Leaving Cert student Shane Godley from Rathany, Tralee, has just completed a project that he will probably remember for teaching him engineering skills that he hopes will shape his future career in the farm machinery industry. Shane has restored a 1960s Ford 3000 Pre-Force tractor that has been part of the development of the Godley farm for at least two generations.

The tractor was originally bought by Shane’s grandfather in 1976, having worked for more than 10 years on a British farm. It paid its way on a host of duties from ploughing to hay and loader work and a lot more besides, before being retired and sold in 2012.

Shane had a hankering to restore a tractor and sought it out again in 2014, as luckily it had stayed reasonably locally, in the Killarney area. He took home the project tractor in rough cosmetic order and began his restoration work in October 2014. His aim was to have the tractor ready for public display for the Kingdom County Fair in Tralee in June, but unfortunately, that deadline was to beat him.

The restoration work included a full dismantling of the tractor. The engine was in good condition and required no more than cleaning. The gearbox was also working well. The hydraulic pump had to be dismantled and sent away for a full refurbishment.

Then it was down to bodywork, much of which was in poor condition and had to be scrapped. The entire bare tractor was then sand blasted. The rear wheel centres and rims were beyond repair; the result of many years of yard scraping duties.

New mudguards were located, and bodywork was preserved with five paint coats to give the impressive finish. Shane scoured vintage events and car boot sales for some vital components, including a replacement air breather.

He was fortunate to get the front bonnet section from a local supplier. .

He now has the finished job completed and the tractor is out in the public eye, competing in ploughing matches in the north Kerry area, as proudly as it would have some 40 years ago. Shane has restored the old Kyllinstad two-furrow plough that was bought by his grandfather with the tractor.

The tractor made its first outing at Fossa, Killarney, recently and will be taking part in the Abbeydorney Ploughing Match this Bank Holiday Monday with Shane proudly at the wheel.

The Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club, which organised the very successful silage extravaganza on 26 July recently handed over a cheque for €10,000, the proceeds from the event, to the members of the South Tipperary Hospice.

The event attracted a huge attendance from all corners of Ireland, and was organised to benefit the hospice, a voluntary organisation launched in 1990, and which depends on fundraising for 90% of their annual running costs of approximately €700,000.

The movement provides help and expertise to patients and their families at home, in hospitals and nursing homes.

The presentation was made recently at Ned Kellys, The Village Inn in Moyglass, by the organisers, led by Matty Tynan, chairman, Coolmoyne and Moyglass Vintage Club, and a team of volunteers.

They celebrated a job well done and they were happy in the knowledge that their mission was accomplished and the proceeds were now in the hands of that wonderful organisation, South Tipperary Hospice.

KARE road run raises €10,000

The 9th annual KARE road run in Tinahely County Wicklow, which took place on October 5, was a huge success with over €10,000 raised, according to Mary Keogh of KARE services, which supports adults with learning disabilities. The recent tractor run included a raffle on the day and Mary told us that the following were the prize winners.

1st Prize (€300) – Andrew Doyle, Minvaude, Clonmore.

2nd Prize (€150) – Mary Doyle, Raheen Tobinstown, Tullow.

3rd Prize (€50) – John O’ Neill, Ardristrin, Tullow.

23-24 October Moira Model Show, Danescroft, Lisburn Antrim 0044-7776-365409

25 October Coolrain Tractor Run, Coolrain Laois 087-229 0694

25 October Ballinrostig Vintage Club Pat Hickey Run Cork 087-997 4619

25 October Mullinalaghta Vintage Club Road Run Longford 087-908 3524

25 October Donaghmore Tractor Run, Carrickmacross Monaghan

8 November Kilkenny Model Show, The Hub, Cillin Hill Kilkenny 087-794 7352

29 November Models of Ireland Show, Conna Cork 086-666 6150