Massey Ferguson is one of the main sponsors of an expedition to reach the South Pole in 2014 using modern tractors.

This will emulate the achievement of Sir Edmund Hillary, who completed the first journey and reached the South Pole using three Ferguson tractors in 1958. The plan is for three modern MF 5600 tractors to reach the South Pole 56 years after Sir Edmund Hillary’s achievement. The lead driver is Dutch explorer Manon Ossevoort, known as Tractor Girl.

In the original 1955-1958 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, a fleet of seven Ferguson TE-20s were used. Four had petrol engines and three were diesel models.

Some were supplied as half-tracks with steerable front skis. However, others were fitted with an extra wheel on each side and full tracks.

In both cases the track kits were easily removable and in easier conditions the tractors were used on standard wheels and tyres. A canvas cabin was added for windproofing.

Other than this, the tractors were totally standard – two were even fitted with a standard farmyard hydraulic front-loader for loading and unloading supplies.

Reports were sent at regular intervals to the Ferguson company and these show the tractors to have been reliable and effective. They were capable of climbing a 1-in-7 slope of hard polished ice, as well as operating in conditions of -23C.