John Deere Limited’s special 50th anniversary Celebration & Heritage Event at the company’s headquarters for Britain and Ireland was a huge success, with an estimated 14,000 people from across the UK and Ireland attending the weekend’s festivities.
There was a large Irish contingent present, including two bus groups which brought over 110 people from John Deere dealers Hanlon Machinery in Dundalk.
There were over 200 John Deere vintage, classic and modern tractors and other heritage machines at the event, spanning 100 years of production .
There was even a John Deere bicycle.
Iconic
There were also 11 examples of the iconic 4020 tractor that dates back to 1966, the year John Deere Limited started trading from its current premises at Langar.
The company’s own specially restored model, nicknamed BEV, was featured alongside the new 620hp four-track 9620RX, the biggest tractor John Deere makes today.
Irish participants included Edward Furlong from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, with his 1976 John Deere 1030 tractor and John Deere three-furrow plough, which was originally sold by Sherrards.
Ballymena John Deere tractor enthusiast John Mulholland had his 1996 John Deere 6800, which was originally bought in Scotland, on display in the working display area with a Kverneland four-furrow reversible plough.
All visitors were impressed with the tractor parade, which included some interesting models including the leader, a 1916 Overtime tractor.
Overwhelmed
It seems that John Deere was somewhat overwhelmed by the attendance as it had run out of merchandise by mid-day on the first day of the two-day event.
Models collectors who flocked to the event were a little disappointed that a special event model tractor was not produced for the event.
John Deere Limited started trading from Langar in January 1966. The original premises, which was the setting for the event, is still in use today as a visitor centre and national parts distribution centre.
IVETA national rally
The Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) will be holding its annual national rally and auction on Sunday, 16 October at Cavan Equestrian Centre, Cavan town. The event always attracts a big attendance and the auction towards evening will bring some worthwhile tractor options open to the market.
John Clancy (087-632 9362) who organises the event, told the Irish Farmers Journal that there will be some additional displays this year with special emphasis on the Ferguson anniversaries.
These include the 80th anniversary of the Ferguson Brown, 70th anniversary of the TE20 and the 60th anniversary of the FE35.
Irish Farmers Journal Vintage Diary
Date Event & Location Contact
7 October Model Collector’s Fayre, Bawnacre Centre, Irvinstown
8 October Ballygowan Vintage Club Ploughing Match, Down 028/048- 9752 8814
8 October Hawthorne Vintage Festival, Portglenone, Antrim 0044-7809 357 472
8 October Armagh Down Vintage Rally, Scarva, Down 0044-7766425 260
8 October Lissan Parish Vintage Display, Moneymore, Antrim 0044-7795436 918
8 October Ballyfin Vintage Club cabaret night, Laois 087-2612408
9 October Over the Water Vintage Club road run, Wexford 085-174 0984
9 October Roughty Valley Vintage Club road run 086-892 8769
9 October Tullamore Toy Diecast Model Show, Tullamore Court, Tullamore 086-8518951
15 October Ballymoney Old Vehicle Club Autojumble, Antrim 0044-7960130 030
16 October Leap & DistrictVintage threshing, Kerry 086-377 8954
16 October Ballincollig Vintage Fingal Road Run, Cork 087-909 6616
16 October Solsborough Vintage Club road run, Wexford 086-200 9519
16 October IVETA National Rally & Auction, Cavan 087-632 9362
22 October Kev’s Model Auction, Castle Hotel, Durrow Laois 0044-7742-670023
22 October Clough Vintage Club Table Quiz, Antrim 0044-7926970643
*Dates are subject to change. The Irish Farmers Journal does not take responsibility for date or venue changes. Please contact each event before you travel.