Vintage

Joining two Majors in an artic

Cork farmer and machinery designer Jim Connolly from Farnagow, Bandon brought his interesting Fordson Major tractor design to the recent Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show.

Michael Moroney

Wed 10 June 2015 12:00 AM

Michael Moroney

Wed 10 June 2015 10:00 PM

Jim Connolly from Farnagow, Bandon, Co Cork with this home workshop modified Fordson Major tractor set that he has converted into an articulated tractor and which was on view at the recent Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show. The Ford D-Series 6-cylinder truck engine is mounted high over the front transmission and had to have the sump modified due to lack of space.

This shows a close-up of the centre articulation point of the tractor where the second Fordson Major back-end is coupled to a rotating section pivoted top and bottom and controlled by means of two hydraulic steering rams. There is a bank of spool valves on the side of the machine to operate the front and rear hydraulic linkages.

This is another angle of Jim Connolly’s Fordson Major combination tractor, which is rated at about 120hp and gives a new life to some 50-year old tractors. He has linked the engine power to the two Fordson Major back-ends by means of a Clark torque convertor unit which he salvaged from a Chaseside wheel loader. The combination is not a copy of a Doe or anything else, just Jim’s work in his workshop at Farnagow over many months using a combination of tractor parts salvaged from his yard.

This shows the front of Jim Connolly’s tractor where the rear end of a Fordson Major has been reversed, complete with three point linkage to provide front wheel drive from the existing rear axle and final drive.

Kevin McSweeney, Chairman, Ballincollig Vintage, Jim Martin, John O’Leary, Club president, James Martin, with son Jack at the start of the recent Ballincollig & District Vintage and Classic Car Club charity run.

Cork farmer and machinery designer Jim Connolly from Farnagow, Bandon brought an interesting tractor design to the recent Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show. His tall blue articulated tractor, built around two Fordson Major gearboxes and back-ends, attracted huge attention as much for its size as it complexity.

Jim spent much of his time at the show discussing the tractor and how he built it. This is not his first venture into interesting tractors; he had some Doe versions of his own at a recent show, including a David Brown version.

Jim started work on his current project in December 2014, with the aim of having it ready for Innishannon Steam and Vintage Rally. He did not disappoint as the tractor was a talking point for everyone who saw it.

He matched together two rear axles and gearboxes from salvaged Fordson Major tractors, replaced their wheels with those from a vintage grade loader and then powered the whole lot with a six-cylinder Ford turbo-diesel truck engine. The Major heritage was not lost as he used as many of the original components that were renowned for their strength.

He changed the drive direction in one of the rear axles so that they both turned in the same pattern. He created a frame to carry the high mounted engine and also the articulation section, with a set of wide steps to jump on board to the high Muir-Hill-like driver station.

Here we bring you some pictures of the final result.

Charleville club promises fun road run

The active Charleville and District Vintage Veteran and Classic Club will hold a tractor and car run on Sunday 21 June 2015, starting from Colmanswell Community Centre. The drivers will meet up for refreshments at 10.30am and get on the road at 11.30am, heading for the Vintage Rally in Kilmeedy. Paschal Fenton (087-2731336) of the club has appealed to everyone who has an interest in vintage tractors or cars to come and join them for what promises to be a great day out.

Help needed to restore Ferguson TE20

One of our regular Kerry based readers have 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 we will pass on.

Ballincollig club celebrates 10 years

Ballincollig & District Vintage and Classic Car Club recently held 2 events to raise funds for a local boy Jack Martin who has autism. All monies collected went towards the cost of trip to Euro Disney for Jack and his parents.

On Sunday, 17 May the Club organised a charity vintage car run with over 40 cars, from Ballincollig to the seaside at Ardmore. The following week, they had a fundraising day in Ballincollig, which included a vintage car display at the Plaza, Ballincollig Shopping Centre.

The third event for the club takes place on Sunday, 21 June when they have an Atlantic Way Vintage Run. This will be followed by the club’s annual show the weekend of July 24 to 26.

11 June Ballynahinch Vintage road run Down 028/048-97533597

12 June Kilflynn Vintage Car Road Run Kerry 086-6363021

13 June Kilflynn Vintage Tractor Road Run Kerry 086-6363021

13 June Tempo Vintage Day, Tempo Fermanagh 028/048-89 541246

13 June Ballintoy & Dunservick Vintage Rally Antrim 028/048-20732170

13 June Castle Classic Club Rally & Autojumble Lurgan 028/048-38322288

13 June Tullylagan Vintage Rally, Cookstown Tyrone 0044-7713148860

13 June Dromara Vintage Show Down 0044-7759672584

13 June Ballyeaston Vintage Gathering, Larne Antrim 0044-7817408691

13 June Roughty Valley Vintage Car&Tractor Run Kerry 086-8928769

14 June Inishowen Vintage Show, Inishowen Donegal 086-6062038

14 June Ballivor Vintage Club Show Westmeath 086-8946895

14 June Lissan Parish Church, Vintage Service Tyrone 0044-7765200690

14 June Ballivor Vintage and Classic Show Meath 086-8946895

14 June Kilflynn Vintage Rally Kerry 086-6363021

14 June Connabride Vintage Rally Cork 086-8736116

14 June Thurles Vintage Club Road Run Off Road Tipperary 086-274 3442

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

Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show Ballincollig & District Vintage and Classic Car Club Charleville and District Vintage Veteran and Classic Club Fordson Major

Joining two Majors in an artic

Cork farmer and machinery designer Jim Connolly from Farnagow, Bandon brought his interesting Fordson Major tractor design to the recent Innishannon Steam and Vintage Show.

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