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Lauriston farmer Anthony Hampton describes his penchant for collecting and restoring Massey Harris tractors as “a disease with no known cure.”
Hampton began collecting Massey Harris tractors after spotting a neglected tractor in the paddock of a farmer who had just built a new home.
“I said you’ve got really nice stables and a nice house, and in between, you’ve got this old piece of junk laying in the paddock.”
The farmer told Hampton if he was that worried about it, he could take it away himself.
After a week of mulling it over, Hampton took the farmer up on his offer and collected the tractor.
Forty years and countless tractor restorations later, Hampton is the proud owner of an example of every model tractor Massey Harris released in New Zealand.
And a few more.
Massey Harris tractors were manufactured in Racine in the United States, with the company founded in 1847 by Daniel Massey in Canada as an agricultural implement business.
In 1891, Massey merged his business with competitor Alanson Harris to form Massey Harris.
The first Massey Harris tractors were produced in 1918.
In 1950, Massey Harris tractors sold well compared to counterparts such as Case but lagged behind John Deere, their major competitor.
While known for their self-propelled combines, Massey Harris tractors had a reputation for being robust but lacking in power and features.
In 1953, Massey Harris bought out tractor manufacturer Harry Ferguson’s company in an effort to improve their performance.
It wasn’t until 1958 that the name Massey Ferguson was rolled out.
By the 1960s, Massey Ferguson claimed to be the biggest tractor manufacturer in the world.
While Hampton uses modern Massey Fergusons on his cropping farm, it’s Massey Harris tractors that fill every spare bit of shed space on his property.
Hampton’s large farm shed is so full of Massey Harris tractors it’s hard to move around.
As well as the main shed where the tractors are stored, other sheds on the property host Massey Harris tractors in various states of repair as they await their turn to be lovingly restored.
“It doesn’t matter how many sheds you have; you never have enough,” Hampton said.
Hampton sources parts from Canada and paints and restores each tractor himself.
When asked how many vintage tractors he owns, Hampton said he lost count long ago.
Hampton is treasurer and member of the Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club, whose display is always a firm favourite at the Ashburton A&P show.
“I like to take them along to A&P shows and rallies, that sort of thing.
“I can’t take the whole lot, but I try and give a different one and outing each time.”
The Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club holds an annual Wheat and Wheels Rally, with the next scheduled for April 6 and 7 on Hampton’s property.
This year’s rally celebrates 100 years of the Farmall tractor, but the event is about much more than farm machinery.
“All makes are welcome, and it’s not just tractors.
“There will be traction engines, classic trucks, cars, motorbikes and anything old.”
The rally will include a bouncy castle for kids, food and craft stalls, a military display, vintage harvesting demonstrations and machinery parades.
“We are getting community organisations involved as well.
“Lauriston School will be running a food tent, Lauriston Fire Brigade will be running a bar, Methven Lions will be doing the gate and the parking and Methven Search and Rescue are going to be the night time security.
“There’s something for everyone,” Hampton said.
By Claire Inkson
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