Ransomes 902 combine

[Lazy Sod]

I couldn't say, almost all of the combines around here were MFs.

 

[Exfarmer]

In my experience, the Ransomes machines, like the 901, were in competition with the MF 780. They were all comparitivly small machines. It all changed with the MF 500. I first saw one in 1962. It cut 33 acres of spring barley on the first day. The driver was most impressed. It went along the side of some downland and we had good view of the stripes!

I think Massey continued making the 788 and the 35 for several years after the introduction of the 4 and 500. certainly the 35 , and then they bought in rebadged Austrian machines but I cannot remember the maker or numbers. These were then sold as their small machines which had become very dated

 

[Lazy Sod]

My last MF was a 788 bought new in 1967. It was priced at a good discount as production had come to an end.

 

[oakleaf]

The first combine I drove was a 788 and I am fairly certain it was a 1968. It was F reg anyway and the farmer told me it was heavily discounted and one of the last off the line models and was substantially cheaper than the smallest 400 series.
His neighbour had a Ransomes 901 and as far as I could see they were very very similar
(in output terms. No idea about reliability as I was only there one year).
We each had one major breakdown that harvest.
Sadly no pics of the Ransomes.