Author: National Ploughing Association

Keenan to Launch New MF380 Mixer Wagon at Irish National Ploughing Championship

Payload of Nine Tonnes and Can Feed 150 Cows in One Load

The new Keenan MF380 was developed to fill the gap between the current MF360 and MF400 models; it has a nominal rating of 24 m3 capacity and a maximum payload of 9,000Kgs to feed up to 150 dairy cows in one load so it is primarily targeted at bigger milk producers and the export market.

Overall the operation is similar to the MF400 but in a more compact design. Some differences include the use of 3 chains on 540 RPM drive and 20 litres of oil in the oil bath. The machine has all of the characteristics of the popular Mech Fiber range which have heavy duty blades fitted as standard for a long life.

The MF range is optimised for chopping fodder beet, forage maize, grass silage, straw and a wide range of other feed ingredients to deliver a superb mix with the minimal usage of fuel and using lower HP tractors. These claims are supported by independent research reports and farm testimonials from Britain, Holland, USA etc.

According to Stephen Hennessy, Market Director for Ireland, “sales for year to date are up 20% and the export market is strong. We have more than 31,000 customers in 40 countries – France is our biggest market and China is an emerging one. About 70% of our turnover is overseas-markets include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and even Mongolia.”

New Features on the Keenan MF380

Chassis & Tyres:

The chassis is similar in principle, strength and operation to the MF400, but retains a low slung design to minimise height. The axle location has also been optimised to reduce the weight on the hitch to 2.5 tonnes when fully laden. The machine uses .55. profile tyres, 385/55 R22.5, as standard to minimise height.

Body Design & Feed Out:

The body design has been optimised to carry the curve of the body around closer to the top knife. This reduces the peak power requirement and the stress on the machine. The feed out has been redesigned to minimise its effect on the overall width of the machine.

Oil Bath & Drive Lines Access:

The complete oil bath for the chain drive has been retained from the MF400, but simplified for maintenance .The access to the oil bath drive line has been improved by the use of a seals oil bath, with two full depth fibreglass doors. These allow for ease of access to the complete drive line in open operation.

Body Blades & Hitch Eye:

The body blade number, set up and location has been optimised. All blades, both standard and extra are located within the main body. The machine is manufactured with 28 blades as standard and 20 optional additional blades. These are set up in a double herringbone arrangement and are slightly offset longitudinally to optimise chopping. The hitch uses the same 40mm deep heavy duty hitch as the MF400, but with a similar mounting arrangement to the MF300, for each of adjustment.

Keenan this year are celebrating 30 years in business. They launched their first mixer wagon (diet feeder) at the RDS Spring Show in May 1983.

For further information please contact Stephen Hennessy, Market Director for Ireland. Tel: +353 59. 977 1252. Mobile: +353 87.750 4882 Email: shennessy@keenansystem.com

At this year’s National Ploughing Championships the McAree team will be displaying their full range of meal silos and tote bins. They have joined forces with Lely using one of their wide 1.5 tonne tote bins to store feed for the dairy cows and deliver it while cows are being milked with an auger to the Lely robot.

Safely storing animal feed is an ongoing concern for farmers in the Bord Bia Quality Assurance scheme or other QA programmes. They have to keep feed safe, secure and free from contaminants. It also makes good economic sense to protect valuable animal feed from vermin and spoilage. McAree Engineering has been helping farmers to protect their feed since the 1960’s when Vincent McAree designed and manufactured the very first V-Mac feed silo.

That legacy lives on to today with the 3rd generation of McAree’s continuing to design and manufacture feed storage solutions.

For more information contact McAree Enginering + 353 (0) 47 79000.

Tel: Peter Richardson, Sales & Marketing Manager (+ 353 (0) 872584584) or Email: peter@mcaree-eng.com More info also on their range of market leading feed silos, tote bins etc can be seen on YouTube at www.mcaree-eng.com/

From Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th of September RTÉ will once again be in the thick of the action at the 81st National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Stradbally Co Laois. RTÉ will be bringing visitors and audiences at home an eclectic mix of programmes and activity from the event, from news, to sport, lifestyle and music, across TV, Radio, Online and Mobile.
Two of Ireland’s biggest news programmes will broadcast live from the event. Morning Ireland comes live at 7am on Tuesday and the Six One News, co-presented by Sharon Ní Bheoláín, will also be live from the event, bookended on Thursday as Bryan Dobson dons his wellies to co-present on the final evening of the event. In addition there will be regular reports on RTÉ News bulletins throughout the event, as well as live updates on Morning Edition and News2Day. Nuacht will also be broadcasting live each day from the RTÉ exhibition area.
RTÉ Radio 1, 2fm, lyric and RnaG too will be on the ground from the off. On Tuesday, Tubridy, on RTÉ 2fm at 9am, takes a look at the lighter side to this major national event and Hector gets a lie in, as he takes over at the later than usual time of 11am.
On the following day (Wednesday 25th) Today with Sean O’Rourke makes its first trip to the National Ploughing Championships and at 7pm Nationwide devotes an entire programme to the best of the Ploughing 2013. And it wouldn’t be RTÉ at the Ploughing Championships without Liveline and the ‘Funny Thursday’ crew live from 3pm (Thursday 26th).
In addition to on-air content audiences are invited to come along to the RTÉ exhibition space where there will be a host of activities for visitors of all ages. Get a sneak peek at what’s in store on the Today programme this year as Daithí O’Sé and Maura Derrane launch their new season, presenting a blend of lifestyle items, especially for visitors to the RTÉ exhibition area, including a cookery demonstration with Paul Flynn, a live performance from Tommy Fleming, fashion show, and a special ‘ploughing’ makeover. Also confirmed in the packed schedule are Michael Lyster and The Sunday Game panellists Michael Duignan and Kevin McStay who will lead an interactive panel discussion in what is set to be a bumper September for the GAA.
And there’s plenty more in store: live music with an RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta seisiún, George Hamilton with the Chatham Quartet, the chance for visitors to try their hand at being a radio presenter with lyric fm Outreach, or a TV weather presenter with Weather Wannabes, children’s storytelling with RTÉjr, and RTÉ Archives is dusting off the film cans and showing a visual presentation of RTÉ output through the years.
The RTÉ Guide will be on sale at a special Ploughing Championships price of €1 which includes the chance to take away your very own RTÉ Guide cover.

From Le Dakar to Ireland – How VB-Air Suspension was put to the test in the toughest of terrains

Le Dakar; the toughest endurance rally in the world, often referred to as ‘the last great adventure’, is widely regarded as one of the harshest proving grounds for vehicles, their passengers and equipment. So when VB-Airsuspension offered to kit out two Dakar Press Team  4 x 4 vehicles and four of the trucks competing in the event, there were some raised eyebrows. After all, there’s a world of difference between smoothing out the bumps on the roads in Ireland and Europe, and smoothing the impact of mile after mile of potholes, rocks, sand dunes and unformed road tracks interspersed with almost impassable stretches of swirling water and undulating parched desert, with huge temperature variations – for 12 hours per day over 3 intensive weeks.

Leon Jansen, a member of the Le Dakar Press Team commented “Our Volkswagen Amarok was upgraded with VB-Coilsprings on the front suspension and a full VB-FullAir 2C kit on the rear suspension. We were carrying four big Explorer cases packed with photo gear and Apple computers; delicate and expensive gear. That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about the air suspension. Our gear is precious and costs a lot of money. If it’s damaged and you’re in the middle of a desert you can’t get a replacement. We finished Le Dakar with our equipment intact and our team feeling physically fit. The ride was smooth, safe and comfortable but still exhilarating.”

As a recent entrant to the Irish market, VB-Air Suspension have chosen to exhibit their brand new range of Full Air and Semi Air products suitable for 4 x 4  and Pickup vehicles at the National Ploughing Championships being held at Ratheniska, Co.Laois, from Tuesday 24^th September to Thursday 26^th September. This new product range comes to the market after the toughest of tests in Le Dakar 2013 and offers many advantages such as ; increased comfort , constant ride height irrespective of load, improved stability with reduced body roll and enhanced safety levels, to name but a few.  David Byrne, the VB appointed dealer for Ireland says “ Our air suspension systems were more than up to the job in Le Dakar which means they can handle the toughest and harshest road conditions any Light Commercial Vehicle or 4×4 vehicle and driver will be subjected to in this country . At the National Ploughing Championships we are looking forward to discussing the benefits of the various VB-Airsuspension products with visitors.  We will have our new Semi-Air Comfort kit installed on the rear axle of a Nissan Navara as well as a Volkswagen Transporter T5 fitted with electronically controlled Full Air suspension on both front and rear axles.”