Fendt breaks tractor sales records

2013 was a record-breaking year for Fendt, according to Peter-Josef Paffen, chairman of its management board.

New Fendt tractor sales climbed by 3,249 units to 17,837, over 20% more than in the previous year, he said.

Due to the currently declining markets, Fendt is expecting to sell 16,900 tractors during 2014. During 2013, Fendt increased its market share in western and central Europe to 9.4% and is aiming for 9.6% in 2014.

Fendt’s objective is to stabilise the high market shares that they have achieved in Europe and to continue to expand them in the coming years.

Bridgestone enters agricultural market

Bridgestone Europe will introduce the Bridgestone brand in the agricultural tyre market in Europe. Bridgestone agricultural tyres will target the growing high-end segment of the European market, meeting the special needs of the largest, most powerful agricultural vehicles and equipment.

Bridgestone launched its first agricultural product in May of this year and the tyres will be available for sale in Europe during the second half of the year. They will be launched on the Irish market at the National Ploughing Championships in September.

N Ireland tractor sales lift 30%

A total of 412 new tractors were registered in NI for the first six months of this year, compared with 316 for the same period in 2013 – an increase of 30.4%.

This was the highest percentage increase in any region of Britain and Northern Ireland in the period, according to figures produced by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

A total of 6,942 new tractors were registered in Britain and Northern Ireland since the start of the year – an increase of 4% over the same period in 2013.

An analysis by broad power group shows the biggest increases in the 141hp to 160hp sector, but all groupings above 120hp showed an increase in units registered when compared with the same period last year.

TürkTraktör opens second CNH factory

New Holland’s Turkish tractor joint venture company with Koç Holding has opened its second tractor factory in Turkey. This factory will produce Case IH and New Holland tractors for local and export markets.

The inauguration coincided with the 60th anniversary of TürkTraktör, the country’s leading tractor manufacturer. The new factory will raise the joint venture’s production capacity to 50,000 tractors per year for both domestic and export markets. TürkTraktör manufactures tractors, engines, transmissions, front and rear axles.

Fiatagri, now part of CNH, established the tractor joint venture with Koç Holding in 1967. CNH claims that almost 700,000 tractors have been produced by the company since then.

Louth winner of Case IH iPad

Louth farmer Sean McGovern from Carterstown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co Louth, was the winner in the Case IH iPad competition run in association with the Irish Farmers Journal. Sean will be receiving his iPad in the coming days.

This week’s machine of the week on the Irish Farmers Journal advertising website www.toplink.ie is this brand new 97hp New Holland TD5050 at Tony Brady Plant and Tractor Sales, Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. The tractor comes with a 12-forward/12-reverse speed power shuttle gearbox and is kitted with Michelin radial tyres all round. Tony Brady (090-9643509/087-2625392) is quoting a price of €38,750 plus VAT for this compact four-cylinder tractor that’s fitted with additional cab-mounted work lights and it’s just waiting to have a loader fitted.