Done Deal Farm Machinery Guide: Buying Used in Ireland

Anyone who’s spent a wet afternoon scrolling through DoneDeal knows the search for a solid second-hand tractor can feel like a needle-in-a-haystack game, even with over 14,000 farm machinery ads live across Ireland on the country’s de facto digital mart. This guide walks through how to find, inspect, and buy used equipment safely — with tips for Ulster, Kerry, and every county in between.

Total Farm Machinery Ads on DoneDeal (Ireland): 14,037+ ·
Total Farming & Plant Ads on DoneDeal: 29,980+ ·
Active DoneDeal Users (approx.): 2 million monthly ·
Categories Covered: Tractors, harvesters, balers, tillage, livestock equipment ·
Price Range (Typical): €500 to €200,000+ ·
Geographic Focus: Ireland (all 32 counties), UK

The table below summarises the key facts about DoneDeal’s farm machinery marketplace for Irish buyers.

Where can I find second hand farm machinery for sale in Ireland?

The short answer: DoneDeal.ie and its UK counterpart DoneDeal.co.uk are the primary Irish platforms for used farm machinery ads. As of the latest data, the site lists over 14,000 farm machinery ads and 29,000+ farming and plant ads across the entire island (DoneDeal Farm Machinery category, Ireland’s leading classifieds marketplace).

Navigating DoneDeal.ie’s Machinery Section

• Go to DoneDeal.ie and select “Farm” from the main categories.
• Choose “Machinery” to see tractors, harvesters, balers, and tillage equipment (DoneDeal Help Center, marketplace guidance).
• Use the keyword search bar for specific models (e.g., “New Holland”, “Massey Ferguson”).

Using ‘Farm Machinery’ Category Filters

• Filter by subcategory: Tractors, Combine Harvesters, Balers, Ploughs, Mowers, and more (DoneDeal Farm Machinery category).
• Set a minimum and maximum price range to narrow results.
• Select “Private” or “Dealer” to filter seller type (DoneDeal Help Center).

Searching by County (Ulster, Kerry) and Region

• DoneDeal’s location filter lets you search by county — for example, select “Ulster” or “Kerry” (DoneDeal Farm Machinery location filter).
• Results will show ads from that county or region only.
• You can also enter a postcode or town name for proximity search.

How do I search for farm machinery on DoneDeal?

DoneDeal’s search interface is straightforward, but a few tricks can sharpen results. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown based on the platform’s own guidance (DoneDeal Help Center, buying plant machinery guide).

Step-by-Step: Using the DoneDeal Search Bar

1. Enter keywords like “tractor”, “baler”, “combine”, or “farm machinery” in the search bar (DoneDeal Help Center).
2. Browse results sorted by date (newest first) or price (low to high).
3. Click on any ad to see full description, photos, seller info, and location.

Filtering by Category: ‘Farm Machinery’ and ‘Farming’

• Select “Farm” from the main navigation, then choose “Machinery” for equipment (DoneDeal Farm category).
• For livestock-related equipment, choose “Livestock” under the “Farming” section.
• The “Farming” category also includes bedding, feed, and other supplies.

Advanced Tips: Location, Price, and Seller Type

• Use the price slider to exclude unrealistic listings — machinery under €500 may be parts-only or non-functional.
• Select “Private” or “Owner” to bypass dealer listings (DoneDeal Help Center).
• Save your search and enable email alerts for new listings matching your criteria.

What should I check before buying used farm machinery from DoneDeal?

Buying second-hand machinery sight-unseen is risky. Both Irish authorities and farming publications offer detailed pre-purchase checklists. Here’s what the experts say.

Condition and Maintenance History

• Teagasc (Ireland’s agriculture and food development authority) advises ensuring the operator’s manual is provided and the machine is suitable for the task.
• Inspect for oil leaks under the cab and around the engine — Farmers Journal (Irish farming publication) calls this a critical warning sign.
• Look for signs a tractor has been split or had extensive work carried out (Farmers Journal used tractor buying tips).
• Agriland (Irish agricultural news site) recommends starting inspection at the front and working backward, and removing the engine oil cap after the tractor is warm to check for blow-by.

Price Comparison Across Listings

• Search for the same model and year on DoneDeal to gauge market price range (DoneDeal Farm Machinery category).
• Check Farmers Journal for any recent auction results of similar models.
• Be wary of prices significantly below the average — they may indicate hidden damage or missing parts.

Seller Reputation and Contact Verification

• Contact the seller via DoneDeal’s internal messaging system (DoneDeal Help Center).
• Verify the seller’s phone number if possible — Farmers Journal advises confirming the seller is the actual owner.
• Check if any borrowings are secured on the vehicle by contacting Hire Purchase Information Ltd (HPI Check).
• Request a viewing at the seller’s location; be cautious if they insist on meeting elsewhere or avoid sharing an address.

What types of farm machinery and equipment are available?

DoneDeal’s farm machinery category spans a wide range, from compact tractors to full-size combine harvesters. Here’s what the platform typically hosts (DoneDeal Farm Machinery category).

Tractors and Attachments

• Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive tractors from brands like Massey Ferguson, New Holland, John Deere, Case IH, and Fendt.
• Attachments: loaders, front-end loaders, bucket grabbers, and PTO implements.
• Compact tractors suitable for smallholdings and orchards.

Harvesting and Tillage Equipment

• Combine harvesters, forage harvesters, and maize harvesters.
• Balers (round and square), wrappers, and mowers.
• Tillage equipment: ploughs, cultivators, harrows, seed drills, and sprayers.

Livestock and Bedding/Feed Listings

• Within the “Farming” category, “Livestock” covers handling equipment: crushes, cattle pens, calf feeders, and weighing scales (DoneDeal Farm category).
• “Bedding and Feed” ads appear under “Farming Supplies” — includes straw, haylage, silage, and bedding materials.
• Separate categories exist for “Farming Tools” and “Fencing & Gates”.

What this means: DoneDeal covers the full spectrum of Irish farm needs — from the tractor in the field to the hay in the shed. The depth of listings in livestock equipment and bedding supplies makes it a one-stop shop for many farmers.

How can I find farm machinery for sale by owner near me?

Buying directly from the owner often means better prices and direct negotiation. Here’s how to zero in on private sellers on DoneDeal.

Using ‘Private Seller’ Filters

• After searching, look for the “Seller Type” filter or toggle (DoneDeal Help Center).
• Select “Private” or “Owner” to exclude dealer and business listings.
• Note: Not all categories expose this filter; check the “Farming” subcategory (DoneDeal Farm category).

Searching by County (Kerry, Ulster)

• Select your county from DoneDeal’s location dropdown (DoneDeal location filter).
• For Kerry: choose “County Kerry”. For Ulster: choose “Donegal”, “Cavan”, “Monaghan”, or the specific Ulster county.
• Enter your townland or postcode for even tighter proximity results.

Setting Up Alerts for New Listings

• After applying your filters, click “Save Search” (requires a free DoneDeal account).
• Enable email or push notifications for new ads matching your criteria.
• Act fast — popular models in good condition often sell within days.

The payoff: With DoneDeal’s county-level filters and saved searches, a farmer in Kerry can be the first to know when a Massey Ferguson 135 goes up for sale ten kilometres away.

Pros and cons of buying farm machinery on DoneDeal

Every marketplace has trade-offs. Here’s the balanced view based on DoneDeal’s own advice and Irish farming sources.

The implication: the choice between DoneDeal and a dealer comes down to a farmer’s willingness to perform due diligence in exchange for lower prices.

How to contact a seller and complete a safe transaction?

Once you’ve found the right machinery, the next step is making contact and closing the deal safely. Here’s a protocol based on DoneDeal’s own guidance and Irish farming best practices.

Using DoneDeal’s Messaging System

• Click “Contact Seller” on the ad page to send an initial message (DoneDeal Help Center).
• Ask specific questions: hours of use, maintenance records, reason for selling, and any known issues.
• Request additional photos or a video walk-around if the ad has few images.
• Exchange phone numbers only after initial messaging — avoid sharing personal details publicly.

Scheduling a Viewing

• Arrange to view the machinery in person at the seller’s farm or yard (Teagasc machinery guidance).
• Bring a knowledgeable friend or mechanic if possible.
• Inspect during daylight hours for better visibility of condition.
• Check for CE marks and certificate of conformity — Health and Safety Authority (HSA) rules require these for any machine supplied in Ireland.

Payment and Transfer Best Practices

• Never wire money or use cryptocurrency (DoneDeal Help Center scam warnings).
• Prefer bank transfer after inspection, or cash on collection.
• Get a written receipt and bill of sale signed by both parties (Farmers Journal recommends a paper trail for tax and ownership records).
• Verify no finance outstanding — contact Hire Purchase Information Ltd (HPI Check) before handing over money.

The trade-off: the safety of a DoneDeal transaction depends entirely on the buyer’s diligence. The same features that make it free and open — no escrow, no verification — also create the risk profile. For Irish farmers, the cost of skipping a HPI check or a physical inspection can be far higher than the purchase price.

Frequently asked questions

For Irish farmers shopping on DoneDeal, the choice is clear: invest time in inspection and verification, or risk paying twice — once for the machine, once for the repairs.

Related reading

• Farm Machinery for Sale in Ireland – 2025 Buying Guide
• Caravans for Sale in Ireland: Types, Prices & Guide