MID-80s & EARLY 90s TRACTORS COMMAND A PREMIUM

PICTURED ABOVE: 1985 MB-Trac 1500

The strong trade for later classic tractors shows no signs of dropping, say machinery auctioneers Cheffins, as 140 classic and vintage tractors, along with 1,000 entries of spares, implements and stationary engines, went under the hammer at the recent Harrogate auction.

The Harrogate sale, held at the Great Yorkshire Showground, has been an annual event on the sale calendar for more than 30 years, and this year’s auction totalled £672,000, with a strong sale rate of 83%. Mid-eighties and early nineties tractors continued to attract a loyal following, with a 1985 MB-Trac 1500 making £51,456, and a sought-after 1992 John Deere 4955 eventually finishing at £35,912. An immaculate 1994 two-wheel-drive Ford 7810 Powerstar SL, with one owner from new on 5,200 hours, achieved £19,296.

1992 John Deere 4955

Bill King, chairman at Cheffins, says the later classics continue to be popular. “Later classics from the 80s and 90s are once again in high demand, particularly low-houred examples in original condition. Purchasers are keen to invest in tractors they remember operating. There is still a strong demand for early classics too, such as Massey Ferguson 135s, Fordson Dexta and David Brown 880s. These are iconic models, with original examples or ones in restored condition, achieving premium prices. An unusual and original Fordson Standard N with a Roadless Full Track conversion, made a superb £19,080, confirming that there is still considerable interest in these earlier 1940’s tractors, too.”

Other notable earlier tractor models sold at Harrogate included a 1980 Muir-Hill 121 for £29,480, a 1974 Massey Ferguson 188 for £12,006, and a 1946 Field Marshall Series I fitted with a Lainchbury winch was purchased for £14,150. Highlights from the implements and spares sale included a 1967 Wheatley single axle tipping trailer for £3,472; an unused Hara cab for a County 1174 finished at £4,256 and a IHC Tom Thumb stationary engine sold for £1,064. A Ford toolbox with mounting bracket suitable for a front casting made £512, while a 2014 Land Rover Defender 90, with just 23,000 miles on the clock, sold for £32,160.

Bill concluded that the implements and spares are just as popular for many buyers as the tractors. “Tractor and implement spares sold very well as restorers want to source original parts for their projects, and, with some spares difficult to find, this leads to surprising prices being achieved. Classic 3-ton trailers, cultivators and ploughs, along with barn machinery, all sold for excellent prices. We are already looking forward to 2025.”