May was a very positive month for telescopic loader registrations, with 67 new units registered for the first time – an increase of 76% on May 2025, when a total of 38 new machines were registered. This brings the year-to-date total for the five-month period to 461 units, which equates to a 10% increase in the market for the year to date, according to the latest registration data provided by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA).
The two leading brands so far are JCB and Manitou, having accounted for a combined 71% of the total year-to-date market, while Weidemann has dropped to a 7% market share in third place.
There were 31 imported used telescopic loaders registered in May 2026, a significant reduction from the 42 units registered in May 2025.
Wheeled loaders
The Irish wheeled loader market recorded the same number of new registrations in May 2026, at 16 units, as May 2025, which was an unchanged market. The smaller Chinese manufactured machines at the lower price and power end of the market accounted for 50% of the new wheeled loader registrations in Ireland during 2026. There were 13 imported used wheeled loaders registered in May 2026 compared with eight in May 2025.
Backhoe loaders
The Irish backhoe loader market remained unchanged in May 2026 compared with May 2025, with three new machines registered. There were three used backhoe loaders registered in Ireland in May 2026, compared with six registered in May 2025.
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