1200 Returns to. Somerset.

Micks1200 at the 2008 Great Dorset Steam Fair.

This Story starts in 2008, while I was exhibiting my Just restored Massey 400 combine at the Great Dorset Steam Fair courtesy of the Friends of Ferguson celebrating 50 yrs of Massey Ferguson.

Of the many visitors and exhibitors I was fortunate to meet one particular gentleman stood out who was exhibiting a Massey Ferguson 1200 that had been extensively restored over a two year period he was Mick Hill, who was and still is the Technical editor of this club.

Our friendship has remained to this day and since our meeting at this show we have spoken very regularly about all things regarding this legendary company, and Micks many years involvement with this famous brand of Tractors and Machinerry.

Mick started out as a spanner man in early 1965 with the Ben Turner company who at that time had only two depots, and he had no idea how big this company would expand to in the future.

Mick worked on trials for the newly arrived Massey 750 combines from Canada and the fitment of the power flow tables that would cope with the heavier yielding crops here in the UK.

During the seventies Mick decided to leave Ben Turner and went to work for Lister at Gloucestershire another successful Massey dealership with a move from Surrey to this Gloucestershire depot Mick had now taken up the position of salesman, and very much enjoyed his work and he would remain at Listers until the merger of this company now known as Lister Wilder.

Mick was offered a move back to Surrey with his old company The Ben Turner group who by now had grown considerably and had added a plant division selling all the  MF industrials and other brands too.

After many years with Ben Turner Mick ended his working career with a newly formed company Sendmarsh Tractors in Surrey and retired several years ago. Over the years Mick built up a considerable collection of Massey tractors most restored by himself and his friends and this 1200 was just another he added to his large collection.

Mick purchased the 1200 in the nineties from a potato farm in Buckinghamshire, the tractor had only clocked up 6000 genuine hours but unfortunately it was in a non running state as the engine was seized and the gearbox was faulty also several genuine parts were missing from the tractor including the rear light bars the engine side panels and various other cab parts that would not be easy to replace, but with perseverance and Micks many contacts in the Ferguson organizations these parts were soon sourced.

Mick spent several years bringing the tractor back up to the original condition that it is in today, the engine was completely stripped and refurbished the turbo charger that was fitted to the engine was removed! These after market Opico units were quite popular at the time but greatly reduced the longevity of these reliable A6 engines.

The gearbox was completely shot and was rebuilt with new bearings and several gears replaced, the multi power unit was pressure checked and found to be in good working order and was left as it was.

The cab was updated at that time and the seat reupholstered, also new good year tyres were added before finally the paintwork was stripped and replaced in early 2008 just ahead of its first appearance at the Great Dorset Steam Show.

Mick for several years used the 1200 for ploughing matches and pulling an arctic trailer to local  shows with a couple of his other tractors on board! A very impressive sight.

During late 2014 Mick decided the tractor would be better in the hands of someone who could use the tractor more and offer it some suitable undercover storage, Mick had previously stored the tractor inside but it had remained outside for 2/3 years as his collection grew, also the tractor was seldom used and with the elements taking its toll on the tractor paintwork Micks decision to sell was made a bit easier.

At the end of April 2015 A deal was reached with Mick on the tractors future here with me in Somerset and it was purchased by myself in May and picked up from Surrey in June.

I would like to personally thank Mick for giving me the opportunity to take on his 1200 and keep it in the top order that he intended.

What follows are some photos of tractor being picked up and the various stages of work that was required to bring this old lady back to her original condition.

Tractor loaded up for Somerset after many years in Surrey.

A big thank you to Smaz for lending me his low loader!!

A brief stop at Fleet services! For a cuppa.

Although the paintwork is faded this old girl still looks good!!

Tractor as it arrived, close up shot of the badly faded paintwork!

Rear shot showing the original light bars also the badly faded rear decal! All the decals would need replacing.
The 3 point linkage sway links and the levelling link was completely seized and required a lot of tlc

Catalogue of jobs!!

The first job after collecting the tractor was to assess what would be required to get tractor back into top order!!

The fuel tank was drained and bottom plate removed so cleaning could be carried out to ensure a clean fuel system, a must with these old tractors.

The paintwork would require many hours of buffing to bring back that super red shine this job was achieved by using a G3 paint cutting compound and a orbital polisher, followed by a cannuba wax polish.

Fortunately Mick and his team used a good quality paint and also a good depth of paint which made the restoration of the paintwork easier.

The 3point linkage sway links and the levelling link were removed and left to soak in a releasing fluid for a week and then put in a vice and gradually moved a fraction of a time with large stealsons! Fortunately I didn't have to resort to using heat to free it all up.

The roof of the tractor had suffered very badly with paint flaking off and the front air cab circulation box would have to be removed and stripped down for repainting, unfortunately the cab roof is welded to tractor and any work would require working on steps or removing the whole cab!!.

The exhaust system and swept bend from the manifold were completely shot and rusted out, I had originally intended to use a stainless steele tube and re configure the swept bend using stainless steel but my good friend David at Galaxy Horseboxes came up trumps with an original replica New system!! Which he now can supply to other owners, I will list Dave's contact details at the end of this summary.

The tractor decals were all replaced even in the cab, and some of the cab trim panels were replaced also.

The cab door handle and lock were replaced with a new old stock part with 2 keys!

Work on the roof continued a zinc oxide coat, and several primer coats, followed by the top coat of silver mist, this 1978 model was very near the time that the roof colour scheme changed to silver mist, so I adopted the colour for this tractor in preference.

Servicing the tractor was next on the list and all the oils and filters were replaced.

Regular bleeding of the brakes resulted in the inspection of the slave cylinder  and seals and axle seals which would need removing and replacing! Once again all obtainable from Galaxy Horseboxes.

The tractor made its first trip out in Somerset on the 6/8/15 to the local  Shepton Show a regular trip for many local vintage vehicle owners.

A selection of photos of tractor today!!

Special thanks to Dave Titch!! Saunders who came up trumps once again with the quality decals,www.machinerydecals.co.uk 01785 280752

07966394019

Also for 1200 parts contact Dave at Galaxy Horseboxes.

01749 679695

07979605545.

What I have discovered now is this tractor was purchased New on the 22/6/78 by the Strutt and Parker farming group based in Essex.

 

 

Preparation of the roof for re painting!!

Cab air recirculation panel stripped and primed!

With the ever increase of bio fuels used in machinery regular servicing of the filters particularly this tank filter is a must, the problems with these vintage tractors mean they now work for very limited periods and as such the fuel can degrade and cause these sort of problems.

Stripping out brake rod rubber gater and plunger seals, from brake slave cylinder

Seal kit for slave cylinder, up until recently these items were very difficult to obtain, but not now! courtesy of Dave at Galaxy Horseboxes.

New seals replaced and slave cylinder ready to fit back on axle! 3 more to do!!

Work in progress!

Cab roof primed up for colour.

Paintwork completed on roof!

New exhaust system fitted!!

The original indicator lenses had lost their colour, but these were supplied as original fitment(rear light lens can be supplied also)

The tractor sits ready for her first outing to the local Shepton Show on the 16/8/15 after many hours of Tlc

On parade at the Shepton Show.

Rear shot showing the business end of the tractor.

Another classic at the show Mike Brockways Doe leads the line up!!

Comments

12.06.2021 03:13

Tony Friend

Please Help
I would like photos and any history of the Ben Turner Send Marsh I worked at a local garage Turners used to repair the Morris 1000 ute'sIt would be nice to have photos of in both col0urs

27.05.2021 19:37

Nigel Chappell

Apprenticed Walter a wood, Ben Turner 1967-70s worked with mick.lost contact when he moved on.I moved onto gatwic airport as Ground support engineer.I have still have new 1200 ws manual.If interested

03.01.2022 18:03

John Burdfield

Hi do you still have the manual for sale, I also worked at Ben turner's,I was ron Dawes apprentice, he helps me restore my 100 series collection thanks John Burdfield

10.03.2021 12:32

Adam

I never realised your tractor came from Mick ! Nice to have and clearly he had done done work on it so definitely not a lost cause

06.12.2020 22:46

David Pyle

I worked for Ben Turner in the late 60s &70s at Bishops Waltham remember the 1200s shame they had dry brakes i thought MF used up stock of old axles

20.08.2019 07:49

Godfrey Duggan

Hi. enjoyed your info and photos. We are in the near future considering rebiulding 1200. Any advise or pointers.

05.01.2020 12:51

Colin cloude

Hi Godfrey! Sorry for late reply! Fortunately today parts can be sourced from Dave chamberlain which has made these models more collectible to own now! If you need any info contact cloudejake@aol.com

17.03.2019 15:48

wesley jones

hi great job on 1200 i have brought one two doing a trec on it next month where did you get the front lights and the back ones to.does any one still do the 1200 stickers for them any more cheers wes

05.01.2020 12:53

Colin cloude

Hi Wes sorry for late reply! I can give you all information on various parts contacts regards Colin www.cloudejake@aol .com

20.10.2018 05:12

Mick Blunt.

Hi nice looking 1200. I am going to look at one today if I get it I may need information from you on parts sourcing.
Mick Blunt. (massey collector from kent.)

03.11.2018 22:21

Colin Cloude

Hi Mick
Email me, cloudejake@aol.com can supply most parts. Regards colin

11.08.2017 13:20

Tommy Conway

Colin ,Super read and a lovely tractor , a real show stopper .

11.08.2017 13:42

Colin Cloude

Thank you Tommy! Im glad you liked you're visit to the yellowswirl website.
Regards Colin

07.07.2017 09:33

Adam Sherriff

Super looking tractor - stands out in a crowd - had the original MF cutaway as a poster on my wall for years Colin - say hello to Mick for me when you speak to him

12.07.2017 09:23

Colin cloude

Thank you Adam, I will indeed say hi to Mick for you! Thank you for you're kind comments.
Regards Colin

01.07.2017 16:58

Greg Knight

Colin, Good to see another one! I noticed you mentioned that the indicator lenses are available front and rear - where did you source them from? Thanks.

12.07.2017 09:26

Colin Cloude

Hi Greg contact Dave Chamberlain @ Galaxy Horseboxes he will supply you these and pretty much everything you need for the 1200!
Kind Regards Colin

20.12.2016 22:48

Nicolas from France

Hello.
I have the same tractor with forestry tires , but he is less pretty :)

27.01.2017 20:17

Colin Cloud

Thank you Nicolas! Send in some photos of your tractor!
Regards Colin

24.11.2016 22:00

sam clifford

just wondering was that a brand new exhaust or a second hand one im struggling to find a new one so any help would be appreciated

25.11.2016 08:23

Colin Cloude

Sam contact Dave at Galaxy Horseboxes 07979605545 Its a brand new system copy of original.
Regards Colin

27.06.2016 23:47

Eirion

4 seal kit for slave cylinders Massey 1200

26.06.2016 11:48

Phil Dolan

My son Brendon has one of those in his shed

02.03.2016 20:52

Peter Odling

Desperately looking to find one, more so now I've seen yours very jealous you've done a great job.

03.03.2016 00:26

Colin cloude

Thank you Peter! Don't give up! They come up now and then, and spares are a bit easier to get also!! Regards Colin

28.01.2016 01:10

Mylesoreilly

Looks ver well Colin you have done a great job myles oreilly

22.09.2015 21:37

Dave

A good read :) well done Colin

24.09.2015 20:39

colin cloude

Thank you Dave!!