Tractor heritage, news and features

Belvoir belter in store

John Deere will be featured for the first time, and the Single Cylinder Display will return, as it does on alternate years. The latter will include Marshall, HSCS, Landini, SF Vierzon and of course Lanz, including the Lanz copies. There may even be some less well-known single cylinders from Italy.

There is of course a link between the two displays, in that Lanz was taken over by John Deere in 1956 and many of the tractors built after this date were badged John Deere- Lanz and painted in JD colours. From 1960, the Mannheim factory began building John Deere Models 300 and 500, followed by the Models 100, 700 and 3010. A special invitation is offered to owners of any of these tractors built during the last years of Lanz and first years in Germany of John Deere.

Tractor section steward, Andy Watson, adds: “Last year we had over 400 tractors on site, boosted by the FFA's EXPO 5. This year I am hoping for at least 350. Around 137 tractors have been booked in so far, A 24hp John Deere-Lanz at Tracks across the Field in 2007. Picture AM Watson including a Case Model C, Wallis 20/35, Allis Chalmers Model 25, Massey Harris 101 Junior, Fords 9NAN and 2N and a narrow Ferguson TEL20; John Deere's range from 1940 to 1974. Single Cylinders include examples of all the main Marshall models, a wide selection of Lanz Bulldogs and a very rare HSCS R25 La Robuste built in 1932. Other single cylinders promised include Landini and SF Vierzon.
“I am particularly looking for John Deere-Lanz tractors, especially those built in Mannheim to John Deere designs from about 1960, eg Models 100, 300, 500. These will form a link between the John Deere and Single Cylinder features.”

Well-known tractor expert, Michael Hart, has agreed once again to be the parade commentator. Michael, assisted by Ian Burgin, will also judge the tractors to determine who wins the Mortons Media prize. Organisers also expect to have the dynamometer this year plus the usual displays put on by the Rutland Group NVTEC, Nottinghamshire Group NVTEC, David Brown Club (Lincolnshire Branch), Vale of Belvoir Machinery Group (including threshing) and AJB Engineering Group's rack sawbench.

Additionally, there will be Tractor Pulling presented by the Peak Vale Tractor Pullers and there will two arenas with a dedicated tractor parade ring. On Saturday evening, there will be a road run for tractors, incorporating the picturesque private roadways of the Belvoir Castle Estate and local villages including Woolsthorpeby- Belvoir.

Anyone wanting to display a tractor at the show should write to Andy Watson, Willow Corner, Main Street, Marston, Grantham, Lincs NG32 2HH, tel: 01400 250840 or email: watson.andrew@virgin.net

• Visit the show's website:  www.steamfestival.co.uk