Tullamore vintage display

By Michael Moroney

We were short of space for the vintage pictures from the recent Tullamore Show so, this week, we have published some of the more interesting machines mentioned in the weeks paper below. For full coverage, see this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

Tullamore shows midlands highlights

The recent Tullamore Show had a bigger than expected turnout in the vintage arena, as vintage collectors and enthusiasts from the midlands joined forces for the event. Over 120 tractors were on show at the event, with some special and unique models to be seen.

Ger Leahy, the Birr based haulage contractor, was one of the stewards for the day and he had an impressive line up from his own collection on view. Ger has sourced a number of his tractors in France and this gave a more exotic look to the overall Tullamore display.

The tractor that impressed me most of all was Ger Leahy’s the 1958 John Deere Lanz model that incorporates some of the American John Deere design with a Lanz engine system. For the purists on either the John Deere or the Lanz side this tractor may not be impressive, but the two cylinder machine it tells its own story. Many thousands were sold in France and Germany, and few if any reached Ireland prior to arrival of the John Deere brand here in 1964.

Ger Leahy picked the tractor up in France some years ago. He has the tractor running well in original condition. He plans to give it a full concourse paint job this winter and then it will be especially worth seeing. No midlands vintage event could be held without the input of Jackie Egan from Ballycumber. The gearbox specialist has a unique collection of German built Lanz tractors and some were on view at Tullamore.

Jackie has specialised in the Lanz brand for a number of years and his restoration work is very impressive. The Lanz Bulldog road tractor with its 50hp engine was especially impressive. This tractor has been restored by Jackie to a superb condition with huge attention to detail to achieve a world class final result.

Jackie had some other Lanz models on view including a 1955 Lanz Bulldog 40, which was sold originally in county Longford by the then dealers Beltons of Ardagh. The tractor boasts its original number plate IX 4431 and spent many years in service in the Longford area as a haulage tractor for sand and gravel. Jackie has restored the tractor while retaining its original feel.

Drystock farmers Michael and his son Niall Camon from Belmont, Offaly had their partially restored 1955 Fordson County Crawler on view. The tractor came to them in a poor condition from a many years of bramble cover, following a full life of working in a Tipperary forest. The restoration work has involved replacing the six cylinder engine with an original four cylinder one plus lots of gearbox work. Michael and Niall hope to have the tractor painted and ready for display with original parts in the coming months.

Tullamore had its share of Fordsons, Fords and Ferguson’s on view. There were some well presented Nuffield’s and with an occasional classic model of more recent years among the group.

One tractor that stood out was Sean McRedmond’s Allis Chalmers WC tractor that was converted for road work in the 1950’s. The TVO fuelled tractor was fitted with front and rear axle suspension to allow it to be used at speed with comfort on the roads.

The tractor still sports its original registration plate IR 3195 and while may look basic it was the forerunner of the likes of the Trantor and more recently the JCB Fastrac. The tractor is still in use for special events such as road runs and the Tullamore Show.

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