Keltec Engineering, based in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, had a busy three days at last week’s FTMTA Farm Machinery Show.
A key attraction was the firm’s latest mower-conditioner, which appeared in the outdoor exhibition area.
Mark O’Donnell explained that the company had two prototypes of its new 3m-wide trailed mower-conditioners out working last year.
“We’ve opted for nylon conditioner tines, because these are well suited to Irish conditioners. We fit a Comer disc bed; the same version that is used by one of Europe’s biggest mower manufacturers.
The spring suspension system is very similar to that used on some other, existing mowers; it’s a tried and tested approach.
According to O’Donnell, the decision to develop this model followed customer requests for such a machine.
“Now, two years later, it has become a reality. This project builds on our work with mounted mowers, which stretches back over the past three to four years.”
The new 3m-wide K300T trailed mower-conditioner lists at about €17,000 excluding VAT. A limited number will be manufactured for the 2017 season, with wider availability expected the following year.
In other Keltec news, the firm showcased the latest version of its long-established 10-bale chaser (transporter). The latest incarnation comes with “bale feed assist rollers”, which enable bales to be loaded more easily and gently.
According to Keltec, the chaser allows for “fast, efficient and safe transport of bales”. Because there is no need for a separate loader in the field, the machine is also claimed to “reduce soil compaction”. A safety locking system on both bale cages provides “peace of mind”, when venturing out on the public road. All hinge points have grease nipples.
The bale assist system on the latest chaser has a patent pending. “Innovation is important to us,” said O’Donnell. “We will continue to develop new products; that’s what Keltec has done since its foundation back in 1988.”