Massey Ferguson: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia


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{{Short description|USOriginally English company; manufacturer of agricultural equipment}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 20222024}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Massey Ferguson Limited

| logo = MF Logo 2022.png

| type = [[Subsidiary]]

| predecessors = {{ubl|Massey-Harris Limited|[[Ferguson-Brown Company|Ferguson Company]]}}

| successor = {{ubl|[[Varity]]|[[AGCO]]}}

| hq_location = [[Beauvais]], France.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalatlanta.com/agco-chief-executive-knighted-for-commitment-to-frances-culture-and-economy/ |title=AGCO Chief Executive Knighted for Commitment to France’s Culture and Economy |last=Williams |first=Trevor |date=October 17, 2018 |work=Global Atlanta |access-date=May 29, 2024 |quote=[T]he tractor and agricultural products manufacturer decided to move the home of its Massey-Ferguson brand to Beauvais, France ... home base of the Massey Ferguson tractor brand. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tyrilights.com/us/massey-ferguson/ |title=MASSEY FERGUSON |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=TYRI Lights |access-date=May 29, 2024 |quote=Beauvais, France, where Massey Ferguson's headquarters and design centres are located.}}</ref>

| foundation = 1953 (as Massey-Harris-Ferguson; shortened to Massey Ferguson in 1958)

| location = {{nowrap|[[Duluth, Georgia|Duluth]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[United States]]}}

| industry = [[Agricultural machinery]]

| area_served = Worldwide

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}}

'''Massey Ferguson Limited''' is an American [[agricultural machinery]] manufacturer. The company was, established in 1953 through the merger of farm equipment makers Massey-Harris of [[Canada]] and the [[Ferguson-Brown Company|Ferguson Company]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. It was based in [[TorontoCoventry]], then [[Brantford]], [[Ontario]], Canada, until 1988. The company transferred its headquarters in 1991moved to [[Buffalo, New YorkBeauvais]], [[Unitedin States|U.S.]]2003 before it was acquired by [[AGCO]],when the newCoventry ownerfactory ofwas its former competitor [[Allis-Chalmers]]. Massey Ferguson is among several brands in a portfolio produced and marketed by American industrial agricultural equipment conglomerate AGCO and a major seller in international markets around theshut worlddown.

== History ==

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=== Massey-Harris Limited ===

[[File:Massey-Harris 1916.jpg|thumb|Share of Massey-Harris Limited, issued February 18, 1916]]

In 1891, the Massey Manufacturing Co. merged with [[Alanson Harris|A. Harris, Son and Company]] to form '''Massey-Harris Limited''',<ref name="p146" /><ref>[http://m-h.cs.uoguelph.ca/ Unofficial Massey-Harris home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305183452/http://m-h.cs.uoguelph.ca/ |date=2012-03-05}}</ref> which became the largest agricultural equipment maker in the [[British Empire]]. Massey-Harris made [[Threshing machine|threshing machines]] and [[Reaper|reapers]], as well as [[Safety bicycle|safety bicycles]], introducing a shaft-driven model in 1898.<ref>[http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/collection/cycles13.cfm Canada Science and Technology Museum – A New Model Every Year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509171931/http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/collection/cycles13.cfm |date=2010-05-09}}. Retrieved 2010-05-03.</ref> In 1910, Massey-Harris acquired the Johnston Harvester Company of [[Batavia, New York]], making it one of Canada's first [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] firms.<ref name="p146" />

Hart Massey's sons [[Charles Albert Massey|Charles]], [[Walter Edward Hart Massey|Walter]], [[Chester Daniel Massey|Chester]] and [[Frederick Victor Massey|Fred]] became closely involved in the business and eventually took over its operations. They were the last generation of Masseys to run Massey-Harris. President Vincent Massey left to become a minister in the [[William Lyon Mackenzie King|Mackenzie King]] government. In 1927, an unsolicited takeover offer from an unnamed US purchaser precipitated a power struggle for control of the firm. The US bid was turned down, and control remained in Canadian hands with the sale of the Massey's stock for {{CAD|8 million}} to Thomas Bradshaw and J.H. Gundy of Toronto.<ref name="masssey-sale">{{Cite news |date=February 15, 1927 |title=Bradshaw and Gundy Secure 75,000 Shares; Hon. Vincent Massey Sells All His Holdings; $8,000,000 Deal in Massey-Harris Stock |pages=1–2 |work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> Members of the family accomplished other things in business. Vincent Massey later became [[Governor General of Canada]]. [[Raymond Massey]] became a noted actor in American films. The Massey family used its fortune to improve the city of Toronto and many institutions including the [[University of Guelph]], [[University of Toronto]], [[Upper Canada College]], [[Crescent School (Toronto)|Crescent School]], [[Appleby College]], [[Massey Hall]], and [[Metropolitan United Church]] were partially financed by the Masseys.

The company's early tractor models included the 20 horsepower Massey-Harris GP 15/22 (1930–36),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/003/8/8/3880-massey-harris-gp.html|title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris GP 15/22 tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> 25 horsepower 'Massey-Harris Pacemaker' (1936–1939),<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/003/8/8/3883-massey-harris-pacemaker.html | title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris Pacemaker tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> 35 horsepower [[Massey-Harris Model 101|Model 101]] (1938–1942),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/4/741-massey-harris-101-super.html|title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris 101 Super tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> [[Massey-Harris Pony]], [[Massey-Harris Model 20|Model 20]], [[Massey-Harris Model 81|Model 81]], and [[Massey-Harris Model 744|Model 744]].

Grain [[harvesting]] was revolutionized by Massey engineer [[Tom Carroll (ag engineer)|Tom Carroll]] in 1938, with the world's first affordable, mass-produced, self-propelled combine—[[Combine harvester|combine]]— the No. 20.<ref name="p146" /> It was too heavy and expensive for extensive mass production, but served as a guide for the design of the lighter and less costly No. 21, which was tested in 1940, and put on sale in 1941. The Massey-Harris No. 21 Combine was commemorated with a Canada Post stamp on June 8, 1996.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120709202326/http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=3746&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/020117/020117030408_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Massey-Harris No. 21 Combine commemorative stamp bulletin]</ref> Massey-Harris also produced one of the world's first [[four-wheel drive]] tractors.

[[E. P. Taylor|E.P. Taylor]], one of [[C. D. Howe|C.D. Howe]]'s [[One-dollar salary|dollar-a-year men]], joined the board of directors in 1942, and [[William Eric Phillips|Eric Phillips]] joined management in 1946. The company became one of the prime jewels of the [[Argus Corporation]].

The final generation of Massey-Harris [[Tractor|tractors]], introduced immediately after [[World War II]], included the 25-horsepower M-H 22 series,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/2/0/5204-massey-harris-23-mustang.html|title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris 23 Mustang tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> the 35 horsepower M-H 33 series,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/7/779-massey-harris-333.html|title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris 333 tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> the 45 horsepower M-H 44 series<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/006/8/2/6820-massey-harris-44-special.html | title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris 44 Special tractor information | first=Peter|last=Easterlund | website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> and the 55 horsepower M-H 55 series.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/7/3/733-massey-harris-55.html|title=TractorData.com Massey-Harris 55 tractor information|first=Peter|last=Easterlund|website=www.tractordata.com}}</ref> In 1952, the M-H 22 was replaced by the M-H 23 Mustang. In 1955, the 30-horsepower Massey-Harris 50 was introduced after the merger that created Massey-Harris-Ferguson. It was based on the Ferguson TO-35 and was also produced as the F-40 for Ferguson dealers. The MH-50 was available in several configurations: utility, high-crop utility, or row-crop with a choice of single, tricycle, or wide adjustable front ends. In 1956, the M-H 33 was replaced by the MH 333, while the M-H 44 was replaced by the M-H 444 and the M-H 55 was replaced by the M-H 555. The tractors were commonly known as the "triple series" and were mechanically similar to their predecessors, however they featured new styling which included a slightly different hood design, chrome trim on the grill and hood, and a different color scheme. They were also available with power steering, live [[power take-off]] (PTO), and [[hydraulics]]. The Massey Harris triple series tractors remained in production until 1958.

==== Military contracts ====

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In August 1996, Varity merged with [[Lucas Industries|Lucas Automotive]] to become [[LucasVarity]]. After a series of mergers and takeovers, the remains of LucasVarity were acquired by the United States company [[TRW Inc.|TRW]] in 1999 for {{USD|6.53 billion}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/26/business/company-news-trw-is-near-deal-to-buy-lucas-varity.html|title=TRW Is Near Deal to Buy Lucas Varity|agency=Bloomberg News|date=January 26, 1999|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

==== AGCO Ownershipownership ====

While Massey-Ferguson had a strong global presence at 20% market share in 1994, it sold 87% of its machines outside North America.<ref name=":0" /> The acquisition by AGCO had the aim to increase AGCO's global presence outside North America and increase Massey Ferguson's presence inside North America. In 2008, the 8600 series became the first agricultural tractor world-wide to feature [[Selective catalytic reduction|Selective Catalytic Reduction]] emissions technology branded as e3.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-21 |title=New emission control system now featured on AGCO Corp. tractors |url=https://www.farmprogress.com/new-emission-control-system-now-featured-agco-corp-tractors |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=Farm Progress |language=en}}</ref>

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Since AGCO acquired the company, there has been a resurgence and expansion of the Massey Ferguson brand worldwide. Row-crop tractors have continuously been produced in the [[Beauvais]], France factory since 1960 and in June 2022, the 1,000,000th tractor was produced bearing the Massey-Ferguson brand.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Corporation |first=AGCO |date=2022-06-14 |title=Massey Ferguson® Produces One-Millionth Tractor |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/06/14/2462623/0/en/Massey-Ferguson-Produces-One-Millionth-Tractor.html |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}}</ref> The first tractor model from the Beauvais plant was an 825 and the millionth tractor was an 8S.305 with Dyna-VT transmission.<ref name=":1" />

== Equipment Offeringsofferings ==

Presently, Massey Ferguson offers the following types of equipment with different regional availability throughout the globe:

* Compact Tractors

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* Self-propelled sprayers

==Overview of Tractortractor Modelsmodels==

{{More sources needed|section|date=March 2024}}

[[File:Massey Ferguson 35 industrial.JPG|thumb|right|A Massey Ferguson 35]]

Massey Ferguson developed a wide range of agricultural vehicles and have a large share in the market across the world especially in [[Europe]]. In December 1957, the MF35 which was the first Massey Ferguson branded tractor rolled off the factory floor. It was a Ferguson design that started its life in 1955 as the Ferguson 35, often nicknamed "Gold Belly" due to the gold engine and gearbox. The 35s were massively popular and sold across the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and the United States. These were followed by other early models like the [[Massey Ferguson 65|65]] (MK1 indirect injection) 65 (MK2 direct injection).

Beginning in December 1957, the MF35 which was the first Massey Ferguson branded tractor rolled off the factory floor. It was a Ferguson design that started its life in 1955 as the Ferguson 35, often nicknamed "Gold Belly" due to the gold engine and gearbox. The 35's were massively popular and sold across the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and the United States. These were followed by other early models like the [[Massey Ferguson 65|65]] (MK1 indirect injection) and 65 (MK2 direct injection).

The next big selling model was the MF135 which became widely popular because of its reliability and power compared to other tractors at the time.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} This was the first model in the MF 100 series. These included the MF 130, 133, 135, 145, 148, 150, 158, 165, 168, 175, 178, 180, 185 and 188.The same time the MF 100 series came out, the MF 1000 series was introduced. These include the MF 1080, 1100, 1130 and 1150. Later came the MF 550, 560, 565, 575, 590, 595 (500 series).▼

▲TheStarting in 1964, the next big selling model was the MF135 which became widely popular because of its reliability and power compared to other tractors at the time.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} This was the first model in the MF 100 series. These included the MF 130, 133, 135, 145, 148, 150, 158, 165, 168, 175, 178, 180, 185 and 188.The same time the MF 100 series came out, the MF 1000 series was introduced. These include the MF 1080, 1100, 1130 and 1150. Later came the MF 550, 560, 565, 575, 590, 595 (500 series).

In 1969, the MF 1000 series was introduced. This model lineup included the MF 1080, 1100, 1130 and 1150.

In 1971 the first articulated tractors were introduced: MF 1500 and 1800. The smaller MF 1200 (1972) was built in Manchester for the European market.

In 1977, the MF 500 series was introduced containing the models of 550, 560, 565, 575, 590, 595 (500 series).

From the mid-1970s and early 1980s came the 200 series tractor, which included the MF 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 278, 280, 285, 290, 298, 299.

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In 2022, Massey Ferguson presented the new compact tractor 1700M Series and the new specialized tractor 3S Series.<ref>{{Cite web|title= MF 1700 M |access-date=2022-04-06|url=https://www.masseyferguson.com/en/product/tractors/mf-1700-m.html |language=en}}</ref>

At Agritechnica in November 2023, Massey Ferguson announced the release of the 9S series, ranging in power from 285 - 425 horsepower.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=Massey Ferguson launches new 425hp 9S flagship {{!}} Farm News {{!}} Farmers Guardian |url=https://www.farmersguardian.com/feature/4147726/massey-ferguson-launches-425hp-9s-flagship |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.farmersguardian.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Product images ==

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</gallery>

== Former Logoslogos ==

<gallery>

File:Massey-Harris Company logo 1952.jpg|alt=|In use 1890-1958

File:Ferguson logo.jpg|alt=|In use 1946-1951

File:Massey Ferguson165 Front Logo- cut.jpg|In use 1958-1970

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* [[Millat Tractors]]&nbsp;— Licensee in [[Pakistan]]

* [[Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited|Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE)]]&nbsp;— Licensee in [[India]]

== See also ==

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[[Category:Agricultural machinery manufacturers of the United States]]

[[Category:Tractor manufacturers of the United States]]

[[Category:Tractor manufacturers of Canada]]▼

[[Category:Tractor manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]

▲[[Category:Tractor manufacturers of Canada]]

[[Category:Lawn and garden tractors]]

[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 18471953]]