Machinery News
Bristol Sale Review 2008
Another Bristol Machinery Sale was held on 30th April and despite the monsoon like weather conditions leading up to the auction, not a drop touched the ground at Washingpool Farm on the sale day despite a very inclement forecast.
Another Bristol Machinery Sale was held on 30th April and despite the monsoon like weather conditions leading up to the auction, not a drop touched the ground at Washingpool Farm on the sale day despite a very inclement forecast.
Overall a slightly smaller entry of 100 tractors together with a comprehensive range of cultivation equipment drew a multi national crowd who were no doubt taking advantage of the Euro exchange rate. Many familiar faces from previous Bristol sales in addition to our Cambridge sales were in attendance and it was particularly pleasing to register many new buyers from both the UK and beyond.
Firstly tractors: A very healthy 60% of the tractors sold with many of them destined for overseas use and many of them exceeding the reserves placed on them. Top price of £20,500 was paid for a 2001 John Deere 6910 TLS by a regular German buyer. Other notable prices include £14,300 for a 2001 MF 6290 showing 6400 hours and £10,900 for a 1993 MF 390T, almost £2000 over reserve. At the cheaper end, an original MF 135 met with enthusiastic bidding to top £3150, a Ford 3000 was sold for £2400 and a sad example of the diminutive TE20 reached £400, sold to a vintage restorer no doubt hoping to return it to its former glory. On the negative side, it was particularly disappointing than a number albeit a small number of late model tractors failed to arrive despite being booked into the sale and featuring in the sales catalogue. Not only does it make a mockery of the catalogue but it’s extremely frustrating and annoying to purchasers who in many cases have travelled considerable distances in the expectation of buying such machines.
On the construction side, the select line up sold well. Telescopic forklifts met with demand with the top price of £15,600 achieved for a 2001 John Deere 3400 and most of the mini excavators sold to UK based buyers.
Cultivation and haymaking machinery as ever at Bristol flew and over 70% of the lots sold. With silage/ haymaking just a few weeks away it was no surprise the tedders, mowers etc met with competitive bidding and very few unsold lots remained. It’s quite noticeable that since the first sale at Bristol in March 2006, machinery trade has always been excellent and we really could do with more quality entries to satisfy the increasing number of buyers attending.
Next sale is on Wednesday 24th September and entries are welcome for this sale. Please contact the Cambridge Machinery Sale office for entry details.
Bristol Vintage Sale - 8th March
Again, the gales and rain failed to deter the crowd of eager bidders at this annual event and proceedings got underway with the 100 plus lots of literature with some Massey Ferguson brochures leading the way at £130, The bygones section saw a fine “Super Shell” glass petrol pump globe take £190 whilst a pair of Lucas oil lamps achieved £240. A Perkins engine liner puller made a whopping £420 proving that those old workshops can still contain gold.
The stationary engine selection saw a Fairbanks & Morse 6HP model knocked down for £420 whilst the motorcycle section saw a nice 1986 250cc Fantic trials machine sell at £680 and a BSA C15 in need of TLC found a new home at £550.
Outside in the elements the tractors were preceded by the implement section before getting underway with Marshalls leading the pack. A Series 1 Field Marshall contractors model made a sound £15,200 whilst a nicely original Series 111A was sold for £9,000. A P6 powered Fordson E27N Major was the subject of strong bidding eventually selling at £7,200 and a 1983 Trantor Mk11 saw an eventual winning bid of £6,800. Overall a very satisfactory sale with a growing following, Cheffins look forward to our next vintage sale next March.
Finally, we are very pleased to announce that to ensure the long term future of both the modern and vintage auctions, we have agreed with the owner of the Bristol Sales Centre, the long term use of the site for our sales. We are delighted as not only do we firmly believe both sales will further establish themselves as key sales in the area, but the location and considerable facilities at Washingpool Farm are unrivalled which makes the Bristol Sales Centre without doubt, the best sale venue in the South West.