The auction is taking place at the company’s Blackwater Works outside Shannonbridge, Co Offaly.

Paul Cooke Auctions will be selling off almost 60 tractors from the Bord na Mona fleet at an auction at the central midlands workshop of the company.

Most of the tractors are older 1980s Ford models, many of which have given a tractor lifetime working on the midland bogs. They have been worked hard in season, maintained well during that period and some were modified for the very special work that’s involved in peat harvesting.

Bord na Mona is downsizing its fleet of more than 800 tractors by selling off the older models that are no longer in regular use, often there as back-up machines. Looking at most of these tractors, it is noticeable that they have been off-duty for some time, and that’s judging by the level of growth within the tractor cabs.

But that’s merely cosmetic for a keen tractor enthusiast. The tractors are original in terms of their work experience and many have rust issues rather than serious mechanical ones.

Caterpillar

There are a number of interesting older Caterpillar D4 dozers in the auction. These are fitted with wide track systems and modified interiors and some fittings to cope with bog work.

There are some interesting Caterpillar excavators in the line-up and there is a big stock of components and parts for a large number of machines. The auction might even be the place to pick up some value in dual wheels; these are an essential and regular feature of machines that work in the soft boglands of Ireland.

The machines can be viewed this Thursday and Friday, 2 and 3 July, and on the morning of the auction on Saturday next, 5 July. The auction will begin at 12 noon sharp and it will be possible to view and bid for machines online at www.paulcookeauctions.com, while those on site at Blackwater will need to have a €1,000 refundable bidding deposit.

Tullamore to Mizen – Macra tractor run

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, August 22 and 23, to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. The club 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.

Pedlars plan a tractor run

Pedlar’s Cross Vintage Club based near Ballinscarthy in west Cork will be holding their annual charity vintage run on this Sunday 5 July with sign-in time from 11am. Michael Ryan (087-259 6078) of the club said that the route will take in some very scenic areas of west Cork and will be followed by a threshing display, barbecue, music and lots of good craic.

Help needed to restore Ferguson TE20

One of our regular Kerry based readers have 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.

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