Ferguson TED20

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One of the more important technological developments to have occurred in the field of agriculture was the introduction of the Ferguson TE20 in 1946.

A bold claim maybe, but Harry Ferguson’s stroke of genius came when he designed his new lightweight machine as a tractor and plough combined, increasing the efficiency of land preparation by such a margin that farming was never the same again.

Hitherto, a tractor had simply replaced the horse, pulling the same sort of plough that had been used for generations. Harry’s breakthrough development involved two Ferguson principles – his use of variable hydraulic control for plough depth and his brilliant three-point linkage which effectively transferred the ‘pull’ of the plough into ‘downforce’ over the rear wheels. The combination of these two systems allowed the small TE20 to do the job of machines weighing five times as much.

During demonstrations, the salesman would pull a two-furrow plough through heavy clay soil, the farmer’s initial scepticism soon changing to wondrous disbelief. When he hooked up the three-furrow plough, the salesman's job was done.

Well-known in the Ferguson Heritage Club, RWP 430 was first owned by Henry Masters & Son of Church Street, Evesham, to whom it was registered in July 1956, as shown in a copy of an old Hereford & Worcester county record in the history file (Henry Masters being an ex-mayor of Evesham and from a prominent local family). A TED model, it is designed to run on petrol or TVO (Tractor Vaporising Oil – basically paraffin to you and me).

It next turned up at Henley Auction Sales in the early 1990s where it was purchased by Nick Cater of Claverdon who put it straight into barn storage where it remained for the next five years. It was then acquired by Nathaniel Lobb of Solihull, a tractor enthusiast and long-standing member of the Ferguson Heritage Club. He spent the next two years restoring it to its former glory, including a full body restoration, new oil seals, engine tune, new brakes and new tyres, being careful to preserve as much originality as possible.

Returned to the road in 1997, it was taken to various country shows where it won several trophies including ‘Best Original Tractor’ at Lilbourne Show, Rugby in 2004.

The current owner (recently deceased) acquired the tractor in 2006 to be used on his farm in Feckenham, although in actual fact it did little more than an occasional spot of mowing in the extensive grounds around the farmhouse and was more normally to be found snugly tucked up amongst his collection of classic cars.

Still in lovely condition throughout, RWP 430 is being sold here (on behalf of the executors of the estate) complete with a nearly new DW Tomlin topper with a serial number pleasingly similar to that of the Fergie: TM10 430. It comes with sundry documentation including a modern V5C.