In light of the current COVID-19 situation, a number of Irish machinery dealers have emphasised that both farmers and contractors need to pull their combines out of the sheds earlier this year and put a list of the required parts together.

“Now that the majority of the spring work is done, farmers need to open the panels on their combines and see what parts they need. With such a high volume of spring crops sown this year, harvest 2020 could see a very busy 10-day period where machines will be pushed to its limits. To have all the important parts you need, we are encouraging people to get moving on this sooner rather than later”, explained Timmy McCarthy from McCarthy’s in Cork.

Although dealers are telling us that they are well stocked with general wearing parts for combines, they are saying it could take longer than normal to source more complex parts which many wouldn’t typically carry in stock.

One dealer noted that many couriers aren’t nearly as busy as normal, some of whom have taken a number of their vans off the road. He also added that planes and couriers are outside of their control, but that if farmers order early, they will have the parts in time.

Some dealers have gone as far as issuing customers with service reminders, urging them to get combines ready for the harvest earlier this season.

“Lead times on components aren’t as predictable as normal given the current situation. For example, parts coming from countries such as Italy have to quarantine for three days before shipping”, outlined Charles Hutchinson of Armstrong Machinery.

“We intend on having a buffer stock in addition to our normal stock of parts and spares. Mainly components and larger part assemblies, items we typically wouldn’t carry as we don’t want to take chances given the uncertainty around the frequency of shipping and couriers. The sooner farmers and contractors act on getting machines ready, the better. Everyone will be in a better position come harvest”, Charles concluded.