From building blocks to transforming timeworn tractors

Many of those who follow or are perhaps lucky enough to be involved with the Ford or County tractor community on the island of Ireland, will likely have heard of Co Down man Stephen Lennon who is best known for his meticulous tractor restoration skills.

However, Stephen has only been restoring tractors for six years. Prior to this, he spent over 30 years running his own construction company before an unexpected opportunity arose to professionally restore Ford and Country tractors for a living.

Stephen previously specialised in domestic extensions and renovations, a profession one might consider as vastly different to a full nut and bolt tractor restoration. But strangely, there are many similarities in the skillsets required.

When we met Stephen, he was adding the finishing touches to a 1989 Ford 7810 Jubilee tractor, an eight-month project that brings to an end in the region of 800 mind-boggling man hours.

Within just six years, Stephen has carved himself a niche profession restoring tractors for some of the largest collectors within the British Isles. Stephen’s work goes beyond a quick surface respray, wider tyres and onto the next – all tractors that come into his yard are fully dismantled, checked over and overhauled both mechanically and cosmetically to a condition that can only be described as better than original.

Why Ford?

From speaking with Stephen, it’s clear that the Ford and the off-shoot County and Roadless brands are the tractors he feels most passionate about, both on a personal and professional level. Currently, these are the only tractors Stephen tends to work on.

Having asked Stephen where the passion originates from, he spoke about his time growing up. “I grew up on a family farm in an area surrounded by farmers and contractors. Ford was the tractor brand kept on the farm and the dominant brand within the area. I remember well-known local contractor John Dan O’Hare, and others working these Ford and County tractor models back when they were new. I distinctly remember John Dan lifting silage with a County 1184 and a trailed harvester. They were a tractor that fascinated me. So, you could say that’s where the interest started,” Stephen said.

Stephen is also a firm believer that the brands’ popularity and heritage in the area is partly sentiment towards local and long serving Ford and New Holland dealer, Burkes of Cornascriebe.

Fast forward to 2008, Stephen happened to stumble upon a 2WD Ford 7710 in a state of disrepair. It drew his attention given the fact it was the same model he would have worked in years gone by. Having seen that the tractor had recently been fitted with a new engine, he made an offer to buy it but it wasn’t accepted. At this point, Ireland was on the fringe of recession. The owner of the 7710 shortly came back and took Stephen up on his initial offer.

Coinciding with the tractor’s arrival, Stephen recalls all his work coming to a sudden stop due to the initial panic of the recession.

“For the first time in all my working years, I had no work and no income. Thankfully things quickly picked up to some extent.” Stephen said that the free time allowed him time to start restoring the 7710, not knowing where this journey was about to take him.

Catching the County bug

With his 7710 restored and a growing interest, Stephen decided to take it out to some local working events and meet other local enthusiasts. “Having seen a few County tractors working again after all those years, I was hooked, I had to have one”.

After three years of searching, Stephen’s patience was rewarded. He found a 1980 1184 model for sale in Armagh and quickly snapped it up. But like, the 7710, it was in bad need of repair.

“It was an early 1184, built shortly after production began in December 1979. It spent a good part of its life clamping maize in Holland before it was imported.

“The cab was thrashed and it needed a good bit of mechanical attention,” he said. Still working full-time, Stephen spent all his free time over a two-year period restoring the tractor to an impeccable standard.

The level of workmanship and attention to detail put into restoring the 1184 was soon seen by others within the County community and since has served as an unintended advertisement for what would later become a full-time business.

Making it a full-time business

After numerous enquiries to restore tractors, Stephen, although interested knew it wasn’t something that could be done on a part-time basis.

“I remember a friend asked me to restore what was my first Ford 7810 Jubilee. It was at this point I decided to give up the day job and go full-time at restorations,” Stephen said.

“I quickly realised that I didn’t miss shovelling concrete on a daily basis. There is something nice about dismantling an old tired machine and watching it go back together like new, it’s satisfying work,” he pointed out.

One-man operation

Stephen works as a one-man operation most of the time, only calling upon help for intricate mechanical work, engine rebuilds, electrical work or the odd paint job. Whether it’s stripping an engine, gear box or prepping a tractor for paint, Stephen tends to do most of this work himself.

“I have been lucky to form some great partnerships with local businesses to help with different aspects of restorations. Paul and Steven McMurray do all my engine work and are renowned for their skills.

A local contractor and mechanic, Ronnie Anderson helps out from time to time with any tricky jobs such as gearbox rebuilds. Logan McMaster (Tractor Cab Specialists), Christopher Smyth (Auto Electrics), Johnathan Megaw (JMG Bodycare) and the lads at Burkes again are all great assets to have when it comes to cab interiors trims, decals, electrics, paint work or the sourcing of parts.”

“Across the water, Mark Osborne of County Tractor Spares and Rob Morgan of County Tractor Spares & Repairs are great for parts and advice.

“There are several others who play a massive role in every rebuild and without these people and businesses and the wealth of knowledge they bring along, my job would be a lot more challenging.”

Aside from nearing completion of the eight-month Ford 7810 Jubilee project, Stephen also had a 1979 County 1174 LWB model that belongs to a client in England stripped down to the bare chassis. It is one of only five of its kind manufactured and one of two units originally sent to Finland when new to work as a snow plough. Stephen estimates that it too will take in the region of eight months to complete from top to bottom. Other recent tractors that passed through the workshop include a rare County 6700 Four and a County 1184 LWB.

Now with in the region of 20 nut and bolt restorations complete, Stephen has a procedure in place for every tractor that arrives.

Restoration process

Firstly, the tractor is thoroughly steam cleaned to identify leaks. Once in the workshop, all mechanical work is carried out from front to back including the engine which is sent away to be rebuilt. Next up the backend and PTO is the focus, looking particularly for wear or damage which is then repaired.

The chassis is then steam cleaned and prepped for paint. The cab undergoes a full restoration inside and out being one of the most time consuming parts, according to Stephen. This is especially the case when it comes to Ford Super Q cabs, he outlined, having spent 400 hours alone with the most recent 7810 Juliee cab.

The worn-out seat is never replaced for a new seat. He instead fully refurbishes the original sprung seats from top to bottom including the smallest of bushes and bearings in order to keep the tractor as original as possible.

Once the cab has been completed, it is refitted along with all other refurbished components, down to the smallest of nuts and bolts that have all yellow zinc plated to give a fresh new look.

Six years on

After six years in the business, Stephen has learnt a lot, not only about tractor restorations but the community of people involved.

“Tractor collections have become serious business, there has been a massive trend toward investing money into assets such as vintage tractors and cars. Therefore, the client with these assets expect an end result that is on par or better than new. Given the detail and work involved in sourcing parts that are no longer manufactured and labour involved means these are projects that often run into tens of thousands,” Stephen explained.

Regarding time and pricing, Stephen says that both are almost impossible to estimate.

“You never know what unforeseen challenges will be encountered when a tractor is pulled apart. When going to such an extent, I like to leave no stone unturned and replace almost every possible oil seal, bearing and other serviceable parts etc for precaution. Customers cannot be in a rush for a project to completed or be on a strict budget. If that’s the case, more often than not it won’t work out,” he said.

“it’s satisfying job really, to be restoring a part of the Ford tractor history for future generations and to see these machines given a new lease of life.

“I’ve also met some really interesting characters in the last six years too, many of which are now good friends.” Stephen added.

Favourite restoration to date:

It would have to be a recent County 1184 LWB. It came from the forestry commission and in pretty rough condition. I have a real interest in 1184s too, especially owning one.

Most enjoyable part of the job:

The most satisfying aspect of restoring a tractor for me is the rebuild process, seeing the tractor come back to life.

Most challenging part

The Super Q cabs on the Fords are a real time-consuming and tough cab to work with given all the curves and round edges.

Would you restore other brands or more modern tractors?

No, not currently. I’ve enough work ahead of me with Countys and Fords alone. At this stage, I know Countys fairly well and like the fact they have little to no electrics. However, I would like to take on a Roadless project.

What tractor would you buy with a blank cheque?

A County 1474 shot nose. Within the County community, the 1474 and 1884 models are regarded as the top tier. While, the 1884 is a ‘holy grail’ in the eyes of many, I think I’d have a 1474 because it’s a real useable and good sized tractor.