A significant crowd of machinery enthusiasts travelled to Castlerea last Saturday to watch a machinery clearance auction. A total of 45 lots were up for grabs on the day with a very high clearance rate achieved.

This tidy 1997 John Deere 7700 with 10,380 hours showing on the odometer was sold for €16,200 plus VAT and plus 3% commission.

The auction was held by Michael Doyle Auctions on behalf of David Connolly, an agricultural contractor. The machinery outfit came across as being particularly well cared for, with a number of modern classics stealing the show.

This 2012 Valtra T161 was the newest tractor up for grabs on the day. With 5,120 hours, it was unsold at €36,000.

Without any doubt the two main attractions on the day were a meticulous 2002 Valtra Valmet 8950 and a smashing example of 2002 Case IH CVX 130, both which attracted a flurry of bids.

This 14t (18ft) Kane 'classic' silage trailer sold for €7,900 plus 5% commission. There was no VAT applicable on this lot.

Other modern workhorses included a 2000 John Deere 6910 and a 1997 John Deere 7700.

Michael Doyle said: “Any lots that weren’t sold in the auction are almost all through negotiations now.”

This clean 2016 Krone 3201 mower with a grouper sold for €16,500 plus VAT and plus 3% commission.

This 2007 Valtra T130, showing 9,710 hours, was sold for €19,700 plus VAT and plus 3% commission.

This 2009 16t (20ft) Kane ‘Halfpipe’ silage trailer with a steering axle and air brakes sold for €11,700 plus VAT and plus 3% commission.

This sweet example of a John Deere 6910, manufactured in 2000, sold for €20,500 plus VAT and plus 3% commission. It had 9,000 hours on the clock

This 1997 Valtra Valmet 8150 had 13,900 hours on the odometer and was sold under the hammer for €16,500.

This meticulously cared-for Case IH CVX130 with 6,569 hours sold for €35,500 (no VAT applicable) plus 3% commission.It was fitted with front linkage and PTO and was manufactured in 2002.

This 2006 John Deere 7400 SPFH had 3,910 engine hours and 2,795 drum hours on the odometer. It sold for €39,000 plus VAT and plus 3% commission.