Tom Shaw Farm Machinery Ltd is a leading tractor and machinery dealership based outside Birr in Co. Offaly which was recently appointed Kawasaki Mule Pro dealer for the Midlands and West. The family-run business holds several other well-known franchises, including Krone, McHale, Amazone, HiSpec, Quicke, APV and SAME / Deutz-Fahr, and also stocks a large range of second-hand machinery.
From humble beginnings in 1988 when Tom Shaw started out repairing Hesston harvesters and Fiat tractors for local farmers, the company has grown to employ 15 people, and has earned an enviable reputation for both sales and service across the midlands and beyond. A mechanic by trade, Tom now concentrates on sales and is joined in the business by his sons Austin and Scott, who are service manager and marketing and advertising manager respectively. Ciaran Hughes is also in sales, while there are seven mechanics in the workshop. Parts is managed by Peter Dolan with the help of Gerry Dervan, while the team is completed by Siobhan Doyle in accounts and admin.
The first dealerships Tom took on were Tanco loaders and HiSpec slurry equipment. The garage then partnered with Farmhand Ltd, who are the exclusive distributors in Ireland for Krone, Amazone and Quicke machinery, before becoming a limited company in 1995. Tom was appointed an agent for McHale in the late 1990s when the Co. Mayo manufacturer specialised in shear grabs, slurry agitators and bale wrappers. Tom Shaw Farm Machinery sold its first McHale baler in 2003 and its first McHale Fusion balers in 2004 and ’05.
It sold its first SAME tractor in 1996 and first Krone BiG M mower in 2000, and has continued to go from strength to strength ever since.
“We’ve over 35 years’ experience in the agri industry and are dedicated to the supply of quality farm machinery. We pride ourselves on the excellent quality of our machinery, both new and used, and the exceptional service we offer customers. Our product knowledge is second to none,” Scott Shaw proudly states.
Along with Krone and McHale forage and grass equipment, Amazone fertiliser and tillage equipment, HiSpec slurry equipment, Quicke front attachments, APV seeders and SAME / Deutz-Fahr tractors, the other brands Tom Shaw Machinery currently represents are Jeantil dung spreaders, Rossmore and Prodig front attachments, Fransgard rakes, Guttler seeders, and Zuideberg front linkage. The garage is sole importer for Jeantil and is also a member of the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association.
The family business recently added Kawasaki Mule Pro utility terrain vehicles (UTV) to its impressive offering. The Mule Pro DX, which is at the top of the Kawasaki MULE series, is available in 1L diesel or petrol engine, is fully road legal with lights, indicators, seat belts, door windows and roll cage. It also has a mechanical tipping body with 450kg payload in the rear and 950kg towable capacity. Other features include a heater and radio.
Retailing at €33,500 including VAT for the diesel model, the Kawasaki Mule Pro DX is a versatile solution for your daily farming needs.
“There is a growing demand for utility terrain vehicles on Irish farms,” Scott explains.
“We hope to tap into that market with our new Kawasaki Pro range which are large, powerful, versatile, can seat two passengers and boast lots of storage space. There is also the safety aspect. Compared to quad bikes, they are far safer.
“We’re currently in the demonstration stage, but already the feedback has been very positive. While the petrol version is considerably cheaper and pokier, we expect customers to spend that bit extra on the diesel model simply because they already have a diesel tank in their yard. We will have a parts supply as soon as the first units go out, while there will also be a finance package available to customers.”
According to Scott, all brands are performing well, especially Krone, McHale and Deutz-Fahr, who have been part of the stable since 2011.
“There is great interest in the Krone Big X forage harvester range,” he says.
“The Big X offers maximum chopping quality and output as well as superior ease of use and operator comfort. When it comes to speed, comfort, efficiency, more power and output, it ticks all the boxes. Output has never been more important as the window for favourable silage weather seems to be getting shorter and shorter.
“We’ve sold two Krone Big X 1180s which are the largest forage harvesters in the world – one to an existing Krone customer and the other to a new customer.
“Now in its third season, the McHale Fusion 4 range is as popular as ever. They are our bread and butter. The Fusion 4 range of integrated baler wrappers includes the Fusion 4, the Fusion 4 Pro and Fusion 4 Plus with film bind technology. While the concept is the same as the Fusion 3, the technology is different. The Fusion 4 delivers an increase in throughput, higher bale destiny and faster wrapping speeds.
Scott continues: “In terms of new tractors, Deutz-Fahr is our number one seller. They are part of the SDF Group along with SAME, Lamborghini and Hurlimann. Deutz-Fahr is the flagship brand within the group. They make a very good tractor with the best specification on the market. They have something for everyone.
“The 100-120hp 5 Series is a real stockman’s tractor. The 6 & 7 Series, which ranges from 135-250hp are popular with bigger farmers and contractors. The 9 Series goes up as far as 340hp, while at the other end of the scale, you have the 3 Series which is 50hp.”
The family-run business is committed to providing a professional and value-for-money service to meet the growing requirements of its customers along with knowledge and understanding of the industry that will ultimately benefit them. A comprehensive range of quality used machinery is stocked at all times, with Tom Shaw Farm Machinery having an excellent reputation for selling high-quality used grass equipment.
“We have a broad range of new used machinery available, especially a wide range of grass machinery.”
The stores at Tom Shaw Farm Machinery carry a comprehensive range of parts for a wide range of machinery and applications. Parts stocked include bearings, hydraulic fittings, filters, oil, slurry fittings, hoses, PTO parts, batteries, electrical equipment, power washers, paint chain and everything in between. The garage is also a stockist of many aftermarket wholesalers, allowing them to source the best quality parts at affordable prices.
In addition, there is a large range of tools, lighting, beacons and various farm-related equipment along with a wide range of merchandise, including overalls, jackets and coats. Delivery of parts can be arranged throughout Ireland and can be purchased on the online shop.
Based in Dromoyle, which is five miles from Birr and seven miles from Roscrea, Tom Shaw Farm Machinery is conveniently located in the heart of Ireland to cater for its growing customer-base. The dealership would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Tom Shaw Farm Machinery Ltd
Dromoyle,
Birr,
Co. Offaly,
R42 YW90.
Tel: 00353 (0)57 9131147
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5p0zR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Shaw-Farm-Machinery-LTD-135876169921401/
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 3, September/October 2024
