Tractors from Michael Hoey’s tractor collection at Lusk, Co Dublin, were second and third placed in the recent Tractor World Show, which took place at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, England. Both tractors were restored in England in recent years and are maintained in pristine condition on Michael’s farm.Michael’s Ford 7810 silver jubilee tractor was awarded second prize in the overall classic tractor section. This is just one tractor from his vast Ford collection, which remains one of the most impressive in Britain and Ireland. This tractor was produced in 1989 to celebrate 25 years of tractor production at the then Ford tractor factory in Basildon, England.
Tractors from Michael Hoey’s tractor collection at Lusk, Co Dublin, were second and third placed in the recent Tractor World Show, which took place at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, England. Both tractors were restored in England in recent years and are maintained in pristine condition on Michael’s farm.
Michael’s Ford 7810 silver jubilee tractor was awarded second prize in the overall classic tractor section. This is just one tractor from his vast Ford collection, which remains one of the most impressive in Britain and Ireland. This tractor was produced in 1989 to celebrate 25 years of tractor production at the then Ford tractor factory in Basildon, England.
Michael’s American-built Massey Ferguson 1130 two-wheel-drive tractor was award third prize. This tractor model was not sold in Ireland, but sold in North America from 1964 to 1972.
The tractor was tested in Nebraska in 1966 where it was rated at a maximum of 120hp on the PTO from its Perkins six-cylinder, 5.8-litre, turbo-charged engine. It has a 12-forward and four-reverse speed gearbox, along with an original multi-power system. It weighs in at over 6t with ballast and fitted with the variable width adjustment rear wheels.
MF 1200 destined for Ireland tops Malvern tractor auction price
Auctioneers HJ Pugh auctioned more than 100 tractors during the recent Tractor World event at the Three Counties Showground. The top price paid was for a 1978 Massey Ferguson 1200, which was bought by an Irish MF enthusiast. The tractor, complete with dual wheels and in original condition with 8,000 hours on the clock, made £11,800 (€16,031) before fees.
Not far behind was a 1984 Massey Ferguson 230 tractor with a Duncan cab, which made £9,400 (€12,764) plus fees. It had been used for light grass topping only, had only 1,953 hours on the clock and was regularly serviced by a Massey Ferguson engineer.
The next-best price was for a 1981 County 774 tractor with 2,784 hours which made £8,900 (€12,077) plus fees. This tractor was regularly serviced and had a porous cylinder block and a clutch plate replaced in May 2003 and required a glass in the rear cab window.
A 1943 Fordson N tractor with a Perkins engine and exhaust and air pipes on the correct sides made £5,400 (€7,327) plus fees. This tractor has a high top gear for road runs and low first gear for ploughing, was fitted with a hand clutch and was running well.
A popular tractor at the auction was a 1968 Massey Ferguson 135 tractor, restored using original parts, which made £4,500 (€6,105) plus fees. This tractor has won several awards at shows across England. And an original 1952 Fordson Diesel Major tractor running well made £3,600 (€4,884) plus fees. Many of the other plain tractors attracted lower prices, such as a Ferguson TED20 tractor for £750 (€1,018), a David Brown 25D Cropmaster for £780 (€1,059), an MF 65 MKI tractor at £1,750 (€2,375) and a 1964 Fordson Super Dexta at £950 (€1,289).
Date Event Location Contact
27-28 March Glenavy Vintage indoor show Danescourt, Antrim 0044-7860372304
28 March Mid Ulster Vintage Club tractor run Tyrone 0044-7541325188
28-30 March Friends of Ferguson AGM La Mon Hotel, Belfast 0044-7860-372304
29 March Knock Down Vintage Road Run Limerick 087-2452695
29 March Clady Vintage vintage Road Run Dunderry, Meath 086-1540829
6 April Windmill Vintage Show Cavan 087-6329362
6 April Meath Vintage Group spark plug run Meath 087-2516771
6 April Auto Jumble show Stewartstown, Tyrone 0044-7719045535
6 April Sperrin Vintage Club tractor run Draperstown, Derry 028/048-79643262
11 April Aughnacloy cross-border vintage run Tyrone 0044-7799345562
12 April Welcome Inn vintage run Bandon, Cork 087-2240145
Meath spark plug run
Meath Vintage Group will stage its spark plug tractor run on Easter Monday, 6 April. This is a run designed to put vintage back into tractor runs, where only pure vintage tractors, those with either TVO or petrol engines, can take part.
The run will start from Bruno McCormack’s yard outside Oldcastle at noon and will travel by lesser-known byways of Oldcastle and environs. Refreshments served on return to Bruno’s. You can get more information on 087-2516771.
CMC Country DVD winners
The winners in the recent CMC Country Farming the Land DVD competition were: Albert Hosty, Logboy, Tulrahan, Claremorris, Co Mayo, and Padraig Lonergan, Crossbeg, Knockalough, Kilrush, Co Clare. Two copies of the DVDs are on their way to Albert and Padraig.
Osborne buys County name
Mark Osborne of A T Osborne has secured the County Tractors Ltd name from the previous owner Adrian Tavernor. This means that A T Osborne now owns the County Tractors Ltd name, as well as their existing County Commercial Cars title.
Mark, from Hampshire, England, has bought the remaining stock of County parts from the Kegworth plant in Dorset.
The stock includes a number of parts for crawlers and Major-based tractors, plus some Hi-Clear and Thames Traders.
Mark can be contacted on 0044-2380814340 or countytractors@aol.com for more information.
IVETA returns profit growth
The Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) reported a growth in profit of €76,398 in 2014, up from €63,107 the previous year, the members were told at the recent AGM. This means that funds stand at €331,154, after finalising the purchase of the Swallow’s Quarter premises in Donaghmore, Co Laois, during 2014.
Income from membership and insurance rose during the year, while expenses dropped marginally.
The association received a grant of over €77,000 towards to refurbishment of Swallow’s Quarter, which is being restored as a centre for its activities. During the year, IVETA has continued in its efforts to secure charitable/sports status as a company, which would bring significant benefits for the future development of its operations.
Quotes from the IVETA annual general meeting
“All tractors registered since 1978 must be fitted with a stamped rollbar or safety frame and the RSA will be visiting vintage events to enforce this during the year.”
“FBD Insurance has now received a licence to insure steam engines and we can now give a cost-effective cover for €250 per engine.”
Martin Bergin, IVETA insurance co-ordinator.
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