Ninety years ago today Harry Ferguson reorganised his company in preparation for tractor production
Today the 2nd December, 2025 marks the ninetieth anniversary of the reorganisation of Harry Ferguson Motors Belfast and the creation of Harry Ferguson Ltd., in England to market and sell the world’s first Ferguson System tractor.
Also on the 2nd December, 1935 the formal agreement took effect between Harry Ferguson and David Brown that enabled the start of production of the first Ferguson tractor incorporating ideas first envisioned ten years previously in the Ferguson Master Patent of 1925. David Brown established a new company called David Brown Tractors Ltd., to manufacture the tractor.
After over twenty years of research and development by Harry Ferguson and with these ideas perfected as a working Ferguson System incorporated in the Ferguson Belfast Black Prototype tractor by autumn of 1935, the long search of getting a company to manufacture his tractor was finally over, with the formal agreement taking effect on this historic day ninety years ago. It must have been a very proud moment for Harry Ferguson, his engineers and his fincial backers.
After final testing at County Tyrone of the Ferguson Belfast Black Prototype tractor, it was shipped to Huddersfield, England so that it could be used as the basis for the first production Ferguson tractor in the David Brown factory.
Harry Ferguson wanted to call the new tractor the Ferguson Type TU (Tractor Ulster) but in the end it was decided to call the tractor the Type A for Advanced and the first of a revolutionary new agricultural tractor series. It was also agreed to a change of colour from black used for the prototype to battleship grey for the Ferguson Type A.
The world’s first production Ferguson System tractor which today is generally known as the Ferguson-Brown Type A would be assembled in March, 1936 and one of its first demonstrations was to past Prime Minister Lloyd George on his estate in April, 1936.
The Ferguson-Brown Type A’s launch was announced in local papers on the 10th April, 1936. Priced at £224 Pounds, it was available with initially four Ferguson System implements: 10 inch two furrow plough, 7 tine tiller with Ferguson patented spring loaded back-break tines, 3 row ridger and 9 tine general purpose cultivator all of which cost £26 Pounds each.
The first Ferguson-Brown Type A serial number 1 and plough after being used for demonstrations was given to Thomas MacGregor Greer as part of an understanding between him and Harry Ferguson. This meant that County Tyrone were the Ferguson System was perfected ninety years ago in 1935 would also be home to the world’s first Ferguson System tractor and plough.
Stevan Patterson, Co. Tyrone.