Caption: Angela and Richard Morton receive the keys to their McCormick MTX135 BetaPower tractor fitted with Michelin XeoBib tyres from The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Savory and Rob Beddis, commercial director (agriculture), Michelin Tyre plc.
Lincolnshire farmers Richard and Angela Morton were surprised and delighted winners of a brand new tractor at last week's Royal Smithfield Show, held at the Earls Court exhibition centre, London.
The couple, who farm at Belchford near Horncastle, received the keys to a 130hp McCormick MTX135 worth almost £48,000 from the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Savory.
"It's a great looking tractor," said Mr Morton, who grows cereals, pulses and sugar beet on the Lincolnshire farm. He also runs 200 sheep and carries out contract work for other local farmers.
Mrs Morton said she was relieved to have posted the entry form.
"It was in my bag for a few days before I got round to sending it," she said. "I'm really glad I did and I'm stunned by the size of the tractor – it's an amazing prize!"
Tyre company Michelin and Doncaster-based McCormick Tractors International promoted the competition to highlight the technical features and performance benefits of the Michelin range of agricultural tyres and the McCormick MTX BetaPower tractors.
The prize tractor is fitted with the new Michelin XeoBib tyre, which is unique in that it can be operated at a low inflation pressure in the field to get good traction and low soil compaction but does not have to be pumped up to cope with high speed travel on the road between field and farmyard.
McCormick's 115hp to 200hp MTX BetaPower tractors feature new engines that meet tough exhaust emissions rules while providing farmers with plenty of power and performance.
The Mortons beat more than 5500 hopeful entrants to the big prize.
