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.

‘Irish Machinery Auctions’ gears up for its first sale – tomorrow

Machinery

‘Irish Machinery Auctions’ gears up for its first sale – tomorrow

This Saturday (March 10) sees the first ‘sale’ to be held by Irish Machinery Auctions – a new business based...
Trade focus: Is a quad the best ‘tractor’ a stock farmer could have?

Machinery

Trade focus: Is a quad the best ‘tractor’ a stock farmer could have?

Each year there is always a small buzz of excitement as the tractor registration figures are released; the farming world...
Classic corner: Is this the ultimate ‘value-for-money’ Volvo?

Machinery

Classic corner: Is this the ultimate ‘value-for-money’ Volvo?

It was in the 1970s that Volvo decided to get out of the agricultural tractor business and concentrate on trucks...
Classic corner: Top ’10’ tractor still pays its way in Kilkenny

Machinery

Classic corner: Top ’10’ tractor still pays its way in Kilkenny

Sawmills tend to be congested areas – with stacks of logs, sawn wood and piles of mulch taking up every...
Trade focus: Who’s the newcomer in the machinery auction world?

Machinery

Trade focus: Who’s the newcomer in the machinery auction world?

The machinery auction scene in Ireland has seen some drama over the past few years – with shifts in personnel...
Classic corner: One of Ireland’s earliest, one-owner Valtras still busy in Westmeath

Machinery

Classic corner: One of Ireland’s earliest, one-owner Valtras still busy in Westmeath

Any tractor – Valtra or otherwise – that finds itself in a contractor’s fleet can usually expect a hard life....
Trade focus: ‘Lifting the lid’ on what an engine specialist does

Machinery

Trade focus: ‘Lifting the lid’ on what an engine specialist does

The internal combustion engine has been with us for over 150 years; it has come a long way since Beau...
Classic corner: Rare 6610 conversion is a ‘work-a-day’ Waterford classic

Machinery

Classic corner: Rare 6610 conversion is a ‘work-a-day’ Waterford classic

The relationship between Ford and County Commercial Cars – a specialist in 4WD vehicle conversions – remains one of life’s minor...
Trade focus: ‘Looking for more power from three-cylinder engines is a mistake’

Machinery

Trade focus: ‘Looking for more power from three-cylinder engines is a mistake’

John Deere has rarely, if ever, been noted for any lack of confidence in either its products or its future....
Classic corner: Even a troubled story has a ‘silver lining’

Machinery

Classic corner: Even a troubled story has a ‘silver lining’

When Ford decided to celebrate 25 years of tractor production at Basildon, it came up with the idea of creating...
Trade focus: No hiding from big-brand takeovers on home turf

Machinery

Trade focus: No hiding from big-brand takeovers on home turf

Heading into Kilrush from the Limerick side, there is what you might assume to be a modest local tractor dealer...
Classic corner: Cork ‘Winner’ keeps the ‘flame of Fiat’ alive

Machinery

Classic corner: Cork ‘Winner’ keeps the ‘flame of Fiat’ alive

One centenary in the tractor world that we haven’t heard much about this year is that of Fiat Trattori. Although...
Classic corner: Straight lines and sharp angles adorn this gleaming ‘DX’

Machinery

Classic corner: Straight lines and sharp angles adorn this gleaming ‘DX’

Modern tractor manufacturers will tell you that they spend an awful lot of time and money on styling their products....
Trade focus: Stretching right across the ‘sunny’ south-east

Machinery

Trade focus: Stretching right across the ‘sunny’ south-east

Agriculture is constantly evolving; trying to discern the future is a question of picking out trends. Although ‘digitalisation’ of just...
Classic corner: ‘Truck-like’ tractor is a rare beast here in Ireland

Machinery

Classic corner: ‘Truck-like’ tractor is a rare beast here in Ireland

The MB Trac has the distinction of not only being a very well-known machine but also, at the same time,...
Classic corner: No rest for the wicked; 37-year-old earns its keep

Machinery

Classic corner: No rest for the wicked; 37-year-old earns its keep

Whisper the word Fendt in farming circles and many eyes will roll upwards – just at the thought of the...
Classic corner: Is this the ultimate modern, working classic tractor?

Machinery

Classic corner: Is this the ultimate modern, working classic tractor?

The ongoing evolution of tractors within a company’s line-up can be somewhat confusing to those who are not ardent followers...
Classic corner: Cut straight to the chase; it’s time for a TW

Machinery

Classic corner: Cut straight to the chase; it’s time for a TW

Strictly speaking the Ford TW series was not the company’s first foray into the 4WD market; that honour belongs to...