Massey Ferguson tractors overseas

[ovrszd]

I was digging thru some pictures this morning and stumbled onto these. Thought you Massey guys might enjoy them.


First picture is of a Massey Model 240 if I remember right. It was in Kwost Afghanistan. Not sure you can spot it, but notice it has a vertical exhaust. On the exhaust pipe is clamped a rear view mirror. All of the tractors I saw there in urban areas had that "option".








This one was in downtown Kabul Afghanistan. Looks like it serves a dual purpose. Pretty common to see this too. Usually a board bolted across the rear fenders and used as a seat for passengers. Another Massey, but I don't remember model. Was too busy to look as we went by.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's an old open station Massey combine cutting wheat. This is East of Baghdad Iraq about 15 minutes by Blackhawk.






This is a typical farmstead in that area. They seem to have some money compared to the farmers farther out in the Desert. There's a clear indicator of that in the first picture can you spot it?? Alot of variety in the crops here including Date Orchards, etc.

 

[ovrszd]

These pictures were taken in Northen Iraq on a flight from Tikrit to Mosul. We travelled in Blackhawks, usually about 150ft elevation, hauling butt to minimize getting shot at. This first one is also a Massey, but again don't know model.






Another farmstead, again in Northern Iraq. Also a picture of some of his crops. Not sure what the yellow bloomed crop is??









Can you spot his Combine??

 

[ovrszd]

Pretty rare to see one of these operational. An irrigator.

 

[ovrszd]

This time of year it's common to see shepard's way out in the desert grazing their herds. Tryin to get what grass is there before the heat cooks it. We tried to avoid them if possible. Scares the Heck outta their herds. They really didn't appreciate that.

 

[ovrszd]

This was my travel gear, plus a Kevlar of course. Spent a year living out of that backpack. Was First Sergeant of a Postal Company scattered all over Iraq and Afghanistan. Flew on 63 Blackhawk flights, 17 Chinook flights, 12 C-130 flights and 5 C-17 flights that year. Rarely woke up in the same camp more than two mornings in a row. What an adventure. Wouldn't have missed it for nothing.





Here's another Massey plowing. They do it Kansas style!!!






Farmstead

 

[ovrszd]

In Northern Iraq I saw several of these small villages wayyyy out in the middle of nowhere. Usually see a lot of goat/sheep herds and small truck patch farming going on around them.

 

[ovrszd]

We were in a trade embargo freeze with Iraq since 1990. Not sure how that many Massey tractors slipped past that. Especially that 240, wouldn't it be newer than 1990??? I never saw any other brand of tractor there. I believe that second combine I pictured was a John Deere but can't swear to that. Go Massey!!!

 

[mikehaugen]

Awesome pics!

I can only wish to see the things you've seen. One of my biggest regrets in life is not being in the armed forces when I was younger.

 

[Pharm]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting and thanks for your service.