Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson Limited is a major agricultural equipment manufacturer that was based in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, before it was purchased by AGCO. The company was formed by a merger of Massey Harris and the Ferguson Company farm machinery manufacturer in 1953, creating the company Massey Harris Ferguson. However, in 1958, the name was shortened for the first time to coin the brand Massey Ferguson. Today, the company exists as a brand name used by AGCO and remains a major seller around the world.

History

The firm was founded in 1847 in Newcastle, Ontario by Daniel Massey as the Newcastle Foundry and Machine Manufactory. The company began making some of the world's first mechanical threshers, first by assembling parts from the United States and eventually designing and building their own equipment. The firm was taken over and expanded by Daniel's eldest son Hart Massey who renamed it the Massey Manufacturing Co. and in 1879 moved the company to Toronto where it soon became one of the city's leading employers. The massive collection of factories, consisting of a 4.4 hectares (11 acres) site with plant and head office at 915 King Street West, became one of the best known features of the city. Massey expanded the company and began to sell its products internationally. Through extensive advertising campaigns he made it one of the most well known brands in Canada. A labour shortage throughout the country also helped to make the firm's mechanized equipment very attractive.

Massey Ferguson 135

The Massey Ferguson 135 (MF135) was a tractor produced by Massey Ferguson.

History

The MF135 was the first of the MF100 range, and was a successor to the MF35. Production began in 1964 and ended in 1975, when it was succeeded by the MF235.

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Massey Ferguson 35

The Massey Ferguson 35 (MF35) is a tractor produced by Massey Ferguson.

History

United States

In 1953 a team led by Hermann Klemm started developing a new model for Ferguson, known as the TO35, to replace the TO30. Klemm wrote to Harry Ferguson in July that year to tell him about the features of the TO35. However, Ferguson was unhappy with the project, and ordered Klemm to stop work. However, after another letter from Klemm, running to 23 pages, Ferguson changed his mind and allowed development to continue. Although Ferguson had merged with Massey-Harris to form Massey Ferguson in 1953, the TO35 was marketed under the Ferguson name. The new Ferguson 35 was launched in the United States on 5 January 1955, a year earlier than planned, following a decision made at a conference in San Antonio in March 1954.

It was initially available in two models; standard or deluxe, with a third (utility) added in 1956. Despite not being designed for industrial use, it became popular amongst industry users. The colour scheme was changed from all-grey to a beige shell and wheels and a grey body in May 1956. In December 1957 the scheme changed again when the TO35 was rebranded in the standard Massey Ferguson red and grey. However, the wording on the tractor continued to be "Ferguson" until February 1960.