McConnel launches new control systems for 'important' Irish market
McConnel sees the National Ploughing Championships as the "perfect opportunity" to support the Irish market.
Known for its iconic yellow hedge-cutters, McConnel's history in Ireland goes back decades, and as a result, the brand has built a solid reputation here.
McConnel was the first company in the world to launch a tractor-mounted hedgecutter.
New controls
McConnel has expanded its Power Arm control range with the introduction of the Pioneer and Voyager control systems.
McConnel says these systems deliver "advanced proportional joystick control combined with enhanced floatation capability and expanded auxiliary function control".
The Pioneer system features a compact joystick layout that is designed for fingertip operation, with forward-mounted thumbwheels positioned within easy reach.
McConnel's Voyager system delivers the same functionality, however, uses a larger joystick that is designed more ergonomically for full-hand operation.
McConnel deputy general manager, Edward Hall, spoke to Agriland regarding the new control systems.
He said: "One of our main players on the market, Motion Control was replaced by Pioneer.
"The control systems at McConnel are always in-house designed.
"We don't manufacture the controls themselves, but we do in-house design them so that they function exactly how we want the machine to work.
"Voyager is the replacement for what was Evolution Controls.
"Pioneer and Voyager are proportional controls, so Pioneer offers you three services that are proportional and Voyager offers you five proportional services," he said.
McConnel has said that the Pioneer and Voyager bring Advanced Float technology with their introduction.
According to McConnel, this allows operators to fine-tune verge mowing floatation behaviour to suit varying terrain and working conditions.
The systems are also paired with a newly designed membrane keypad, featuring LED status indicators built to provide clear and instant visual feedback on active functions and states.
The 'Swap' function included in the systems allows operators to customise the configuration of the thumbwheels to suit their personal preferences or specific task.
Available across the 62, 67, 72, 77 and 85 series Power Arm models, McConnel's Pioneer and Voyager systems are targeted at operators seeking improved precision and control while working in environments dense with vegetation.
McConnel in Ireland
Edward Hall also spoke about the importance of the Irish market to the brand.
He said: "In the Irish market, we believe that we've probably got about 80% of the market.
"That size of a market share doesn't happen overnight; it takes a lot of hard work to allow us to deliver that level of service to the marketplace.
"So the Irish market is very important to us because it's taken decades to get us up to this level.
"We want to obviously absorb more market share if we can, but we've got to always be seen and supporting its (the Irish market's) shows," Hall said.
Hall spoke about the competition that keeps McConnel innovative, saying: "Our competition is always on our heels.
"They're pushing us to develop more and more because as soon as competition settles down, then development in machines could also settle down, because you don't feel pressurised.
"We're always very nervous that somebody will try and overtake us and we don't want that."
Hall described the Ploughing as the "perfect opportunity" to present the brand's machines to customers in Ireland.
He also mentioned that he was very busy at this year's Plough, added that that it had taken him a great deal of time to work his way around to certain people due to the number of customers looking to discuss McConnel options for their set-ups.
"A lot of them want to go to McConnel because they already got that association.
"You think McConnel, you're already thinking hedge cutter," he said.
