40 RUSSELLS OCT / NOV 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
Russells introduced it ’ s popular and versatile Duo- Level elevator in the fifties . Designed for both industrial and agricultural applications the Duo-Level elevator would remain in production until 1970 .
Russells Master Tiller range of spring tine harrows date from the mid-sixties . They were designed for both home and export markets and were available with several different depth wheel assemblies .
Russells replaced its long serving Duo-Level elevator with the Model 70 in 1970 . Powered by a 3hp engine the Model 70 was joined by the 75 , 80 and 90 a year later .
Another exciting product to be launched by Russells in the early fifties was a lightweight self-propelled root cutter designed for upland sheep farmers . A Petter engine was used to provide motive power and the root cutter ’ s drive . Available with steel or pneumatic rubber drive wheels prices started from £ 99 from 1951 .
During the fifties Russells also began manufacturing a greater range of products for export markets this included cotton planters designed for use with David Brown tractors . The planters were demonstrated successfully in South America although it remains unclear how many were sold . A simple range of two , three , and four furrow disc ploughs , spring tine cultivators , and hoes were also introduced for export to South America and Africa at this time too .
The dawning of the sixties led to a major transition of personal within the company . By this time George Russell ’ s son John had taken on a far more prominent director ’ s role having previously spent time working for David Brown tractors . He would become Managing
Russells designed this selfpropelled root cutter especially for upland sheep farmers . Drive for wheels and cutter was provided by a small Petter engine .
Tractor mounted steerage hoes were developed and manufactured by Russells over several decades and available in many different configurations to suit specific tasks . This example dates from the 1950s .
Director of Russells on April 1st 1970 following the retirement of his father at the end of March that year .
Talented engineer Roy Silverwood who served in the RAF during the second world war became Russells technical director and head designer . He was joined around the same time by Roy Watson as the company ’ s new sales director .
Whilst the British built Allis-Chalmers ED40 tractor was sold by Russells during this period alongside Nuffield tractors , the company became most well known for selling David Brown tractors such as the popular 55hp 990 . Other notable machinery franchises sold by Russells during the sixties included Catchpole sugar beet harvesting equipment .
In the mid-sixties sixties Russells were also involved in a joint project with Howard
Russells joined forces with machinery manufacturer Howard in the sixties to develop the Rotaseeder . Russells provided the 15 coulter seeder unit that was attached to a 70 inch or 80-inch Howard Rotavator .
who manufactured their famous Rotavator and Rotaspreader to develop a new type of direct drill following ICI ’ s introduction of the herbicide Gramoxone in 1962 .
Originally christened the Plantavator when it was first trialled production versions launched in 1966 were known as the Rotaseeder . The Rotaseeder comprised of a 70- or 80-inch Howard Rotavator matched to a 15 coulter seeder unit developed and manufactured by Russells . Prices for a basic 70-inch version started at £ 180 .
In 1970 Russells replaced their Duo- Level elevator with first of a numbered range of elevators beginning appropriately with the Model 70 . This was powered by a 3hp engine and could lift sacks , bales and boxes to a maximum height of 17ft . A year later the heavier duty 75 , 80 , 90 were also introduced .
Russells made hand operated equipment like this push drill seen here being demonstrated to the press by sales director Roy Watson up until the late sixties .
Russells specialised in the development and manufacture of precision drills for root crops such as sugar beet , as well as peas and broad beans . This example dates from the late 60s .
Russells top of the range 90 elevator launched in 1971 was designed especially for the fast transfer of potatoes from field to store .
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