britainswomble

That probably happened as Fords were such pig headed sods and if marketing said that's what the farmers want, then that's what they sold. No doubt the person that designed the SOS gearbox had all the ideas to make it what the farmers really wanted, but as usual Ford's never listened, so he went to work for JD. I would imagine the SOS box worked well in the U.S. where they spend a lot of time in very large fields, but the UK market calls for much tougher machinery than many world markets require, as we found out over the years. The actual gearbox of the SOS was virtually indestructible, the fault was with the control system. Had it been developed further before it acquired a crap reputation in this country; the story could have been very different. The box on the 30 series Fords (TW 86-87-8830) was a standard four pack epicyclic gearbox, similar in many ways to the old SOS box. What made it better was the electronic control system and better hydraulic control. Finally Fords other big disaster was the synchro boxes they bought out on the "10" series in the early eighties. UK farmers wanted a snchro box to compete with JD's superb gearboxes. They proudly announced their new offering, the details of which we were told would make it a market leader. What did the silly ar*es do. They bring out a column gearchange that was a total embarrassment. Our sales staff couldn't believe their eyes. It was horrendous to use unless someone taught you the easy tecnique of changing from 6th to 7th gear. The reverse gear was on another lever lower down the column, and was absolutely useless for loader work as traditionally 5th or 6th gear was used for going forward on the old constant mesh box, with reverse directly opposite which was great. "Shuttle" loader work on the wonderful synchro box could only use 4th gear and reverse (4th) meaning that the forward speed was too slow. The option being changing gears on two gear levers, using 4th in reverse and "high" 2nd forwards. The first demo 6610 I had, I took to a ploughing match. Prospective customers said it was crap and wanted to know what on earth Fords were thinking of when they designed it, and I slunk off home at the end of the day with Ford's wonderful tractor obstinately stuck in gear. Piece of sh*t. The only good thing about it was that I helped sell quite a few to selected farmers who we knew would benefit from the synchro box. Ford's eventually got the message and did away with the "Rubic's Cube" gearlevers and brought out the 'H' pattern change in place of it. Still no good for loader work. Just as well we still had the option of the constant mesh box. (Also known as the "Crash box" by muppets who couldn't double de-clutch) I much preferred the old constant mesh gearbox. Very easy to use, great for loader work, easy to change on the move, very strong and easy to work on if repairs were needed.

Eeee........ when I were a lad.......... our grass was cut wi' a five foot drum mower and picked up with a flail forager. There was a Ford 3000 on the buckrake, and two of us on the clamp forking it out by hand. (A 4000 on the forager and a Fordson Major and another 3000 running two Wheatley three ton trailers. ) I'm not sure if it's true; but I was always told that long chop grass held its nutrients better than precision chop grass.

Nice looking grease gun and a great idea. BUT....... you still have to fill it up. I hate it at work if someone else has filled up my grease gun...... it's usually half full of air. The technique for filling a gun from a bucket is to hold the plunger still and push the barrel down into the grease. When you lift it to complete the fill.........DO NOT lift it out of the grease....... just slide it across and do the same again. When you have SECURELY locked the plunger into the holding slot; make sure the grease is air free at the end and slightly domed. Screw it on to the pump loosely and release the plunger lock. This will force out any air from the gap in between both halves. Then tighten it securely. You should be able to use the gun without any air locks. I don't like cartridges as they are expensive and dont hold as much grease as a fill from a bucket. I had a cheapie "Pro-Am" air powered gun and that was a pile of sh*te. I worked well until grease started spraying out of the vent on the power cylinder. Badly made junk. A good quality one would be an investment.

Thanks for your kind words. Sadly we lost two more after the original post; one of which would have had some stunning markings had he survived. Sadly with kittens; if they become ill in any way, their chances of survival are minimal. The good news is that the surviving kitten seems to be doing well now and developing as we would have expected. She's now at the learning to run stage, and has discovered her claws and rapidly developing teeth.

Sad to hear how people are maimed for life in a few seconds of thoughtlessness. I often work on my own repairing trucks, and sometimes wonder what I would do if I had an unforseen accident due to lack of forethought. I could be trapped or injured for hours before I was found. Hope he makes a good recovery.

Went to a boot sale this morning, and actually bought something. It's rare that i ever find anything at all, but today I bought a fifty year old battery charger in near mint condition which works well. Two quid. A 500w adjustable and portable spotlight, for four quid, (As new) A new and unused Bluetooth computer keyboard and mouse for a fiver, and a ball of garden twine to sort out my tomatoes with...... 70p. The downside was that I didn't have enough money for my usual half pounder cheese burger.

For the benefit of the younger forum members; perhaps it would be a good idea just to mention that the latter tractors were all David Brown, Case. Its ok for us oldies that remember them. Jus' tryin' to be helpful.

Losing a third kitten in our litter of two week old Bengal crosses. Our cat had a litter of six, two white ones, two black ones, and two with Bengal markings. All the kittens were healthy when they were born, and then the mum seemed to have a cold for a couple of days, which obviously got passed on. As is often the case; colds turn into pneumonia, and kittens just aren't able to cope with such a serious illness. We have another kitten which was gasping its last breath last night and we thought she was going to die. In a fit of desperation, we put some Vick vapour rub in a cup of boiling water. This worked wonders and she's still hanging on at the moment, although we don't hold out much hope for her. The two largest kittens are a bit "Snuffly" but seem to be coping at the moment. I know many of you have suffered greater losses than this, for which I offer my deepest sympathy, but as it says at the top........ It's what made me sad today.

Bin fixing a gas leak on me water heater in my motorhome. It filled the cupboard with gas underneath it and self ignited when we went away in it a couple of weeks ago. . Well I thought it was rather funny as it was only a small explosion, and all it did was melt the carrier bags that were in the cupboard......... oh and blew up me wifes make up bag.

Funny little creatures; aren't they. They always look very worried about something. They aint too bright either. Our little guinea pig tried to eat my finger once when I had been pulling up some grass for her. I suppose in their little world; if it smells like grass then it must be edible.

Supposed to be going to a barbecue this afternoon.......... the temperature has just about got up to 60 F, and we are getting constant heavy showers. If it happens, we'll probably be eating ash covered sausages, cos it's as windy as hell too. \

Identical twins...........

It doesn't matter where you go; if you are the sort of person who likes to talk to anyone; you will nearly always find a link somewhere, and especially as NZ is full of ex Brits. My step daughter did a round the world trip, and got chatting to some people in a bar in Tasmania. They started talking to her obviously because she was English. They asked her where she came from. She replied that she lived in a place called Uckfield, but doubted that they would never have heard of it. The not only knew of Uckfield; but lived there too. Not quite the same I know, buty I once got talking to a chap in Gloucester at Cameron Gardners factory. He used to live next door to my uncle in Sussex. The more people you talk to; the smaller the world gets............ amazing.

Sussex today has been cool to chilly with a strong breeze. Cold enough to warrant wearing a fleece when I went shopping at about 8pm. When you consider that we are now in what should be the hottest month of the year; and three weeks past mid summers day; this year looks as if the weather pattern will be similar to that of the last five years. A few memorable hot spells, and the remainder either wet or decidedly cool.

This actually happened yesterday........... We have two Bengal female cats with some strange habits. In our kitchen we have a sink and drainer with a small sink in between. Both of our girlies use the little sink to wee in. They both get right down in it and arrange themselves so their feet don't get wet, have their paws on the side by the taps and tail hanging over the other side. I thought I'd seen it all until yesterday. One of them decided to wee in a babies potty that was in our kitchen. She was so clever and arranged herself so her back feet were on the sides, front feet on the front edge and tail hanging over the back............... perfect aim, no mess. Now how clever is that. We keep saying that we will video it for "You've Been Framed". The potty trick is definitely worth two hundred and fifty quid. I have seen cats use a normal toilet before on Y.B.F.

You can laugh about a man on a kiddies pedal tractor...................... somewhere on here, about a year ago, there was a picture of one of the dads on his sons massey pedal tractor. I think he was hedge cutting with it. I can see his face, but can't remember his name. There was also someone on here "Silaging" with his son on a John Deere and a Ford. Stay on this forum long enough and you will see it all.

Shame you are in Plymouth.......... there's a perfect example of a bagger, not far from me. Only done a few acres a year for about the first fiteen years and been barn stored from new. To my knowledge it hasn't worked since about 1980. It was always washed off after use and sprayed with oil to kill the rust. Should have all its decals in place too.

That's a really sad end to an old combine. That one looked to be in quite good condition too. The Massey 500 has always been my favourite since I was a child. The farm I lived on had a brand new one when they came out. They were years ahead of anything else at the time in style. Beautiful sleek looking machine with a superb driving position. Everything on it was very stylish with nothing unfinished. Some machines look like they gave up designing it half way through. The old 780's suffered with catching alight during use, mostly because of chaff build up on the exhaust manifold. Throw in a neglected fuel leak as well and you've got a recipe for disaster. When I went contracting as a thirteen year old with my uncle; we used to clean around the engine with an airline. This was a daily job, sometimes more, as it was a TVO bagger, that had a higher manifold temperature than the diesels. Poor combine......... may it rust in peace.

See ya there..............mine's a Scotch............ make that a double.

I knew it.............. you just couldn't resist it; could you Ferguson. I will meet up one day with you for a drink, an' I'll tie yer ears in a knot ya bu**er.

Is this your wedding, or someone elses........... oh, an' make sure you wash your hands before you go

How bizarre.......... it's actually our anniversary tomorrow too. We wanted to re-take our vows on the day, but what the hell........it's close enough. Be warned though..........there's a fair possibility I may post up some photies of the event. We have a wedding car, I think it's a 1930's Plymouth Sedan. The only one in the country Ooooooooooo The old feller that drives it does a splendid job of looking like a traditional Chauffeur and is a real gentleman. We aren't too impressed with the vicar though.............he looks like Mr Bean and doesn't seem very organised either. You have been warned.........................photo's are imminent.

Cheers me dear..........I'll use it as an excuse to drink to your future health and happiness.

Printing off the order of sevice for my wedding this Saturday. Wife and I will be re-taking our vows after sixteen years of marriage. Our way of saying thank you to each other, and looking forward to the next sixteen.

Bin pullin' me pistons out................honestly.................look. Before........ and after..........