Irish companies impress with innovation on world stage

As the dust settles on what was a much-anticipated Agritechnica 2025, we look at some of the 23 Irish and Northern Irish manufacturers and service providers that participated.

These companies showcased their world-class level of engineering to a global audience of 476,000 people from 171 countries worldwide.

To exhibit at such an event is no mean feat, and with that amount of visitors, floor space is charged at a serious premium.

Agritechnica is the world’s largest indoor, dedicated agricultural machinery exhibition, with visitors and exhibitors from across the world making the trip to Germany for the biennial event.

This year marked the show’s 40th anniversary, which took place from 9 to 15 November at the Hanover Fairgrounds. To quantify the scale, the 23 halls span 40ha, which is just shy of 100 acres, the vast majority of which is under roof.

A total of 2,849 exhibitors travelled from 52 countries to showcase their latest wares. Official figures show that over 4,000 Irish machinery enthusiasts made the pilgrimage to the event. Here, we take a look at the strong Irish and Northern Irish exhibitor representation.

McHale launched its next generation of variable chamber balers in the form of the V6-II & V8-II, which will be available for the 2026 season. These machines are now enhanced with the introduction of Isobus as standard across the V6750-II & V8950-II machines.

The next generation of V6-II & V8-II machines with Isobus are tractor implement management (TIM) ready to allow the baler to control certain functions of the tractor for improved operator comfort.

Load cell bale shape indicators are fitted on all mark II models for more accurate and responsive measurement of the bale shape. Active density control electronically varies the density pressure regulation at predetermined points of the baling process to increase bale density.

The oil tank has been made bigger and the bales also benefit from quick-fit gauge wheels. The chain tensioner springs have also been redesigned. Additional features available as an option for Isobus machines include an independent camera monitor, a headland management kit for accurate additive application, internal panel lighting and bale moisture recording.

McHale’s high-output pick-up – in the form of the new Profi-Flo pick-up with adaptive intake – has been added to the mark II models.

Co Down manufacturer Spreadpoint, headed up by father-and-son team Noel and Richard Kane, displayed their TF-10 gravel cart. The new tool comes with some novel features like a removable bolt in hopper, an extra-long conveyor to reach those far away drains and automatic safety latches on the conveyor. The chassis design uses large rectangular hollow sections for increased rigidity rather than traditional channel or angle sections.

The firm claims the 630mm belt is one of the largest on the market and can evenly dispense any type of stone/gravel. The use of a hydraulic drive and manual flow control at the front of the machine allows for precise belt control. Optional electronic control is available, while a large hydraulic door is standard.

Based in Co Laois, Wilson Engineering showed its custom low-loader range alongside its renowned bale chasers.

The low-loader on display was a 32ft tri-axle model packed with optional extras, shown off alongside a Monster Move 12 self-loading bale chaser.

Since the official launch of its low-loader range in 2023, Wilson has enjoyed great success with its premium trailer offering, targeted towards the specialised plant and construction sectors.

Key features of the low-loader include a rear positive-steering axle, high-speed running gear, air suspension and hydraulic vari-width cheese-wedge ramps, which Wilson says are unique in the market along with ABS, hydraulic support legs, work lamps, and more. The displayed Monster Move 12 also featured universal loading cages, engineered to lift round bales in any orientation as well as square bales.

Malone Farm Machinery once again put on an impressive display at Agritechnica, showcasing the best of what its grass line has to offer. The Ballyglass, Co Mayo manufacturer exhibited a broad range of side-mounted plain and conditioner mowers, alongside its front-mounted plain and conditioner models. The well-established range of Malone tedders were also on display, including the Tedd-Air 1128T eight-rotor trailed model and Tedd-Air 840, six-rotor mounted model.

Making its Agritechnica debut following its Irish launch last year was the Proline 610 twin-rotor rake. It offers a 6.1m (20.5ft) working width.

Tanco displayed its lineup of implements, wrappers and Autocut front and trailed rear butterfly combination mowers. The setup is unique given the fact that its rear mowers sit on their own chassis and axle resulting in less weight on the tractor’s transaxle. The benefit is that a lighter tractor will carry the combination at ease.

Available in 8.86m (M9.c) and 9.78m (M10.c) working widths, the mowers weigh 1,850kg and 1,900kg on the lift arms. Manoeuvrability claims to be significantly improved over a mounted butterfly outfit, due to the rear steering chassis unit (up to 40°). The setup can be paired with the 2.79m ‘pull type’ M3.c front mower with hydro-pneumatic suspension.

A selection of trailed and mounted wrappers were on display, including the Q200V, S200V, 1400 Series, A200EH and the hugely popular I73 bale shears.

Kildare-based log holder manufacturer Timber Croc displayed its full range of log holders inside the forestry hall. This included the original self-standing log holder sawhorse, three-point linkage log holder and its quad-mounted log holder. The quad-mounted holder is designed as a universal fit for all quad cargo racks. It is constructed using 3mm-thick box profile and weighs 11kg.

Timber Croc also presented its single-axle logging trailer with a built-in log holder. The lightweight trailer features a fully galvanised chassis and galvanised mesh body. Once the timber is cut it simply falls into the body of the trailer, requiring no further handling until unloading.

The Co Down slurry-handling equipment manufacturer displayed some of its latest innovations, including its patented front-steering umbilical hose reeler. The reeler comes in various hose-carrying capacities and features a drop-out spool for added flexibility and to reduce weight, where necessary. It’s operated through a single acting spool valve, with the idea of the concept being to reduce ground compaction and the tractor marks left behind, when rolling up the hose once the spreading has been completed.

Erth Engineering exhibited at the event for its second time running. It displayed its tried-and-tested Panbuster and Agriseeder product ranges. The show was the continental launch of Erth’s more basic farmer spec Agriseeder, with mechanical metering. The Agriseeder direct drill enables farmers to establish crops with minimal soil disturbance compared to traditional inversion methods. It is a cost-effective way to put a crop in the ground. The E Series is Erth’s entry-level machine and features a new simplified setup with a 24-row 3m standard chassis to accommodate a low-level 170l plastic hopper. Suitable for grass, cover crops, fodder crops and clover, the Agriseeder E Series uses Erth’s micro metering system, served by an electric fan, to deliver seed through a distribution head to a fully auto contouring disc system. The firm says the drill is suitable for tractors from 90hp upwards. It also comes with a hydraulic front harrow as standard help to remove dead grass in the sward. The drill is fitted with Forge de Niaux discs with SKF greaseable bearings and galvanised coulters, while the frame is also galvanised.

Northern Irish manufacturer and owner of the UK-based Ktwo brand, Redrock gave visitors a glimpse of its extensive range of rear discharge spreaders.

On display was a model from the high-end Bio range, equipped with horizontal beaters and lower discs, ideally suited for spreading higher-value manures such as chicken litter and composts up to 30m wide. Features of the Bio range include 4x16mm marine-grade floor chains with a 128t breaking strength,10-stud commercial axle, as well as a rear slurry door and a hydraulic opening rear canopy. The display machine was well shod on 710/70R42 tyres and was equipped with fully Isobus control and a headland border kit .

AgriSpread showcased its new AS3000 Series, designed to offer wider spreading widths, higher spread rates and faster working speeds. It launched three models at the event: the AS3120 single axle (11.9m3 or 13.7m3), the AS3150T tandem axle (17m3) and the AS3220T tandem axle (21m3).

The company said its rear twin hydraulic folding conveyor feed twin-disc spreader can achieve spread widths of up to 48 metres for urea, over 52 metres for mineral granular fertilisers and up to 30 metres for drier bulk products such as limes, gypsum, sand and organic fertilisers etc. The machines’ outer disc and conveyor design are 3.05m from centre, while the spreading discs are positioned 850mm high.

AgriSpread opted for a PTO hydrostatic tandem hydraulic piston pump system, which it says achieves the oil flow required to meet application rates at wider spread widths and higher forward speeds.

The Isobus software interface controls all aspects of the spreader including priming to preload the conveyors with product on initial start-up and stationery clean out functions. It features an Isobus automatic precision electric rear-door actuator control, fold up/unfold positions of the conveyors, left and right independent headland border control and section control.

Combilift, a world-renowned brand when it comes to forklifts and material handling equipment, once again attended Agritechnica. Typically, the Monaghan-based manufacturer attends the event to not only appeal to show visitors, but to show exhibitors also. It displayed its Aisle Master VNA articulated forklift alongside a C-Series and Combi-CB model, both of which multidirectional forklift models. The C-Series offers lift capacities from 2-25t while the Combi-CB is rated for capacities ranging from 2.5-7t.

Trakjak, the innovative tractor jack solution all the way from Cootehill, Co Cavan was exhibited at Agritechnica.

The award-winning solution is the brainchild of Padraig Fay and is a device that uses the tractor’s lower lift arms to lift itself off the ground and allow the safe replacement of wheels. As the lift arms rise, the entire frame pivots, pushing the front wheels of the Trakjak down while raising the tractor off the ground. The TrakJak is stable enough to allow the tractor to be driven while its rear wheels are removed.

Hailing from Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo, Major Equipment’s display focused on the well-known Cyclone mulcher range, alongside the CS Pro and Swift roller mowers from its Groundcare product lines. The Cyclone range is now available in 10 models, ranging from 2m up to the 9.2m triple gang mulcher. It’s available with multiple cutting heads, fitted with ‘blender-style’ blades for cutting and shredding vegetation.

This is a popular tool on the continent, for post harvest shredding and mulching to eliminate the over wintering of corn borer larvae.

Cross Engineering put on an impressive display of kit, with its broad range of root crop washing equipment to the fore. The Kildare company has built up a solid reputation across Europe for this type of equipment.

The firm had the most comprehensive line-up of beet-handling kit at the show. Central on its stand was the new Crocodile Destoner. Specifically designed for the potato industry in Denmark, this machine will work to wash and destone any root crop. Cross also unveiled the newly updated Chaser Bin 46. With an impressive 46m3 capacity, this machine is designed to serve as both a seed and fertiliser drill filler, or as a high-performance chaser bin for harvest operations. The firm’s new muck spreader range also featured, now available with a fully galvanised finish. Each model can also be fitted with an optional removable stainless-steel floor. Other items on display include the beet chopping range, post drivers, slurry agitators and furrow presses.

Cavan slurry equipment manufacturer Mastek, exhibited a sample of its slurry equipment solutions, from trailing shoes, to flexi shoes, dribble bars, reelers and a tanker. Central to the Mastek stand was its new combi pump, a self-contained machine which features a slurry pump and a compressor. The machine’s compact design leaves it 15% bigger than its standard PTO pump set. With an upgraded output of 300 CFM at 10 bar and a safety one-way valve, Mastek says that its design is compatible with Mastek/Chior, Bauer or Doda pumps. According to Mastek, the pump can handle up to 12% solids, with operating speeds of up to 2,600 rpm. The pump wet end and gearbox are totally separate, therefore any mechanical seal failure is visible, with no opportunity for gearbox contamination. The pump features fixed knives, helicoid and impeller blades manufactured from treated and hardened material.

Based in Ballygawley in Co Tyrone, Flail-Tec offers a suite of products for forestry, agriculture and construction sectors, with a focus on mulching and land clearance equipment.

The firm showcased three new products at the event. The first was an E1-50-SM fixed tooth mulcher, designed for two- to four-tonne excavators. The second was a skid steer mounted mulcher, namely the SSM2-150, designed for 50-75HP units. And finally, the firm’s new TS-400 tree shear, which is designed for 13-21t excavators.

Plantmec launched a new Q-Bed 326 cubicle bedder model as part of the Invest NI stand. The Co Armagh-based company also displayed a 1.7m bucket brush.

The 326 model replaces the current 324 model and features a number of updates. These include the ability to engage the brush independent of the hopper auger and bedder as well as an optional switchable 1WD and 3WD transmission. Other subtle changes include an updated brush arm with more accessible grease points and a new air vent in the engine bay for improved air flow and reduced dust build up.

Biddy Attachments – exhibited as part of the Invest NI stand – showcasing two three-shear models. Based in Co Magherafelt, Co Derry, Biddy Attachments specialise in the manufacture of buckets and tractor attachments as well as excavator attachments.

The shears on display included the 5-8t shears for cuts up to 10in and the 13-20t shears for larger trees up to 14in. Features of these include a removable Hardox blade and double claw opening, so shears can be quickly converted to a grab. Models have a triple pickup feature, meaning that they can be picked up through three-axis and five (-axis?) orientations.

NC Engineering also exhibited under the Invest NI umbrella. Based in Hamiltonsbawn, Co Armagh, the NC product portfolio comprises a vast range of trailers, slurry-handling equipment, low loaders, shear grabs and more. At the show NC displayed a Super 3000 slurry agitator, suited for tractors from 80-120hp and offering a flowrate of up to 3,000 gallons per minute. The fully galvanised pump uses a two-point linkage quick attach mounting system and is available in five sizes from 1.98m to 10 3.05m.

Other Irish companies that exhibited and displayed machines were Timbercroc, Biddy Attachments and NC Engineering. Fleming Agri, Easy Fix, Sol-Sign, Cad-Share Tech, Ebco Rubber and UPU Industries also exhibited without displaying products.