What a difference two weeks has made. Since the last edition of Service Dealer Ireland Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been in and out of hospital. Level 3 restrictions were extended to the rest of the country by the Irish government for three weeks, which began last Wednesday, the 7th of October.

There were mixed reactions to the decision of imposing Level 3 restrictions as they (the government) were strongly advised by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to go to Level 5 restrictions. Going to Level 5 may still very well happen after the three weeks have passed (or perhaps even sooner), it all depends on the number of daily cases that are being reported. The news over the weekend of even higher cases is not looking good. As I said in my last blog, it is very much up to us as individuals to ensure that we comply with the Covid-19 guidelines so that we can keep the number of positive cases down. In our own businesses we must make sure that our customers comply with these guidelines and that protective facilities are in place, such as placing hand sanitising stations at the entrances and proper signage in clear view.

Some of the items at Level 3 restrictions include staying within ones own county, unless it is for work or educational reasons. Organised outdoor gatherings, such as outdoor arts events and training events, can take place but only with gatherings of up to 15 people. I would imagine, from the latter restriction, that demonstration days would be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

I shudder to think what effect another lockdown will have on our economy. With regard to our own industry, some will suffer more than others. If people are restricted to a 2km travel limit, then this will have a detrimental effect on the domestic machinery business as peoples’ movements will be confined, not allowing for the fact that shops selling garden machinery and equipment will probably be forced to close, yet again, as they will be deemed as non essential businesses. The agricultural machinery sector should fare a bit better as farming will still continue, as it is deemed to be essential work, and the need for getting spare parts and equipment serviced will still be there. My big concern is that the movement of goods between countries would be restricted. This would have implications on parts arriving to dealers.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is 2020 budget day. I hope there will be something in the budget to support struggling businesses. There are hints that some sectors, such as pubs, restaurants and the hospitality/tourism industry will get sympathy for state aid. However, I hope that all businesses who are finding it difficult during these times, our own industry included, will get some financial help as well. Time will tell.

The CEMA findings, which you can read in this edition of Service Dealer Ireland, show the impact that Covid-19 has had on tractor registrations around Europe in the first half of 2020. Yet, despite this marked reduction, the CEMA Barometer, taken in September, hints that the general Business Climate Index for the agricultural machinery industry in Europe has continued to improve and has reached pre-Covid-19 levels. Time will tell if tractor registrations in the second half of the year confirm these findings.

In the meantime, I hope you, your family, friends and customers keep safe during these times of worry. With all our co-operation, we will come out of this pandemic.

Overall, some 89,105 tractors were registered across Europe in the first six months of 2020, according to numbers sourced from national authorities.

Of these registrations, 23,556 tractors were 37kW (50 hp) and under, and 65,549 were 38kW and above. According to the European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA) 68,831 of these vehicles are agricultural tractors, the rest being quads, telehandlers or other equipment.

Agricultural tractor registrations for the first six months of 2020 decreased by 12.08% in comparison with the first six months of 2019. While the year started on par with 2019 for January and February 2020, registrations of agricultural tractors significantly dropped in March (-7.11% versus 2019), April (-25.81%), May (-22.72%) and June (-12.03%), reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe. The drop dramatically impacted the 2nd quarter (-19.96% versus 2Q-2019), which is traditionally high season for registrations.

When comparing the trends per power category, registrations for all tractors decreased in the first six months of 2020 compared with 2019, with the exception of tractors between 23 - 37kW. Overall, more than half of all tractors registered are below 75kW and less than one out of four is above 110kW.

With such a dramatic COVID-19 impact, the industry requested some flexibility for machines to be fitted with transition engines already manufactured and procured before the crisis. European Institutions rightly amended the most urgent aspects of Stage V Regulation and extended by 12 months the 30th June and 31st December 2020 deadlines for the production and placing on the market of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) and tractors fitted with transition engines <56kW and ≥130kW. Tractors fitted with transition engines between 56kW and 130kW are not affected by this extension and retain the applicable deadlines. Based on numbers sourced from national authorities, registrations for machines from 56 - 129kW fell by 16.03% in the first 6 months of 2020, with a record 23.55% drop in the second quarter. Therefore, the European Commission must continue to monitor the effect of COVID-19 on the industry and conduct a timely assessment of the impact regarding upcoming deadlines for machines to be fitted with existing transition engines between 56kW and 130kW, undertaking new legislative actions as appropriate.

The two biggest tractor markets in Europe remain Germany and France. But while all tractor registrations only fell by 2.75% in Germany when comparing with the first semester of 2019, the drop was of a dramatic magnitude in France (-18.81%), Italy (-17.98%), UK (-25.21%) and Spain (-25.62%). The trends remain comparable when removing non-agricultural tractors from public registers.

One of the latest newcomers to the farm machinery sector is the new Merlo MF34.7 MultiFarmer, first versions of which arrived into Ireland in September.

Distributed by McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole, the Italian-made telehandler-tractor hybrid is claimed to be the solution for performing farm work such as handling, lifting, towing, tillage and transporting loads.

At the front, it has a two-section, 7m telescopic boom that can be fitted with a myriad of attachments to transport silage bales and heavy loads in the normal way. At the rear, it has a conventional three-point linkage, hydraulic trailer pickup hitch and high powered mechanical PTO that works like a tractor for towing loads and operating trailed implements.

Power comes from a 136HP four-cylinder turbocharged Deutz Tier 4 engine via CVTronic transmission “to provide smooth acceleration without interrupting torque from 0 to its top speed of 40 kmph”, Merlo says. Reduction in diesel consumption is managed by the EPD (Eco Power Drive) system.

Cab width has been extended and the layout redesigned for these machines, according to the manufacturer.

New enhancements include hydro-pneumatic suspended cab, joystick with reverse shuttle, inching control pedal, MCDC (Dynamic Load Control) anti-tipping system, optional 8.5in colour display and air conditioning.

The new Merlo MultiFarmer is described by McHale Plant Sales general manger Denis McGrath as a “tractor in telehandler clothing – combining all the characteristics of a traditional agricultural telescopic handler with those of a tractor”.

In addition to the MF34.7, other new arrivals in the MultiFarmer range are the MF34.9 and the larger MF40.7 and MF40.9, McHale Plant Sales says.

The organisers of the LAMMA agricultural machinery exhibition which had been due to take place at the Birmingham NEC in January 2021, have announced a change to the schedule.

The show will now take place at the venue between 25-26th May 2021. This event draws in tens of thousands of machinery enthusiasts from across the UK and Ireland.

In a statement the organisers said the decision was based on the UK's government recent announcement and the many uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group events director at AgriBriefing said, “The LAMMA show is a key part of the industry calendar, and we have seen an amazing amount of support from all our loyal exhibitors throughout this year.

"We know how much everyone wants the show to take place; we’ve had record advance bookings with more exhibitors being signed up, even in the last few weeks, and lots of interest from visitors to attend. However, pushing on with a January show under the current circumstances does not feel like the right thing to do.

“This has not been an easy decision but listening to the wishes of visitors, exhibitors and sponsors, this will provide the best opportunity to ensure that everyone gets the experience and the value they have come to expect from LAMMA.”

LAMMA went on to say that the show will take place in May for one year only. The 2022 show is still scheduled to take place in January.

Reports from the U.S suggest that the former chairman and CEO of Briggs & Stratton, Todd Teske, has filed a sizeable claim in the bankruptcy case.

Todd Teske speaking on the Briggs & Stratton stand at 2019's GIE+EXPO, pictured by Service Dealer

The Milwaukee Business Journal states that is he seeking $11.6 million. It goes on to say that payments are expected to be in the range of 7 cents to 8 cents on the dollar.

According to the report, "It’s not clear whether Teske’s claim covers some or all of the payments that would have been included in his $8.8 million ‘golden parachute’ package."

The unsecured claim which U.S trade journal Rural Lifestyle Dealer says was filed on Wednesday this week (October 7th 2020) includes -

• Key-employee savings and investment plan: $2.77 million
• Supplemental executive retirement plan: $6.3 million
• Long-term incentive payments: $2.58 million
• Pension plan, employment agreement and life insurance policy: Unknown amounts

The organisers of the SALTEX exhibition have sent out a survey to visitors, canvassing opinion on timings of the show.

The show which was originally set to hold its 75th anniversary edition in November this year, is currently scheduled to take place at the UK's Birmingham NEC on 3-4 March 2021.

CEO of organisers, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Geoff Webb said, "The GMA’s priority while planning SALTEX has been to continue supporting the industry, those we work closely with, and provide regular updates along the way. In the past months, we’ve hosted regular webinars, held focus groups and conducted membership insight to help shape what’s right for our sector.

"Behind the scenes, we are working to monitor latest government guidance and safety measures to run the best event possible.

"This is where we need your help. By completing our short visitor survey, we can ensure that SALTEX is the event the industry needs to unite and celebrate the grounds sector."

The survey which can be taken here, includes the question, "If SALTEX were to be held in November 2021, would you plan on visiting the show?". It also asks for opinions on whether visitors would prefer indoor, outdoor or virtual events and which month would be preferred for a trade show.

Reesink Agriculture have announced they are the the new distributor for AgriMetal blowers and collectors in the UK.

A range of three low decibel three-point linkage mounted debris blowers and two high capacity collectors, for use by sports, grounds and other turf customers, are now available.

Reesink’s managing director David Cole said, “I’ve worked with AgriMetal before and recognise it as a popular blower line with great reliability and features, so when the opportunity arose recently to bring it in under our newly formed Agricultural division here at Reesink we didn’t hesitate. Customers responded to the brand’s performance, build quality and competitive pricing in the past and I am sure will do so again.”

There are three leaf and debris blowers available. All are tractor mounted with the BW2500 requiring 25hp at the PTO, BW3500 35hp and BW4500, 45hp respectively. They have an aluminium rather than steel impellor, which Reesink say, because it requires less energy at full throttle, delivers a quieter, smoother and vibration free operation.

Joining the blowers are two collectors, the Tuff Vac and Multi Vac. The Tuff Vac comes in two variants, PTO driven for use with a a 35hp+ tractor, or with its own 27hp engine allowing it to be towed by a smaller tractor or larger utility vehicle. The Multi Vac is pulled and powered by any 50hp or higher tractor.