This lightweight rowcrop model was probably the first prototype tractor to be built by Turner as it is fitted with a 2V95 engine which was the first engine they developed. After completion it was used to carry out field trials on a farm in the West Midlands but did not go into production. This is the only 2V95 known to be built and still survives today.
TRACTORS
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Tractor Survivors
Turner Engine and Tractor development
The four stroke diesel engines designed and produced by Turner Manufacturing Company Limited (TMC) of Wolverhampton, England were designated the "95" series normally referred to as the V95 series
The first variant of the engine was a vee twin known as the 2V95.
This was followed by an upright single cylinder known as the 1V95.
The third variant was a four cylinder in vee formation known as the 4V95.
The initial designs for the engine were conceived during WW2 and is attributed to Malcolm J. Robson who was employed by Turners during that period. The engines were marketed in 1946 and were part of the Company's plan to make up for the loss of their aircraft undercarriage related business and the major reduction in the number of military recovery winches needed. The date for the introduction of the 4V95 is not clear but there are brochures dated September 1948 for it as an industrial engine. The engine for the Turner tractor is a version of the 4V95, it has the same 68 degree V4 configuration but the injector pumps were moved within the Vee so that the length of the engine could be reduced. The tractors were first marketed as the Turner "Yeoman of England" MK2 at the Shrewsbury Royal Show in July 1949. Prior to that time a number of prototype tractors were built and tested and they were treated as the MK1's.
One prototype was a lightweight rowcrop model with a 2V95 engine that carried out farm trials after completion and still survives today.
The other prototypes built at that time were standard four wheel units with the 4V95 engine fitted. Again the tractors were subjected to field tests resulting in a number of modifications being carried out. It is said that the engine in the first prototype tractor was made up of two 2V95 crankcases bolted together with a special built crankshaft. This may account for the Industrial version of the 4V95 being longer than the engine eventually used in the tractor.
At the time it was thought that a 40HP tractor was what the market needed so the lightweight model was dropped and development concentrated on the 4V95 which had a power output of about 36HP. It was at this stage that Freeman Sanders got involved with Turner's and he was responsible for re-designing the combustion chamber detail of the engine to obtain the 40HP required. Tractor chassis up to serial number 900 carry a brass plate on the rocker covers stating that patent royalty payments had been made to Freeman Sanders.
An early 4V95 prototype model.
A later 4V95 prototype, it is fitted with a Turner 3 furrow plough and is seen carrying out field tests.
The original MK2 production tractor was upgraded to the MK2A with the introduction of a larger radiator, pressed steel front cowl and grill instead of the cast aluminium one, redesigned front axle pivot pin and the paper air filter under the bonnet was replaced with an external oil bath unit. It became the MK2B when the design of the governor mechanism on the engine was changed and was totally enclosed. Major design changes to the engine, including re-designed combustion chambers and wet liners saw the introduction of the MK3. This meant that they did not have to pay royalties to Freeman Sanders and the royalty plate was deleted from the rocker covers.
The series one 4V95 industrial engines were still produced after the introduction of the tractor engine and some were fitted in the early Loyd crawlers and some for re-powering Marshal wartime utility rollers, examples of which survive today.
P4 prototype.
After the MK3 had been in production for some time (exact date not known) a major upgrade was planned and a prototype built. The 4V95 engine was replaced with a Perkins L4 engine and the front axle, steering and rear axle were changed. As well as being a replacement for the MK3 it was intended to supply it in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) form to Argentina. CKD was where the tractor was supplied as a kit of major components and associated parts in a crate (everything except fluids and tyres) to be assembled elsewhere. The tractor was called the P4 Prototype and sometimes referred to as the Argentinian Project. Only one was built before the project was abandoned and it still survives today.
TURNER P4 PROTOTYPE
Information compiled and supplied by Larry Hopkins
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