Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Well then.... I was fortunate enough to be invited by my local dealers (Mark Weatherhead) and Agco to a two day 'jolly' to MF's Beauvais manufacturing plant 'a la France' What can I say :o - 50 of us went over on a coach (via the shuttle)... we were treated like kings for the entire two days... 4 course meals (even at the factory for lunch)... coaches too and from the pubs (free beer - 10pts of Kronenberg and I don't drink a lot :'( ) So... anyway... I took a few pictures for you all too look at. Sorry about the quality... I was told that MF don't allow ANY pictures in the factory (as it's against union rules)... but having 'twisted the arm' and smiling sweetly to the UK salesman I was granted permission to take some pictures without the flash on - this makes for a very slow shutter time so a lot of the pics didn't come out very well - but I guess we are lucky to have really \ When we first arrived we were taken into the Technology centre for coffee and cake... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 As you can see.... there were a few tractors parked outside the main building.... This is my next tractor... I have fallen in love with this There was a telehandler outside as well... not sure why I missed that in my photo taking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 So... inside the centre we were given a talk on MF's history... Beauvais has been manufacturing MF's since 1960... the centre is full of MF 'gems'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Now for some tractors :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 This 168 has only 70 hours on the clock... looking at the pedals (for wear) I'd say it wasn't far off either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 How about some oldies... Grey Fergie.. serial number one... Driven by Mr Harry Ferguson himself... Ferguson Brown... first tractor to sport 3pt linkage... FE35... serial number one (or possibly two... I couldn't quite hear that bit)... MF65.. One of the original Pole tractors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Nearly forgot this one as well.... Mart would love this I reckon... it was literally MINT Then it was into a HUGE theatre for a film on the development of the 8690.... Pics were impossible in there sadly... Then.... off for the tour.... I just managed to snap this orange 54 as it flew past to the colection area after assembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 As you enter the factory you walk past the final QC inspection area... here tractors have ben off the line and are being inspected AFTER they have been rolling road tested and leak tested... Just look what was going outside as well :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 So... we went off to the part department first.. they take in pallets of parts (small parts) all day everyday... it's all kept in a huge automated stacking system using metal 'stilages' to supply the production line... Sadly... I didn't get any pictures of that bit Next we moved on to Engines... here they take in a days supply of engines from two manufacturers... already pre-assembled and QC checked by the manufacturer (Perkins and Sisu)... Same goes for Axles... (really sorry about the quality of the pics) As I walked past I snapped some pics of the line (later in the tour).. some painted panels going around the system drying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Here's a 7400 series being assembled (once again snapped as I walked past)... Now MF have split the factory in to two manufacturing centres... at the back of the factory they have a joint venture with Claas to make all the back end components and gearboxes... we were shown the HUNDREDS of machine they have making each and every component - usually from a grey casting... being machined fully (teeth cut etc.) They buy all the castings in from an outside supplier in the rough... and machine them on site... Here is the castings outside awaiting machining... This machine works 24/7 - to finish the castings... they run two at a cost of £3m EACH ! - they were building a space for another 6 to be installed shortly :o They have all sorts of machines... this one was induction hardening an axle driveshaft... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 that orange glow is the shaft being heated to 1200 degrees with electricity... it got it to that temp in a matter of seconds - they must have some electricity meter :o Quality control plays a HUGE part in the entire manufacturing process... there were testing departments everywhere... this machine measured machining tollerences down to 1 single micron :o Here is a casting that's been selected for random testing... they also test the first one of each batch... Here is a dyna 4 unit thats been rejected... and a dyna 6 too Once assembled.. the parts get added to the moving track and built up to what now starts to look like a tractor skid unit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 some more of the assembly track... After the skid is assembled it goes up a track... through a washing machine for de-greasing and then it's painted by hand (as apose to robot I mean).. Cabs come in in the raw... they are assembled and tested on a seperate line prior to 'mating' with the reast of the machines... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 final assembly is actually very quick.... if you think about it... a tractor is mostly engine, gearbox and backend really... the actual panels, cab and twiddly bits (fuel tank, battery etc.) all bolt on very quickly and easily... here are some tin parts awaiting fitment... as you csan see they can (and do) make tractors in blue (Iseki), Yellow (Cat for the USA markets) Orange (for both Agco brand and MF municipal) and of course red So... the wheels come down a track... the cab track merges on the skid unit and hey presto... a tractor is born Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 After filling with oil, fuel, water etc. the tractor is driven off the line... Then is straight onto a rolling road... for testing of functions such as the brakes, road speed, diff-lock, 4wd etc. Then it's off for oil leak testing.. they use UV inspection lamps to check for any problems here... this one had just been checked and passed on to final inspection.... Final inspection is a full check of all functions (electrical etc.) and quality of build... some machines (going far overseas... such as New Zealand or the States) get a coating of protective wax for the journey... I snapped a few beaties on the wat past final QC... Agco branded 8690.. (slightly different of course) * * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Once finished... the machines are parked ready for collection via lorry.... quite a few loads left as we were walking past.. here is the parking area.... The factory has been making 90 tractors a day for some time (flat out) there is still a waiting list for MF machines - so business is still doing well thankfully - without wanting to start a war - they claim to have taken a lot of ground on the green brigade since the launch of the x400 series of tractors... I guess with a 5 year warranty they are very confident of the product \ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 Then it was on to lunch... 4 courses... superbly presented as well I just had to show you this... it was in the restuarant... that's it for the factory tour... we also had a ride and drive area setup for us near Beauvais airport... I'll put that in a seperate topic later on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcb4cxkid Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 wow looks very interesting was the tour in french Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewHolland2 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Marky, you're spot on I just love that 3080........That would set me back a few bob........ :D :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 wow looks very interesting was the tour in french It was buddy... and no it was conducted by two of the MF reps (who look after the dealers) Marky, you're spot on I just love that 3080........That would set me back a few bob........ :D :o I did try to put it in my bag for you mate... but the zip wouldn't open wide enough :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich.new holland Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 that 3080 is nice look at all that kit your a lucky man marky i went to banner lane before to pick 3 masseys with my uncle they were somthing like 4245 \ but they were snoppys but i can remember the lines and lines of red everywhere , we took them down to pembroke dock and they were sent to ireland :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshman Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Stunning pics amazing Marky. Wow some beutys there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johny mf Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Now i know a litle bit how heaven looks like mate. Thanks for sharing these pics mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Marky I was studing the mf 65 you took a picture of and then I went and look at tractor house here in the states and there seems only to be a little difference on the bonnet where the badge is at....these were 1961 65....do you have a pic of a UK 65 to see the diff of the new ttt mf 65 that is coming?? Also do these MF you seen made shipped to the States?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tractor Twitcher Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Some very interesting things you've caught on camera there Mark, looks like you had one heck of a trip. I'm still wiping up the drool from seeing that spotless 3080, stunning looking tractor. Only time i've ever been on a factory tour was to the Caterpillar Factory at North Desford in Leicstershire, amazing experience and lots of nice old machines on display. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 The MF 2wd was off to the states pops... we don't have 2wds here any more really... they said it was only 3% of production... and mostly all for the states mate.. The 65 in here is a UK version mate  thanks for the kind comments lads... and sorry for the quality of the pics once again..  Some very interesting things you've caught on camera there Mark, looks like you had one heck of a trip. I'm still wiping up the drool from seeing that spotless 3080, stunning looking tractor. Only time i've ever been on a factory tour was to the Caterpillar Factory at North Desford in Leicstershire, amazing experience and lots of nice old machines on display.  It was a great trip... thanks David... my only regret is that I didn't take my Nikon and tripod... I could have got some cracking pics then The 3080 was a beauty for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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