Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > Blizzard Ensilage Cutter
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RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Recently searching for ensilage cutter literature I found these two early fold out brochures and thought they might be of interest, the first one a small two page brochure entitled "From Field to Silo" has some very nice artist impression drawings on the inside showing the M-H Blizzard belted up to a No 2 tractor (or is it a No 1 with open bull gears?) that shows the time period we are looking at on these M-H Blizzard's.

Malcolm.
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RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

The county of Fife in Scotland must of been the area for a local M-H dealer promoting the sales of "Blizzard" ensilage choppers to local farmers.

The one I have owned since 1997 and mentioned earlier in this thread spent its entire working life at Baldastard Farm in Leven Fife.
Last weekend I drove a 680 mile round trip to Colton House Farm in Dunfermline Fife to collect another Blizzard, the old redundant concrete silo which this Blizzard filled for many years was still standing on the farmstead, one of the younger generation family members could remember one of the farms milkmen working inside the silo whilst the Blizzard blew the crop in, he recalled him wearing an old hooded coat whilst forking and trampling the cut grass into the silo, eventually reaching the top.
It was interesting to see and hear all this before extracting the machine from it's long resting place now the place has been sold following the passing of the older generation.
Also of interest there are remains of green paint on both the Blizzard and wooden cart frame, something which I have not seen before on any of the coloured brochures or advertising of the period.

Malcolm.
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RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Well at long last this weekend has seen some renewed enthusiasm to continue the restoration of my first red Blizzard, I know there are a few UK Massey men keen to see this out and running, so its probably that prompting which is just what I needed to get back onto it.

The timber has been waiting for about eight years so I know its well seasoned by now, here is the progress so far.


Malcolm. 
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RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Well done Malcolm. Good start. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Alan

RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Steady progress and the Blizzard truck is ready to roll, got the wheels and front axle supports fitted last night.

Malcolm.
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RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Malcolm,

Looking v good!  I have printed off a copy and will take it along to the North Wales MH engineer who did the axles.  I am sure that he will be pleased to see his splendid work being put to good use ............

John

RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Now the show season has come to an end and everything put away for the winter, it is time to get on with a few more projects which are scattered around waiting their turn.

Last Friday the new stones were delivered for both my "Blizzards", so Saturday morning I had to see what they look like in place, slow progress on this project, hopefully this winter / spring of 2020 will see it nearing completion.

Malcolm.
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Malcolm

RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Looks to be coming along well Malcolm. Will it be at Casterton chopping maize next year? Alan

RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Alan,

My thinking so far is this red Blizzard will be kept as a shiny show display piece and when I get around to making the truck and mechanically restoring the green one, leaving it in it's original working clothes, it will be the one which may get used at some event in the future, not quite sure when that will be as progress is sometimes very slow here, too many projects on the go at once.

Malcolm.

Malcolm

RE:Blizzard Ensilage Cutter

Malcolm Just great to know that these old pieces of equipment are being preserved for the future. Perhaps you could persuade Casterton to grow some maize (corn) and you and Jack could harvest it with your corn binder and chop and blow it into a silo with the Blizzard. It would make a lovely scene all M-H equipment. Alan