Sun beams on Irish Country Tractor Club's silage event

Members of the Irish County Tractor Club turned out in force at Ballynaskeagh, Banbridge, Co Down, on Saturday last, 14 July. A number of harvesters driven by County tractors tackled into the task of 70 acres of second-cut silage on the farm of fellow club member and County enthusiast Mark Stewart.

The stunning backdrop of the Banbridge hills combined with perfect weather conditions provided a picturesque setting for the working event. With the sun beaming down on these glorious machines, all of which were in exceptional condition, a total of over 20 County tractors could be seen working on the day. These included a number of 1184s, 1474s, 1174s, a 1454, an 1124 Super Six, a County 974, and an 1884.

There was a total of 10 vintage harvesters cutting silage. These included double-chop harvesters and trailed precision-chop harvesters. Spectators could witness Taarup and Kidd machines in action. However, New Holland harvesters dominated the field. Onlookers could even catch a glimpse of an impeccable trailed New Holland 550, which was driven by a mounted engine.

The grass was carted to the pit using Fraser and Kane trailers where an impressive JCB 419s belonging to Stewart Contracts was kept on its toes.

After the silage was gathered, all club members travelled to the nearby John Dan O’Hare’s house, where they enjoyed a meal.

National Road Run

The Co Down event follows on from the Irish County Tractor Club’s first working event of the year, in which a total of 22 Irish County tractors travelled to Wales to take part in the annual National Road Run. The reason the Irish County Club were involved was because this year’s event kicked off at the old Benson factory, where the County tractors were manufactured many years ago.

County enthusiasts in the UK were hoping to get as many County tractors as possible involved in the run in the hope of setting a new record for the most amount of County tractors in the one location. As a result, contact was made with the Irish County Tractor Club.

UK County enthusiasts were shocked to witness such a high number of Irish County tractors at the run. A total of 10 Irish lorries loaded with County tractors made the trip over, signifying the great passion for the County tractor demonstrated by Irish club members.

UK County fanatics gathered a total of 63 County tractors together in the one location at this road run. However, organisers of the upcoming Silage Extravaganza in Moyglass, near Fethard, Co Tipperary, on Sunday 29 July are aiming to top this record. They are hoping to gather up to 70 County tractors together at this event. They are asking all County tractor owners to help make this possible.

In 2015, over 7,000 people attended the Silage Extravaganza,where onlookers cast their eyes on 103 vintage silage harvesters in operation. On 29 July, vintage enthusiasts are hoping to have an even larger event.

Club history

The first meeting of the Irish County Tractor Club took place on Saturday 4 February 2017 in The City North Hotel, Dublin. There were 25 members in attendance and a committee was put in place.

The official launch of the club took place in Nutts Corner, Co Antrim, in April 2017 as part of the Ford 100 celebrations. The club had a total of 42 County tractors on display at the launch.

Francie McBride, a County enthusiast and collector, is the man that put forward the idea of forming the club.

“My son Joe gave me the idea one day when we were working with our vintage machinery.

“Shortly after this, I was away on a trip with some like-minded vintage enthusiasts and I proposed the idea of the club at the dinner table. I got a really positive response from everyone. We all had a strong network of friends through attending vintage machinery events around the country. It just developed from there."

Future

The club intends to run at least one more working event in 2018. This will consist of a ploughing event.

Members explained that the club does not intend to organising any public events, simply because it hasn’t got the manpower to steward such events. There are currently over 45 members from all over the country in the club. From witnessing the event unfold, it is evident this group of people have formed their very own close-knit community.

The Irish County Tractor Club is intended to be a working club. Members set up the club so proud County enthusiasts can work their tractors and machines among one another in a rural setting.

The club is for similar minded individuals to come together, while there is also a huge social aspect. The club is non-profit and non-fundraising orientated. I think it’s fair to say this working club is certainly one of the most unique in the country.