Johnston’s gets Massey franchise

It has been confirmed that Longford farm machinery dealer Johnston’s Farm Equipment, based on the Athlone Road, has been signed up as a Massey Ferguson dealer. The news was confirmed this week with the dealership getting counties of Longford and Sligo and the eastern part of Roscommon as its sales territory.

The business had been a John Deere dealer for the past 13 years.

Prior to that, it held the Massey Ferguson franchise, so it’s a case of returning to its roots.

The business was established by Derek Johnston in 1983 at Kenagh, Longford, and moved to Longford in 1985. Derek’s son Sam is general manager of the business these days.

Zetor records 7% increase in profits

The Czech-based Zetor Tractor Group has reported a 7% increase in profits in 2013, compared with the previous year. Zetor exported 86% of its tractor production.

The company claims its new Zetor Major model is proving successful, with demand surpassing expectations. The company produced 1,300 Major tractors by the end of the year, up from the expected figure of 900. Zetor tractors are distributed in Ireland by McHale Plant Sales, Birdhill, Co Tipperary.

Kubota’s tractor lawn mower bonus

Kubota tractor buyers have until 30 June to receive a complimentary Kubota professional walk-behind Grand X lawn mower if they buy a new Kubota M110GX or M135GX tractor.

The deal also gives the option of up to three years’ 0% finance, along with the opportunity to choose Kubota Care, a five-year extended warranty package. This allows the tractor buyer to select the amount of hours they believe they will use, up to a maximum of 5,000 hours, giving them piece of mind that their tractor is covered.

Mitas developing special tyre

Mitas has signed a sponsorship deal with the European Tractor Pulling Committee (ETPC) to develop the special Mitas Powerpull tyre for 2014. The first prototype of the tractor-pulling tyre is based on a manufacturing process similar to that for Mitas’s high-horsepower tractor tyres to give endurance and durability.

New website for D & S Machinery

D & S Machinery has launched a new website, www.dands.ie, to provide Landini and McCormick tractor users with an update on what is happening with the tractor brands. The new site includes details of the tractor models with the scope to download individual tractor brochures.

Total one-hand grease gun

Ireland’s Total Oil distributor, Finol Oil, is now offering a new generation of grease cartridges for use with a new Total branded Lubeshuttle grease gun in a special offer pack. The screw-cartridge grease gun has been developed for one-handed operation.

It uses easy-to-open cartridges, which can be inserted without opening the gun. The design of the unit allows the grade of grease to be seen at a glance without removing the cartridge.

The new value pack with two cartridges, CERAN XM 220 and MULTIS FIL EP, comes for about €40 plus VAT.

Call for revision of emissions directive

CEMA, the European farm machinery manufacturers’ association, believes that meeting the new emission limits for all power categories of agricultural machinery engines will require significant efforts and resources from manufacturers.

It claims this will prove extremely challenging, particularly for the many SMEs active in the sector.

CEMA has asked the European Commission to reconsider and amend its plans regarding the revision of Directive 97/68/EC on exhaust emissions.

CEMA is seeking the extension of the period in which machines with previous stage engines can be produced from 12 months to 18 months.

It also wants the introduction dates to be fixed to 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2020. It is seeking the introduction of a small series provision and the development of a field-test provision.