2026 a big year of planned celebrations for Harry Ferguson's legacy
As we commence 2026, it’s another big year in the story of the modern tractor by Harry Ferguson, Harry Ferguson Ltd., and the company he and Daniel Massey are named in honour of Massey Ferguson. Some of the key milestones to be celebrated in 2026 includes:
The centenary of the granting of the Ferguson Master Patent, 14th June, 1926, the invention of the modern tractor that was first applied for on the 12th February, 1925.
95 years since Harry Ferguson took the momentous decision to commenced work in the building of the world’s first Ferguson System tractor using ideas as first mentioned in the Ferguson Master Patent. Known as the Ferguson Belfast Black Prototype tractor it would be assembled in Belfast with work commencing in February, 1931.
90 years since the introduction of the first production Ferguson System tractor the Ferguson-Brown Type A in 1936. It was based closely on the Ferguson Belfast Black Prototype tractor that was perfected in County Tyrone in the autumn of 1935.
80 years of the first mass produced British built Ferguson tractor the Ferguson TE20 in 1946 that was designed in Northern Ireland and based closely on the world’s first mass produced Ferguson System tractor the Ford-Ferguson.
70 years since the half millionth Ferguson TE20 was built, the only British built tractor to ever achieve over half a million sales.
70 years of the first Ferguson FE35 in 1956, the first Ferguson tractor that Harry Ferguson did not have a direct involvement in.
50 years of the first Massey Ferguson 500 series tractor in 1976.
40 years of the first Massey Ferguson 300 and 3000 series tractors in 1986.
And a number of other anniversaries linked to Harry Ferguson his tractors and 4wd systems for cars.
As part of the celebrations I have written to Massey Ferguson suggesting they bring Ferguson-Brown Type A serial number 1 that spent it working life in County Tyrone, (Thomas MacGregor Greer's tractor, the man who financed the Ferguson System and on whose land it was perfected in 1935). Ferguson TE20 number 1 and Ferguson FE35 number 1 all to Northern Ireland for a special display. Special anniversaries like those taking place this year are another reason for a Harry Ferguson Museum of Innovation to honour Harry Ferguson's great legacy and showcase all the other innovators and achievers from Northern Ireland.
Stevan Patterson, Castlederg, Co. Tyrone