Based in Midleton, Co Cork, Gordon O’Mahony’s love for machinery and mechanics was established from an early age. Growing up on the family farm in Mallow, Gordon enjoyed being around machinery.

“I recall returning home from school one summer’s day to see our local contractor mowing with two John Deeres, two 3050s, a 2WD and a 4WD. It was then I said to myself that someday I would own a 3050. It may have taken the most of 30 years but now I have two, a 2wd and a 4wd.”

This, you could say, was what started Gordon’s profound interest in collecting vintage and classic machinery.

Collection

Today, Gordon’s collection consists of four tractors and one self-propelled forage harvester. Two John Deere 3050s, a Ford 7600, an MB Trac 1500 and a Hesston 7725 harvester. Why does Gordon keep a 7600 Ford? He explained how that particular model brings back fond memories.

“As a young lad, I used to draw home trailer loads of beet tops out of the factory in Mallow using a 7600, I thought it super machine of its day.

“The opportunity came up to buy a 7600 Ford fitted with the same original cab (pre-Q Cab), similar to that offered on the earlier Ford 7000. I decided to buy it.”

Gordon explained how these pre-Q cab 7600 tractors are more of a collector’s item given that there were fewer numbers manufactured due to the transition over to the Q-cab or quiet cab. At the moment, Gordon is in the process of fully restoring his 7600. Being fond of the spanners, he carries out all mechanical work on all of his tractors himself.

The fleet is also home to a 1993 Hesston 7725, which he bought as a project along with lifting silage on his home farm and at vintage events, roughly totalling 130 acres annually.

Gordons’s 7725 has had a John Deere drum conversion which he noted leaves for a much smoother crop flow. Its 350hp Iveco engine is limited to 1,600rpm. Gordon explained how the standard harvesters downfall was its lack of engine revs leaving heavier rows harder handled. The multi-chop John Deere drum has improved performance but he intends on modifying the engine to rev out more.

Gordon is an active member of Mogeely Vintage club and enjoys taking part in all the club’s events and working days. His interest in taking part in such events across the county is what led him on to his next purchase.

Gordon mainly uses his MB Trac for low loader duties and silage during the summer. \ Cork Truck and Machinery Photos

MB Trac 1500

The most recent addition to the collection is the MB Trac 1500. Having wanted a tractor to transport his other machines around to shows and working days, Gordon initially thought of buying a JCB Fastrac. He liked the idea of the Fastrac for its speed and comfort. However, a friend happened to suggest the idea of buying an MB Trac instead.

Having done his homework on the German-built tractor series, Gordon came across a 1500 model for sale in Mallow showing 6,000 hours on the clock. Instantly taking a liking to the tractor having seen the condition it was in, the deal was done. Although registered in 1987, it is believed the tractor was later imported into Ireland in 1997.

“The tractor seemed original and well minded. I was impressed with how well it drove when I went to see it. It drives as well as most modern tractors. Since buying it, all I have done is replace the front tyres as they were quite perished. Travelling distances at 60km/h you don’t want a tyre to let you down. Apart from that, I added some marker lights to the roof and fitted a front weight block with a Mercedes decal to finish it off.”

Gordon noted how he hasn’t had to touch the tractor mechanically but intends to replace its rear brakes, which he will carry out himself at his own leisure.

“My tractor, being 1987-registered, leaves it as one of the later units with the gear sticks mounted to the righthand side. The comfort driving the MB Trac is as good or better than many modern tractors, you’d get out of it after a long journey feeling as good as when you left. The tractor has serious raw power and torque, something you’d miss on most modern tractors.”

Gordon said he has no intentions of selling the tractor. Instead he will mind it and work it a few days of the year.

The MB Trac was originally bought to transport tractors and machines around to shows and working days.

MB Trac Concept

The MB Trac concept, similar to a Fastrac, was built around the idea of a centrally mounted cab. The ladder-type chassis is comparable to that of a truck, with a rear tool-carrying platform suitable for implements such as sprayers or fertiliser spreaders.

Designed with comfort and performance in mind, the concept had a 60:40 weight distribution unloaded, so that when equipped with a mounted rear implement, weight distribution would be 50:50 for optimum traction. The rear axle was rigid while the front axle was sprung.

The larger models such has the 1300 and 1500 were fitted with transmission capable of 60km/h which left them ideally suited to haulage work. These models were fitted with an eight-speed gearbox comprising four manual gears and a high and low range. Once fourth gear in the low range is reached, the high range is then selected and gears one to four are used again. Smaller models had four manual gears with splitters within each gear.

Brief MB Trac history

The Mercedes-Benz MB Tracs were relatively rare in Ireland and still are today. Few were sold new here, but numbers have since risen due to used imports.

It is believed that the MB Trac was built as a result of the success of the Mercedes Benz Unimog. The Unimog was comparable to a small agricultural-spec truck fitted with front and rear linkages and PTOs. At the time, Mercedes’ main competitor to the MB Trac was JCB with the Fastrac. Over the years, there were many iterations and updates of particular MB Trac models.

The first model MB Trac launched in 1973 offered by the German firm was the 65hp 65/70. It was soon to be succeeded by two models, the 700 (65hp) and 800 (72hp). In 1976, the heavy variants which were the 1000 (95hp), 1100 (110hp) and 1300 (125hp) made an appearance.

Mercedes claimed that the new “heavy” series had no components in common with the “light” series and that it was a much more heavy-duty machine. The new six-cylinder turbo 1500 flagship model was launched in 1980 at the DLG exhibition in Hannover, Germany.

A turbocharged 900 model was also introduced before the new generation came in 1982.

The familiar green paint work followed, along with a modern facelift. This brought about a new bonnet design, better cab sound-proofing as well as a hydraulic seat. But the biggest change was the relocation of the gear levers to a more user-friendly location to the right of the driver instead of in between the driver’s legs.

In 1987, along with engine changes, Mercedes placed the 1100 model in the “medium” series and introduced three more models to what it described as a modernised “heavy” series.

The three new machines added were the 1300 Turbo, 1400 Turbo and 1600 Turbo models.

The larger 1000 series models now came with the reverse drive option.

The MB Trac 1800 Intercooler was launched in 1990, a new 180hp model. It was based on the 1600 Turbo, which at this stage had been in production for three years. Fitted with the same six-pot engine, the extra 20hp was achieved by the addition of an intercooler. The new flagship model was distinguishable by its bonnet recess above the radiator and larger tyre options.

It is believed only 190 MB Trac 1800 models were built before production of the whole series ceased in December 1991.

Challenges in the European machinery industry loomed, leading to many brand mergers and an even more competitive market.

Benz then merged with Deutz-Fahr to form a company called TTE. If MB Trac range was to survive on the market, the new generation needed to be 10-15% more expensive which was not feasible the company felt, and so production stopped. It is believed 41,365 MB Tracs were sold new.