UK built Farmalls

[MJ in the UK]

To MKIRSCH, jus let me fill you in on UKbuilt tractors. After 1945 we were still buying tractors from the USA but in 1949 we ran out of Dollars to pay for them so all inputs stoped. I oen the last Farmall M to come into the UK. IH set up the factory at Doncaster and the first British built M came of the line on 13th sep 1949. It is still in the same family ownership and when I featured IH tractors at the Newark tractor show I had this tractor on show with no 2 at the side of it. The first UK built Ms were the same as the US built ones but the steering track rod was behind the front axle. When they were introduced the other UK built tractors had hydrulics and a 3 point lift so IH offerd a 3 point lift on the M working of the belly pump with liftall rams working the linkage. It was a good lift and would easeyly lift a 3 furrow mounted plough. Mkirsuh when did you get a 3 POINT LIFT as standard on a Farmall in the US. mj
 

[Red Dave]

MJ, It sounds like you have quite a bit of knowledge and personal experience with the IH British tractors.

Do you get Red Power Magazine or Harvester Highlights?

If you were to put down your rememberances in a magazine article, I'd think that one of those might be interested in publishing them.

I know that I would be interested in reading them.

Just a thought.
 

[CNKS]

Sometime after the fast hitch. In comparing UK and US tractors, I've always thought that the UK and US divisions should talk to each other more, both had their advantages and disadvantages. They should have used the advantages in both locations.
 

[oldtanker]

[MJ in the UK]

Thanks for the compliment Red Dave, since starting in the farm machiney trade in 1958 have allways been a bit of a IH fan. In 2009 I featured IH tractors at the Newark tractor show and my aim was to get at least one of the 77 diffrent tractors that IH offerd to the British farmer between 1915 and 1970 and I did it. My IH collection consists of the following 1940 BN 1942 W6 1945 H 1949 M 1955 B250 1959 B275 and a 1962 B414. Where is Mkirsch today, as run out of bad things to say about UK built IH tractors. MJ
 

[mkirsch]

MJ, I really hope there are no hard feelings. You seem to be taking it as an insult when it was a simple question.

Multiple factors behind why you didn't see a factory 3pt on a US Farmall until 1963-ish... Patent licensing fees being a major factor, and possibly the primary one.

We had Fast Hitch through the 1950's, and it wasn't like IH was the only company trying to come up with alternatives to 3pt... Case Eagle Hitch, or Allis Snap Coupler anyone? I don't think Deere even bothered; they just waited for the patent to run out.

Keep in mind that 3pt was not an industry standard until the early 1960's. It was another custom proprietary hitch system just like any of the others.
 

[MJ in the UK]

Thanks for your comments Mkirsch, you lads must have had great problems with your hitches in the 1950s. I persume the tractor makers all had theer own hitches to keep farmers on their brand of tractors. As a matter of intrest what dose your handle represent. Michael
 

[MJ in the UK]

Mkirsch, sorry if I was a bit hard on you. If you need to know anythig else about IH tractors and equipment from this side of the pond just ask. Michael