The recently refurbished tractor by the students at Bicton College has been entered into the sale by auction at the Honiton Hill Rally on Monday 29th Aug from 10.00 am at Smeatharpe.

This tractor was donated by John Harris and here he gives a few words of its history – ‘The MF 35 was a true workhorse on our North Somerset dairy farm. It succeeded a little grey Fergie issued during WWII, in the early 50s, when we still used a couple of carthorses. Initially used for general purpose haulage of loose hay, kale, potatoes, calves, sheep, etc., it saw much service at haymaking on the finger mower, swath turner, etc. We never abused it on the baler but it did good service on the buckrake when silage making took over. Eventually, like all little tractors, we stopped taxing for the road and it was permanently on dung scraping duties, usually with a touch of EasyStart on frosty mornings. With the sale of the cows in 2002, retired from farming duties with its owner to occasional use hauling logs for the woodburner and dung for the garden. What ignominy, but a truly faithful servant.’ JH Chairman of BOAT

Photos show the tractor as it is now ready for the sale by Kivells Auctioneers (above) and on arrival at Bicton College (below).