New Years Day Road Run

Photographs courtesy of Matt Bisp.

Some 63 vintage tractors, with a smidgen of vintage commercials and military braved the cold new years morning.

Leaving S.E. Davis at 10.45am, Paul Davis headed the parade and we all filed out of the yard into the lanes of Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Our refreshment stop was at the Moat House, Coughton, Nr Alcester courtesy of Mr David Bailey our host who did us proud. Together with his staff managed to cope very well with the influx of drivers and visitors. The hospitality and food was excellent and very welcome. Well done David and staff.

However, the day was not without incident. Due to the icy conditions, my tractor slid on the beaver tail of my lorry and almost missed the ramps. Paul Davis very kindly guided me off, just! Not quite reaching the ground, the tractor slipped off the ramps and eventually the front axle and wheels came crashing down. No harm done. Well perhaps there was, because on my return journey to S.E. Davis to reload up, I lost a part of my tractor on the road. Jon Boyce was fortunately following and witnessed the part falling on the road. It was the front axle support pin flange. However it is doubtful whether we could have seen any damage from the drop because this part of the assembly is hidden behind the front nose. The only way to reveal the damage and effect a repair is to remove the nose assembly and assess fully the damage. The tractor remains in my garage until the assessment is made.