The forthcoming DeCourcey harvest day on Monday 1 August at Ballinadee, Bandon, Co Cork, has set the deadline for the restoration of a Clayson 1520 combine owned by tillage farming father-and-son team Vincent and Damien Buckley from Riverstick, Co Cork.

The Cork farmers are no strangers to combine harvesters, regularly cutting up to 1,500 acres of grain in a season. Their current fleet includes two combines from the New Holland range, a CX 820 bought in 2012 and a CX 870 acquired in 2013. These two impressive machines are not the only combines owned by the Buckleys.

Back in 2011, Vincent also purchased an older 1971 model of the Sperry New Holland Clayson 1520 combine with the aim of using it for vintage events. The combine had its problems. The main issue was the four-cylinder Ford engine, which was completely worn out after a hard life. The body was also showing its age and the mechanical parts were an unknown quantity.

ADVERTISEMENT

The priority was to get the machine running again, so the engine was shipped off to Cronins in Dunmanway early in 2012 for a full rebuild. The rejuvenated engine was back fitted to the 1520 in time for the harvest of that year. Vincent was delighted to find that the combine was in great condition mechanically and produced very clean grain.

Vincent and Damien, who are planning to attend the 2016 DeCourcey Harvest working day, decided that the tired-looking harvester needed a makeover. With a practically new engine and the internal threshing and cleaning mechanisms in great condition, the condition of the bodywork was the only thing letting down its appearance.

In recent months, the combine was dismantled enough to repair any damaged structural parts and the bodywork was cleaned and prepared for painting. This was how the machine was presented when John O’Neill, chair of the DeCourcey Vintage Club, gave it a once-over at the end of June.

The deadline for completion of the work is bank holiday Monday, 1 August, when the combine will once again take part in the harvest working day. It will be possible to see the Sperry New Holland 1520 combine working in the field with many other similar vintage machines, some that are quite a few years older. This year, the event will see an expanded traditional harvest display, which has proved to be popular in recent years with horsedrawn reaper and binder, horse-and-butt gathering sheaves and steam threshing all in one area.

2016 is also the 80th anniversary of the start of production of the Ferguson tractor line as the Ferguson Brown was first manufactured in the David Brown factory in 1936. The highlight this year will be the gathering of grey Fergusons and Ferguson system equipment to celebrate the anniversary of the Ferguson Brown tractor. There will be static displays of rare machines and working displays of Ferguson equipment in a special Ferguson tilling area.

One of these rare Ferguson Brown tractors will be on display in Ballinadee courtesy of Mick Forde of The Farm, Grenagh, Co Cork (www.visitthefarm.ie). Mick Forde will also bring a Massey Harris 726 combine, which he claims is probably the oldest self-propelled combine in Ireland.

The 2016 DeCourcey working day will raise funds for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and several local groups. Bill Chambers (087-2844197) of the club told the Irish Farmers Journal that those wishing to operate a combine or Ferguson equipment at this event must pre-book their entry as space in the working areas may be limited. The club website www.decourceyvintage.com has more information and entry forms.

Cork hosts Ferguson heritage rally

This year’s All-Ireland Ferguson Heritage Vintage Rally takes place on Sunday 17 July in Castletownroche, Co Cork, where there is expected to be a huge turnout of Ferguson tractors and accessories to commemorate Ireland’s legendary tractor designer, Harry Ferguson.

Billy Sheehan (086-8184093) of the organising committee said that the event has the support of the Friends of Ferguson Club and will be celebrating 80 years since the launch of the Ferguson Brown tractor, Harry Ferguson’s first production tractor.

The event will include working vintage combines and silage machinery, as well as a tillage machinery display of a wide range of vintage and classic tractors and machinery.

Fisherstown Tractor attracts record numbers

The recent annual Fisherstown Tractor Run attracted almost 200 tractors, making it the biggest run to date. The tractor run is in its ninth year and this year was dedicated to raise funds for the breast cancer unit in St James’s Hospital. The convoy of tractors was led by the vintage section, with tractors of all types, size and age represented during the two-hour journey on the day. The event included a vintage threshing and baling display.

Knockbridge celebrates 10 years with a book

Knockbridge Vintage Club, based in Co Louth, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, completed a successful road run last Sunday, 10 July, with a display on Blackrock beach. Grainne McGeeney of the Knockbridge Vintage Club told the Irish Farmers Journal that the club is compiling a special commemorative book to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding. It is hoped that the book will be published in time for the club’s vintage day on Sunday 11 September.