
Times were changing, the TE-20 was getting on in years but customers were sold on – indeed, embedded in – the entire Ferguson system. The problem that faced Ferguson’s design engineers must have been extremely daunting. With a wide range of implements to complement these hugely capable tractors, Harry Ferguson had skilfully created an entire system of mechanised farming. By 1956, the TE-20 had been produced for some 10 years or so and had, quite literally, revolutionised farming throughout the developed world. Initially available from October 1956, the Ferguson 35 was launched into a market full of customers with almost impossibly high expectations. What I’m trying to say is that, before the FE 35, Ferguson’s only previous model range was the TE-20. In evolutionary terms, it’s fair to say that the FE 35 (Ferguson, England, 35hp), was launched in the equivalent period where tractors had just begun to walk upright, but were still scraping their hairy knuckles along the ground!

Every classic Massey Ferguson model can be traced backwards through its ‘DNA’. I usually start my buyers’ guides with a bit of a history lesson. Buyer’s guide: Ferguson 35: A fine example of a diesel-powered Ferguson 35, owned by Bob Newton.
