Nuffield Tractors (part 4)

Whilst Matthew is dealing with the starter motor, I had just refitted the black battery box.

The radiator is now firmly back in place

Note the attention to detail, brass nuts for the manifold. Most fixings are replaced as neccessary and are obtained by Spa Fasteners, Leamington Spa.

Yes you might be thinking that I am sitting on the job. I had just spent several minutes under the back axle clearing paint from threaded fixing apertures.

The newly painted fuel tank is now in place. Somewhat dented, but some are there for a reason, headlamp recesses. You may be thinking, why is the fuel tank before the radiator. This was a typical British design, and yes they did tend to over heat.

This tractor was factory fitted with a dynamo, but the previous owner installed a alternator, so a brand new alternator has been refitted.

Me refitting the radiator frame to tank support bracket.

Now this was a complete bastard to refit. The rear draw bar assembly. It was a two man job, but now successfully in place.

Nuffield Tractors (part 3)

On Saturday 23rd March, Matthew Bisp arranged for us to start work re-assembling the Nuffield 3/45. It was the coldest March in many years and the unheated workshop was not very inviting. In fact the next two weeks were cold, but then we has a slow but gradual improvement in the weather.

It was indeed a bleak winters day at Ham Green.

Matthew Bisp (19) working on the front of the engine, assembling the fan etc. Notice the tractor is now on its two front wheels after 7 long years on axle stands.

 

The fan now in place, also the radiator frame, drag link from the steering box, plus the repaired manifold.

Nuffield Tractors (part 2)

The Nuffield 3/45 was completely stripped, cleaned down, engine removed for cleaning purposes prior to a coat of red oxide primer was applied.

Then the tractor project died and remained dormant for 6 years or more! There were many reasons for this, plus the cost and loss of interest.

However, it was decided to re-clean the tractor before a grey undercoat primer was applied then the final application of Nuffield 'Poppy Orange'.

The project went quiet again for some time before Matthew Bisp presented me with the enthusiasm to re start the reassembly.

The tractor is currently at a small holding at Ham Green, near Redditch and will remain there until she can be moved on all four tyres and under her own power.

Here you see her in her newly painted top coat.

Nuffield Tractors (part 1)

It is time to open up the blog again and bring everybody up to date with the 'going's on' of the blog's author.

Several year ago, I purchased my second tractor, a Nuffield 3/45. I wanted the challenge and opportunity to restore a Nuffield product and like many people, it it good to find something perhaps a little on the rare side.

The example published with this blog is not my tractor, but a fine example of what it will look like when the project is complete.

I was offered a Nuffield 3/45 and when I established that production volumes were low, there was a possibility that there may not be too many remaining

These Nuffield tractors were designed and manufactured at BMC's Bathgate factory in Scotland between 1967 and 1969 then British Leyland discontinued the Popy Orange tractors for the new Leyland models.

The 3/45 model was not at all popuilar with the farming community for a number of reasons, so a larger 4/65 was introduced. 

The specification of the Nuffield 3/45:

2.8 litre BMC 3 Cylinder Diesel Engine

45 hp

10 speed gearbox

The 'skid units' of these tractors were also used by JCB for some smaller diggers etc.

My tractor was purchased some 7 or 8 years ago, striped down and left. 

The story continues...................