Armer Salmon beet harvesting enthusiasts got a chance to see a host of Armer Salmon belt-lifting beet harvesters in action last week at a special event organised by local contractors Brennan’s of Hillview, Crossneen, Co Carlow, with the help of Armer Salmon expert Ger Murphy from Clonegal. The event included five Armer Salmon machines, along with a new Cross Beaver twin-row harvester, based on the design of the Armer Salmon harvester.

Anthony Brennan wanted to organise the working event to commemorate the history of the Armer Salmon belt-type harvesters, which were manufactured for many years at the nearby Armer Salmon factory in Carlow.

Armer Salmon was a division of the Sugar Company, which was later to become one of the casualties of the closure of the sugar beet industry in Ireland. Ger Murphy continues to provide parts and service for Armer Salmon machines from his engineering workshop, to customers across the world.

The five Armer Salmon machines which took part in the event included Brennan’s original single-row machine, which was bought in the 1940s by Pa Brennan. Pa, now 73 years of age, operated the machine for many years and moved with the harvesters to the single-row TT models and the later twin-row Beaver machines until growing beet ceased in 2006.

The single-row TT harvester on the day was owned by Ger Murphy. This is an original first generation Armer Salmon 1968 model trailed harvester, which Ger aims to restore to its original condition.

This was followed by a 1990s single-row machine in the newer green and yellow Armer Salmon colours owned by the Brennans. The fourth machine in the display was an early Beaver twin-row machine and this was followed by the higher hopper capacity Armer Salmon TR2000 harvester that was manufactured up until 2000, when 20 machines were built, both of which were owned and operated by the Brennans.

The final machine in the line-up was the new Cross Beaver twin-row harvester produced by Ger Murphy in conjunction with Cross Agricultural Engineering of Rathangan. Cross has followed the Armer Salmon design and, with Ger and his son Jamie, they have produced a more modern version with joystick control, included in the design.

St Stephen’s Day run in Kinsale

The Kinsale, Co Cork vintage group will hold its annual tractor run on St Stephen’s Day. The group raised over €15,000 last year for the Kinsale Hospital. Information and sponsorship cards are available from Tony Carroll on 089-4849330.

Kilbrittain tractor run

Following the success of its first event in December 2013, the fundraising committee of Kilbrittain National School, Co Cork, will be holding a tractor run on Sunday 28 December to aid the development of its dedicated autism unit, SPRAOI.

The tractor run is open to modern and vintage tractors and will start in Kilbrittain village at 12pm, following a route of 22km and returning to the village along the coast road. Organising committee member Jim O’Mahony (087-7978342) said that tractors will assemble in the village from 10am.

Appreciation - Chris Young

The death occurred recently of Chris Young, who had a lifetime career in the Irish farm machinery industry.

Chris, who was originally from Silvermines, Co Tipperary, began his farm machinery career at Sherrards of Santry, Dublin, in 1958, when the Cork-based DH Sherrard Ltd opened its first branch.

Chris was manager at Sherrards of Santry until it closed in 1981, during which time he saw the introduction of John Deere tractors to Ireland in 1966, followed by John Deere combine harvesters one year later.

He later joined Harvest Machinery Ltd as general manager and was a significant driving force behind the current success of the Claas Jaguar self-propelled silage harvesters in Ireland.

FTMTA

He was president of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association from 1976 to 1978, where he made a strong impression on behalf of the Irish farm machinery industry at the CLIMMAR European dealers’ association meeting in 1977.

He was a far-seeing man with a pleasant disposition, always easy to engage in conversation and always good company to be with.

To his wife, Mary, and family, Samuel, John, Christopher, Miriam and Tadhg, we extend our deepest sympathy.

MM