Farmer Stories

Other brands can’t beat the Case IH price and spec

26 Sep 2018

​Second generation farmers, Liam and Francis Flavin from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, keep themselves busy milking 72 cows and rearing all progeny on the farm as either herd replacements or beef animals through to finishing. The brothers also run a contract haulage business and have a livestock lorry that transports local farmers’ animals to market. With plenty to do, the pair need tractors that are reliable and can get on with any job thrown at them, and the two machines currently on the farm do just that.

Liam’s love of the Case IH brand began in the nineties when he worked for a neighbouring farmer doing tillage work, driving Case IH machines. It’s no wonder then that, when the special edition Puma 175 was released last year, Liam was keen to get his hands on one; “We had a Puma 150 before and were looking to get the same again but the opportunity to buy one of the special editions came up. The deal being offered meant it wasn’t a lot more money so we went for it and I’m pleased we did,” says Liam. “It’s a top spec machine with a Quicke loader, climate control, a deluxe leather seat and front linkage and, as well as looking pretty smart, it’s a great tractor to spend time in”.

As well as the Puma 175, the pair also have a CVX 170 and put around 1000 hours on each tractor per year. “We use them for feeding, mowing and slurry mainly and keep them busy,” continues Liam. “We had our first CVX in 2003 and have gone with this transmission ever since; it certainly makes life easier in the cab.”