Ah - "tedding"; now
there's a word I don't think we've seen on here before (and yes, I
do know what it is)!
My dear old Dad (RIP) was an agricultural contractor for twenty years or so (
circa. mid-fifties to mid-seventies); I could re-tell many stories (but shall desist) - but suffice to say that you can guess how I spent my school summer holidays when I was a "youth" (hint:- harvesting time being Dad's busiest period). I spent the two summers before joining the army baling straw and driving the "corn lorry" (an old Bedford
OY tipper).
Dad preferred International tractors (especially the Super
BWD-6 [which my brother still has] - made in Doncaster, you know) - but my Grandad had a nice little Nuffield Three. That also had a three-cylinder diesel engine (and very sweet it was too); but a BMC diesel, of course. Not for nothing was the Nuffield known as the "Rolls-Royce of Tractors"* (but with a price tag to match)!
Unlike today's "contractors" (who always seem to be in such a tearing rush - witness a Claas I saw ripping through barley yesterday), Dad used to just plod steadily on. It was hard work, too (no cabs on the combines in those days). But after two decades he had had enough, and then set up his sawmill (which is still in my brother's hands).
It sounds like your lad needs a "good talking to", Mate ... but, has he got any T-shirts?
I recall that Dad's new MF 788 combine (Perkins engine) cost ... wait for it - £ 2,000 (on the H.P., too). That would have been somewhere around 1963.*
Some folk award this accolade to Fendt; but how can that be? They're German!
