Pat O’Sullivan has been in the machinery trade for over 40 years. He originally took over the business from his father Tim. For many years, Tim and Pat exported tractors together, mainly Ford, to countries in southeast Asia. Through this trading, Pat developed his love for the Ford brand. He explained: “My father and I spent over 15 years exporting tractors, mainly Ford 5000 and 7000 models. It was unbelievable the amount of these Ford machines that were sold in Ireland. Many of these Ford tractors are now very sought after. The variations within models really interests me.”

In 1996, Pat established his own company, Overseas Plant Exports, through which he exports medium to heavy construction equipment all over the world.

Favourite machine

Pat informed us that his favourite machine has to be the Ford County 1184. This brockhouse torque converter is owned by Pat since 2006 and was his first vintage tractor. This tractor was originally owned by the British Airport Authority (BAA) where it was based in Heathrow airport.

The tractor was built in 1979 and had a snow plough mounted on the front during its time in use at the airport. This short-wheelbase machine had just 480 genuine hours when Pat purchased it 12 years ago. Currently, the odometer stands at just 500 hours.

Most recent purchase

Pat recently added to his collection with the purchase of a number of tractors in the US through an online auction. He purchased an immaculate 1985 Case 6788 ‘snoopy’.

This machine has only 4,400 hours. It had one owner from new and came off an arable farm where it was used as a row crop tractor in Montana.

In addition, Pat purchased a 1965 Ford 5000 with a genuine 1,900 hours from new. According to Pat, this petrol powered machine is extremely original, with the odometer still working and the original radio still intact. A rare find to say the least.

He also obtained a 1977 International 4186 which would be very scarce across Ireland or the UK. These particular machines are quite bulky and weigh in at over 7t while putting out over 150hp at the PTO.

Pat informed us that after he purchased these machines at the online auction, himself and Shane Scally, another vintage enthusiast, flew to North America where they stripped down these machines and loaded them into containers for transport to Ireland.

This dedication just shows the lengths a vintage enthusiast will go to in order to secure a desirable machine.

Collection

Pat’s classic and vintage collection extends to over 12 tractors. He sourced these tractors from Belgium, the UK, North America and across Ireland. From speaking to Pat, it is evident he is extremely passionate about all things vintage, with a special love for the Ford and International brands.

The collection includes a 1977 Ford County 1174 which was purchased in Devon. This original tractor has registered over 10,000 hours. Up next is a 1982 Ford County 1184 long-wheelbase tractor which had one Wicklow owner from new. Pat spent over two years refurbishing this tractor which amounted to €25,000 in restoration costs alone.

Pat’s most treasured tractor is a 1979 Found County 1184 from Heathrow airport which we covered in-depth above. Another immaculate tractor is the 1983 Ford County 1474 which was purchased in the UK and has only 5,500 hours from new with two owners. Pat brings this particular tractor out ploughing regularly and commented that there are only 25 of these models left around Ireland and the UK in good working order. Pat has a particular affection for this tractor as its last owners address on the log book is Rhode Farm in Dorset.

Next up is a 1972 Roadless 115 of which 184 tractors of this model were ever constructed with Pat purchasing this particular machine in Cork. This particular tractor has the long body version with an additional fuel tank at the front which was an extra at the time of manufacture. Another Ford in the collection is a 1974 Roadless 120 of which only 51 were ever constructed. Pat discovered this particular tractor while on holidays in Scotland. It had two neighbouring owners from new and was being used to pull timber out of a forest.

The newer tractors in the collection include a 1987 Ford TW 35 with 6,500 hours which Pat purchased in Belgium. Another Belgian tractor in the collection is a 1989 Ford 7810 silver jubilee which was one of the very last manufactured. Pat remarked that these particular tractors are very sought after and beginning to increase in value. Pat also owns a 1994 John Deere 4955. These tractors were fitted with John Deere’s own 7.6L 6-cyl diesel which churned out 210hp.

However, one of the stand-out machines in the collection has to be the Ford FW-30. This articulated tractor was built in 1979 and came off an arable farm in Essex in the UK.

This machine has less than 9,000 hours on the odometer and was mainly used to pull a large disc harrow. This tractor is in very original condition with all functions working perfectly inside the cab. It is powered by a Cummins 14.8L 8-cylinder diesel engine putting out 265hp.

County Club and Future

Pat has been a member of the County Club in Ireland since its beginning a number of years ago. He admires the “simplicity of the club and harmless fun you can enjoy”. Aside from the County Club, Pat is a regular attender of vintage events all over Ireland.

According to Pat he intends on continuously growing his classic and vintage collection of tractors. Pat is always on the lookout for a machine to add to his collection by regularly attending auctions and monitoring websites worldwide. Pat explained that he is in particular keeping his eyes peeled for a Ford County 1474 longnose and a 1454.

Recent auction

At the recent auction on behalf of Paul Cable in the UK we witnessed a number of vintage Ford tractors sell for huge amounts of money. The highest price on the day was for a 1981 Ford County 1474 long nose tractor falling under the hammer for a record £94,500. The next highest price on the day was for a 1981 County 1184 which sold for £56,700. The third highest price was for a 1979 County 1174 which had low hours and was originally used at Stansted Airport. It fell under the hammer for £43,050.