AGCO Corporation proudly celebrates the 175th anniversary of its Massey Ferguson brand. As the first company to sell agricultural products on a global scale, Massey Ferguson has provided mechanized solutions for generations of farmers.
The brand celebrates this milestone anniversary with a renewed dedication to farmer-focused innovation, embodied by the Massey Ferguson 8S Series tractor and the rest of the MF S Series lineup.
“For 175 years, the farmer has been at the heart of everything we do,” said Darren Parker, vice president of Massey Ferguson North America. “We have always been agricultural problem solvers, dedicated to providing the right equipment, at the right price, for individual farming operations. Our equipment is born to farm delivering new ag advancements every decade and offering the sustainability and performance farmers need not just for today, but for the next hundred years.”
A legacy of innovation
From industry first to industry staples, like Harry Ferguson’s historic 3-point implement hitch system over the past 175 years, Massey Ferguson has embraced innovation to produce dependable, economic farming implements for a wide range of applications and environments. It is a story of ingenuity, grit and an understanding of serving farmers. When Daniel Massey recognized the benefit of industrially manufactured implements and established Massey Manufacturing Co. in Ontario, Canada, in 1847, he began a legacy of farmer-focused innovation that carries through to the current equipment lineup. The MF product line began with some of the first mechanical threshers, and took a leading role with:
- The first mass-produced, self-propelled combines and combine harvesters
- Some of the first four-wheel-drive tractors
- First electronic hitch control systems
- And much more
However, it was Harry Ferguson’s TE 20, released in 1946, that truly embodies the spirit of Daniel Massey’s original company. This light, reasonably priced tractor could replace machines one and a half times its size, increasing productivity, versatility and ease of use. As part of the newly created Massey Ferguson brand, Harry Ferguson helped usher in a new generation of straightforward, dependable design. Today, engineers continue to increase performance, productivity and comfort with revolutionary equipment releases in HHP, CUE, material handling, hay and forage, planters and more.
Dependable farmer experience
Throughout the 175-year history, Massey Ferguson has made strategic acquisitions and investments to meet the needs of a dynamic industry. They have always focused on providing the right equipment at the right cost for the region and application by leveraging the best components of our portfolio to benefit customers. These investments include:
- Partnership with “Sunshine” stripper harvester, which substantially improved productivity
- Acquisition of Wallis Tractor, featuring the U-frame, which brought us closer to self-supporting frames.
- Partnership with Perkins Engines, builders of sustainable engines at the time.
- Acquisition of Landini, the Italian manufacturer of the first track-type tractor.
In 1994 Massey Ferguson joined the AGCO Corporation brand portfolio. This partnership allowed the brand to combine resources across the family of AGCO brands to provide dependable equipment for Massey Ferguson customers across the globe. Additionally, it provides access to services, including AGCO’s Genuine Care and AGCO Protection. Farmers can focus on the field, not equipment maintenance, confident their assets are protected by the financial strengths of a global brand.
Straightforward equipment solutions
Over the decades, Massey Ferguson has continued to grow by providing solutions to increase productivity, dependability and agricultural sustainability. The MF 8S Series is the culmination of 175 years of progress.
As North American agriculture changes to meet more stringent health and safety guidelines, operator comfort has become a key focus. The Protect-U design puts a 9.4-inch gap between the engine and the cab. This results in less noise — just 68 dBa — and less vibration. A streamlined hood design and all-in-one aftertreatment system paired with a 360-degree view, offer improved visibility in all operations. The MF 8S Series leverages selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to provide 40% less emissions from previous stages and fuel savings at lower engine revs, all while delivering a straightforward compliance that doesn’t lead to downtime. Additionally, technology, like the Datatronic 5 terminal and smart farming systems, allows farmers to maximize productivity while minimizing their carbon footprint.
“We are proud to celebrate 175 years of serving the global agricultural community,” Parker said. “It’s a fantastic milestone. We appreciate the support and loyalty of generations of Massey Ferguson customers as well as those who are discovering the benefits of our straightforward, dependable approach to design with our newest models. From rural lifestyle to production ag, our equipment is built for those who are born to farm.”
