When McGee’s of Ardee acquired the franchise for Allis Chalmers tractors in 1936, Tom Larney’s father bought a model U Allis Chalmers to operate the threshing mill and the straw elevators. Tom then used it on the threshing circle until 1960, when the combines took over. Tom, a member of Knockbridge Vintage Club, tells his story of losing the tractor and getting it back again. His story has many amazing coincidences.

The Allis Chalmers Model U was run on paraffin (TVO) fuel. It hauled and operated the threshing set in the Tallanstown and Louth areas. It was very reliable and capable and never failed me. I became associated and very attached to the U, as did our clients.

I have many happy memories of the threshing seasons, the friendship and the camaraderie of the farmers and the workers, the many meals and the hospitality in the family kitchens. At the end of the threshing era, the model U was traded. After many years of fond memories, I decided to try and locate it again.

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On research, I found that it had been purchased by a man named Mr Campbell in Castleblayney, now deceased. His son informed me that it was sold on to a man called Mr Ferguson in Co Armagh, but he had no address for him.

Over the years, I attended vintage field days in Co Down, Armagh and Antrim with my son Thomas. I also made enquiries about the tractor to county tax offices, but to no avail.

In August 2013, we attended the Vintage Cooley Day, the first since the record-breaking day of August 2007, where we handed out fliers advertising our own Knockbridge Vintage Day.

At the vintage day in Knockbridge in September 2013, my son, Thomas was drawing sheaves of oats with our vintage D270 Allis Chalmers tractor with a hay buggy. I was present at the mill when my good friend Gerry Callagher, of Ashville Vintage Club, tapped me on the shoulder and introduced me to Mr Brian Fox from Carrickmore, Co Tyrone.

Seeing our Allis D270, he told us that he owned an Allis Model U, with IY Co Louth registered plates and tax book with name. What a surprise and what a coincidence to meet Brian in my home locality. It made my day. We exchanged addresses and he invited us to visit him which we did on 10 October 2013.

Brian’s collection of vintage tractors and mills included my model U Allis Chalmers with the Co Louth IY tax numbers displayed on the back and front. Seeing it brought back happy memories and having my son present, who had never seen it before, was very special.

I sat on the seat, started the engine with the first button press – I was almost overcome with excitement. In the house afterwards, I was further surprised when Brian produced the original tax book.

The tractor was bought on 23 June 1948 and registered in my father’s name on 1 July 1948. It was in perfect condition when purchased by Brian at an auction in 2001. Brian told us the tractor was not for sale. He would, however, part with it (as he knew we would not resell it) if we could get one to replace it.

Finally, terms were agreed and Brian delivered the U home to James Nugent’s yard in Louth. James Nugent organised a threshing event with his own mill, Pat Joe Kerr’s mill and Tom McGeeney’s mill, to welcome the return of the Model U tractor.

Many vintage members thanked Brian Fox for his generosity. He replied saying he was glad to see the Model U Allis operating the mill as it did on the first day when new, with Tom Larney almost 70 years ago.

Ballivor vintage club

A new vintage club has been formed in Ballivor, Co Meath, and club treasurer Peter Dargan (087-2556307) has been in touch with us to tell us about their inaugural Tractor Road Run, which takes place on Sunday 27 April. The run starts in Ballivor at 11.30am.

The club will stage its vintage show as part of the Ballivor Horse Show, which takes place on Sunday 8 June.

Impressive donation

The proceeds of the successful tractor run in Kilbrittain, Co Cork, over Christmas were presented to Kilbrittain National School recently to aid the further development of their autism unit, SPRAOI. The school was granted an Autism Specific Disorder unit in 2012 which caters for 10 pupils from the catchment area of Bandon, Kinsale and Clonakility. The tractor run was held on 29 December 2013 and attracted a huge entry which has resulted in nearly €19,000 being presented to the school. Jim O’Mahony of John Deere dealer Farm Power Ltd has thanked the many farm machinery dealers and tractor owners from all over Cork who supported the run.

Tractor record attempt

A group of vintage enthusiasts from the Thurles area of Tipperary have established a committee with Michael Fahey as chairperson, to set a Guinness World Record for the most tractors parading in the one place. The challenge is set for Thurles Racecourse on this Sunday, April 27 at 11am. They are aiming to surpass the current world record of 5,000 tractors. The group is raising funds to repair a building for the local Order of Malta. You can book tractors for the big Thurles event with Michael on 087-2712967 or PJ on 087-9855745.

Kings date change

Well-known vintage tractor and machinery collector Gerry King from Ashville, Dunleer, Co Louth, has announced a change of date for his annual open day. Gerry’s son David has been in touch with us to tell us that this year’s event will take place on Saturday, 28 June at the farm. All visitors are welcome to what is always a very worthwhile day out with a true enthusiast.