But here's a picture of our next door neighbour's little Massey. She's looking good for her age.
We bought our little tractor 37 years ago. She's a 1961 B275 International and she's had a lifetime of hard work. Just recently she needed a new clutch thrust fork.
Hubs & Son dismantled the engine and propped the bits up on jacks, a milk bucket and a few strategically placed bits of wood. Off we went to the tractor man at Abermule and hey he found the very bit we needed on another tractor in the nettles. £20.00 changed hands quick. The part needed machining so he told us about Phil the Drill a bit up the road near the Anchor pub. I don't suppose many of you have been up to the top of the Kerry Hills. The views across the valley were absolutely fantastic and we seemed to be going up forever. Somebody said that there was a bend in the road for every day of the year. You can say that again! The hedges don't get cut very often and you have to sort of squint around the corners and pray you don't meet anything. The nice thing is, that there isn't one scrap of litter in the hedgerows. As we got higher up, we had to call at a couple of places to make sure we were heading in the right direction. The women grow masses of flowers to try and hide all the scrap crap machinery entranklements their menfolk bring home from the frequent sales. A lot like here. We eventually found the Anchor pub. I went round to the door to ask the directions to Phil the Drill. They weren't open until 7 pm but the landlord was very helpful and poked his head through the window. 'Bit further up and take care as you go across a very bad bend.' 'Cheers'. Apparently they used to hold all the horse sales up at the Anchor, don't know whether they still do. We got there. We found it ...... and - not a soul about - he was out. We got home OK. Bit by bit, O/H managed to machine the piece himself. He's had a real battle with his health and I'm really proud of him. Anyway tractor all back together again and rearing to go. John and Mary in New Zealand, I wrote this for you. John get well really soon and get back in that tractor seat. Hope you like the video xx
Big son did most of the work, but great to have it in one piece again instead of two. John has just come through quite a big operation, but doing really well xx
Good thing that old tractor was available to get a spare part from. With older machinery it's so hard to find parts these days. Love your header picture.
Oh my, Molly, I don't think that I could make that trip on a road Ike you described without having an anxiety attack. However, meeting someone named Phil the Drill might have been worth it. Too bad he does not make house calls.
I enjoyed the video and your header picture is glorious. It is good to hear that your hubby is doing a little better and has the strength to work on the tractor.
Hi Arleen, the road was a bit 'hair raising' - didn't really fancy another trip up there so O/H had a go at machining the bit himself - he used to be in that line of business when he was well. Took him quite a time in little bits, but he got there. Great to have our tractor back in one piece.
The video and jolly song/tune was a good way to start my day, Molly! Glad that the tractor is fixed after all that effort, which I can imagine from your description. All the best to you, your family and especially your husband.
Tractors do have a certain appeal I must admit. I used to holiday as a lad on a farm in Anglesey and on private land we were allowed to drive them. A grey Fergie if I remember (going back now to 1960 ish). The farmer used to take us down to Red Warf Bay for fishing, digging up lug-worms and loads of cockles which we would bring back to the farm and boil up.. Happy days. Now Molly, I may be popping into your area one day- who knows???? I have a lovely new Motorhome now and I am going all over the country visiting places that I have never been to. ;-) This of course rules out Welshpool as I have been there many times before - however - I might just break my rule and refresh some happy memories? Best wishes Bernard.
That would be brilliant - would love to meet up with you. The Shrewsbury Steam Rally at Onslow Park just up the road is on, on August Bank Holiday, Sunday and Monday http://www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk/ It's usually pretty good. We're hoping to go if O/H is well enough. In any case if you're in this area let me know.
Marianne, thank you for your comment. We're going through that period in our lives where one of us needs caring for and the other one is carer. The upside is that I can now do things, a year ago I wouldn't have dreamt of doing - like sorting the electrics out on the borehole, being able to start the mower and keeping the grass down and all the other jobs I took for granted. They say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. My blog posts have had to take a back seat for the time being but thank you to all of you for posting yours. It's good keeping in touch.
Wow I love seeing old tractors that just keep running and running. All need a little work once in a while but it is so well worth it. The Massy looks great for its age. Glad you managed with the rebuild of the tractor. Machining the parts can be a real trouble but you have very skilled guys at work.
Glad the tractor is back up and running, even without Phil the Drill.
ReplyDeleteSounds as though O/H is a bit better at the moment - I hope so. Also hope that John in New Zealand is improving.
Big son did most of the work, but great to have it in one piece again instead of two. John has just come through quite a big operation, but doing really well xx
DeleteHello Molly. Sorry you didn't get to meet Phil the Drill..... I was looking forward to meeting him too.
ReplyDeleteHe's an expert machinery machinist but isn't home much.
DeleteGood thing that old tractor was available to get a spare part from. With older machinery it's so hard to find parts these days.
ReplyDeleteLove your header picture.
Thank you River.More than a bit of a battle against the weeds ( I think the weeds are winning)
DeleteOh my, Molly, I don't think that I could make that trip on a road Ike you described without having an anxiety attack. However, meeting someone named Phil the Drill might have been worth it. Too bad he does not make house calls.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video and your header picture is glorious. It is good to hear that your hubby is doing a little better and has the strength to work on the tractor.
Hi Arleen, the road was a bit 'hair raising' - didn't really fancy another trip up there so O/H had a go at machining the bit himself - he used to be in that line of business when he was well. Took him quite a time in little bits, but he got there. Great to have our tractor back in one piece.
DeleteThe video and jolly song/tune was a good way to start my day, Molly! Glad that the tractor is fixed after all that effort, which I can imagine from your description. All the best to you, your family and especially your husband.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. he's getting a little bit better every day
DeleteTractors do have a certain appeal I must admit. I used to holiday as a lad on a farm in Anglesey and on private land we were allowed to drive them. A grey Fergie if I remember (going back now to 1960 ish). The farmer used to take us down to Red Warf Bay for fishing, digging up lug-worms and loads of cockles which we would bring back to the farm and boil up.. Happy days.
ReplyDeleteNow Molly, I may be popping into your area one day- who knows????
I have a lovely new Motorhome now and I am going all over the country visiting places that I have never been to. ;-)
This of course rules out Welshpool as I have been there many times before - however - I might just break my rule and refresh some happy memories?
Best wishes Bernard.
That would be brilliant - would love to meet up with you. The Shrewsbury Steam Rally at Onslow Park just up the road is on, on August Bank Holiday, Sunday and Monday http://www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk/ It's usually pretty good. We're hoping to go if O/H is well enough. In any case if you're in this area let me know.
DeleteHi Molly" It is nice to read about the place you live in! I like to read your post very much.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Sandra
thank you
DeleteIt's cute how you love your tractor and what meaning it has in you and your loved one's lives. Go, tractor, go!
ReplyDeleteIt makes our lives a lot easier when it's working.
DeleteI have to confess to knowing nothing about tractors at all! I hope all is well with you - you have gone very quiet lately x
ReplyDeleteMarianne, thank you for your comment. We're going through that period in our lives where one of us needs caring for and the other one is carer. The upside is that I can now do things, a year ago I wouldn't have dreamt of doing - like sorting the electrics out on the borehole, being able to start the mower and keeping the grass down and all the other jobs I took for granted. They say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. My blog posts have had to take a back seat for the time being but thank you to all of you for posting yours. It's good keeping in touch.
ReplyDeleteWow I love seeing old tractors that just keep running and running. All need a little work once in a while but it is so well worth it. The Massy looks great for its age. Glad you managed with the rebuild of the tractor. Machining the parts can be a real trouble but you have very skilled guys at work.
ReplyDeleteHeidi Sutton @ Ag Source Magazine