Ferguson TED 20

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One of the more important technological developments to have occurred in the world 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. Ferguson’s development combined two of his designs, his use of variable hydraulic control for plough depth and his brilliant three point linkage effectively transferring the ‘pull’ of the plough into ‘downforce’ over the rear wheels.

The clever 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.

This nicely presented TED model has had just four owners in its 65 year life and has never left Ceredigion in west Wales. Bought new by William Henry Isaac from Aberystwyth Tractors and registered on 30th January 1950, the tractor was built just four days earlier, as shown on the Heritage Certificate provided by the Ferguson Heritage Club.

The vendor acquired AEJ 439 in 2009 to use on his small-holding for light duties such as harrowing and hay tedding. The tinwork has been professionally refinished as it was starting to show its age, the vendor wisely choosing to leave the rest unrestored and original.

Four new tyres have recently been fitted, the tractor being sold with a spare front wheel and the actual nine-hole drawbar and PTO-driven belt-pulley that were supplied when the tractor was new. A rare feature is the brass Meadowlian hand brake attachment, a handy accessory which looks like a great improvement over the normal somewhat clumsy hand/foot arrangement.

Described by the vendor as mechanically very good with a sweet engine and good oil pressure, everything on the tractor works as it should including the charging system, the vendor adding that he has just fitted a new battery. A handy transport box is also included.

It is accompanied by a folder full of history including the original buff logbook, V5C, Heritage Certificate and county archive material, handbook and numerous receipts.