Mike Malone, managing director and owner of Malone Engineering, and his team of designers have been busy planning ahead of this year’s Ploughing, with no less than five new machines set for display on the stand.

The company also has the Shake ’n’ Rake entered into the innovation arena. This machine will turn heads as it combines both a rake and tedder on the same chassis.

According to Mike it has been out on test all summer and operators are delighted. The fact that only one tractor is tied up and there is no returning to the yard to changeover when moving to different jobs is a big plus, according to Mike.

The Shake ’n’ Rake will be joined by a new Pro Cut 3m mower, featuring a Comer bed. The mower has been reduced in weight from the previous model and is aimed at the 100hp tractor. There will be more details on this product in the Ploughing Extra Focus in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

Malone has also designed a four- and six-rotor tedder, with a cranked arm to lift the crop in to the air. The new Pro Form telescopic rake is a versatile, compact machine made for tough conditions, according to Mike.

With a maximum working width of 6.2m, Mike states that the rake is packed with high-spec features and has excellent manoeuvrability, ideal for less-than-perfect conditions and terrain.

The rake is fully controlled by an electro-hydraulic system – literally with no strings attached.

The rake features a robust control unit and only requires one double and one single-acting spool.

The fully hydraulic headland control system with steering on the rake wheels makes it easy to change direction and ensures the smooth travelling of field terrain. Mike claims that excellent swath formation is produced every time via adjustable width and adjustable cam profile gearbox.

The Pro Rake consists of two rotors with 11 arms and four tines per arm.

Each cranked tine is designed to produce even crop flow and clear the ground well, leaving no strands of grass behind.

The forage is lifted rather than dragged, to create a neat even swath, ready for picking by the baler or forager.

All Malone Engineering machinery, including the Pro Form, is tested in the rugged terrain and damp conditions of the west of Ireland.

The Pro Form’s robust design ensures a quality finish and reliability even when dealing with heavy crops, according to Mike.

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All about Ploughing 2015