One of the attractions at Dairy Day in University Limerick last weekend was a live cubicle cleaning demo. A purpose-built demo area with nine full-size cubicles was constructed prior to the event, with four cubicle cleaning/bedding machines demonstrated during the day. There was big interest on the day, with many farmers citing labour issues on farms pointing them towards looking at the machines. We profile the machines below.
Tuchel from Anner Agri
Tipperary-based machinery importer and distributor Anner Agri’s attended last weekend’s Dairy Day in Limerick and it demoed the Tuchel range of cubicle cleaners and dispensers. Speaking at the event, Joe McDonnell said: “ Cubicle cleaners are getting more and more popular on dairy farms, especially where labour is limited.”
The Tuchel machine has a bin capacity to bed 600 cubicles, with Joe saying that depending on shed layout, bedding and cleaning cubicles could be turned into a job counted in minutes rather than hours.
The Tuchel was the biggest machine demoed on the day, with a price tag from €28,000 including VAT.
The brand has other cubicle cleaners/bedders on the market. First up is the Tuchel Mini cubicle cleaner and bedder, which is powered by a Honda 10.2hp petrol engine. It’s fitted with an 85cm brush and a conveyor belt for spreading lime or sawdust, etc.
Next up is the Tuchel FarmXpert, which is equipped with a 14hp Kubota diesel engine. Fitted with power steering, the firm says this self-loading unit will handle any material from lime, sawdust, peat to chopped straw.
Also fitted with an 85cm brush, its conveyor belt is powered by a 25-litre hydraulic pump. It’s also fitted out with a 120cm hydraulically-lifting slurry scraper for pushing off the slatted floors. Anner Agri says its cubicle cleaner and bedder prices start at €16,000, including VAT.
Connnaght Agri's Heitrac Joker ride on machine. \ Philip Doyle
Beyond the Parlour Stage Dairy Day 2025. \ Claire Nash
Dairy Day 2025 at UL Sports Arena, in Limerick. \ Philip Doyle
Connacht Agri: Cubicle King
Connacht Agri also demoed a number of cubicle cleaning and bedding machines at Dairy Day. First up was the entry level Cubicle King, which the company manufactures itself, at its Claremorris headquarters. It’s a manually driven dispenser with four wheels, which is easily manoeuvred. It has a motor to dispense and a motor to agitate the bedding material.
It’s driven by a 24 volt battery and has a 165-litre capacity, capable of bedding 200 cubicles. The cost of this machine is €2,650, excluding VAT.
Eco Bedder
This offering is a pedestrian machine, with the operator walking behind it. It’s a multi-speed machine with both forward and reverse functions, driven by a 24 volt battery which has a four-hour charge period.
The machine should be charged every night. As it’s powered by a battery, it is a quiet machine to run. It’s designed for balanced weight distribution and has a double scraper system, scraping slats. The larger 108-litre hopper will hold enough material to bed 300 cubicles.
A large rotating brush sweeps off the cubicles. This machine comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty. The cost of this machine is from €8,250-€8,750, excluding VAT.
Heitrac Joker
Connacht Agri’s ride on cubicle cleaner/bedder was also demoed on the day. This machine has a similar size hopper to the pedestrian machine capable of bedding 300 cubicles in one fill. The scraper is detachable on this machine. The brush speed is also adjustable.
Connacht Agri’s Seamus Hession said: “Sometimes if the brush is moving too fast it can generate dust, so you can slow it down on this machine.”
The Heitrac Joker can push up to 400kg in front of it via the scrapers. It’s powered by four 48 volt batteries, with a built-in charger. You can also lower the hopper on this machine which comes with a two-year warranty.
The Joker has a tight turning circle of about six feet. The cost is €15,500, ex VAT.
The Cubicle King from Connaght Agri.
The Tuchel ride on cubicle cleaner/bedder machine from Anner Agri.
The Eco Bedder from Connaght Agri.
One of the attractions at Dairy Day in University Limerick last weekend was a live cubicle cleaning demo. A purpose-built demo area with nine full-size cubicles was constructed prior to the event, with four cubicle cleaning/bedding machines demonstrated during the day. There was big interest on the day, with many farmers citing labour issues on farms pointing them towards looking at the machines. We profile the machines below.
Tuchel from Anner Agri
Tipperary-based machinery importer and distributor Anner Agri’s attended last weekend’s Dairy Day in Limerick and it demoed the Tuchel range of cubicle cleaners and dispensers. Speaking at the event, Joe McDonnell said: “ Cubicle cleaners are getting more and more popular on dairy farms, especially where labour is limited.”
The Tuchel machine has a bin capacity to bed 600 cubicles, with Joe saying that depending on shed layout, bedding and cleaning cubicles could be turned into a job counted in minutes rather than hours.
The Tuchel was the biggest machine demoed on the day, with a price tag from €28,000 including VAT.
The brand has other cubicle cleaners/bedders on the market. First up is the Tuchel Mini cubicle cleaner and bedder, which is powered by a Honda 10.2hp petrol engine. It’s fitted with an 85cm brush and a conveyor belt for spreading lime or sawdust, etc.
Next up is the Tuchel FarmXpert, which is equipped with a 14hp Kubota diesel engine. Fitted with power steering, the firm says this self-loading unit will handle any material from lime, sawdust, peat to chopped straw.
Also fitted with an 85cm brush, its conveyor belt is powered by a 25-litre hydraulic pump. It’s also fitted out with a 120cm hydraulically-lifting slurry scraper for pushing off the slatted floors. Anner Agri says its cubicle cleaner and bedder prices start at €16,000, including VAT.
Connnaght Agri's Heitrac Joker ride on machine. \ Philip Doyle
Beyond the Parlour Stage Dairy Day 2025. \ Claire Nash
Dairy Day 2025 at UL Sports Arena, in Limerick. \ Philip Doyle
Connacht Agri: Cubicle King
Connacht Agri also demoed a number of cubicle cleaning and bedding machines at Dairy Day. First up was the entry level Cubicle King, which the company manufactures itself, at its Claremorris headquarters. It’s a manually driven dispenser with four wheels, which is easily manoeuvred. It has a motor to dispense and a motor to agitate the bedding material.
It’s driven by a 24 volt battery and has a 165-litre capacity, capable of bedding 200 cubicles. The cost of this machine is €2,650, excluding VAT.
Eco Bedder
This offering is a pedestrian machine, with the operator walking behind it. It’s a multi-speed machine with both forward and reverse functions, driven by a 24 volt battery which has a four-hour charge period.
The machine should be charged every night. As it’s powered by a battery, it is a quiet machine to run. It’s designed for balanced weight distribution and has a double scraper system, scraping slats. The larger 108-litre hopper will hold enough material to bed 300 cubicles.
A large rotating brush sweeps off the cubicles. This machine comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty. The cost of this machine is from €8,250-€8,750, excluding VAT.
Heitrac Joker
Connacht Agri’s ride on cubicle cleaner/bedder was also demoed on the day. This machine has a similar size hopper to the pedestrian machine capable of bedding 300 cubicles in one fill. The scraper is detachable on this machine. The brush speed is also adjustable.
Connacht Agri’s Seamus Hession said: “Sometimes if the brush is moving too fast it can generate dust, so you can slow it down on this machine.”
The Heitrac Joker can push up to 400kg in front of it via the scrapers. It’s powered by four 48 volt batteries, with a built-in charger. You can also lower the hopper on this machine which comes with a two-year warranty.
The Joker has a tight turning circle of about six feet. The cost is €15,500, ex VAT.
The Cubicle King from Connaght Agri.
The Tuchel ride on cubicle cleaner/bedder machine from Anner Agri.
The Eco Bedder from Connaght Agri.
SHARING OPTIONS