Fingal Vintage Society, together with Hanlon Machinery, hosted a ‘John Deere Heritage‘ evening on Saturday (February 17).
Kirstie Ward – of Grassmen fame – was a special guest; she unveiled some treasured tractors, as the evening unfolded.
Michael Moroney – well known over many years in farm machinery circles – was the MC (Master of Ceremonies).
The venue for the nostalgic, tractor-themed event was City North Hotel – close to the Meath/Dublin border. Tickets were sold out in advance.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
This 3120 (pictured below) – owned by David Rogers – was one of several vintage and classic tractors unveiled at the event. This model, which harks back to the late 1960s / early 1970s, is from an era when John Deere wasn’t quite so well known here in Ireland.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
The 3120 is home to a six-cylinder, 5L engine.
This gleaming 1020 (pictured below), like the 3120, dates back to the 1960s and early 1970s.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
Diesel versions of the 1020 were powered by three-cylinder, 2.5L engines.
Pictured below is yet another vintage/classic tractor unveiled on the night; this time it’s a 1120 – with a three-cylinder, 2.7L engine nestled under the hood.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
One of the most eye-catching exhibits must surely have been this 4020 (pictured below) – owned by David Rogers.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
Built in Waterloo, Iowa (US), the 4020 was an iconic model; this diesel version is home to a big six-cylinder, 6.6L engine. Tipping the scales at about 4t, the 4020 was a relatively big tractor in its day. They are considered to be very collectible nowadays.
Flying the flag for more modern offerings (relatively speaking, of course) was this SG2-cabbed, 4WD 2650 (pictured below) – owned by John McKeon.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
The 2650 had 78hp on tap – courtesy of its four-cylinder, 3.9L engine. Its production run stretched from 1987 right up until 1994, at which point it was replaced by (full-frame) 6000 Series models.
The 2650’s SG2 cab was considered to be the height of luxury (by some) in the 1980s; a significant number of 50 Series tractors are still gainfully employed on Irish farms today.
Also at the event was this shapely 3130 (pictured below) – owned by John Rogers. Built in Mannheim (Germany), the 3130 arrived onto the market in 1973 – remaining in production until the end of the 1970s.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
It received a face-lift early in its existence – adopting a more rounded nose among other tweaks. The tractor pictured above is a post face-lift model and probably the version that is most familiar to Irish readers.
Michael Hoey – central to Fingal Vintage Society and a well-known collector of vintage and classic tractors – brought his pivot-steer (articulated) 8430 to the anniversary night. The video footage below – from the ‘John Deere Hanlon‘ Facebook page – shows this big machine at the venue.
Following the successful event on Saturday, Hanlon Machinery is putting two ‘Goodie Bags’ (pictured below) up for grabs. To win, entrants must like, share and tag Hanlon Machinery’s Facebook page.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
The winner will be announced on Friday, February 23. Keep an eye on Facebook to keep abreast of developments.
Image source: ‘John Deere Hanlon’ Facebook page
Aside, don’t forget to take a glance at our nostalgic look back at John Deere forage harvesters – with a particular focus on self-propelled units.
Also Read: Nostalgia: Where did John Deere self-propelled foragers come from?It charts the development of such machines – from early trailed versions in the 1960s and the first self-propelled units in the early 1970s right through to current-generation 8000 Series harvesters.