Field Marshall

Field-Marshall was a brand of farm tractor which was manufactured by Marshall, Sons & Co. of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom.

However, after the war, in 1945, Marshall's of Gainsborough introduced the improved diesel-powered tractor they had developed as the "Field-Marshall".

[1] The Field-Marshall and its Track Marshall tracked stable-mate (Marshall-engined Fowler VF and VFA), were distinctive because of the use of a single-cylinder two-stroke diesel engine (of about 6-litre capacity) coupled to a very large flywheel, whereas tractors such as the Fordson N used a multi-cylinder engine.

To start the Marshall a smouldering piece of special paper, containing saltpetre, is inserted into the cylinder head by means of the special screw-in holder in the cylinder head (this smouldering paper acts as a glow plug).

[2] Depending on the condition of individual tractors, it may need considerable physical exertion to start a Marshall.

A shotgun type blank cartridge is loaded into a breech on the engine's intake system.

Later versions of the Field-Marshall had more sophisticated starting systems available; electric starters were optional on the Series 3As.

The first were designated the "Fowler VF", later ones being "VFA"s. Later the two firms would be drawn together and a large number of complicated take-overs by such firms as British Leyland led to the wheeled tractor concern being owned by Bentall Simplex in the early 80s.

In the 1970s about 700 "Track Marshall" tractors were imported into Australia and fitted with dozer blades.