Vintage

Some special US tractors from Jenkinsons

This week we look at some of the rare tractors from Frank and Thomas Jenkinson's collection, with US built models having a special appeal to the Carlow father and son team.

Michael Moroney

Wed 24 June 2015 12:00 AM

Michael Moroney

Wed 24 June 2015 9:00 PM

Some special US tractors from Jenkinsons

This is a 1938 McCormick Deering WD40 tractor that uses a unique 4 cylinder diesel engine that is started on petrol. The big engine was fitted with a carburettor to start on petrol on one side and with a diesel fuel injection pump on the other side. Each cylinder also had a set of spark plugs. This was probably the first diesel powered tractor to be built in America. The WD40 was rated at 52hp at the belt and 37hp on the drawbar. The tractor has a big 141 litre (31 gal) diesel tank and weighs in

Frank and Thomas Jenkinson have these two very original condition Fordson Majors, a Fordson Major Diesel and a Fordson Super Major. They would not attempt to touch the tractors other than to keep in them a good mechanical running condition, as they believe that re-painting them would damage their authenticity. The 1960 Fordson Super Major in the background is a unique tractor with an air brakes system and single brake pedal and was used in industry as it has no three-point linkage.

Frank Jenkinson has a vast store of Ford Model T car and van parts, which he has collected over many years. He is currently restoring two models and has sourced parts for them from around the world, with the use of the Internet. He is now selling some of his Ford Model T parts, “There is only some much of these parts that you can hold and I would other Ford Model T fans to take up the challenges of restoring one the most iconic cars of all,” says Frank Jenkinson.

The Jenkinsons have a number of Fordson tractors incluyding this E27N model which was a petrol fuelled tractor. The E27N replaced the model N in 1945 and sold up until 1945 when the new Fordson Major was introduced. This tractor in Jenkinson’s collection had a different radiator valve to allow the tractor to be used in parts of North America where it had to cope with higher working temperatures. This is one of Frank Jenkinson’s favourite tractors and has an full set of lights, which in itsel

Last week we provided you with a view of Frank and Thomas Jenkinson’s restored County 1174 tractor, and it was a mere glimpse of the range of vintage machinery in their yard at Baganelstown, Co Carlow.

Search deeper around the yard and there is more to see, including some rare American-built tractors. That’s not to mention the impressive display of vintage machinery in the nearby yard of Frank’s brother, Fred.

This week, we look at some of Frank and Thomas’s vintage tractors that are parked almost shyly to the rear of some fresh used combine harvesters in their large storage shed. The Jenkinsons aim to keep these tractors in as close to their original condition as possible.

However, they aim to do some restoration on two interesting Amercian-built tractors, a McCormick Deering WD40 from 1938 and a Allis Chalmers Model A, also from the 1930s. Both tractors were sourced in the United States, the Allis from Washington State, where it spent most of its working life.

The McCormick Deering WD is featured in the photographs while the Allis Chalmers Model is also a very interesting tractor for its time. This tractor has a four-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine that was rated at 44hp and like the McCormick Deering and weighed in at 3.3t.

The Model A’s history was interesting in that it was not a particularly successful tractor for Allis Chalmers as it was designed for powering large threshing machines rather than towing field machinery. This was a time when threshing was being replaced by the combine harvester so the Model A became redundant and only 1,200 of these tractors were reported to have been built. So Jenkinson’s tractor is a rather rare one indeed.

When the boom in sales of vintage tractors was at its height in the mid-2000s Frank and Thomas Jenkinson imported a large number of tractors for their specialist vintage collector customers.

Now that things have gotten quieter, their interest remains strong and they have kept some very special models for their own collection at Bagenalstown.

The team behind the Fisherstown Tractor Run will be staging their annual tractor run and threshing starting at the Fisherman’s Inn, Fisherstown, Ballybrittas, Co Laois, on Sunday 5 July starting at 12 noon. Willie Walsh (087-918 8630) said that the run and threshing is in aid of the Temple Street Children’s Hospital Neurosurgery fund, to support the equipment programme for helping children with cancerous brain tumours.

“We are looking for a big turnout of tractors and trucks on the day, based around the quaint canal-side setting of the Fisherman’s Inn,” said Willie.

Fergal Leonard (087-760 5776) and the crew at Tullamore Macra are holding a 48-hour tractor run from Tullamore to Mizen Head and back on Saturday and Sunday, 22 and 23 August, to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

The club lost one of its members to cancer some time back and they decided on the tractor run as a way of raising much-needed funds to support the Irish Cancer Society.

Tullamore Macra will complete the run with four sponsored tractors. They have been supported by local dealers EV Condell (Massey Ferguson), Mike Garahy (Case IH), TFM Farm Machinery (John Deere) and WR Shaw (New Holland), with tractors for the run.

They have also secured sponsorship from local Top Oil distributor, Lambe Oil for fuel for the run.

Help needed to restore Ferguson TE20 tractor

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 we will pass on.

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

28 June: Virginia Fair & Vintage Display, Cavan, 086-6039794

4 July: Cullybackey Independence Day Festival, Armagh 028/048-25882281

4 July: Ballyronan and District Vintage Club, Derry 0044-7753187409

4 July: Birches Vintage Rally, Portadown, Armagh 0044-7733417540

4 July: John Glasgow Memorial Run Cookstown, Tyrone 0044-7808360334

5 July: Colmcille Vintage Club Tractor Run, Longford 086-8188550

5 July: Western Vintage Club Rally, Mayo 089-8411989

5 July: Shamrock Vintage Club Adamstown Show Wexford 087-2984904

5 July: Fisherstown Tractor Run, Ballybrittas, Laois 087-9188630

5/6 July: Cavan to Donoghmore Tractor Run, Cavan 087-6329362

11 July: Streete Club Philip Moran Vintage Tractor Run, Westmeath 086-2596656

11/12 July: NW Donegal Vintage Club Carrigart Show, Donegal 087-2203331

11 July: Braid Valley Vintage Rally, Broughshane, Antrim 0044-7802537124

11 July: Sheepbridge Tractor Run, Antrim 028/048-30266428

12 July: Ardattin Vintage Rally, Carlow 087-2385195

12 July: Bohernabreena Tractor and Vintage, Dublin 087-6641598

12 July: IVS National Rally Streete Vintage Club Westmeath 086-2596656

12 July: Knockbridge Vintage Road Run, Louth 087-9763355

12 July: Shamrock Vintage Carrickbyrne Field Day, Wexford 051-428416

12 July: Grangemockler Vintage Tractor Run, Kilkenny 086-3854727