Justin Roberts

Justin Roberts Profile Picture

Technical Machinery Specialist

Justin studied at Welsh Agricultural College, Aberystwyth having first worked in both the feed and seed sectors of the industry. He has two decades of experience in writing about farm machinery, both vintage and contemporary across several publications. As an author he has written two books, including the history of the Nordic tractor and now resides in Co. Tipperary.

Classic corner: Firmly with Fiatagri…for self-propelled harvesters

Machinery

Classic corner: Firmly with Fiatagri…for self-propelled harvesters

The sudden explosion of self-propelled forage harvesters onto the scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s is usually attributed...
Trade focus: Talking shop with Healion Tractors in Co. Offaly

Machinery

Trade focus: Talking shop with Healion Tractors in Co. Offaly

Tractor enthusiasts were given a rare treat at the recent Tullamore Show, in which a Massey Ferguson 9240 (pictured below) was...
Combine convoy in Cork: From Claeys; to Clayson; then New Holland

Machinery

Combine convoy in Cork: From Claeys; to Clayson; then New Holland

Despite overnight rain, the recent West Cork Vintage Ploughing and Threshing Association enjoyed the very best of weather for its...
Classic corner: A self-propelled forage harvester with a difference…in Co. Cork

Machinery

Classic corner: A self-propelled forage harvester with a difference…in Co. Cork

Chopping silage (or any forage) is all about power; simply put, the faster you want to go, the bigger the...
120 tractors in a show of force at Fendt ‘field day’

Machinery

120 tractors in a show of force at Fendt ‘field day’

The sales performance and placing of tractor brands within the market is followed with great interest by many in farming....
Classic corner: The case of the curious ‘Ford’ in Co. Limerick

Machinery

Classic corner: The case of the curious ‘Ford’ in Co. Limerick

Introduced in 1968, the Ford Force range of tractors put right many of the problems that had beset the 1000...
Trade focus: Taking time out with Timmins Tractors…in Co. Carlow

Machinery

Trade focus: Taking time out with Timmins Tractors…in Co. Carlow

“The Ford 5000 and 7000 were iconic tractors and were as important to Irish agriculture as the grey Ferguson.” It’s...
Fendt to fight for a chunk of ‘combi’ baler-wrapper sales

Machinery

Fendt to fight for a chunk of ‘combi’ baler-wrapper sales

After a long and seemingly challenging period of integration, we are beginning to see some definite answers as to just...
Trade focus: ‘Infectious passion’ for the tractor business in Co. Cork

Machinery

Trade focus: ‘Infectious passion’ for the tractor business in Co. Cork

There is a growing appreciation within the tractor trade that the handful of ‘big name’ manufacturers are now facing a...
Silage Extravaganza was tight for grass, but ‘awash’ with tractors

Machinery

Silage Extravaganza was tight for grass, but ‘awash’ with tractors

This year’s Silage Extravaganza (in Fethard, Co. Tipperary) was destined to be a somewhat subdued affair (due to the prolonged drought reducing...
New Case IH combine suffers no ‘sensory deprivation’

Machinery

New Case IH combine suffers no ‘sensory deprivation’

The latest iteration of the Case IH Axial-Flow combine harvester was recently launched in Dresden (Germany). The new machines were given...
Trade focus: Growing a machinery manufacturing business in Co. Carlow

Machinery

Trade focus: Growing a machinery manufacturing business in Co. Carlow

“We have the product; we have the demand; what we don’t have is the production capacity.” As dilemmas go, it’s...
‘Old-school’ muscle at harvest demo in Co. Waterford

Machinery

‘Old-school’ muscle at harvest demo in Co. Waterford

Vintage and classic tractors are always a popular attraction at rallies but they present an even greater spectacle when working....
Trade focus: Getting a foothold in the machinery business in Co. Laois

Machinery

Trade focus: Getting a foothold in the machinery business in Co. Laois

“There is no longer any such thing as a one-size-fits-all slurry tanker,” claims Darren Bailey of Bailey Machinery Sales (BMS). “Every...
Classic corner: Crisp, sharp-edged Crystal was ‘ahead of its time’

Machinery

Classic corner: Crisp, sharp-edged Crystal was ‘ahead of its time’

Zetor has a long and proud history of engineering behind it. It was making diesel engines for aircraft before the...
Classic corner: Cork collector restores 6-pot Deere, with a cosy SG2

Machinery

Classic corner: Cork collector restores 6-pot Deere, with a cosy SG2

It is very easy for confusion to reign when referring to the John Deere ’40’ series. There were, in fact,...
Machinery trade: Dealing with ‘young blood’ and the ‘mammy factor’

Machinery

Machinery trade: Dealing with ‘young blood’ and the ‘mammy factor’

“The age profile of [farm machinery] dealership staff is not a healthy one,” asserted Gary Ryan, chief executive of the...
‘Modern classic’ catches the eye at Limerick tractor event

Machinery

‘Modern classic’ catches the eye at Limerick tractor event

One of the great advantages of tractor runs is that they are inclusive of all machines. Owners of vintage, classic...