County
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The firm of County founded in 1929 was based in Fleet, Hampshire, England. The companies full name being County Commercial Cars Ltd The stated by converting Ford trucks from 2 to 3 axles. But moved in 1948 to converting Fordson Majors into Crawler Tractors. Then building 4 equal sized wheel tractor from Fordson Units. Inventing several different variations and specialist machines along the way. They built over 30,000 machine during the time from 1948 to the early 1980s.
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[edit] History
The firm was founded by Brothers Ernest and Percy Tapp, a pair of Former army offices in WWI. They set up a Meat transfer company to transport supplies from Smithfield market for Ernests fathers-in-law's butchers business. They found the available trucks too small and converted one to twin rear axle design to allow it to carry 2 ton. In 1929 they set up to convert twin axle Ford trucks to triple axles for other people after building their own and running it successfully, due to demand. Later they built the kits or Ford to convert Lorries at Dagenham. Ford when on to build Versions of the Model B and 7V trucks in 6 wheel form from county Kits. During WWII they supplied kits to convert WOT1 trucks to Sussex specification, with 14,000 being built. a small number of E817T chassis were converted, and fitted with winches as anti-aircraft barrage balloon launch trucks. 1957 saw the Thames trader introduced and a kit was made for these.
[edit] Crawler Tractor
Crawler design was started after the war for the Ministry of Agriculture, with the prototype built by 1948 for field trials. The prototype being on International BTD 6 tracks. They delivered 50 to the MoA by the year end. The machine was then offered with a Bray Angle Dozer kit for £1,140. Some machine being fitted with Boughton winches for forest work and recovery work. They could be under powered and in 1948 the Perkins 6 cylinder was offered as an option ( at a price) but boosting power from 29 to 45 HP. The design being modified several times, before the new Ford E1A Major was released.
(TO be Continued........)
[edit] Tractor development
The Four Drive was basically a crawler with rubber wheels that steered by skidding !
Mainly based on ford units, but some were based on other manufacturers tractors. They also converted some to 6 cylinder engines, or to Perkins diesel engines. When ford started manufacturing there own 4 wheel drive tractors in the 1970, their business was reduced greatly but for a few specialist machine like the Forward control version.
[edit] The Decline
By 1983 County was in trouble and went into receivership in February. A Shropshire Dealer David Gittins formed a new company "County Tractors Limited", to buy the business, and updated the top models to the new Ford TW range spec skid units. The 1184TW used a TW-15 skid of 143 hp. the 1474TW was based on a TW-25 unit of 163 hp. The 1184TW had an uprated engine to give 195 hp.
In 1987 County was sold to the Benson group and relocated to Knighton in Powys , Wales. Bensons built very few large machines but did build 2 for BSC at Ravenscraig, Scotland, being 1884 models. They shut County down in 1990. [1]
[edit] County Parts
The Parts operation was taken over by Thama Group who bought the former County parts business from Benson and the remains of the Bamford operation also owned by Benson Group. Thema and then sold the parts operation in 2005 to Hampshire dealer A.T. Osbourne.
Tractor dealer & Contractor A.T. Osborne bought the parts operation in December 2005. The parts operations stock & all the records and drawings were then moved from Wolverhampton to Ower, in Hampshire. They had been a County dealer back in 1981, the first non Ford dealer appointed as a County specialist. Following closure of County by Benson they continued in the repair & rebuilding business, focused on forestry and construction applications.[2]
There is a good demand for parts as County built over 35,000 tractors and 75% were exported, with a lot still in use. Some are being repatriated as demand from collectors grows.
[edit] Crawler Models
- CFT E27N Petrol/paraffin, 1948-51
- CFT E27N Perkins P6, 1948-51
- Major Z , 1951-54
- Major Z MkII, MkIII, MkIV, 1954-59
- Major Ploughman
- Major Ploughman P50,
- Major Ploughman P55
- Major ploughman 6-cyl.
- Refuse Compactor / Dozer
[edit] Tractor Models
This list is in introduction date order as far as possible (discrepancies occur in the dates of some models between sources). This List will be replaced by a table based on the format of {{PML Allchin}}
- Four-Drive - 1954-58
- Hi-Drive - 1958-64
- Super-4 - 1961-65
- Super-4 Sea Horse 1963 (Scrapped)(replica made and valued at £15,000)
- Super-6 1961-65
- 654 - 1964-68
- FC654 -
- 954 - 1965-67
- 854T - 1967-68 Turbo charged Ford engine
- 1004 - 1966-70 100 hp 6 cylinder (replaced the 954)
- FC 1004 - 1967-77
- 1124 - 1967-72
- 1124-Supper six - 1967- ?
- 752 - 1968-75
- 754 - 1968-75
- FC 754 - 1968-75
- 4000-Four - 1968-75
- 1164 - 1971-77
- 944 - 1971-75
- 1254 - 1972-75 - only 6 built
- 1454 - 1972-78
- 764 - 1975-78
- 964 - 1975-78
- 4600-Four - 1975-81
- 6600-Four - 1975-81
- 7600-Four - 1975-81
- 1174 - 1977-79 113 hp replaced by 1184
- 6700-Four - 1978-80
- 7700-Four - 1978-80
- FC1174 - 1978-80
- 774 - 1978-90
- 974 - 1978-90
- 974 LWB -
- 1184 - 1979-90 120 hp (TW10 engine) (upgraded 1987 to TW15 engine), CCC built 394, CT 16, Benson 3?
- 1464 -
- 1474 TW - 1978-87
- 1184 TW - (1983 TW15 base unit)
- 1464 TW
- 1474 TW short nose
- FC 1184 TW
- 1884 TW - 1980-87
- 6610-Four - 1981-83
- 7610-Four - 1981-83
[edit] Non Ford based Models
- International 634
- County built a prototype machine based on a international B 614 skid unit
- The produuction model used the later 634 skid unit
- produced 1969 - 1972
- Pic taken at ayrshire vintage rally 2009
- owner J Hendrie from Galston
[edit] Other machine
- Surrey 6x2 Conversion
- Thames Sussex 6x4 Converted Ford AA trucks 1930
- Model B
- Model 7V
- WOT1 Conversions
- E817T conversions
- Thames Trader
- Ford Transit 4x4 conversions.
- Ford D series 4x4 conversions till 1970's for utility companies
- High clearance sprayers
- Half-Trac tractor conversion
- Tractruk - a Tractor Drive axle mated to a Ford D series truck with a 4-wd front axle and tractor tyres for on/off road use with slurry tanker/sprayer. - One only prototype built before County went into receivership, and believed to still exist.
[edit] UK Preserved Machines
These are very popular as preservation machines due to the rugged looks, and reasonable availability, as a lot have been parked up, as farms got new models. Some models are very rare and prices of A1 restored versions can be very high £20,000 plus. Many serious collectors of Fords are likely to have at least one in their fleet.
- Please add known examples with a serial number to the list below. If only the reg number known please add to the tractors model/type page using the registration number to identify each tractor uniquely.
| Serial No. | Model No. | Reg No. (if known) | Build-Date (if known) | Base machine-Type/Make | Owner (if known) | Photo | Were seen / Featured in | Other info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County no. 7386 | County Full Track MkII | UNG 845 | 1955 | Fordson Major | Paul Wright | 
| Classic Tractor Magazine oct 2004 | Note has no linkage |
| County no. 7642 | County Full Track MkII | - | 1954 | Fordson Major | Gerard Enderby collection |
| Classic Tractor Magazine Oct 2004 | Note has no linkage |
| County no. FD8854 | County Four Drive | LJG 112 | 1956 | Fordson Major | Gerard Enderby collection |
| Classic Tractor Magazine Oct 2004 | A rare model in UK |
| County no. 10303 | County Full Track | UNV 413 | 1959 | Fordson Major | - | 
| Belvoir (FFA Expo 5) | Note has no linkage |
| County no. 10418 ? | Ploughman / Country Full Track | No registration | 1958 | Fordson Major | C.J. Hodgson | 
| Cumbria Steam Gathering 2009 (877) | Restored example (s/n plate not clear) |
| County no. PP10601 | County P50 | - | 1958 | Fordson Power Major | Gerard Enderby collection |
| Classic Tractor Magazine Oct 2004 | Major rebuild |
| County no. 11897 | Country Super 4 | No registration | 1962 | Fordson Super Major | D. Kerrigan | 
| (983) Cumbria Steam Gathering 2009 | Restored example |
| County no. 12714 | County Super-4 | CHN 347B | 1961 | Fordson Super Major | D. Toulson collection | 
| Barnard Castle Steam Fair 2009 | Has creeper box & HD winch |
| County no. 14190 | County Super-6 | - | 196? | Fordson Major | - | 
| Belvoir 09 (FFA) | Note HD linkage and modified drawbar |
| County no. 14242 | County Super-6 | JVS 639 ? | 1963 | Fordson Super Major | ? | _at_Newby_09_-_IMG_2302.jpg)
| Newby 2009 | Industrial with winch |
| County no. 14815 | County Super-4 County Sea Horse | 999 HOR | 196? / 26/02/09 | Fordson Major | Built by MHF (UK) Ltd | _-_IMG_5524.jpg)
| TWS Malvern 2009 | Rebuilt / replica Sea Horse |
| County no. 14891 | County Super-4 | - | 196? | Fordson Major | owner? | 
| Woodcote Rally 2009 | Fitted with winch |
| County no. 15028 | County Super-6 | Not Registered | 1964 | Fordson Major | R. Luther | 
| TWS Malvern 2009 | ex US Airport with snow blade |
| County no. 15429 | County 954 | Not Registered | 1964 | Fordson Major | A. Storr | 
| FFANewby 2009 | Weathered but straight tin work |
| County no. 15618 | Country 654 | No registration | 1965 | Ford 5000 | R. Trott collection | 
| St.Albans Steam Rally 2009 | Restored example |
| County no. 16554 | Country 1124 | NNX 980F | 1967 | Ford 5000 | E. Hill, Hitchin in Herts | 
| St.Albans Steam Rally 2009 | Unrestored with a Duncan Cab |
| County no. 16874 | Country 1004 | No registration | 1965 | Ford 5000 | Adrian Ford (Devon) | _sn_16874_of_1965_at_Belvoir_09_-_IMG_8741.jpg)
| Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009 (701-FFA Expo 5) | Restored example |
| County no. 17776 | County 654 | - | 196? | Ford 5000 | Owner ? | _sn_17776_at_Belvoir_09_-_IMG_9088.jpg)
| At Belvoir Castle 2009 | Misc info |
| County no. 17979 | Country 1004 | KUX 281F | 1967 | Ford 5000 | R. Trott collection | 
| St.Albans Steam rally (117) | Restored example |
| County no. 19066 | County FC 1004 | KJO 343G | 1969 ? | Ford | Gary Burns | 
| In owners Barn | A classic very rare tractor |
| County no. 27124 | County 4000-Four | OEF 177R | 1978 | Ford 4000 | D. Toulson collection | 
| Barnard Castle Steam Fair 2009 | A well worked example |
| County no. 36003 | County 4600-Four | VYC 246R | - | Ford 4600 | - | 
| Belvoir 09 (FFA) | V tidy compact tractor |
| County no. 37339 | County 4600-Four | BTS 686V | 1975 | Ford 4600 | Neil Young | 
| At Springwood Rally 2009 | Fitted with a County/Lambourne cab not the usual Ford Bubble Cab |
| County no. 38144 | County FC 1174 | FSX 48S | 1978 | Ford ? skid unit | Gary Burns | 
| - | Ex Lime spreader, restored by current owner |
| County no. 38381 | County 1454 | WFW 754S | - | Ford 9000 | - | 
| Carrington 2009 | |
| County no. 39976 | County 1174 | No registration | 1979 | Ford 7600/Ford 8700 | Mark Hamond ? (Devon) | 
| Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009 (706-FFA Expo 5) | Well restored example |
| County no. 40729 | County 1474 | - | 1979 | Ford TW-20 | - | 
| At Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009 (FFA Expo 5) | New front 'Bumper' & lights fitted |
| County no. 45863 | County 1474 | JTV 605V | 1980 | Ford TW-20 | Steven Cowle (devon) | 
| At Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009 (675-FFA Expo 5) | Very Clean tractor |
| Tractors with Unknown Serial numbers | ||||||||
| Unknown | County Super-4 | 887 DMJ | 196? | Fordson Super Major | Owner ? | 
| F.Knight open day 2009 | No sn plate - Restored |
| Unknown | County Super-6 | 232 UXR ? | 1963 | Fordson Super Major | R. Mason, Boston | 
| Newby 2009 | No sn plate Restored |
| Unknown | County 754 (super-4) | 840 UXM | 1973 | Ford 5000 | Graham Hollingshead ? | _-_840_UXM_at_Belvoir_09_-_IMG_9086.jpg)
| (659) At Belvoir Castle 2009 | Select-O-Speed model |
| Unknown | County 954 | HSR 113D | 1966 | Ford 5000 | Neil Young | 
| At the National Road Run - Durham 2009 | No s/n plate |
| Unknown | County no. 1004 ? | JJR 723D | ? | Ford 5000 | Owner ? | 
| At Pickering Steam Rally 2009 | no model or s/n details visible |
| Unknown | County 1124 | Q78 DHN | 1970 | Fordson 5000 | A. Storr. | 
| FFA at Newby 2009 | No sn plate |
| Unknown | County 1124 | WUO 701K | Year ? | Ford 5000 | Owner ? | 
| At Pickering Steam Rally 2009 | no s/n plate. Duncan Cab, Assister rams & PUH |
| Unknown | Leyland 4100 | AEC 241S | 1973 | Leyland 2100 | B. Garfoot | 
| TWS Malvern 2009 | Factory built from County supplied axle Kit |
|
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| County no. ? | Model no. | Reg no. | Year | Based on | Owner ? |
| At ? | Misc info |
| Please add any tractor with known serial no. or Registration No. with a Photo if possible. | ||||||||
| Create a page (link) for an individual tractor by linking the reg or Axle serial number using reg number or serial number in the relevant column. Then once saved click the red link to start the new page and add info on that tractor. | ||||||||
[edit] See also
- List of Engine manufacturers
- List of Tractor Manufacturers
- Bray -
- Doe - Articulated tractors
- ERA - Belgium builder of 4-wd tractors
- Ford
- Fordson
- Ford (engines)
- Northrop
- Perkins - Engines
- Roadless - main competitor
- collector related
[edit] Reference
- ↑ Tractor & Machinery Magazine V10-7
- ↑ Classic Tractor Magazine, Feb 2008
- Classic Tractors of the World by Nick Baldwin
- Old Tractor Magazine
- Tractor & Machinery MagazineV12-5 + various
- Ford Tractor Conversions By Stuart Gibbard
[edit] External Links
- Ford & Fordson Association - collectors/owners group for all ford based tractors
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