[stevewoollas]

Both look interesting Ivan, good finds.

[stevewoollas]

Don’t worry Jim if you’re not winning straight away…..I remember when I first started watching a judge inspect my plot, shake his head and walk away.
It will get better–Steve

[stevewoollas]

Hello Will,
Your plough is definitely a plough produced by F.Wright & Son, Holbeach, and is identical to their hand plough other than the addition of the vertical bar which allows the plough to mount onto the Merry Tiller. Their literature shows hand ploughs, hoes, skerrys, cultivators, ridger, and a push hoe. All were designed for use in small growing plots, poly tunnels and glass houses.
Wrights are well remembered in the Holbeach area and I understand production commenced around 1953/4 and ceased in 1973/4 with an on-site dispersal sale.
The plough was available with or without tail piece to the mouldboard and with either a disc or knife type skeith/coulter.
I have seen this type of plough before with the vertical mounting bar at farm sales and I suspect Wrights developed this adaption to their standard hand plough specifically to mount onto small garden tractors—a nice find Alan….well done

[stevewoollas]

I do not believe any of the old Barford of Belton production records remain as much paperwork and finished parts were scrapped during the British Leyland closure period. My main contact who worked at Belton from the 1960s through to closure in the 1980s believes all to be destroyed.
The usual format is, as stated, to date from the engine date on the flywheel edge and hope your machine is still fitted with the original engine. Our Atom 15 has a Villiers 12HS with 50 stamped on the flywheel dating it to 1950 suggesting it to be fitted with an engine bought in before the launch date, possibly the whole machine being part of the pre-launch build.
Model introduction dates are known: Mechanical Gardener in 1947, the Atom 15 at the Smithfield Show in 1951, and the Atom 30 in 1959 although sales of a previous model may not have ceased when a new model was introduced. Production ended in the late 1960s.
The Barford Atom was one of the best small garden tractors available to be produced by a British company and taking its range of accessories into account one of the most versatile and it is greatly to British Leylands detriment that the product was scrapped and not updated……but then BL’s reputation was to bring companies down rather than to improve them.–Steve

[stevewoollas]

Hello Roatavator and all–I think this is an excellent idea as the periodic starting of different machines and as Hortiman suggests coupled with a working attachment would make a novel attraction at any event. It is not something the club or committee can really arrange or control because the club only has organisational input to a very small number of events. I think the way forward for those who wish to display in this manner approach the organisers of their local events and arrange such a feature.
From an insurance point of view such a display of running engines and/or attachments must, like oil engines be fenced off from the public with only insured operators within the fenced area.
We have done a little similar at some events where I do the ring commentary. For instance last weekend at Lincoln Steam a Tarpen hedgecutter attachment was demonstrated on a Autoculto, the tipper ability and tight turning circle of a Wriggley Autotruck demonstrated, the hydraulic operation of a Ransomes MG dozer blade and various tractor lifts. Not quite the same but we were making the equipment work in front of the public.
A few years ago club member Alan Thacker organised a start-up feature in the ring, commentating on different methods of starting different types of tractor, ie Marshall with a cartridge, John Deere B with a flywheel flick, Tractor with a starting handle, one with a rope pull, Ferguson gear lever start, Catapiller with donkey engine etc which was received by the public very positively.
Talk to your local rally organisers and see what you can arrange–Steve

[stevewoollas]

Ivan,
Congratulations on such a rare find. A lot of Trusty and Jalo collectors will be a little envious although as you collect both marques it has gone to a good home–Steve

[stevewoollas]

Hello Alan,
I have seen this format of handle on a roller before. They are normally feature on lower cost lightweight rollers which do not have a balance weight within the roller which when stationary will keep the handle upright. On this type the handle will prop virtually upright as seen in your photographs or horizontal with the prop section of the handle resting on the ground.
Regards–Steve

[stevewoollas]

That’s the Robert we all recognise!!

[stevewoollas]

An interesting adaption

[stevewoollas]

Information log sheets are a club shop item and are available at 50p each–Steve

[stevewoollas]

I think she’s making him cut the lawns with her new mower!

[stevewoollas]

I had been wondering how long it would take for Chairman to get up to his old tricks on the new forum. Let me clarify this mower has nothing to do with me. It was not bought for me, I did not bid on it, Ivan did not bid on my behalf nor has it found its way under my storage sheet.
I understand the real truth to be that Ivan has bought this webb mower for Sandra. If you recall it is almost a year since Ivan and Sandra married and Ivan believes the first years wedding anniversary to be grass, (I wonder who convinced him it is grass, not paper), and so he has purchased this mower to present to Sandra on their first anniversary! Will she be impressed by this sirn of undying love and devotion……only time will tell.

[stevewoollas]

A nice find Ivan. Are all dinner hours this productive?

[stevewoollas]

At the risk of sounding my age I have had this conversation with a number of exhibitors over the years when they tell me they will boycott an event, be it a steam or tractor rally, ploughing match, working weekend or whatever. Various reasons have been given including not agreeing with the judges decision, not liking their plot, not being able to park next to their friend, it rained, the camping isn’t close enough, the organiser didn’t speak to me, it rained again etc etc and all sorts of other reasons from needy people who expect special treatment and in the main never get off their rumps to organise anything themselves. As usual I have a stock answer which is along the lines of “Yes you’re right. Don’t come next year and when you’re sat at home alone the event will still be going ahead and we will all be here enjoying ourselves”. In other words, “If you don’t come you are the one who loses out.”
This instance is a little different as Presidents, (playing devils advocate), question as to consider the boycott of TW would be a protest against a course of action which is unpopular. Personally I shall still attend TW for as long as I am able as this is a good quality event, providing exposure to the VHGMC and horticultural/garden machines in a high profile format, judging and awards in three different classes and inclusion in the T&M magazine write-ups. Don’t forget the gains to be made at the auction. What more do we want?
An interesting debate could manifest itself on this subject….what is your thought?

[stevewoollas]

I used to subscribe to F&HEq when it was an independent magazine and have most copies except a few very early ones. The amalgamation of F&HEq into T&M was carried out with no customer consultation, (ie with us the subscriber and reader), and I forecast then this action was the commencement of a run down leading to closing its publication completely. This has now proven to be true and I suspect that as a result fewer people will subscribe to T&M.
The result is that The Cultivator is not only the leading magazine for our hobby but the only UK publication with specific garden and horticultural equipment specialisation. This makes it all the more important we support the new editor with quality articles and photographs relating to our experiences. The Cultivator will only continue in accordance with the level of members support. Over the years many members have said to me “I can’t write ought” or “I can’t spell”. My reaction is you don’t need to! You can talk so just write down what you would say and let the editor edit it for both grammar and spelling. No excuses, keep the articles coming, your Cultivator needs you!
Sermon over

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