The Philip Blake Engineering (PBE) Slurry spike is the brainchild of Philip Blake, who grew up on a 130-acre dairy farm in Devon, England.

In 2003, Philip started spreading slurry for hire using a standard umbilical system.

It was this hands-on experience which played a major part in the design of the Slurry Spike.

“From my years spreading slurry and sitting in the tractor, I gradually designed the Slurry Spike in my head. I just thought there has to be a way to make this process simpler while also aerating the ground,” said Philip.

In 2010, the first prototype 3m machine was produced and tested in Philip’s own slurry operation. In 2012, a folding 6m version was designed and tested, which is essentially the same machine as that produced today.

2014 marked the official public launch of the PBE Slurry Spike at the LAMMA Show, which was a combination of 11 years of design and testing before being finally put into production.

Speaking about the launch at LAMMA, Philip said: “The interest we got at LAMMA was brilliant. People liked the idea and simplicity of the design.

“We have numerous machines working across the UK now and we feel it is time to bring the machine to Ireland.”

Design

The key feature of the Slurry Spike is its simplicity. The unit can be mounted on to all tankers from 2,000 gallons up, but can also be used separate on a tractor’s three-point linkage in conjunction with an umbilical system.

There are no bearings in the machine at all. The rotors are constructed simply by using a pipe inside a pipe, and the slurry itself acts as a buffer between the two pipes, eliminating the need for bearings.

There are only two grease points on the entire machine, located on the folding pivot points.

The frame is constructed of high-grade steel, which is then powder-coated to improve the lifespan, while the hoods and pipes are all galvanised to eliminate corrosion from the slurry.

Moving down to the business end of the machine, the rotors are fitted with replaceable Hardox 90x240mm-long spikes spaced at intervals of 197mm.

The shape of the spike forces itself into the ground as the machine moves forward, allowing it to easily penetrate hard, compacted soil. The working width of the unit is 6m and it folds up into a transport width of 2.5m. Hydraulically controlled safety catches hold the rotors securely in place during transport.

There is a splash-plate attachment fitted as standard, which allows the operator to switch from the Slurry Spike to conventional splash-plate spreading in seconds by simply switching a pipe. The complete unit weighs in at 1.6t and has a minimum horsepower requirement of 100hp.

Operation

The concept of the Slurry Spike is to get the slurry into the ground where it is needed by the growing crop. The spiked rotor penetrates the ground, leaving holes for the slurry to be absorbed.

The slurry flows into the inside pipe which is fixed in place and has a slot cut into the bottom to allow the slurry pass into the outside pipe which rotates. The slurry then fills this outside pipe and exits through holes beside each spike.

So as the spike penetrates the ground, the slurry travels out through the hole in the rotor and down the spike at the same time into the ground.

PBE claims that this system increases nitrogen uptake by up to 50% and the aerated ground can produce up to 20% more grass.

There is also the added benefit of being able to allow animals into the field sooner to graze as the slurry is absorbed faster and doesn’t sit on top of the grass.

The demo driver who was working the machine said the Slurry Spike allows him to travel 2km/h faster than a trailing shoe system and therefore increases the speed and productivity of the slurry operation.

PBE also says the Slurry Spike is eligible for grant aid under TAMS II, as it is a low-emission slurry-spreading machine.

Eligible farmers will be able to avail of grant aid of 40%, while eligible young farmers will be entitled to grant aid of 60% for the equipment. PBE says the Slurry Spike will satisfy the GLAS scheme, where farmers can receive €1.20/m3 spread using the system.

Prices

Prices start at €15,000 plus VAT for the standard machine. There are various options available, such as folding or swinging umbilical arms and a purge system to flush through pipe work.

For more information or to arrange a demonstration, contact Irish sales rep Noel Condell on 085-281 3618.