Although the two smallest models of the line-up, the 6700 and 7700, were sold alongside the 6600 and 7600 ‘600 Series’ machines, the 8700 and 9700 superseded the American styled 8600 and 9600 tractors respectively.

The other tractors in ‘600 Series’ range included the 2600, 3600, 4100, 4600, 5600, 6600 and 7600.

The four new ‘700 Series’ tractors were attractively styled with an imposing, slanted wraparound front grille, flanked on either side by two small round headlights. A tall air filter pre-cleaner was located at the end of the bonnet while the tractors were fitted with deluxe Q-cabs as standard.

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The tractors’ Q-cabs cabs had tinted glass, sound insulation, a radio, air-conditioning and a flat-floor. All hydraulic and pto controls were located on the driver’s right-hand side, as were the gear levers, while the main dash featured a new instrument panel.

The ‘700 Series’ tractors were fitted with ‘Dual Power’ as standard, which doubled the number of available gears to 16 forward and four reverse speeds. The tractors also had hydrostatic steering and modified front axles that provided greater ground clearance.

Although the 6700 and 7700 machines were mechanically similar to their 6600 and 7600 siblings, they were significantly more expensive and sold in relatively modest volumes.

The 8700 and 9700 tractors were also almost identical to the 8600 and 9600 models they replaced from a mechanical perspective. However, improvements were made to their predecessors’ six-cylinder engines which now had cross-flow cylinder heads and modified fuel injection systems, resulting in power plants that ran smoother, cleaner and more efficiently. The power output of tractors also increased marginally, with the 8700 and 9700 models rated at 128hp and 153 hp respectively.

The 8700 and 9700 were the first Ford tractors with an optional factory fitted four-wheel drive system known as ‘Front Wheel Assist’. A ZP axle was used which took its drive from each tractor’s rear axle. Conversion companies such as County, Roadless and Muir-Hill had previously produced four-wheel drive systems for Ford tractors.

The Ford 8100 was added to the ‘700 Series’ line-up in 1978. This model was fitted with a 6700 back-end and was manufactured by County Commercial Cars Limited.

County also developed the 8100’s successor, the 8200, which was unveiled at the Royal Smithfield Show 1980. The 8200 was powered by a 115hp diesel engine and had a 7700 back-end and four-wheel drive, as standard.

The Ford 8700 and 9700 were superseded by the TW-10 and TW-20 models in 1979, while the 6700, 7700 and 8200 were replaced by the 6710, 7710 and 8210 tractors respectively when the ‘Series 10’ range was introduced in 1981.

*robertkierans@hotmail.com