Acres of work await Roscommon manufacturer Acres Machinery
One of these companies have a very apt name, which comes from their home area. Acres Machinery is based in Acres in Co Roscommon, a location claimed to be the centre of Ireland.
The dynamic firm was founded by its director David Doran, a mechanical fitter and designer by trade.
David and his brother Tommy, as Doran Bros, have been heavily involved in all types of machinery from very young ages through hire, sales, and contracting, in both construction and agriculture.
The Dorans have been farming at Acres since the mid-1800s.
“We have a very strong background and understanding of what farmers and contractors are faced with, something that cannot be bought,” says David.
The company has already gained awards, recently winning the Best New Agri-Engineering Innovation award at the National Ploughing, for a three-bale handler system and safety device.
Their X3 bale handler employs a simple, clever design so that the third bale does not affect rear-view tractor mirror viewing.
And it requires only one spool valve for operation, loading and unloading bales at speed.
A separate new Acres safety product can be incorporated into the bale handler.
The ‘Vis-Bar’ provides for better visibility and a safer environment around tractor mounted equipment and loads, on and off the road.
It also provides a solution for operators carrying such equipment and loads to become compliant with new RSA regulations which come into effect in January, 2016.
The ‘Vis-Bar’ works very well with the X3 round bale handler.
Usually, when round bales are lifted on the tractor, they obscure the tractor tail lights.
This poses great danger on the roads, especially at night, as the bales are normally black, and may not be visible until the last moment to road users following behind.
Tractors are slow-moving vehicles, and this combination could cause a serious accident.
The ‘Vis-Bar’ helps minimise the hazards, while also acting as a physical barrier around dangerous machinery.
Acres also manufacture high-quality, innovative crop conditioners suitable for hay, silage and straw.
In poor weather conditions, they help achieve the correct moisture content for the final feed stuff such as round or square bales.
The company is currently putting the finishing touches to a brand new trailed model with special innovative features, which they predict will be the most efficient machine of its kind on the market, with considerably reduced operating costs, when launched next spring.
David Doran predicts high demand. “We have enquires from as far away as New Zealand, and we already have several orders.”
The company is a client of Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland Regional Executive Denis Duggan, commenting on Acres Machinery and other NPA innovation award winners, said: “This is a clear indication of the level of innovation across the agri sector.
Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working with the award winners as they grow and develop their businesses”.
As well as looking overseas, Acres aims to develop their Irish dealer network.
