Machinery Show packs a Punch

FTMTA event in Naas attracts over 6,000 punters each day

OVER 18,000 farmers, contractors and machinery enthusiasts made their way to Punchestown, Naas last week for the 2017 FTMTA Machinery Show. As can be seen from this pictorial review, the Show featured the latest in tractor and farm machinery launches, with some unusual nuggets thrown in for good measure.

There was a healthy balance of tillage and grassland equipment on display, including some Irish debuts, so most visitors would have seen something that interested them.

The beauty of this show for punter and exhibitor alike is that it is a mostly indoor event, insulated from the unpredictable weather at this time of year. This affords the opportunity to talk in comfort with various machinery sales personnel at the show and — for those on the market — to do some careful research ahead of a purchase.

What about that all-important buyer sentiment? Around the indoor exhibition halls, the mood was upbeat.

However, most exhibitors I spoke to were not realistically expecting an improvement on last year’s machinery sales figures.

Indeed, tractor sales to date in 2017 are running 15pc behind last year’s levels for the same period.

While dairymen are expecting a nicer year, the mood is not as buoyant with tillage and dry stock farmers.

Farmers and the trade alike will be hoping for a run of good spring weather, which has the power to change everything.

Right: Case IH scooped the 2017 Tractor of the Year title for the Optum 300 CVX. The Optum is positioned between the US-built Magnum and the Puma range. Driving through a continuously-variable transmission, the 6.7 litre six-cylinder engine in the...

Left: Punters were keen for a look at the new self-propelled Bateman RB35-S sprayer from F Jenkinson Ltd, which has just been launched in Ireland. The Bateman’s Panoramic 3 cab is designed and built in-house and proved a popular draw with visitors. The...

Left: Meet Bomford’s futuristic-looking Flailbot, a wireless operated tracked mower for working on risky terrain that offers remote-controlled mowing capability with zero operator risk. Covering challenging, steeply inclined ground with a traditional...

Right: Abbey Machinery’s new Tri-App unit, as well as a new 2,750 gallon tanker, garnered plenty of attention. The Tri-App combines three functions of a trailing shoe, dribble bar and trailing boot applicator into one 7.5m attachment. Abbey’s Anthony...