Many TM's make light work
New Holland's Series TM tractor is a firm favourite with operators and owners, but few customers' order 74 new Series TM's at once. However the Bord na Móna group in Ireland is one such customer, placing the impressive order with New Holland dealer WR Shaws.
The Bord na Móna group supplies peat as a fuel for the generation of electricity, manufacture of peat briquettes and horticultural peat products and use the Series TM's in all areas of the peat harvesting.Tractors are distributed to each of the harvesting operations at the beginning of the season and supported by WR Shaws during the lease period.
Jack Thompson, sales manager at WR Shaws, is responsible for the prestigious contract and explains the logistics of running such an operation. "The tractors are standard TM140s and TM155s, which are to be used by the Bord na Móna group in eight key locations around the country. The tractors are leased by the group on a 24-week basis before being returned to us, they are then sold as used and in as new condition.
"Peat harvesting can only take place in specific conditions. The peat harvesting process requires a lot of sun and wind to create optimum drying conditions to achieve production targets. When conditions are right the production teams work round the clock to harvest the peat. To do this they need good quality, highly reliable machines that will get the job done and a first class back up service. Once the contract is completed the tractors have between five and six hundred hours on them.
"Those who buy the used machines are purchasing a well-maintained, highly-productive tractor that has proven its reliability. We have a queue of people waiting for them."
The tender for the contract is advertised in the European Journal and is judged on a number of criteria. "Price is obviously an important issue, but the quality of the product supplied and the level of support are critical in being awarded this contract," explains Sean Dunne from the Bord na Móna group. "With peat production under the same pressures as the harvesting of conventional crops by being totally dependant on weather conditions we cannot afford to have units down and not working to the best of their ability. WR Shaws has had the contract for two years as they provide excellent service and reliable, productive tractors."
New Holland works closely with its dealers to service and support its products. For Ian Roberts, New Holland's country manager, the award of this contract is evidence of that close relationship. "Not only do we have a strong partnership with WR Shaws, but we also have a long history of working with Bord na Móna. We recognise the importance of understanding the needs of the Irish market, and New Holland's strength to meet those needs is in the partnership between the brand and its dealer network."
