Little Grey Fergie turns 70

Massey Ferguson is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the production of its world-renowned Ferguson TE20 tractor, affectionately known as 'Little Grey Fergie' among tractor fans.

The first-ever Ferguson TE20 model rolled off the assembly line at its former Banner Lane manufacturing plant in Coventry in the UK on July 6, 1946. It was the brainchild of engineer and inventor Harry Ferguson, who was one of the founders of the modern global brand, Massey Ferguson.

He was known for his involvement in developing the modern agricultural tractor with his hydraulically controlled, three-point linkage implement attachment concept.

Coined the 'Ferguson System', it effectively turns the tractor and implement into a single working unit, replacing the previous trailed method of implement operation.

This pioneering automatic control technology, which was featured on the Ferguson TE20, led the way forward for farmers and allowed them to carry out their work with a higher level of efficiency and competency.

According to Massey Ferguson, the system has been touted one of the most important engineering developments of the 20th century and helped Harry Ferguson achieve his lifelong ambition of helping farmers affordably mechanise crop production to better and more economically feed the world.

As its model number implies, the Ferguson TE20 (Tractor England) is only rated at 20hp, but has won the hearts of farmers around the world with its ability to outperform bigger machines.

Over half a million of the TE20 were built at the Banner Lane plant between July 6, 1946, and July 13, 1956. Massey Ferguson says a large number of them are still working on farms and are currently prized collectors' items.

In Australia, the Little Grey Fergie has typically been used to prepare the land for farming operations and is a significant part of Australia's agricultural history.

"We are immensely proud of this legacy of pioneering farm machinery technology," says Fergal Meehan, Massey Ferguson Director of Marketing ANZ.

"Massey Ferguson continues to develop Harry Ferguson's vision today, by producing efficient agricultural equipment that farmers can rely on.

"Today, MF has one of the strongest machinery line-ups with numerous international awards to its name and growing market share."

Today, Massey Ferguson manufactures a wide range of agricultural equipment including tractors, harvesting equipment and implements from factories all around the world.

Its products are distributed in 140 countries through an extensive dealership network, backed by the strength and parts support of Massey Ferguson's parent company, AGCO.

In the UK, Massey Ferguson is celebrating the significant milestone with a 'Tractors – From Factory to Field' exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum and a public display of the Daniel Massey Bronze Sculpture at the city's Herbert Museum and Art Gallery.

There will also be a '70 Tractors for 70 Years' event staged by Culture Coventry, which will be a spectacular parade of Massey Ferguson and Ferguson tractors through the city to Millennium Place outside the Transport Museum on July 30.

Tractors for the parade are being brought together by the Friends of Ferguson Heritage Club and will include a wide range of vintage models as well as some of the latest Massey Ferguson tractors currently under production.