, a Fordson E27N fitted with halftracks. I have no idea what make they might be but I somehow doubt that they were produced during actual wartime. I'm guessing that they are more early 50's prior to the arrival of the later Major.
DavidP

Roy in UK · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 10:19 am Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Yes it is a good programme but the episode where they were making a home brewed a-hem "Mole Drainer" made me chuckle. When I saw what they were going to use for the Mole plough"s leg I thought "Oh this is going to be entertaining!" After they eventually got the thing to go into the ground it had bent like a banana.
Now for my favourite World War 2 anachronism. Watch out for The Howard Rotospreader parked in the barn about 5 minutes into the clip!
Dads Army

Roy in UK · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Having done a bit of research (Google!) The Fordson E27N fitted with Roadless half tracks did not go into production until 1947.

Roy in UK · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:28 am Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Ray UK · Regular Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Posts: 26 Report to Moderator

I have tried to find the launch date of the 701 baler and I have not been able to find any more that the fact that the Massey no 1 Baler was launched in the US in 1945 so I tend to agree with DavidP and his thoughts.
Wartime Farm is an interesting series and I suspect that the producers have set out to show us how things were done in the wartime but have used machinery that is as close to the period as they could get.
Ray.

samn40 · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Tramlines in wheat fields are another problem for city reared film producers! LOL
Sam

Roy in UK · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Yes apparently There is scene in the Roman epic 'Gladiator' showing Russell Crowe stood in a field of barley which exhibits "Multiplus Tramlinicas"

Roy in UK · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:28 am Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

I found out (at last) The 701 was first produced in any quantity in The UK in 1951. During 1950 it was still undergoing evaluation trials before being released.

DavidP, South Wales · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: M-H 701 baler dates

Hi Roy, yes I had seen that several times. Family getting tired of me pointing it out now!!!!

David

Allis Chalmers	Case	Cockshutt	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
H. Ferguson	John Deere	Massey	Minn. Moline	Oliver	All The Rest