Tractor tribute to pull in crowd

A FIXTURE of twentieth century farming machinery is set to be celebrated for the second year in a row with the return of the Fergie Fire Up.

Organised by members of the Ballan District Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Club, the event is set to see more than 100 Ferguson tractors and offshoots roll up to the Wallace Recreation Reserve later this month.

Group president David Smith was inspired to start the event last year after attending a similar one in New South Wales and said it’ll be about highlighting the legacy of the ‘Fergie’.

“It’s all about bringing together a collection of Ferguson tractors and Massey Ferguson up to the early 1970s,” he said.

“It’ll be a day out with the tractors that were very good and popular at their time.

“They really revolutionised farming, and we get people from all over the state to bring their Fergie along.”

As well as balancing and driving skill tests, the event will include a group tractor trek which will depart at 12pm and span 50 kilometres.

Mr Smith said the event’s second year will see new additions to the collection.

“We’ve included the Fergie’s first cousin because Ferguson was mixed up with Henry Ford to make the Ford Ferguson,” he said.

“We’re also including the Ferguson Brown build made with David Brown, so we’ll accept that up to the early 70s models.

“People can compare the differences like, for example, Ferguson had his own hydraulic system in the late 40s with the TE-20 and that system is still being used today.

“Last year we got about 100 tractors and we’re expecting more for this year.”

The Fergie Fire Up will run from 9am on Sunday 17 March and entry is $10 while children under 12 are free.