Descent into history

Massey Ferguson has marked the 60th anniversary of the TE20 tractor by re-enacting a famous “stunt” involving driving a tractor down a staircase at Claridge’s Hotel in London.

The staircase descent was first made by the inventor and engineer Harry Ferguson during an event staged during the 1940s to launch the TE20 tractor onto world markets.

The event was recreated at Claridge’s last week (Friday, 12 May) on behalf of Ferguson’s tractor enthusiast association, Friends of Ferguson Heritage.

This time the driver was Tim Joiner, the Lord Mayor of Westminster.

“As 2006 marks the 60th anniversary of the production of the first Ferguson TE20 tractor in the UK, it seemed appropriate to celebrate the even by re-creating Harry Ferguson’s famous staircase descent,” said Councillor Joiner.

The last Ferguson TE20 tractor was produced in 1956.