Ransomes of Ipswich was at the forefront of the agricultural engineering and grass-cutting industries in Britain. In the course of their 200-year history they were responsible for many innovations including the self-sharpening ploughshare and the world's first self-moving agricultural machine. They manufactured the world's first lawn mower and were renowned for steam engines and threshers. They built tractors and trolleybuses, combines and reach trucks; they provided Britain's tillage implements and they exported throughout the world. Using over 300 illustrations, a quarter in colour, this book provides a vivid picture of Ransomes and in particular their contribution to 20th-century farm machinery. The text is authoritative, full of detail and useful information for a wide range of enthusiasts, whether their interests are match ploughing, MG tractors, grass-maintenance machinery or combines.

Brian Bell MBE is one of Britain's best-known authors of books and videos on agricultural machinery and tractors.