Established in 2015 by Joseph Moynihan, JM Agri Design designs, develops and manufactures its own unique range of agricultural equipment. The Tralee-based company is synonymous with the TR bale handler range which is designed and manufactured in-house and sold nationwide as well as in the UK and Germany.
From humble beginnings, JM Agri Design has become a highly-respected name in the bale handler sector. By breaking away from convention, it was able to develop a patented bale handling range that achieves far greater efficiency for loading and unloading both round and square bales with its flagship TR-8 model when compared to conventional single loader mounted bale handlers.
More and more farmers and agri contractors are choosing TR bale handlers because they offer from 25% to 115% (depending on model) more efficiency for both loading and unloading than conventional handlers. Using a TR bale handler also dramatically reduces the risk of damage to the plastic wrap due to its ability to grip a round bale on the flat faces, where there is over double the plastic wrap.
In addition, the TR range also has the ability to grip a bale at any angle thanks to the patented design of its over-arms. With the ability to rehandle stacked bales, without compromising the plastic wrap, the TR range saves time and costs. The exceptional efficiency in both loading and unloading wrapped and unwrapped bales delivers significant savings in both time and fuel with reduced driver fatigue.
There are three models in the TR range – TR-3 (tractor loader), TR-4 (for loading shovels and telehandlers) and TR-8 (double-bale handler). The top-selling TR3 starts from €1,550 (plus VAT) delivered anywhere in Ireland. The handlers are always in stock, meaning there is a short lead time. JM Agri Design’s product range, which also includes ADR loader adapters and various other attachments, are sold directly and through a 15-strong nationwide dealer network. The company is also establishing more dealerships in the UK and Germany where it has a growing customer-base.
The TR-3 and TR-4 single bale handlers are designed for tractor loaders and offer over 25% more efficiency than conventional bale handlers for loading and unloading. The slim design of the over-arm allows the TR bale handler to easily slide in-between bales. This same design feature allows TR to move stacked settled bales for resale, without compromising the plastic wrap.
The unique design of the over-arms allows gripping of a bale at any angle and delivers increased manoeuvrability when operating in confined spaces. The over-arm design, fitted with rotating rollers and check valves, allows the TR to grip a bale safely and securely at any angle, without damage to the plastic wrap.
A check valve is fitted as standard on all TR bale handlers to ensure a consistent grip is maintained on the bale at all times, ensuring safe transportation and minimum damage. The over-arm supports two large rotating rollers to ensure bales are handled without risk of damaging the plastic wrap. These rollers, along with other pivot points, have composite bushings and grease points fitted as standard that guarantees a long working life and has been proven in handling well over 100,000 bales without any maintenance.
The TR-8 double bale handler offers over 115% more efficiency for both loading and unloading bales than conventional loader-mounted single bale handlers. As well as having similar features to the TR-3 and TR-4, the TR-8 has an in-cab control box which allows each arm to operate independently or in tandem. Such flexibility results in exceptional handling capacity in both loading and unloading.
With a background in farming and design engineering, Joseph Moynihan knew exactly what farmers and agri contractors wanted when he designed the TR range.
“I come from a small dairy farm outside Tralee where our workshop is now based,” he explains.
“I worked for local agri contractors while studying Agricultural Engineering in IT Tralee (now Munster Technological University). It was a five-year course, during which I did a work placement in Dairymaster as a student design engineer.
“After graduating, I moved to New South Wales in Australia where I worked as a R&D design engineer for Tobin No-Till, which develops disc planters and seeding technology. I then returned home to take up a role with Agri Spread in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo before setting up my own business in 2015.”
Joseph continues: “I made a prototype of the TR-3 with a welder I borrowed, and developed it. It was something I had been working on in my spare time for use on our own farm. I made three prototypes before it finally got to the design stage, hence the name TR-3. And we’ve been at it ever since.”
JM Agri Design has come a long way in the meantime. The borrowed welder has been replaced by a state-of-the-art robotic welder and the business has grown to employ six people. The use of video content to demonstrate the TR range was a game-changer for Joseph whose full product range is available to view on YouTube.
He recalls: “The first couple of years were challenging. We were a new company with a new concept. It was only when we started using video content at trade shows that it began to take off. We had to do our own deliveries, sales and PR until we got established. By the second year, we had got a few big contractors on our books. By the third year, we had machines in every county in Ireland.
“The TR range is designed to perform and built to last. They are a long-lasting bale handler. Anyone who has bought a TR-3 will never go back to a conventional bale handler. The TR-8 is phenomenally fast at loading and unloading. As a double-bale handler, it has a much bigger loading capacity. The TR-8 is a no-brainer for anyone who’s shifting a large number of bales, especially with labour and rising fuel costs being massive issues at the moment.”
Looking to the future, Joseph says: “We want to add to our product range and to make the whole design and manufacturing process more efficient. Good staff are hard to come by. Fortunately, I have six great people with me who have made a major contribution to our growth and success to date.”
AS JM Agri Design continues to go from strength to strength, the affable design engineer and managing director would like to take this opportunity to thank his customers and suppliers for their continued support. For more information about the JM Agri Design range and to view them in action on YouTube go to www.jmagridesign.com
JM Agri Design
Derrymore East,
Tralee,
Co. Kerry.
V92 F8N6.
Telephone: +353 (0)87 2193062
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.jmagridesign.com
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 10 No 5, September/October 2022
