17/03/2026
Office of Public Works (Oifig na hOibreacha Poiblí)
FODEN tractor 497 WZE, 1979 to 199
Moving heavy plant and equipment requires special transport. Articulated tractors with low-loading semi-trailers are used where possible, but extra large or heavy loads usually travel on drawbar trailers hauled by ballast tractors. CIE, Irish Rail, the ESB and the Office of Public Works have been prominent users of such transport, but specialist contractors now perform much of the work.
To move heavy plant, notably excavators and draglines, the Office of Public Works has been a long-time operator of heavy tractors. In July 1979, this Foden replaced an 80-tonner of the same make used for over 30 years. Capable of dealing with loads of up to 74 tons, it can work in either articulated or drawbar mode. The designed gross train weight of tractor, trailer and load is more than 100 tons, but the vehicle can cope with more; quoted Foden ratings are conservative.
Foden’s of Sandbach, Cheshire, built steam engines in the 1880s. Early in the 20th century, their steam wagons achieved pre-eminence, as did the diesel-engined lorries and tractors they produced from 1930 onwards. Major Irish Foden customers included Roadstone and the Sugar Company. Poole’s of Westland Row, Dublin, were the original Irish representatives, the agency later passing to Equipment Sales of Tallaght, who supplied this tractor to the OPW. Foden was acquired in 1980 by Paccar (Pacific Car & Foundry), U.S. builders of Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks.
Among the many projects on which 497 WZE has worked were several connected with the preservation and enhancement of our archaeological heritage. The original cost of 497 WZE was £49,310 (€62,610) including VAT. Withdrawn in 1997 and made available to the Museum by the Office of Public Works through the interest of Frank Enright, the Foden in its turn became part of our heritage.
TECHNICAL DETAILS Foden AC33/100 chassis No. 99788; wheelbase 15’ 6” (4.72m). Cummins NTK335 six-cylinder engine, bore 140mm, stroke 152mm, swept volume 14 litres; output 335bhp at 2,100rpm. Transmission via Brockhouse torque converter and Foden nine-speed gearbox to double-drive rear bogie: ratios variable at hubs. Tyres 11.00 x 20. Air brakes. Length 22’ 6” (6.86m). (Acc. No. 1997/2P. Oct. 2002)
