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.

Video: A skid-steer loader that works on its own…without a driver
Video: A skid-steer loader that works on its own…without a driver

A US company – Built Robotics – has a fully autonomous skid-steer loader working in San Francisco. The firm –...

Grassland equipment manufacturers upbeat; growth expected in 2018
Grassland equipment manufacturers upbeat; growth expected in 2018

Manufacturers of grassland equipment are upbeat about the market and expect moderate growth of 3% for the 2017-2018 season. That’s the...

UK’s largest machinery show on the move: New location for LAMMA
UK’s largest machinery show on the move: New location for LAMMA

The UK’s largest agricultural machinery show – LAMMA – will move to the NEC from January 2019. According to Briefing...

Auction report: Pics and prices from major on-site tractor and machinery sale
Auction report: Pics and prices from major on-site tractor and machinery sale

Major “on-site” machinery dispersal sale (auction) events come up just a handful of times in any given year here in...

Hi-Spec tanker with a difference: Unusual unit surfaces
Hi-Spec tanker with a difference: Unusual unit surfaces

Here’s an interesting project that Hi-Spec is working on (see featured picture and below). It’s a vacuum tanker that’s not...

First look: Bredal’s latest trailed spreader has discs mounted on arms – 6m apart
First look: Bredal’s latest trailed spreader has discs mounted on arms – 6m apart

Danish manufacturer Bredal will shortly launch newer, more accurate, high-capacity trailed spreaders. The latest machines will be able to spread...

Fleet profile: Specialist contractor reveals his machinery ‘hits’ and ‘misses’
Fleet profile: Specialist contractor reveals his machinery ‘hits’ and ‘misses’

Andrew Burke, based in Clogherhead, Co. Louth, has been involved in agricultural contracting since he left school. The majority of...

Will this new ‘systems tractor’ become the ultimate hedgecutter?
Will this new ‘systems tractor’ become the ultimate hedgecutter?

A specialist Dutch manufacturer – Herder – will shortly unveil a new concept ‘systems tractor’. The machine (see featured picture)...

Irish break-away system ‘keeps your runaway trailer in check’
Irish break-away system ‘keeps your runaway trailer in check’

The Powerbrake-RT is a combined hand-brake and break-away unit, which can be fitted to almost any trailer. With no electronics...

Clever 7m goliath from Kuhn monitors oil and clutches for you
Clever 7m goliath from Kuhn monitors oil and clutches for you

The new HR 7040 R – from Kuhn – with its 7m working width completes the company’s line-up of high-end...

Brand new midlands Fendt dealership almost ready to open its doors
Brand new midlands Fendt dealership almost ready to open its doors

The town of Birr, in Co. Offaly, is pretty close to being in the very centre of Ireland. A good choice...

First look: Welger round balers revealed in Massey Ferguson colours
First look: Welger round balers revealed in Massey Ferguson colours

Massey Ferguson branded versions of Welger round balers have broken cover. The machines will make their official debut at next...

‘Intelligent’ rubber track doesn’t get too hot under the collar
‘Intelligent’ rubber track doesn’t get too hot under the collar

Rubber tracks are becoming increasingly common on large agricultural machines across Europe – such as range-topping combines or high-horsepower tractors....

Appeal for generators for storm-battered dairy farmers in the south
Appeal for generators for storm-battered dairy farmers in the south

A large number of farmers remain without power this evening (October 17). Those without access to generators face a very...

Pics: Vintage tractors galore at IVETA gathering in Cavan
Pics: Vintage tractors galore at IVETA gathering in Cavan

Enthusiasts flocked to Cavan on Sunday (October 15) for the Irish Vintage Engine and Tractor Association (IVETA) National Indoor Vintage...

Tractor manufacturer embarks on South African expedition
Tractor manufacturer embarks on South African expedition

After its first 8,500km expedition across the vast open spaces of Australia – along the Outback and the Pacific coast...

Tractor sales down in big German market; other sectors positive
Tractor sales down in big German market; other sectors positive

In September 2017, registrations of new tractors in Germany were 41.8% below the same month last year. The figures come from...

High-tech: This ‘observant’ mower can automatically avoid wildlife
High-tech: This ‘observant’ mower can automatically avoid wildlife

A major machinery company has introduced, what it claims to be, the world’s first mower-mounted automatic animal detection system. The company...