Feeding livestock over the winter months is a time-consuming task on many Irish farms, especially for farmers who feed large quantities of round-bale silage.

This laborious job has created opportunities for engineering firms to design and manufacture labour-saving feeding equipment to streamline the job.

There are multiple bale-handling concepts available, ranging from bale unrollers to bale processors, to the simple bale shear concept featured. All are designed to make this repetitive task easier.

The bale shears offer three big advantages. The first is time-saving, which is often quoted at 50% to 60% by farmers; second is the fact you don’t have to get out of the tractor at all; and finally there’s the added benefit of staying clean. Here, we take a look at a number of machines available on the Irish market.

Goweil

Probably best known in Irish circles for its round baler and wrapper, Austrian manufacturer Goweil also offers its version of a bale shears, namely the Round Bale Slicer (RBS).

It is designed to be operated either on the tractor’s three-point linkage or via the typical telehandler or front-end loader mounting option.

The RBS uses eight hooks to hold and retain the film and net while the bale is being cut. The hooks are operated using a hydraulic sequencing valve, which engages and disengages as the blade is opened and closed. The cutting and retaining operation is controlled using a double-acting valve.

The standard model encompasses five 1m reinforced tines and a double-edged serrated Hardox cutting blade. Weighing in at 440kg, the unit is designed to handle 1.4m and 1.5m round bales, meaning it can’t be used to feed out pit silage.

The Goweil range is imported and distributed by the Cooney Furlong Machinery Company.

Fitted with brackets to suit, the unit is priced at €3,400 plus VAT.

The Tanco i73 excluding brackets weighs 380kg and can handle bales up to 1.55m in diameter.

Tanco

Tanco officially launched its first bale shear in the winter of 2008, the i70. The Carlow manufacturer later developed the i73, which had the capability of handling slighter larger bales. This was also a requirement for the European market at the time.

The i73 is designed to handle round bales of up to 1.55m in diameter. The Tanco system is designed to retain the plastic using a patented gripping mechanism that holds the plastic without piercing it.

Once the bale is discharged and the rams have been fully opened, the sequence valve will release the pressure from the clamp holding the plastic.

The i73 is only designed for use with round bales, but Tanco also manufactures an i75 Multishear, which can be used to feed out bales and pit silage. Weighing in at 380kg (excluding brackets), the machine also comes with the option of a quick-attach bucket and bolt-on brackets to suit any headstock.

A range of bolt-on brackets are available. The i73 is priced at €3,370 plus VAT, while the i75 is €4,730 plus VAT.

The Cashels bale shears uses four hooks instead of a jaw-type mechanism to grip both wrap and net.

Cashels

Since 2012, Mayo manufacturer Cashels Engineering has offered its bale cutter and film catcher range.

Both a 4ft and 5ft model are offered. However, the latter is more suited to export markets where larger diameter bales are more common.

Cashel’s design includes a curved frame for a larger opening area capable of handling bales up to 1.35m (4ft model) and 1.6m (5ft model) in diameter. The film/net retaining mechanism differs from most competitors in that there are four hooks mounted in a single row across the machine as opposed to a jaw-like mechanism.

These hooks are operated using a hydraulic sequencing valve which engage and disengage as the blade is opened and closed. The serrated cutting blade is double-edged and made using Hardox steel.

For added versatility, an optional meal bucket attachment is available, which is retained on the tines via a spring-loaded pin. The option of fitting additional tines on the outer sides is also available.

Excluding brackets, the 4ft model weighs 400kg, while the larger 5ft model weighs 460kg. A range of bolt-on brackets is available. The 4ft model starts at €3,500 plus VAT.

The ProDig Megabite is available in 1.5m and 1.8m working widths.

ProDig

Based in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, ProDig offers two versatile attachments with film/net-retaining devices suited to feeding silage bales.

First up is the Megabite, which doubles up as a bale shears and a shear grab. On the market since 2014, the Megabite is fitted with a Hardox cutting edge, Hardox tines and a film/net retaining device.

The device uses three pairs of jaw-like clamps and works via a hydraulic sequencing valve.

Both 1.5m (14-tine) and 1.8m (16-tine) models are available, while the smaller unit including brackets weighs 637kg.

The ProDig Shear Genius can be used as a bale shears, a shear grab or a bucket.

Next is the Shear Genius, designed with the diet feeder customer in mind. Effectively, it can be used as a bucket, shear grab or bale shears, eliminating the need of interchanging implements when loading a diet feeder.

The Shear Genius is fitted with the same retaining device and is available in four working widths ranging from 1.5m to 2.5m. The 1.5m Shear Genius including brackets weighs 635kg.

Although the larger models are more suited towards wheeled loaders, the smaller 1.5m model is aimed for tractor loaders. A range of bolt-on brackets is available for each.

The 1.5m Megabite has a starting price of €5,400 plus VAT, while the Shear Genius starts at €5,400 plus VAT.

The Shearman 1700 features a hook type film/net retaining system and bolt on knife sections.

Shearman

Fastparts, based in Dublin, distributes the Shearman 1700 bale shear. Fastparts is a division of Farmhand, Irish importers of Krone, Amazone, Quicke, Zuidberg and APV.

The 1.7m Shearman 1700 comes fitted with six tines and is designed to retain film and net using four hooks instead of a jaw like clamping mechanism.

This operates via a hydraulic sequencing valve too, therefore only one double-acting service is required.

Unlike its competitors, it is fitted with bolt-on knife sections for easy replacement.

The Shearman is fitted as standard with weld-on Euro brackets although other brackets options are available.

The unit weighs in at 540kg and is priced at €3,000 plus VAT.

The Keltec design is different to the competition in that it clamps the plastic at the top and slices from the bottom up.

Keltec

Limerick manufacturer Keltec Engineering first developed its bale shears in 2008. Keltec’s design works in a slightly different fashion compared with other manufacturers.

The Kilmallock firm’s bale shear pinches and holds the bale’s wrap and net on the top of the bale, while the cutting blade slices up from the bottom upwards.

Once the bale is cut within 18in of the top of the frame, the sequencing valve is initiated and the grippers begin to close. As the bale is being sliced, the silage falls away from the wrap and net.

This unit is solely designed to handle round bales, but Keltec also offers a combi shear, which can be used for both bales and pit silage. The machine comes with the option of a quick-attach bucket.

It features a double-edged Hardox cutting blade and seven reinforced tines, while the operation is controlled using a double-acting valve.

Weighing in at 480kg (without brackets), the unit is priced at €3,450 plus VAT and comes with bolt-on brackets to suit.

The Nugent bale slice weighs 480kg.

Nugent

Nugent Engineering, based in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, offers its bale cutter and wrap catcher. Keeping it simple, the firm offers one 4ft model designed to handle 4x4 round bales.

It features a curved frame, large serrated blades and six tines across the width of the machine as standard.

The film/net retaining device consists of two pairs of jaw-like hooks, which are operated using a hydraulic sequencing valve.

When the shears are closed, oil is diverted via the sequencing valve, which engages the hooks and catches the film/net. Once the frame has been fully opened, the jaw-like hooks then release and let go of the film/net.

A range of bolt-on brackets are available to suit all headstocks. The Nugent bale shears weighs approximately 450kg. Prices start at €2,950 plus VAT.

The Rohan design uses a floating clamp to grip both wrap and net which hinges on the same frame as the blade.

Rohan Engineering

Limerick-based implement manufacturer Rohan Engineering has been manufacturing bale slices for the past 12 years. The company claims to be the only manufacturer that offers a floating clamp, designed to handle irregular-shaped round bales.

Once a bale has been picked up, the floating clamp hinges on the same frame as the cutting blade, meaning both move parallel to one another.

The clamp is loaded using a hydraulic sequencing valve, which engages and disengages as the blade is opened and closed.

This machine is designed for feeding 4x4 and 5x4 round bales, but Rohan also offers a combi unit for those after a hybrid pit and bale feeding option. The Adare manufacturer uses a double-edged Hardox cutting blade on both machines.

For increased versatility, an optional bucket attachment is also available. Coming as standard with five tines fitted across the width of the machine, the unit is bushed for up to seven tines.

The machine weighs in at 420kg (excluding brackets) and comes with brackets to suit any headstock. It is priced at €3,250 plus VAT.