Last week, I had the chance to get a viewing of Frank and Thomas Jenkinson’s restored County 1174 tractor at their farm machinery dealership outside Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. The tractor sits proudly in the spray shop at the back of the dealership, following extensive restoration work, mainly carried out by Thomas.
The 1979-built tractor is now in pristine condition having had extensive work done to the cab, following a full reconditioning of the engine and transmission. The final result is a very impressive-looking tractor that has been restored to its original condition, through many hours of dedicated work.
The tractor was bought by the Jenkinsons some years ago and came from a Northern Ireland farm. The tractor was worked hard as well as being aged and the cab was showing signs of its 35 years.
Thomas Jenkinson is reserved in his description of the number of hours worked to get the tractor to the condition that it is in today. I can only imagine the effort. Parts are relatively easily sourced, especially those for the six-cylinder Ford engine that powers the tractor.
The County 1174 was based on a Ford 7600 rear end and a Ford 8700 engine. It features a 113hp (84kW) Ford engine. It was sold as a forward control version, called a County FC 1174, which was popular in England and Scotland as a base for a self-propelled lime spreader or a drilling rig base.
The South Eastern Vintage Machinery Club, based in Carlow, is gearing up to hold its 34th annual vintage rally and hay-making day at Ardattin, Co Carlow, on Sunday 12 July beginning at 1pm. The hay-making event promises to be as big an event as last year, with horse-drawn machinery and tractors with machinery that is pre-1950.
The theme tractor for this year’s event is the Fordson range and organisering team member Kevin Fennelly (087-238 5195) said that they are looking forward to having an impressive line-up of TVO Fordsons, while all other blue tractors are welcome.
Also on the day there will be vintage cars, commercials, stationary engines and a large auto jumble.
Admission to this year’s event is €5, with children free and all proceeds go to the Tullow Day Care Centre.
Ford evolution is Thomastown theme
Thomastown Vintage Club is holding its annual rally at the Kilkenny town on Sunday June 28, where the theme this year will be the evolution of Ford tractors. Michael Ryan (087-253 9412) of the club said that there will be plenty to see, with models from County, Ford, Fiat, Muirhill, New Holland and Roadless on hand to create a novel display. This will be supported by a display of vintage Ford cars and trucks.
TECU starts season with Robinson visit
The first event of the summer for the Traction Engine Club of Ulster (TECU) is a trip to view the collection of Stephen and Wilbert Robinson at Glenarm on the evening of Wednesday 24 June. All club members are welcome.
The annual TECU road run is on Saturday 27 June. All pre-1976 (Pre Q Cab) tractors will be welcome. The run will be leaving Rory Woolf’s yard at Tamlough road, the Caddy, Randalstown at 11am. The road run will proceed along the country roads around the Caddy before stopping for refreshments at Hillstown Farm shop. Spectators are more than welcome along the way.
The main event for the summer will be the annual Festival of Steam and Transport on Friday and Saturday July 17 and 18 at Ballee playing fields, Ballymena. The special attraction this year will be County/Roadless tractors and some early JCB’s. Club chair John Steele (0044-7739613193) said that entries are still being taken and entry forms can be downloaded from the club web site www.ulstersteam.co.uk.
Help needed to restore Ferguson TE20
One of our regular Kerry-based readers has asked for advice on restoring a Ferguson 20 TE TVO tractor that has come into his possession. He is seeking a club or individual who may be interested in restoring the tractor. He told us that the engine is all there but not running and mudguards bonnet and frame as well as front and rear wheels may need replacing. Email me on mmoroney@farmersjournal.ie with any suggestions, including estimates of how much it may cost, which I will pass on.
19 June Glenavy & District Vintage Run Antrim 0044-7860372304
20 June Derg Valley Vintage Rally, Castlederg Tyrone 028/048-81671232
20 June Kildarton Parish Church Vintage Armagh 028/048-37522660
20 June Cloughmills Vintage Rally Cloughmills Antrim 0044-7934534199
20 June Maghera Rally Maghera High School Derry 0044-7729195132
21 June Charleville Vintage Tractor & Car Run Colmanswell Cork 087 2731336
21 June Ballyronan Vintage Tractor Run. Derry 0044-7739879535
21 June Ballincollig Vintage Club Atlantic Way Run Cork 087-9096616
21 June Kilmeedy Vintage Rally Limerick 087-9001608
21 June Stradbally Vintage Club Rally Laois 085-8596279
21 June Nephin Vintage Show and Fun Day Mayo 087-2303672
21 June Ballyfin Vintage Club Annual Road Run Laois 087-9172375
21 June Eyrecourt Vintage Rally Galway 087-2523023
27 June Roe Valley Vintage Rally, Limavady Derry 0044-7742000302
27 June Loughgall Vintage & Classic Tractor Road Armagh 0044-7780791418
27 June Killygullib Vintage Rally, Kilrea Derry 0044-7753441900
27 June TECU Pre 1976 Tractor Run, Randalstown Antrim 0044-7739613193
28 June 36th Charleville Vintage Rally & Show Cork 087-2368349
28 June Buncrana Cockhill Vintage Club Show Donegal 086-8317066
28 June Lakeland Vintage Club Tractor Run Longford 098-6649069
28 June Donegal Vintage Lennon Vintage Rally Donegal 087-2562611
28 June Thomastown Vintage Show & Field Day Kilkenny 087-2539412
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