Learn more about the TANCO i‑Series - the i73 BaleShear and i75 MultiShear.

The TANCO i‑Series - i73 BaleShear and i75 MultiShear - are being adopted widely across Ireland as essential feeding tools, thanks to their ability to slice wrapped round bales cleanly while retaining plastic and netting, reducing labour, improving safety, and cutting feeding time.

For James Furlong, a dairy and beef farmer based in New Ross, Co. Wexford, the TANCO i75 MultiShear has become an essential tool in streamlining winter feeding — delivering major gains in safety, efficiency and reliability.

James runs a family farm with a mix of dairy cows and beef cattle, feeding out a combination of pit silage (first cut) and wrapped bales (second cut), as well as straw for bedding.

Having purchased his first TANCO bale shear back in 2014, he recently upgraded to the latest i75 model.

James said: “We ran the first shear for 10 years with no trouble.

"That’s been a real benefit when working fast with the front loader.”

The i75 MultiShear is now used daily on a 130hp tractor, James reports that the unit handles the workload with ease.

The most immediate benefit James noticed was the reduction in feeding time.

“What used to take an hour now takes 20 minutes. The i75 has cut our feeding time by two-thirds,” he said.

James also emphasised the improvement in the cleanliness of the job.

Safety has also been a significant improvement for James

“You’re not climbing out of the cab in the rain, or getting under a shear to pull plastic," he said.

"That’s where injuries happen. With this machine, you stay in your seat and it handles the bale, the wrap, everything.”

James also offers a practical tip for bales that have lost their shape.

“If you have a bale that has been stacked underneath and has lost its shape, it’s no problem," he explained.

The Co. Wexford farmer also praised TANCO’s design

“It’s a heavy-duty machine, but it’s easy to use. The steel, the welds, the hydraulics — it’s all built to last. That’s why we stuck with TANCO when upgrading," he said.

“It’s reliable, it’s safe, and it’s saving us serious time. I couldn’t go back to feeding without it.”

For Paul Doran, a part-time dairy farmer based outside Monamolin, Co. Wexford, managing time efficiently is essential.

Balancing off-farm work with the daily demands of a dairy herd, Paul places a premium on equipment that is both safe and time-saving — and that is precisely what led him to upgrade to the TANCO i73 BaleShear.

“When you’re feeding eight bales a day and trying to do it in between work, you need something that saves time — and more importantly, keeps you safe.”

Paul has been using a TANCO i73 BaleShear on his farm for over a decade.

His first BaleShear served him for 12 years, and he recently replaced it with the latest i73 model, equipped with TANCO’s patented wrap-holding mechanism and optional bucket.

Paul said: “I went straight back to TANCO. The last one never gave a moment’s trouble.”

For Paul, safety was the number one reason for choosing TANCO in the first place.

Before investing in a BaleShear, feeding meant manually getting out of the tractor, cutting plastic, and removing netting — often in poor weather, on slippery yards, or under awkward bale spikes.

"You’re under pressure, it’s wet and mucky — that’s when accidents happen," he said.

With the i73, all of that is eliminated. The shear securely holds the plastic and net while slicing the bale in one motion.

The entire process is done from the tractor seat — with no need to exit the cab.

Paul said: “Now I stay in the cab, slice the bale, and the plastic is left hanging clean on the shear. It’s safer, quicker, and far less hassle.”

“The i73 bucket is great. I use it for loading beet, and it’s solid," Paul said.

"You can switch between wrapped bales and loose feed in seconds.”

Another benefit Paul highlights is the simplicity of operation, making it ideal for both younger and older farmers.

Paul explained: “It’s a safe machine to have around the yard. Whether it’s someone helping out at the weekend or an older person working alone, the controls are straightforward and predictable.”

He also notes that the compact design and modest weight of the i73 make it especially well-suited for smaller tractors and farm holdings with tight yard access.

“It’s one of the best investments I’ve made. If you’re feeding bales every day, especially on your own, the i73 is a no-brainer.”