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There was a solid attendance at the Q8 Oils Spring Farm Machinery Show at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co Cork, last week.
Describing activity for 2018, exhibitors said that there was a small bit of a lull when the drought hit last summer but activity picked up after that and they experienced a very good run up to Christmas.
Naturally enough, Brexit was in the back of everyone’s minds and while it created a little apprehension among customers, machinery dealers cautioned that it’s a bit early in the year to make a call on its true impact.
Some dealerships said there was a good run on industrial loaders last year.
They also reported a few tractor sales completed before the end of the year, with a number of deals and solid inquiries proving that despite the uncertainty created in Westminster, the show must go on at farm level.
The T174 starts at 175hp and can boost to over 200hp.
Some specifications include front and cab suspension, 50km/h and air brakes.
This model has a powershift transmission, manual spool valves, load sensing and a hydraulic output going from 160l/minute.
Ballpark figure of €105,000 plus VAT.
This twin-disc spreader can give precise control of the application rate without the need for weigh cells fitted on the machine.
The left and right discs are individually monitored for flow rate as it will self-calibrate to ensure the same flow comes out each side.
Working off GPS for forward speed and taking field size into consideration, it will vary its width of spread, self-calibrate and turn on and off at the headlands.
This 3t capacity machine is proving a popular option for contractors and larger farmers through TAMS.
Guide price is €26,000 including VAT.
This high-capacity slurry pump has a 1,000rpm gearbox.
The mixing spout can revolve through a wide arc allowing slurry to be mixed in any direction and the jetting nozzle can be locked in a range of up to 26 positions.
Hydraulic controls mean the pump can be placed easily in the tank and also enable adjustment using the centre ram.
This pump requires a tractor of about 175hp to run it.
Price: €5,750 plus VAT.
The 1000 series power-harrow is rated at 250hp.
It had a Pöttinger Tegosem electric air seeder fitted on top for broadcasting grass seed.
It uses a GPS sensor for forward speed, a low-level seed sensor in the hopper and it uses a linkage signal worked from the top link for turning on and off the seed when you lift and lower the machine.
This means it’s totally independent from the tractor.
All it needs from the tractor is 12 volts.
It has a 200l hopper and can take up to 6ac worth of grass seed.
Price: €22,000 plus VAT.
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