[alan]

It’s a peerless gearbox as far as I recall, the aluminium tag is still attached to the gearbox.

I’ll certainly have a look at the lubricant in the gearbox, won’t go amiss to check it, can’t remember what grade it is, I have all the instructions so will look it up.

The mechanics are not noisy it’s just that the turning of the components can be heard – the other tractors on Youtube sound exactly the same as mine so I don’t think there’s anything amiss. It’s also unusual to hear or see an electric tractor so the sounds become more noticeable if that makes sense?!!

[alan]

Thanks for posting your updates, nice to read what someone else is doing. It’d be good to see some photo’s when it’s all finished.

[alan]

From the photos the setup looks the same as on my Cub Cadet although that has a 10hp Kohler. My dynastart only has two terminals too, as far as I recall each has a single wire going to the regulator but one of them also has the live going to it from the ignition switch. So two terminals but three wires in total. From your photos it looks like the wires are connected including the live wire.

I’ve just had an issue with a tractor and it was the key switch that was no longer making a contact inside.

[alan]

I think quite a few people are staying at the Holiday Inn, means we can securely leave the vehicle on the showfield.

[alan]

Just taking Huffy Sheraton this year since other projects are not complete.

Huffy Sheraton – IMGHuffy003

[alan]

One of the things I have come across with research is that for some machines, even when produced in a reasonable quantity, very few examples have managed to survive into preservation. It looks like the Nu-trak tractor is one of those machines.

As you’ll already know there is actually very little information about the Nu-Trak. I did find some bits though such as in 1949 in ‘The Commercial Grower’ magazine: “Recently introduced machinery included the Nu-track tractor made by R. Bradford, London, and obtainable from Frank Bird (Engineers) Ltd., 26, Vachel Road, Reading. A small hand tractor, it is balanced on a single narrow caterpillar band placed centrally under the machine, which gives grip, and it is powered by a 880 c.c. engine. Price is £128.”

There is a Dutch magazine called ‘Landbouwdocumentatie’ and in 1949 ran a short description of the tractor so I wonder if any made their way to Holland?

[alan]

Joint membership online:

VHGMC Joint Membership

[alan]

Mayfield

You can pay by the single membership page form at:

VHGMC Single Membership

Help pages for more options are at:

Subscriptions – Help & Info

[alan]

Thanks for the question, Chris,

The plan is to have the second book for Garden Tools created in the same format as Jean’s first book and then available as a download only to paid club members.

Alan

[alan]

Going by previous forum threads about Ral codes there generally aren’t many for vintage machinery. It’s not uncommon for the shades of colours to be different even on machines of similar age and specification, factories were not as fussy as they are now.

I have had a look through club forum archive material and cannot find any reference to the colours used on Gutbrods.

[alan]

Webb Lawnmowers LTD, Tame Road, Witton, Birmingham were retailing the edger in 1973.

[alan]

I would assume it’s home made.

Having looked through hundreds of Ransomes images over the years I’ve not seen one depicted anywhere like this one.

[alan]

From research the company of Martin Markham was formed in 1952 from the two companies of Markham Traction LTD and Martin Cultivator Company.

I have a 1947 advert for a Markham Traction trailer and also a 1958 advert for a Martin Markham trailer, so an advert before the merger and one after the companies merger. Both appear to be different trailers and yours is much like the 1958 advert for their Champion trailer.

There appears to be a lot of dealers for the trailers including: E.H.Knights & Sons LTD, Harleston. Rose Bros (Tamworth) LTD. Aylesbury Motor Co LTD. W.Harold Perry LTD, Whetstone. Hugh Craigs, Market Square, Ballyclare, Ireland.

Price for the 1958 trailer was £170 ex. works.

I’ve attached the images as thumbnails but larger images are now uploaded to the gallery, just click the images/links below:

Markham-Champion-Trailer-1958

Markham-trailer-drawbar-closeup

Markham-trailer-1947

Attachments:

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[alan]

We do indeed have to admire Westwood for creating their tractors from scratch and making it a success – there’s still loads of the older machines about too.

Westwood made some interesting tractor mounted implements including the Rotodynamic Cultivator. I have never seen one but think it’d be fun to try it out!

Westwood-Rotodynamic-Cultivator

[alan]

Nice to see that you are collecting Westwoods.

Like most machines Westwood tractors differ in specification through production. Westwood made all their tractors in their own factory and as such had the freedom to do what they wanted when they wanted. I’m sure there are a few obscure Westwoods lurking about!

Westwood made nearly everything ‘in house’ apart from the Peerless gearboxes and Briggs engines which were bought in. Even then the engines might have been what Briggs happened to have ready that day!

When I find a bit more info about Westwood then I may write an article about them.

[Author]

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