The CX70 is rare because not a lot were sold before the company was forced to shut its British factory and sell some of its models, under some harsh competition rulings through the merging of the company with New Holland to form the CNH Group.

Dealer principal Darryl Squiers said that despite the tractor having 5000 operating hours on the clock, it was in top condition having only been used by a metropolitan council for light sweeping and mowing jobs.

Mr Squiers says he believed the CX70, priced at $27,500, was an ideal unit for someone looking for a multipurpose-type tractor capable of handling a host of functions on a smaller-size property.

"It is a tractor that was designed to adapt to any application in cropping, hay, forage and livestock operations," he said

"This front-wheel-assist-drive tractor comes complete with three-point-linkage, a 540 power-take-off and three remote hydraulic outlets, is fitted with new 9.5x24 front tyres and new 16.9x30 rear tyres and is complete with an airconditioned cabin.

"It has a 16x8 synchromesh shuttle transmission."

When Case IH launched its British-made CX series range of six tractors in the late 1990s, it described them as being innovative, general-purpose units.

With models raging from 29 kilowatts to 61kw, the company claimed they were built to handle a wide variety of farming demands.

Available in cab, platform and straddle versions, the CX Series tractors were fitted with state-of-the-art G series high torque, lean- burn engines to help maximise performance, while minimising operating costs.

Under the hood, the new-generation Case G engines deliver excellent fuel economy and superior power, with up to a 37 per cent torque rise. Drive for the new tractors was via a standard 16x8 synchromesh shuttle transmission with an optional 24x12 creep arrangement also available.

* Full Machine of the Week report in Stock Journal, October 22 issue.