A Unique UK Tractor Restoration

A Unique UK Tractor Restoration Bill Bennett had a flair for repairing farm machinery when he started a U.K. business from the back of his van in 1969. Determined to build a strong foundation beyond repairs, he began selling Zetor tractors and, in 1973, became the first U.K. distributor for Fendt. He maintained that relationship until 1991. Bennett imported the first three Fendt tractors to the U.K., a Farmer 104S, a Farmer 106S and a Favorit 611S. To celebrate their Fendt relationship, Bill and his son Stuart, who now runs the operation, located the original Farmer 104S and restored it to “factory-new” condition. Bill Bennett recalls selling two of the first three Fendts to Andrew Bennett, who, along with his brother, ran a 550-acre beef-and-dairy operation. He’d taken the brothers to Fendt’s German plant, where they were impressed by the engineering and manufacturing. Andrew Bennett says the 104S performed well on their farm for nearly 40 years until he sold it to a collector in 2011 who wanted to restore it. That didn’t happen, and the dismantled tractor was unfortunately piled outside on pallets.  In 2023, Stuart Bennett located the 50-year-old 104S in a farmer’s yard just a few miles from where it had spent its working life. Bill Bennett and Mike Jones, a mechanic who had worked with him in the early days of his dealership, said the heap of parts was like a giant jigsaw puzzle. They quickly learned that several parts were missing, others were broken, and everything was rusted and weather-worn. Bennett and Jones worked through the project, relying on their memory of working on older Fendts and a few parts manuals the company still had on hand. They rebuilt the engine with new pistons, liners and bearings and started it for the first time in mid-December 2023. To aid in restoration, they found a suitable 104S on a German marketplace. They reassembled the original tractor frame and used several smaller parts and bodywork from the donor tractor. The gearbox, final drives, hydraulics and brakes were all rebuilt. Bennett rebuilt the original dynamo, and Jones created a new wiring harness and electrical system. The injection pump was refurbished by an outside supplier. Once the assembly was complete, they sent the tractor to a painting and refinishing specialist. An exquisitely upholstered, period-correct Grammer DS 50 leather seat was sourced from a German company.  Because of the tractor’s significance to their business, the Bennetts and Mike Jones say the restoration was worth all the time and effort it took. They note that the only “original” part missing is an elusive toolbox. With this project complete, they’re now working on a recently acquired Fendt Farmer 307. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bill Bennett Engineering, Horton, Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, U.K. BS37 6QH (www.bennett-group.co.uk).

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