A busy time on the road for the machinery trade showing their ware

Alstrong Aerator at Redrock

The Alstrong range of aerators is designed not only to aerate the top layer of grassland, but thanks to its patented blade design and weight, it has the ability to shatter the hard pan up to 30cm (12”) deep without any soil disturbance on the surface, according to Alan Winters from Alstrong.

The blade design is not in the configuration you would expect to see. Instead of positioning the blades in the conventional slitting pattern, Alstrong has configured the blades across the drum of the aerator.

According to the company, in this arrangement the blades create a better shattering effect on the soil due to the increased resistance between the blade and the soil.

For the 2015 season, Alstrong has entered into partnership with well-known manufacturer Redrock Machinery Ltd.

This partnership introduces Redrock to the soil and grass rejuvenation market by taking on full manufacturing of the Alstrong range.

“We are very pleased to be in partnership with such a high-profile machinery manufacturer in Redrock, which is renowned throughout Europe for exceptional quality equipment,” said Alan Winters.

The machine can be seen working live at the demo taking place on the farm of Michael Gowing, Portlaoise, this Friday 27 March. The farm is located in Kilminchy. To get to the site, take exit 16 off the M7 motorway, and follow the signs for Portlaoise. The demo will run from 1pm to 4pm.

For further information, Alan can be contacted on 087-6521770.

Open day at Pat Brogan Tractors

Pat Brogan Tractors invites all to their open day on Friday 27 March from 2pm. Based on Church Street in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, Pat Brogan is a long-established main Landini tractor dealer.

Pat Brogan machinery franchises include Fleming, Bellon mowers, Belmac, Biardini sprayers, Rainbow Engineering and Rossmore.

This is an opportunity for visitors to see a wide range of machinery suitable for their own farming applications in the local area. There will be special offers on numerous items on the day in the large farm shop.

Pat Brogan Tractors will showcase the latest models from Landini, including the new 5 Series, 6 Series and 6L Series.

Visitors will also get the opportunity to see the new 5H Series with its new four-post cab and flat floor. Four models are available in this range from 85hp to 113hp. For more information, visit www.patbrogantractors.com.

Familiar face at Cavanaghs, Fermoy

Ned Sweeney returns to the team at Cavanaghs. Ned will head up the sales department, which carries a range of New Holland tractors, balers and combines. Ned can be contacted on 087-2376736 or 025-42036.

Zetor roadshow planned

Zetor distributor McHale Plant Sales is putting final plans in place for a roadshow that will visit nine of their main dealer outlets during the period April 7-16 next.

Dealers being visited are Gorman Tractor Sales, Dundalk, Tuesday 7 April; McKeever Tractors, Portglenone, 8 April; Jacobs Service Station, Enniscrone, 9 April; David Garrihy Tractors, Ennistymon, 10 April; Munster Tractor and Plant Services, Kilfinane, 12 April; Derry O’Donovan, Timoleague, 13 April; Kildalton Agricultural College (an event hosted by Eardly Agricultural Services), 14 April; Gethings Garage, Enniscorthy, 15 April; and Rainbow Engineering, Ferbane, 16 April.

Models being presented for viewing and test driving will include the recently introduced 150hp, all-wheel-drive Forterra 150HD, the latest models from the Proxima range and the entry-level 80hp Major.

Samco far from Irish green fields

Pictured above is Damian Tobianski from Samco working in the sandy fields of Inner Mongolia this week.

He is there as part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission initiative, signed with Minister Simon Coveney and Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon last November, between Samco Agricultural Manufacturing and Ruitian Modern Agriculture Co Ltd, based in Inner Mongolia, northern China.

Safehitch out to solve a problem

Safehitch, a patented safety device, has been developed by a Monaghan business to address the critical issue of safely and quickly attaching an implement to a tractor on the lower three-point linkage.

The preset nature of Safehitch allows the user to align the lower arms to any device prior to mounting the tractor and allows one person to easily initiate attachment of an implement without dismounting from the tractor.

While it is a labour-saving device, Safehitch (€90) is primarily a safety feature, according to Pat McKenna from Safehitch. See www.gethitched.ie or call 086-6372798.