The harvest is almost finished, outdoor summer games are over and the grass maintenance season is drawing to a close. I can’t believe how quickly the summer has flown by.

As soon as one season finishes another begins. We are now entering budget season. Golf clubs, sportsclubs, local authorities and estate owners, as well as farmers and contractors, will soon be planning their budgets for 2020. Part of their budget plans will involve setting money aside or arranging loans for capital expenditure on new equipment. The course managers and head groundspeople will be putting in requests and recommending their choice of machines to their bosses or owners. Before a final decision is made they will want to see the machines at first hand and may arrange a demonstration at their club or estate. Before making a final decision they will more than likely attend an upcoming trade exhibition to see what’s new in the market and will be looking out for bargains, especially if a new fleet is involved. So sales teams will be keen and eager to win over new customers.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) sees the opening of the National Ploughing Championships, which is being held at Ballintrane, Fenagh in County Carlow. It will last for three days and there will be over 1500 trade stands on display (1200 outdoor and 300 indoor exhibits). The vast majority of these exhibits will be machines in the agricultural and horticultural sector and exhibitors will be keen to make the most of their time there.

This show is one of the biggest in Europe and will therefore present one of the biggest opportunities for businesses to create sales and to develop new customers, as there will be an estimated 240,000 visitors attending the event over the three days. That’s a lot of people passing by stands every day, so dealers will be anxious to take advantage of this.

The next big trade event for machinery dealers, particularly in the sportsturf and groundcare sector, will be SALTEX 2019. Even though it takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from the 30th – 31st of October, it will be attended by many Irish people who work on golf courses, sport pitches and local authorities.

One of the big advantages of trade shows, from an exhibitor point of view, is that it allows the customer to do the travelling, instead of the dealer. Hundreds, if not thousands of potential customers will be perusing the stands, kicking tyres and, hopefully, making that all important purchase.

In the concluding part of my last blog I mentioned how important it is to keep your existing customers and to work hard to create new ones. I also mentioned that, this year, machinery companies have shown a fall in income, due to less equipment being sold worldwide. Being a small nation, Ireland is always influenced by world economics. What happens in the US or China will have a huge impact in Ireland.

Now, more than ever, dealers and their sales teams will be put to the pin of their collar to try and maintain the same sales figures from the previous year. I feel that this will be a tall order for them.

Sales staff will now, more than ever, need to work hard in order to earn their keep.

Lyons & Burton – which has its headquarters in Kilcock, Co. Kildare – officially opened a new (New Holland) depot in Graiguecullen, Carlow town, Co. Carlow, on Friday, September the 6th.

Donald Lyons

According to New Holland, Carlow town is “centrally located in the former territory of JR Perry and EMC Agri and has an excellent road network – making the new depot very accessible”.

Lyons & Burton first opened its doors in 1977 – selling 23 combines, four self-propelled harvesters and 66 square balers in its first year of trading. New Holland equipment and Fiat tractors were the main franchises in the early days.

In 2014, Lyons & Burton returned to the New Holland family of products.

The new depot in Carlow town will supply New Holland tractors, balers, telescopic handlers and implements.

Staff at Lyons & Burton

Donald Lyons – director at Lyons & Burton – explained: “We want to establish New Holland as the number one brand in our territory, as well as growing our business. “We are confident in New Holland’s products and have invested significantly in developing our new Carlow depot.

"We have invested a substantial amount of time, resources and research into our new parts department, to service the large array of tractors, combines, balers and telehandlers that are in the area.

“It’s our aim to have the right parts at the right price on the shelf. To supplement our stock, New Holland offers an over-night parts delivery service.”

He added: “Our service technicians have a fully-equipped workshop, with the latest diagnostic equipment.”

Anthony Sylvester – dealer network development manager for New Holland (UK and Republic of Ireland) – added his comments, saying: “We are supportive of our dealers expanding and growing into new areas where the opportunities arise.

“With the loss of two long-serving partners in the area, it was important to ensure we established a new depot to service our existing customer base.

“The level of investment Lyons & Burton has been willing to make demonstrates its commitment towards our brand and the farming community in Carlow, Kildare and north Wexford.”

Adare Machinery, the Limerick-based Doosan and Bobcat dealer, will have the company’s largest ever stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, being held at Ballintrane, Fenagh in County Carlow, Ireland from 17-19 September 2019. This is the 88th National Ploughing Championships and it will feature the most impressive array of new Doosan and Bobcat products to be shown by Adare.

The Bobcat TL38.70HF telescopic loader

The National Ploughing Championships takes place each year in the month of September. Since its inception in 1931, the show has grown in size, year on year. It involves over 1700 exhibitors and more than 240,000 visitors every year.

William Cuddy, Sales Manager at Adare Machinery, said: “We are very proud to have our biggest stand to date at the Ploughing Show and to be representatives for the Doosan and Bobcat brands at this important event. We are hoping for a very strong turnout with the growth in the Irish market and to be able to win a lot of new business at the show.”

The highlight of the stand display from Doosan, which also includes the 14 tonne DX140LCR-5 crawler excavator, will be the first showing at the Ploughing show of the new DL280-5 wheel loader, designed specifically for agricultural applications. Adare will also be showing the Bobcat TL38.70HF Agri and TL34.65HF Agri telescopic loaders for the first time at the event. Part of a strong display of new Bobcat equipment will be the E35z, also being shown for the first time at the exhibition, part of the R-Series range of mini-excavators launched by Bobcat in 2018.

The Doosan DL280-5 loader

The DL280-5 is the latest development in the high performance Doosan wheel loader range, which comprises 13 models – covering operating weights from 12 to 36 tonne. The DL280-5 offers high performance and high productivity with unbeatable breakout force, tipping load and enhanced output for all types of work around the farm, including feed management and work on silage and manure clamps. The DL280-5 can be equipped with a variety of attachments such as foldable silage forks and grabs, making it a very versatile and hard working machine for multiple jobs in agriculture.

Expanded Bobcat Telescopic Loader Range for Farming

The TL38.70HF Agri and TL34.65HF Agri models are part of an expanded choice of seven telescopic loader models for the farming market from Bobcat, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.3 tonne with lifting heights from 6 to 8 m.

HF – High Flow technology is a key feature of the TL38.70HF and TL34.65HF models, offering outstanding hydraulic capabilities and performance with a class-leading 190 l/min load sensing pump and flow sharing distributor to combine all movements together.

To complete the picture, Bobcat now offers the entire range of telescopic loaders in three levels of finishing in the form of Agri equipment packages - Agri*, Agri** And Agri*** - to best meet farmers' needs in terms of productivity and comfort.

Bobcat also offers a full line of telehandlers, including both rigid frame and rotary models for applications in construction, rental, recycling, waste and general industry, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 5.0 tonne with lifting heights from 6 to 25 m.

Zero House Swing Advantage

The E35z is a new generation model in the popular 3.5 tonne machine class offering the additional benefits of Zero House Swing (ZHS). As a ZHS mini-excavator, the E35z offers easier transportability and more functionality than a Zero Tail Swing model, in the that the ZHS design fully protects the front upper structure corners within the swing circle. The R-Series range of five compact excavator models – the E26, E27z, E27, E34 and E35z – offers a best-in-class mix of high digging forces, superb stability and smooth controllability of working functions complemented by low weights for easy transportation.

Award-winning Family-run Dealership

Adare Machinery is an award-winning machinery dealership established by David and Marian Cuddy in 1984, which has developed into a fully-fledged family enterprise, with their son, William, and daughter, Caroline, involved in the running of the business. Together with an excellent team of staff, the Cuddys continue to innovate, expand and grow the business.

For the Bobcat range, Adare Machinery is the Authorised Dealer for the whole of Ireland. As an Authorised Dealer for the Doosan Heavy range, Adare has exclusivity for sales and service in Munster and Connacht for Doosan crawler and wheeled excavators from 3 to 53 tonne and the Doosan range of wheel loader models with bucket capacities from 1.9 to 4.8 m3.

Operating out of state-of-the-art premises at Patrickswell near the city of Limerick, Adare Machinery is also offering service and warranty work on all existing Doosan and Bobcat machines in its area, backed by a full selection of genuine accessories and parts.

AriensCo has announced that production of Ariens brand zero-turn mowers will commence at the company’s factory in Great Haseley, Oxfordshire.

It’s believed these will be the first zero-turns to be manufactured in Europe.

AriensCo reports seeing an exceptional growth in demand for zero-turn mowers in the UK and Europe. This follows similar trends in the US, where they say sales have more than tripled since 2003 as the popularity among users has soared.

In an official statement, AriensCo said, "According to industry analysis, zero-turn sales in Europe have grown more than 30% over the last four years, making them the fastest growing category of ride-on mowers and third fastest in the lawn and garden power equipment sector."

Darren Spencer, Vice President - EMEA and Asia  added, “Sales of zero-turns in Europe have experienced exceptional growth over the past three years.

“AriensCo have experienced this growth in numerous markets and, based upon extensive research with our distribution partners, we expect the growth to continue. This industry analysis points to the many opportunities to be met by producing zero-turns at our Great Haseley plant. We currently sell into ten different countries within Europe and aim to increase our European footprint in 2020. Future growth will accelerate as the benefits of zero-turn mowers are understood by customers. Zero-turn users are experiencing increased speed of cut and greater versatility over tractors and out-fronts.”

During 2019 AriensCo say they continue to make significant investment in the Oxfordshire factory in preparation for zero-turn production, including a new production line, fixtures and tooling. The UK will be manufacturing CE zero-turns for European markets only and will initially be producing the IKON, APEX and ZENITH models. Close collaboration with the US will be maintained to ensure products match up to Ariens’ reputation for manufacturing quality.

Zero-turn production in the UK is seen to offer significant advantages, allowing for rapid delivery and improved availability throughout the year. There is also potential for zero-turns to be adapted with features and benefits to meet local market needs. Increased utilisation of the manufacturing facility at Great Haseley will provide operational cost benefits and will generate a number of new jobs for the area.

The first zero-turn to come off the production line will be at the end of October.

Using the latest design technology, MTD design engineers say they have produced a machine that has a cut quality to ensure the best possible results regardless of turf conditions.

The INFINICUT SM34 rotary mower

The SM34 follows the same design philosophy as the rest of the INFINICUT range, with an emphasis on a modern, clean power source. It takes its mode of traction from the INFINICUT reel mower, renowned for its durability, paired with a deck designed on the back of MTD’s considerable years of rotary experience. By utilising stamp tooling, users can be confident that airflow is optimal when compared to other fabricated decks. The culmination is a machine that ensures ‘fit-for-purpose’ application, but also necessary safety compliance that comes with rotary decks.

Designed for professional users, the INFINICUT SM34 can be used to mow grass in the traditional sense or used as a stand-alone vacuum. In cut mode, the new rotary offers a striping effect usually only achieved with a professional reel mower. The 34” cutting width combines better productivity and lightweight design, which negates the issues of tire rutting and wear of a larger ride on mower. The blades are made from premium-grade, high carbon steel for better performance and extended life, and come pre-balanced to exhibit less vibration.

As with the rest of the INFINICUT fleet, the machine offers the operator a number of parameters which can be tailored to their particular requirements. With the extreme accuracy of HOC that users often work to in mind, the SM34 has paralleling and deck pitch adjustment features as standard. It can be specified with either an engine generator or lithium battery as a power source. In battery mode the SM34 is quieter in operation, environmentally friendly and can provide significant fuel cost saving when compared to other rotary mowers.

Commenting on its launch John Coleman, Head of MTD Specialty Products UK, added, “The INFINICUT Rotary was a natural product progression from our well recognised INFINICUT cylinder mower range. The design of this machine is a combination of our own concepts and ideas but at the same time we’ve listened carefully to our customers feedback. The culmination is a machine that takes a known concept and places it firmly in the modern era by introducing wireless parameter adjustment via our proprietary InfiniApp.”

John Deere has announced a number of combine updates for the 2020 season, with the focus on increased throughput, automation and easier operation. All the new updates can be ordered from dealers now.

John Deere’s new remote counterknife adjust

The S-Series combine’s automatic regulation of forward speed, HarvestSmart, has been optimised and integrated with the Interactive Combine Adjustment system ICA2. In situations where ICA2 cannot achieve the required grain sample due to high levels of chaff or broken grain, or it exceeds the set loss rate, ICA2 automatically adjusts the HarvestSmart system and the combine’s speed just as the driver would normally do. At the same time, engine load is maintained at the desired level for maximum harvest efficiency.

To prove the combine’s automation and smooth grain handling features, John Deere will guarantee S700 Series customers a broken grain content of less than one per cent in wheat for the 2020 harvest. If the proportion is higher, the customer will receive compensation for these losses equivalent to the price per tonne of lost grain. Farmers and contractors who would like to participate can find more information and register online.

Side winds can have an enormous effect on the distribution of combine residues, so it will be possible on S700 Series machines for 2020 for the angle of spread to be adjusted automatically. Using GPS, the new AutoSwap system detects the combine’s direction of travel and automatically mirrors the broadcast pattern once the combine turns at the headland and moves in the opposite direction.

John Deere’s new 700X combine header

Improvement in chop quality is also enabled by remote adjustment of the counter knife. The operator can easily assess chop quality from the comfort of the cab by checking the combine’s reversing camera, and set the counter knife position from the seat.

The previous introduction of the ActiveYield automatic yield sensor removed the need for manual yield calibrations and relieved the operator of the stress and time involved in waiting to get results, while also increasing their accuracy.

From 2020, this system will be supplemented with an even more precise humidity sensor. This will result in a considerable improvement in data collection, especially for both low and high grain moisture contents. Calibration intervals plus yield and humidity data will be recorded along with other important information on the combine’s documentation software.

Connectivity free for five years
The combine plays an important role in data collection from field operations. To allow wireless transmission, John Deere will be offering Wireless Data Transfer activation plus Remote Display Access free of cost for five years. This enables data exchange between any mobile computers and smartphones as well as the farm office via JDLink Connect. Additionally, compatibility between the open platform MyJohnDeere.com website portal and other systems is being expanded, with data transfer in the ISO XML standard possible from next year.

New display for W- and T-Series
W- and T-Series combines can now be equipped with the new fourth generation 4640 Greenstar Display. While all combine settings are still regulated using the armrest display, all other functions can be controlled through the 4640 display. These include guidance, documentation, data transmission and MachineSync automatic steering of the tractor/trailer combination driving alongside. The universal 4640 display is removable and can also operate SectionControl on a sprayer, for example.

New headers
John Deere will also be launching the new 700X variable length header for 2020. This maintains the existing unit’s long 1200mm table for maximum harvesting capacity and minimum losses in oilseed rape, with the benefit of an even better crop flow.

The 700X headers will feature a new low-profile feeding design to guarantee an even smoother transition to the auger, especially for short crops such as spring barley. In addition the slip clutch position has been moved directly to the auger to minimise wear, and further durability improvements have been made, with 25 per cent thicker skid plates on all units.

With increasing restrictions on the use of herbicides and crop desiccation products, the ability to effectively combine swaths of oilseed rape, legumes and other crops is regaining importance.

To pick up swaths with as few losses as possible, John Deere will be offering the new 615P pick-up header. The has a working width of 4.5m and is equipped with unique air-sprung support wheels. The crop is gently picked up by tines before being transferred to a horizontal belt to minimise losses.

A special feature of this system is its smooth uptake, which is nearly free from vibration to prevent any pod shatter losses. The crop is then compressed by a windscreen controlled by double-acting hydraulic cylinders to ensure optimum feeding. The large 660mm auger, with a float range of 57mm, is big enough to adapt to the highest crop volumes and ensure that the combine is constantly and evenly fed for maximum performance.

A new Landini tractor that brings all the control, efficiency and driver comfort benefits of a stepless CVT transmission lower down the horsepower scale will make its first appearance in Ireland at the National Ploughing Championships this week (17th – 19th September).

The Landini 6-145C LS V-Shift is a variant of the popular 6C Series, previously only available with semi-powershift transmissions; the new V-Shift transmission provides ultimate driving ease in the yard with a loader, in the field with an implement or on the road with a trailer, spreader or tanker.

Landini sales director Ben Agar says: “This is a very advanced transmission in terms of its capabilities and the benefits it offers over a powershift but it’s also quite simple and provides a driving experience that operators say is much easier and more comfortable while enabling them to get the most out of the machine.”

The Landini 6C V-Shift is powered by a 4.5-litre Euro Stage IV engine from FPT Industrial (successor to the Iveco engines business) with power outputs of 114hp, 121hp and 130hp for cultivations, ploughing and other types of draft work.

Dual Power automatically engages when using mobile pto-driven equipment and when travelling on the road to boost those outputs to 121hp, 133hp and 140hp.

The V-Shift transmission, designed, engineered and assembled by Landini manufacturer Argo Tractors at its extensive factory complex in northern Italy, provides control and comfort benefits in all three scenarios.

“Principle among these is infinitely variable ground speed control,” notes Will Doyle, Landini sales manager in Ireland. “The ability to precisely match ground speed to the task and working conditions results in optimum productivity, as well as optimum quality when it comes to operations such as stone and clod separation for potato seedbeds.”

Work quality also benefits with pto-driven implements because of the control system’s ability to maintain consistent engine and power take-off shaft speed by automatically adjusting the transmission ratio to compensate for inclines or when moving from tougher areas of soil when using a power harrow or tiller.

“On the road, driving a Landini 6C Series V-Shift tractor is as easy as driving an automatic car,” Will Doyle points out. “Simply engage ‘forwards’ using the shuttle and use the accelerator pedal to regulate your speed.

“The engine/transmission control electronics take care of the rest and once at a comfortable cruising speed will automatically spool up the transmission ratio while bringing the revs down to use less fuel and give the operator a quieter ride while concentrating solely on steering and the road conditions ahead.”

V-Shift versions of the Landini 6-145C come to ‘LS’ spec as standard, which means they get load-sensing variable output hydraulics with up to 110-litre/min from the pump.

Thanks to a dedicated gear pump for steering and auxiliaries such as the four-wheel drive and pto clutch packs, the main pump’s entire flow is available to the 5400kg rear linkage and optional 2500kg front linkage, and to the spool valves.

Mechanical valves are standard but electronic versions can be specified with timing and flow adjustments made through the touch-screen display that is also used to select different transmission modes and settings.

Cab and front axle suspension is available on 40kph versions of the Landini 6C V-Shift tractors and installed as standard with the 50kph gearing option together with oil-immersed disc brakes in the front axle.

The highly-effective suspension front axle has wishbone mountings for each wheel to allow independent movement for maximum traction on a rough surface and ultimate comfort in all situations.