Shortens Garage in Ballineen, Co. Cork is a leading independent tractor dealer specialising in New Holland as well as parts, servicing and repairs.
As new tractor prices continue to sky-rocket, more and more farmers and contractors are turning to the second-hand market in their search for a value-for-money alternative. And they don’t have to look any further than Shortens Garage for used New Holland tractors of the highest quality.
Serving customers in Co. Cork and beyond for almost 60 years, the family business has a stellar reputation for sourcing New Hollands with low hours and which are in great condition. Furthermore, its expert team of tractor mechanics have the knowledge and expertise to quickly repair and service a wide range of recognised tractor brands.
“We’re a one-stop shop for all your New Holland tractor needs,” Shortens Garage proprietor Alex Boles explains.
“We used to be main New Holland dealers and Ford before that, but we’re now an independent New Holland tractor dealer. Cork is ‘Blue Country’ so we cater for a large customer-base. We specialise in sales, parts, repairs and servicing. We service New Holland and other leading brands. We’re very strong on parts – if you don’t have the part a customer needs there and then, you mightn’t see them again.
“Our goal is to look after our customers and keep their tractors on the move. Having a good aftersales service is vital. It’s key to securing repeat business and we’ve been very lucky in that regard. We have a lot of loyal and valued customers who have been coming to us for the past 40 years. That wouldn’t happen if we didn’t look after them.”
Shortens Garage always has a large stock of quality New Holland tractors that are sourced from reputable dealers in the UK.
“There is always a big demand for good second-hand New Hollands,” Alex says.
“They represent great value-for-money compared to new tractors. New tractor prices have gone crazy in recent years. I know a lot of dealers are getting very anxious about the cost of new tractors and the impact it’s having on their business. Most of the tractors we source are nearly new with 1,000-1,200 hours on the clock. They come from tillage areas in the UK. But we can supply any tractor to suit any budget or requirement.
“All our stock is HPI-checked for customer peace of mind and protection. We stand over everything we sell. We pride ourselves on the excellent quality of our machinery and the exceptional service we offer customers. Our product knowledge is second to none.”
He adds: “We enjoy an excellent working relationship with our suppliers. Such is the relationship and level of trust we have built up with them that we can take their word on the quality of a machine without needing to see it. We know what we’re getting.”
Tractors sales are brisk for the West Cork dealer whose catchment area covers all of the Rebel County. The majority of its customers are dairy and tillage farmers.
With other business commitments in Co. Meath, Alex leaves the day-to-day running of Shortens Garage to Donnacha O’Leary. The garage employs five people, including three fitters.
“We have a great team headed up by Donnacha who runs the stores and workshop. The stores and workshop are our ‘bread and butter.’ I travel down once a week. My wife Heather’s father William Shorten started the business in the 1960s. He initially imported tractors before becoming one of the biggest Ford tractor dealers in Munster. We used to be Kverneland dealers, but found that the margins in grass and other farm machinery are very tight. New Holland tractors are what we’re all about. We stick to what we know.”
The Boles family’s other business interests are in plant hire, haulage and tillage farming. Operating from Churchtown House near Navan and run by Colin Boles, Boles Hire Ltd is a leading provider of telehandlers in Ireland, boasting the largest number of rotas and Ireland’s only provider of the 51-metre Magni telehandlers. As well as teleporters, Boles Hire Ltd has a wide range of access equipment, scissor lifts and boom lifts of all sizes with all of the accessories required to get the job done right. Boles Hire can be contacted on 046 94 39003.
Boles Diggers Ltd is another company run by Malcolm and Ian Boles, specialising in hiring a large range of diggers from 1-22 tonnes. It is also the largest provider of dumpers from 1-25 tonnes and has a range of New Holland tractors and compactor rollers for hire. Contact Malcolm on 087 2727772 or Ian on 086 3741575 for more information. The family are also large tillage farmers.
“My son Colin runs Boles Hire and Boles Haulage. Boles Hire supplies about 700 telehandlers and other machines every year to the construction and civil engineering sectors,” Alex reveals.
“My other two sons Ian and Malcolm run Boles Diggers, while I look after the farm on the Athboy Road out of Navan. It’s a busy operation.”
Shortens Garage’s opening hours are 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Synonymous with New Holland tractors, the owners would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as their top-class team for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Shortens Garage
Derrigra,
Ballineen,
Co. Cork.
Telephone: 023 884 7206
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tractorscork.ie
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 3, September/October 2024
