Darren Leopold started his contracting business in Co Tipperary in 1999 after years of working for other farmers and contractors.
His first tractor purchase was a 1996 Deutz-Fahr Agriprima 616. This tractor is still in the fleet today and was on raking duty with a Claas liner 2700 the day I was there. It also still gets the task of handling a 2,250 gallon slurry tanker when required. This tractor was the start of a love affair with Deutz tractors. The fleet currently consists of four Deutzs and a closely related Lamborghini. There is a second Agriprima, a 606, which is usually on tedding duty. This tractor is also from the mid-1990s.
The main workhorses of the fleet are two mid-1990s Deutz Agrotrons, a 2004 130 and a 2006 150.7. These tractors are attached to a pair of McHale Fusion 2 balers. Both of these tractors put out close to 180hp after a small bit of remapping. This makes them more than able for the west’s finest baling and wrapping machines.
The odd one out of the fleet is a silver Lamborghini. This is 140 RC and was on stacking duties the day I was there with a double bale lifter on the back and a JM agri design TR3 single handler on the loader.
When Darren and his crew are not at silage, they also undertake slurry spreading and some plant hire work. On the plant front he uses a Hitachi 135 and a pair of Dooley dump trailers. He owns two 2,250 gallon Cross tankers. Darren said it was very difficult to get out with the tankers with the long winter this year. One of the tankers has a Moscha swivel spout on it and Darren has found that his customers are starting to ask for the tank with the Moscha fitted. He thinks a second one may need to be purchased for next year.
The Deutz agriprima 616 using the Claas liner 2700 rake.
The tractors in his fleet are all well proven and have clocked some serious hours. Darren’s original tractor, the 616, has clocked an impressive 23,000 hours and is still going strong. He has no plans to get rid of this timeless classic. Darren is based in a strong dairying part of the country and he also does some relief milking during the quieter time of the year. On the baling front, he and his team produce and handle around 10,000 bales a year.
The Lamborghini is the newest arrival and was on bale moving duties.
Darren prides himself on doing a good job for his customers and being able to turn up on time when he says he will.
There are also a pair of Welger balers in the fleet. If things get really busy they can be brought out to make sure that his customers get their grass baled at the agreed time.
He says he provides a premium service but also charges a premium price. He has found over the last 20 years that customers will pay a little more for the ability to set the time that they need the service.
The two Deutz agrotrons and Mchale Fusions at work
Darren has had issues this year with getting staff and is a great believer that a good team is what gets the job done. With his fleet of Deutz tractors including some modern classics, he will have no trouble filling the driver’s seats in the future.