A Fergie on the bench

[64Comet404]

I had been waiting to find one of the new Heller Ferguson TE-20 tractors at a local shop, and the wait to get it seems to have been worth it. While these tractors had been superseded by larger units by the time I was born, there were still a lot of these tractors (as well as the similar Ford-Ferguson 9N/2N) running around the area.

I like to do research on the prototypes, just to see what I am building. The kit is based on the made-in-France FF-30 tractor, which has some slight differences in details. Both tractors share the same running gear, and the kit gives you the parts to made both versions. All it means is that I have to keep an eye on my references.

Here are the pictures of the parts trees. Construction pics to follow...

[64Comet404]

I started off by assembling the backbone of the tractor, the engine/transmission/axle assembly. The engine for this tractor in 1:1 was a 4 cylinder produced by Standard-Triumph, so if you are a sports car builder who really wants an engine for their TR2 or TR3, here is your starting point. So far, everything fits well, but there is one part (part B15) which needs to be glued in BEFORE the engine halves are glued together. It can be put in afterwards, but it is a real PITA. I glued together a few of the ancillaries, like the gas tank, air filter/carburetor, starter, and generator. I haven't decided how I will be finishing this one yet, but I don't think it will be one shade of gray. 

The engine cover is the next piece to assemble, and consists of four parts. The grille panel is thin enough that you could open the louvers through sanding, but it would be paper thin. I'll wait until someone in the aftermarket makes one from photo-etch. If you like to build hot rods or rat rods, this is the nose you have been waiting for.

Though I am not ready to start gluing the wheels and tires together, I had to see how they would fit together. The tires need some cutting on the inside, so you don't crush the rims, but that isn't too difficult a job.

Until next time... 

[68shortfleet]

Might have to pick one of these up. My dad still has a Ferguson. Looks really close to this kit, I just don't know the model number on his.

[DumpyDan]

Hey Ken, Neat you started one of these.  My Daughter has me one in the UK I am getting it in April alone with a french truck,   I will be following along,  what color you planning on using?

[vintagercr]

I'd like to get one, but they are $58 here in Canada.

[64Comet404]

Hey Ken, Neat you started one of these.  My Daughter has me one in the UK I am getting it in April alone with a french truck,   I will be following along,  what color you planning on using?

I'm planning on some shade of gray, but I need to take my paint samples out and compare them to the real thing. Then again, I will probably weather it, so paint may not matter that much. I will bring it to the next meeting, though.

I'd like to get one, but they are $58 here in Canada.

You may want to grab one, Steve. That store is the only place in Ontario that I have found one in stock. I have one on order at my local shop, but the supplier is on back order, with no ETA.

[crazyrichard]

aaah cool ! one that is high on my wishlist , love this kit

[vintagercr]

I'm planning on some shade of gray, but I need to take my paint samples out and compare them to the real thing. Then again, I will probably weather it, so paint may not matter that much. I will bring it to the next meeting, though.

You may want to grab one, Steve. That store is the only place in Ontario that I have found one in stock. I have one on order at my local shop, but the supplier is on back order, with no ETA.

Ken, I was not paying attention and didn't realize it was your post.   Randy had a few at his store in Whitby.  Maybe I should bite the bullet.  I would really like to get the Porsche tractor.

[Johnt671]

It needs a blown hemi!!

[64Comet404]

It needs a blown hemi!!

You first!!!

 

[64Comet404]

Tonight's work consisted of some assembly and drilling holes for wiring, so I didn't bother taking pictures. While building the front suspension, I did find a couple of potential snags, so for other people building this kit, here goes:

1. Steps 33 and 35 seem to be reversed in the instruction booklet. It's not a big problem, but make sure the pins for your suspension wishbones are pointing the right way (parts D16 and D19). Let the axle pieces dry thoroughly, as they are pretty fragile when drying.

2. Leave out the spindles (part D3) until later in construction. While the instructions show them glued in place, the parts will probably last longer if left loose.  They are retained by the steering linkage, so if you plan your build, you can pose the steering.

Until next time...

[64Comet404]

I have been a bit busy with work this week, so I decided to spend some time working on the Ferguson. The wheels are not too bad, but the lug nut detail is so poor, they look like bolt heads. I chiseled the lugs off, and replaced them with lugs and studs from a Meng supplies pack. On the real tractor, the rims bolt to the rear wheel faces with some stands, so I faked them with some .060 hex rod topped with more lugs. Add some valve stems, and the wheels look much better IMHO.

I started preparing for the three-point linkage, To make it look more accurate, I pulled out some brass chain, and dumped it into the Blacken-It. The PTO cap doesn't have the room needed to route the chain, so I used some brass wire to make a turnbuckle, and fastened the chain. I'll attach the chain to the linkage using the same technique.

I also started to research and drill the holes for the wiring on the engine. My printer is currently out of order, so I had to sketch the schematic. Fortunately, it's not that complicated. The only piece I need to scratchbuild is the starter solenoid, which is located on top of the bellhousing. Something to do while watching the race tomorrow.

[shoopdog]

Any more progress on this one Ken?

[GeeBee]

Superb work so far ....

[64Comet404]

Any more progress on this one Ken?

I've been busy this week, so I haven't done anything further. If my dog gives permission (by not being ill again), I'm hoping to finish the mods to the rims over the weekend.

[Bennyg]

Very nice! Makes me want to build another one but with the detail you're going to.

Ben

[64Comet404]

I didn't bother to modify the other wheels, because I am going to a club meeting this week and want to show off the before and after look. I did add a few more bits to the chassis, such as the front and rear axles. The instructions are a bit mixed up on left and right sides, so rely on the pictures more than the part numbers. IMPORTANT NOTE: on Steps 23 and 24, the instructions show the brake rods (B22/B23) locating in holes underneath the axle locators. THIS IS WRONG!!! (sorry for the shouting, but if you try to build it as per the instructions, it won't look right). The location for the brake rods are in front of the axle mounts. In addition, the front axle halves (Steps 33 and 35) are a bit long, so if you trim them down, the axles will be an easier fit. Another solution may be to glue the two halves to the center piece (D7), which is fitted in Step 4!!! I also primed and test-fitted the engine cover. Two points: if the hinge/radiator mount (B26) is not square when the glue dries, it may mess up fit down the line, and the  hinge pins are too long to fit without filing. I ended up cutting off the pins, and drilling holes for new hinge pins. 

For the front end, there are two holes in the left hand radius rod (D19). I couldn't figure out initially what these were for, but it turns out that this is an alternate location for the tool box (Steps 50/51). I think this is more appropriate for an FF-30, so I stretched some sprue to fill the holes.

 

[shoopdog]

Coming along nicely.

[DumpyDan]

Great detailing on the wheels, what a differences it makes

[waynehulsey]

Don't know when I'll get started on mine, but thanks for the assembly tips and things to watch for. For the gray paint I read in one of the Ferguson publications that there was a lot of variety in the color even on the same tractor. Being cheap, Ferguson used surplus Navy gray paint and as they came down the line for painting there was a painter on each side. So depending on batches it wouldn't match from side to side sometimes. This was just after WW2 and they were just trying to get product out that functioned.