In recent years, the popularity of County tractors has grown exponentially. This has been evident in the prices paid at vintage sales held in the UK over the past few years. We travelled to Rustyduff in Co Wicklow to meet Bill Keogh, the new owner of the much talked about County 1884.

Bill Keogh’s love of Countys was established from a young age.

“When I left school in 1987 at the age of 14, I went working in the forests. I worked for my late brother-in-law, Herbie Stephenson, driving a County 754. My job was to pull trees out of the forest using a winch.”

“At the time, my father and my older brother also owned Countys. This included two 1124s and an 1164, all of which were also working in forests. Soon after, I returned home to work in the family sawmill business.”

Bill said that he always had a grá for County tractors, but it wasn’t until 2005 that he finally got his hands on one of his own. He acquired the 1979 1184 from a Wexford timber contractor, still in its original working condition.

Last year, Bill added two more Countys to his collection. The first was a County Highlander, which he sourced in Mayo from a forestry contractor. This tractor was later restored by Bill’s nephew. Bill explained that the engine was running perfectly, but it needed a lot of cosmetic work, a new winch and new tyres. He ended up sourcing a lot of the parts in Scotland. The finished project cost a total €25,000.

He also added a 1964 Super Six, which was purchased at a price of £18,200 at the Paul Cable Collection sale in the UK. He went for a Super Six as his father used to run one many years ago.

Some of Bill's other tractors include a 1979 County 1184, a 1964 Super Six and County Highlander.

County 1884

However, despite his collection, Bill said that he always wanted to get his hands on an 1884.

“Since I was a young lad, I always loved the 1884s. It’s just something about them that always stood out for me. When you sit in the seat there’s a huge nose sticking out in front. They were a monster machine in their day.”

One of his friends sent him a message about an 1884 advertised at Cheffin’s Cambridge Vintage Sale at Sutton in England. After doing his homework, Bill knew it was the machine he’d been waiting for. He went over with only one thing in mind – to buy the tractor.

“I knew the tractor was going to be big money. It was extremely original, the third of 30 1884s ever built. It was the holy grail for County enthusiasts, the must-have tractor,” he said.

“As the auction grew closer, there was huge hype around the 1884 in vintage circles. I figured I would have to give up to £120,000 to secure it. But as the bidding commenced and it surpassed my budget, I couldn’t leave it behind, I knew I would regret it if I did.”

Since I was a young lad, I always loved the 1884s. It’s just something about them that always stood out for me. When you sit in the seat there’s a huge nose sticking out in front. They were a monster machine in their day

History

The 1884 was both the largest and the last of all the models to be introduced by County Commercial Cars Ltd. Shortly after production of the 1884 began. The firm continued under the reformed County Tractors Ltd, but sales were limited and the last County tractors were supplied in 1989-1990.

Bill’s newly acquired 1884 was built in 1981 and sold a year later to what’s believed to have been a large tillage farm near Essex. The tractor was sold new for a little over £40,000, a huge price tag at the time. This tractor was the third 1884 of only 30 that were ever built.

In 1985, the tractor was sold to another nearby tillage farmer for just £12,600. It was only ever used for draft work such as ploughing and tilling. It’s believed the 1884s were never used in the forests, due to their sheer size. They would have been too clumsy and expensive for pulling timber. The PTO was never used in Bill’s tractor. In fact, the cover is still on it.

The 1884 came with its original documentation, including the manual, parts book and sales docket.

The tractor is believed to have been in storage for the past 15 years and has accumulated just 3,830 hours on the odometer. It came with its original documentation, including the manual, parts book and sales docket. The 1884 was based on the Ford TW-30, using a turbocharged and intercooled version of the 401S engine which delivered a sizeable 188hp.

Bill noted that the 1884 was the first of the “long nose” County tractors. It had an extended bonnet, which housed the oil-cooler and main diesel tank.

The 1981 County 1884 is believed to have been in storage for the past 15 years and has accumulated just 3,830 hours on the odometer.

The 1884 in Ireland

Bill said that his 1884 is the only one in the Republic of Ireland. He believes that there are another four in Northern Ireland. In addition, he understands there is another 14 in the UK, one in Australia and one in the Netherlands. The remaining tractors are unaccounted for.

When asked about the large price tag, Bill explained there are times he thinks he's "mad" for making the purchase.

"But I’ve always wanted one. There was one at an auction in the UK two years ago and it went unsold at £119,000. I think my tractor is worth it because it’s supposed to be the oldest 1884 left and with the lowest hours. It’s not going to depreciate”.

Bill, his wife Leona and his two children Lydia and William.

Family collection

Bill isn’t the only one in his family with a love for vintage tractors. In fact, his sister owns a 1946 Fordson fitted with a P6 Perkins engine. She picked it up at an auction 14 years ago. Meanwhile, her son owns a County 754. Bill’s brother has a 1978 County 1164 and his cousin also owns a 1972 County 1164. One of the family’s most prized possessions is their father’s 1960 Fordson Major, which he bought alongside his brother for pulling timber out of forests.

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