Jim Breen

Jim Breen Profile Picture

Jim Breen is from a farming background. He studied Engineering in University College Dublin. He worked for agricultural media outlets and, most recently, was the mechanisation advisor for DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) and engineering programme manager at CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise). He now lives in Offaly.

Are you in the Valtra camp? Here’s a good read…
Are you in the Valtra camp? Here’s a good read…

Regular AgriLand contributor Justin Roberts has penned an interesting book, detailing the rise of the tractor in Northern Europe – with...

‘Clever’ three-point linkage keeps your steering in check
‘Clever’ three-point linkage keeps your steering in check

Reichhardt – a specialist German manufacturer – has been showing off its PSR Slide system at recent events around Europe. It consists of...

One-pass raking and baling: What is the best approach?
One-pass raking and baling: What is the best approach?

AgriLand recently brought you a report profiling the Agronic WR500 front rake, depicting how it can form part of “the ultimate...

In a hurry? Sometimes it is a sprint – not a marathon
In a hurry? Sometimes it is a sprint – not a marathon

Back in 2015, a Guinness World Record for the fastest speed achieved by a tractor was set by four-time World...

Gearing up for another season: Check out this new folding silage fork…
Gearing up for another season: Check out this new folding silage fork…

This eye-catching folding silage fork (pictured above) is from Fliegl; it’s pictured here on a latest-generation Komatsu WA320-8 wheel loader (a...

Tool or toy: Is this miniature loader a practical option?
Tool or toy: Is this miniature loader a practical option?

This pint-sized machine was spotted by AgriLand at a recent farm machinery exhibition in Co. Cork. It’s an Avant (Tecno)...

Major contracting machinery auction looms large
Major contracting machinery auction looms large

Carnew Mart will host a sizeable auction of modern, second-hand agricultural machinery on Friday (February 16). The auction is being...

A buck-rake with a ‘twist’: Is this the ultimate silage fork?
A buck-rake with a ‘twist’: Is this the ultimate silage fork?

Among the most eye-catching machines at the recent LAMMA show (in the UK) was this German-built (Saphir) fork – for...

North American powerhouse gets special-edition ‘black livery’
North American powerhouse gets special-edition ‘black livery’

A special-edition 25th-anniversary (front wheel assist) tractor has been unveiled by Versatile – the Canadian tractor manufacturer. “It’s still the same...

New ‘unload-on-the-move’ silage wagon gets international outing
New ‘unload-on-the-move’ silage wagon gets international outing

Fliegl is now bringing its novel Buffel (or Buffalo) to international shows and trade fairs. The non-stop forage wagon was first unveiled at...

Is this UK-designed ‘driverless’ tractor a practical proposition?
Is this UK-designed ‘driverless’ tractor a practical proposition?

The so-called ‘Dynium Robot’ (pictured above) is the brain-child of a UK-based company. Still at the prototype stage, the machine...

Is this the most powerful ‘conventional’ tractor in Ireland?
Is this the most powerful ‘conventional’ tractor in Ireland?

AgriLand came across this eye-catching tractor pairing this week (see picture below); the tractor on the left is a new...

An Irish-built ‘triple’ mower…from the ‘Kingdom’ of Kerry?
An Irish-built ‘triple’ mower…from the ‘Kingdom’ of Kerry?

AgriLand came upon this footage (see video below) of an Irish-built triple-section combination mower. The video is from TOL Engineering – a...

Is this what’s needed for tankers in Irish conditions?
Is this what’s needed for tankers in Irish conditions?

With wet conditions underfoot, it’s a challenge to bring machinery onto fields without causing undue damage and hardship. However, Belgian...

New tractor sales in UK rise; end-of-year rush boosts tally
New tractor sales in UK rise; end-of-year rush boosts tally

Registrations of new (agricultural) tractors (over 50hp) in the UK in December 2017 amounted to 1,360 units, according to figures from...

More dealers join Ireland’s machinery trade body
More dealers join Ireland’s machinery trade body

The January meeting of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Executive Council saw two further companies join the...

Contracting fraternity mourns the passing of an early innovator
Contracting fraternity mourns the passing of an early innovator

The death has been announced of Mickie Farrelly – especially well-known in agricultural contracting circles in the Co. Meath area. The Carnaross...

Eye-catching tanker knows how to push its ‘weight’ about
Eye-catching tanker knows how to push its ‘weight’ about

This Belgian-built slurry tanker (see main picture) – from Dezeure / Loonwerken Marreel – popped up at a recent European...