New loader option for Irish farmers

Lisnascreen Machinery Ltd, based at Glasson, outside Athlone in Co Westmeath, is importing the MTL range of agriculture loading shovels. The MTL 15F loading shovel, which is manufactured in China, comes with a starting price from €20,000 plus VAT, and will tempt farmers to investigate further.

The MTL 15F is a low centre of gravity loader, with an overall height of 2.5m (101 in) which has a load-carrying capacity of 1.5t. The loader lifting height is rated at 3.8 metres (12ft 6in) on standard tyres and the loader weighs 3.6 tonnes.

The new loader is powered by a four-cylinder, Perkins design, Chinese-built 63hp diesel engine operating through a torque convertor transmission. There is a column-shift, lever-type forward and reverse shuttle system with the benefit of a high and low speed transmission.

Each machine comes with a third hydraulic service which is fully hydraulically operated. James Nally of Linascreen Machinery said: “The MTL 15F is a basic and reliable farm loader with no electronics. The two machines currently in operation on farms in Ireland have proved easy to use and adaptable for farmyard applications, with a reversing camera fitted as standard.”

Open day at Irwin Brothers Tractors

Irwin Brothers Tractors is hosting an open day on Friday 20 March from 2pm. Based in Magheraveely, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, the company is a main Landini tractor dealer. Their machinery franchises include Krone, Abbey, Amazone, Quicke, Spearhead, Rossmore and Fleming.

Irwin Brothers Tractors will showcase the latest models from Landini, including the new 5 Series, 6 Series and 6L Series. Visitors will also get the opportunity to test drive the new 6 Series (111-133hp) equipped with new engine, transmission and cab. The 6 Series is also available with front and cab suspension and 50km transmission.

Plant machines coming back to life

CQMS ’15, Ireland’s only construction and quarrying machinery show, will be staged as a two-day event on 17 and 18 April at Molloy’s Quarry in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Tom Parlon of the Construction Industry Federation will open the event.

Almost 100 exhibitors have already confirmed their stands and a handful of spaces remain as a result of the recent extension of the site.

JMC Parts now distribute Laforge

JMC Parts based at Inchinattin, Reenascreena, Rosscarbery, Co Cork, has been appointed as the Irish agent for the Laforge range of tractor front three-point hitchs. The Laforge brand has been around for a long time in the market. The front linkages can be supplied for any make of tractor and incorporated with existing loaders where possible.

JMC Parts supplies a range of mower and harvester parts across Europe and is also the Irish agent for the Grammer range of tractor and machinery seats.

Big turnout at Kelly’s of Laois

There was a big attendance at the recent open days at the new Kelly’s of Laois branch. Visitors came to listen to the impressive line-up of guest speakers.

The branch, located on the Carlow to Abbeyleix road, is well positioned to accommodate all the needs of the midlands customers providing a central hub with a good road network.

The branch is run by Richard Kelly, son of Maurice Kelly, founder of Kelly’s of Borris. He is supported in that role by Wayne Barry in sales and Eddie Abbott in the parts department.

China to subsidise farm machinery

China will give priority to growers of key staple crops as well as cotton and sugar under changes to its farm machinery subsidy scheme, according to a report in a leading Chinese paper. The Beijing government has allocated $19.21bn (€18bn) to farm machinery subsidies since 2004.

It has supported the purchase of more than 35 million items of machinery, a report in the official People’s Daily newspaper said. This has helped raise mechanisation levels across China’s farms to 61% last year from 33% in 2003.

But the government plans to reduce the categories included in the scheme over the next three years to 137 items from 175, to prioritise the full mechanisation of its most important crops, Li Weiguo, director of the agriculture ministry’s mechanisation department, told the paper. Farm mechanisation is seen as a key tool in countering the decline in rural productivity.

This week’s machine is John Deere 6850 silage harvester. This two-wheel drive machine has 4428 drum hours and comes with an auto greaser. Only one owner from new, price on inspection, genuine reason for sale. Contact 087-4451394.