![]() They soon heard many farmers complain about soil compaction, a problem caused by the heavy weight of the tractors and ploughs of the time.Ī partial way to solve the problem would be to develop lighter tractors. Ferguson and a trusted colleague, William “Willie” Sands, were soon crisscrossing Ireland in a government-supplied automobile. Would he oversee government-owned tractor maintenance, production records and other things? Of course, he would. Given his experience with tractors, Ferguson was approached by the Irish Board of Agriculture in 1917. Said efforts were linked to the murderous depredations of German submarines which were sinking a multitude of food-carrying merchant ships destined for the United Kingdom. The involvement of May Street Motors, which became Harry Ferguson Limited at some point, with Waterloo Gasoline Engine seemingly resulted from British government efforts to maximise domestic food production during the First World War. ![]() The latter vehicles, known in their country of origin as “Waterloo Boys,” were produced in the United States by Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company. ![]() “Harry” Ferguson chose to strike out on his own, founding May Street Motors Limited, I think, and selling automobiles and tractors, more specifically Overtime tractors. The two men later had a falling out which resulted from their disagreement about the dangers of flying. “Joe” Ferguson was beside himself with worry. In October 1910, “Harry” Ferguson lost control of his monoplane and crashed. Did “Harry” Ferguson have a knack for publicity or what? But I digress. “Joe” Ferguson was presumably not too thrilled by the moniker chosen by his sibling for that endeavour, namely the Mad Mechanic. Indeed, he had previously concurred to another promotional idea of his younger brother: racing a motorcycle all over Ireland, and winning many races. His brother concurred, more or less enthusiastically. The first flight of the aeroplane in question took place in late, late, late December 1909, incidentally.īuilding and testing Ireland’s first aeroplane would be good business, had claimed “Harry” Ferguson. Ferguson & Company, an automobile repair shop owned by an older brother, Joseph B. If that name rings a bell, my reading friend, it is because that gentleman was the first Irishman to design a powered aeroplane and fly in a powered aeroplane, the Ferguson monoplane to be more precise, put together in the premises of J.B. The firm moved into the world of agriculture and food in 1936 when it joined forces with Irish mechanic and inventor Henry George “Harry” Ferguson. Indeed, it became a world leader in its field. Manufactured in small numbers, the David Brown Valveless was derived from an innovative vehicle designed by a British engineer and inventor named Ralph Lucas.ĭavid Brown & Sons (Huddersfield) grew by leaps and bounds during the First World War, thanks to contracts for the British Army and the Royal Navy. Indeed, between 19, it produced automobiles. David Brown & Sons (Huddersfield) Limited, to use a new company name adopted around that time, prospered and increased the variety of products which came out of its workshops. When Brown left this Earth, in 1903, his sons, Frank and Percy Brown took over the reins. ![]() In any event, as the years flowed, Brown’s firm moved toward the production of gear systems, specialising in machine-cut gears by the time the 1880s ended. Sadly enough, yours truly has been unable to find the name of said firm. Our story began in 1860 with the founding, in England, of a pattern manufacturing firm by one, you guessed it, David Brown. Do you know Do You Want To Build A Snowman? from the beautiful 2009 animated film Frozen? Go ahead, belt it out. Yours truly shall endeavour to be brief.Īnd yes, the title of this issue of our blog / bulletin / thingee can be sung. This issue of our blog / bulletin / thingee will touch upon, gently of course, the part of the history of a well-known British engineering firm which dealt with its production of farm tractors. Greetings, my reading friend, and welcome to the wonderful world of agriculture and food.
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