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.

Curious about a machinery dealership’s income: What pays the bills?
Curious about a machinery dealership’s income: What pays the bills?

CLIMMAR – a network of farm machinery dealers across much of Europe – held a press conference last month, at...

Chart: Which tractor brands are ranked the best…and worst?
Chart: Which tractor brands are ranked the best…and worst?

A ‘European dealer satisfaction survey‘ has turned up some interesting findings; in which major tractor manufacturers have effectively been ranked...

Latest wrapper can still do 5 bales in three minutes, but now it’s ‘easier’
Latest wrapper can still do 5 bales in three minutes, but now it’s ‘easier’

Tanco is one of several Irish manufacturers that will be showing its wares at the upcoming LAMMA show in the...

A non-articulated loader: Kramer wheels out its biggest shovel yet
A non-articulated loader: Kramer wheels out its biggest shovel yet

As its special highlight, Kramer rolled out its biggest loader to date – an all-wheel-steer machine in the 9-10t weight...

‘6,000’ new reasons to plumb for a tri-axle Abbey tanker
‘6,000’ new reasons to plumb for a tri-axle Abbey tanker

Abbey Machinery says that animals only digest 15-20% of what they eat; the remainder has to be stored and handled...

‘Concept’ controls point to interior of next-generation farm machinery
‘Concept’ controls point to interior of next-generation farm machinery

Preh – a German company – showcased a concept of a new, “innovative” driver’s workstation (in-cab controls) at last month’s...

2017 auction review: What brands were in demand at the big sales?
2017 auction review: What brands were in demand at the big sales?

Auction specialist Cheffins – based in the UK – says that second-hand machinery sales peaked in 2017 compared with previous...

Results are in: ‘Big-boned’ New Holland TM150 tops the ‘starter tractor’ poll
Results are in: ‘Big-boned’ New Holland TM150 tops the ‘starter tractor’ poll

We recently ran a poll to determine what the best ‘starter tractor’ for agricultural contracting is. While there are almost endless...

‘4-wheel’ Fusion rolls in from Cashels…to keep you afloat
‘4-wheel’ Fusion rolls in from Cashels…to keep you afloat

Cashels Engineering – a well-known manufacturer of agricultural and other equipment – recently rolled out its special four-wheel chassis (for McHale’s...

Auction report: Trailers and root-crop equipment plentiful at ‘on-site’ sale
Auction report: Trailers and root-crop equipment plentiful at ‘on-site’ sale

A major ‘on-site‘ machinery dispersal sale (auction) was held on behalf of Coates Contracting at Manor Farm, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (England)...

Auction report: Mix of classic and modern tractors under the hammer at ‘on-site’ sale
Auction report: Mix of classic and modern tractors under the hammer at ‘on-site’ sale

A major ‘on-site‘ machinery dispersal sale (auction) was held on behalf of Coates Contracting at Manor Farm, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (England)...

Poll: What’s the best tractor to bring to an Irish ‘bog’?
Poll: What’s the best tractor to bring to an Irish ‘bog’?

This one’s strictly a bit of fun; we’re asking for your input – and your machinery know-how! We’re talking about...

Auction report: 2017 review of tractor prices at monthly midlands sale
Auction report: 2017 review of tractor prices at monthly midlands sale

Farmers and contractors are regular attendees at Hennessy Auctioneers’ monthly machinery auction; it’s typically held on the second-last Saturday of...

Poll: What’s the best ‘starter tractor’ for agri contracting?
Poll: What’s the best ‘starter tractor’ for agri contracting?

It’s hard to break into agricultural contracting from a standing start. Brand new tractors are largely the domain of established...

Leitrim machinery dealer scoops major enterprise award
Leitrim machinery dealer scoops major enterprise award

Farmhand – the Irish distributor for well-known brands, such as Krone and Amazone – has announced that one of its...

‘Tractor Bumper’ is here; midlands dealer ‘pushing’ ahead with novel device
‘Tractor Bumper’ is here; midlands dealer ‘pushing’ ahead with novel device

Laois-based machinery dealer Bailey Machinery Sales (BMS) has just taken on the agency for the ‘Tractor Bumper‘ for the entire...

Sights set on big show: Abbey to give punters ‘both barrels’
Sights set on big show: Abbey to give punters ‘both barrels’

As Abbey Machinery heads into its 71st year, it will also make the journey across the water to the big...

New Case IH dealer appointed in the midlands region
New Case IH dealer appointed in the midlands region

It has been confirmed that D & E McHugh in Co. Longford has been appointed as a new Case IH dealer....