World Champions

Seven points separated first and second place in the conventional world ploughing championship.

Seventeen-year-old Scotsman Andrew Mitchell (369 points), pictured above, took first place ahead of Austrian Peter Lanz (362 points). Third was Irishman Eamon Tracey (354.5 points).

In the reversible class it was the familiar face of Englishman Simon Witty (383 points) who claimed top spot with a narrow margin of 1.5 points over second place French contender Fabien Landre (381.5). Tom Cochrane (371.5) from Northern Ireland claimed third place.

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McHale Baler takes bow

Irish manufacturer McHale kept with its tradition of unveiling new kit at Ploughing and showed off a new F560 baler.

With its side panels providing shelter for showgoers, the latest addition to the firm’s F5 baler range shares 90% of the components used in the Fusion integrated baler/wrapper.

Main improvements over previous F550 units include automated tailgate opening and closing and an unblocking drop-floor as standard.

A 23-knife chopper unit – 2m wide – feeds the 1.25m by 1.23m bale chamber. Price: 42,750 (£30,000).

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Knock it on the head

One bit of kit that attracted particular attention at the event was a hand-held pneumatic post driver from Australia, marketed by Rossshire-based Neil MacDonald.

The unit, weighing 18kg, can handle round or square posts up to 90mm (3.5in) in diameter.

The unit requires 1800-litres/min airflow from a compressor and costs from £1625.

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A blue Keenan?
Rather than a new colour scheme for the Carlow-based company’s kit, the “blue chip” livery is being used to promote a trial to get customers hooked on the concept of nutritional advice interweaved with a feeder-wagon lease.

This offers customers the opportunity to trial the firm’s system – which includes nutritional advice – for up to six months at a fixed rate of approximately £500-£600.

Keenan says a three-day trial of a feeder wagon does not show the true benefits of the system and the blue chip concept will allow farms to adjust inputs to suit their system.

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Manitou gives a lift
French manufacturer Manitou has launched a high-capacity machine aimed at the recycling and waste handling sectors.

With a 6t lift capacity and an 8m reach, the machine boasts a two-speed hydrostatic transmission and a 130hp Perkins four-cylinder engine.

Hydraulic performance is rated at 140-litres/min, while the turning circle – wheel to wheel – is 4.8m.

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Redrock dual-purpose
Armagh-based Redrock unveiled a new dual-purpose trailer that doubles as a low-loader and dump trailer.

The tailboard can be set in one of three positions – open for loading, level as a flat bed, and closed like a dump trailer.

The 14t capacity model costs from £10,500.