He has just completed one of his most successful seasons with the umbilical system, selling almost 30 systems since the start of 2013. Wet ground conditions were on his side.

Paul looked at the various areas of farm machinery design and application and reckoned that sub-soiling and mole draining were two areas that offered scope for more on-farm activity.

And in a year like we have just experienced, it seems that he was probably right. But it will take time for soils to dry out and be in a condition where subsoiling can be fully effective.

Much of the business at Mastek is based on contract production of forklift masts for Combilift based in nearby Gallinagh, Co Monaghan. And Mastek has used some of that technology to develop a range of subsoilers and mole drainers for Irish and British conditions.

The machines are based around a solid build factor. The mole drainer is based around the heavy duty steel structures used in the forklifts. “I can guarantee that this machine will stay together no matter what the conditions are,” said Paul Quinn, pointing to the frame which is built from sections of the forklift mast.

The design of the subsoilers is different and based on a multi-leg principle.

There are three and four leg subsoilers in the range, with the option of shear bolt re-set or hydraulic re-set for the legs.

The legs are based on the McConnel Shakaerator design with replaceable shins and tips. Paul uses the McConnel design as he is satisfied that it does the best job when the conditions are right.

Mastek has a unique and patented hydraulic roller unit that serves as a depth control system, as well as provides a minimum level of covering after the subsoiling. This feature of the machine allows the subsoiler work well into a drain and then when retracted to suit the ground conditions.

Paul is clear that the 400mm (16-inch) diameter roller should not be used to consolidate the soil after subsoiling. He has been asked by farmers if it can be filled with water and he emphasises that this is not the purpose of the roller. The roller gives hydraulic depth control down to 450mm (18 inches).

The newer versions of the Mastek subsoiler are built with staggered tines rather than in-line as in the past. Paul believes that this gives a better level of ground heave and cracking to the field surface.

The subsoilers come with a starting price of €6,000, plus VAT, while the solid looking mounted mole drainer costs €2,000, plus VAT.

Mastek does not operate through dealers and sells of its machines direct to farmers and contractors. They can be contacted at the company website www.mastek.ie for further information.

Is this the best time to subsoil?

We spoke with Dermot Forristal of Teagasc Oak Park about the correct time to subsoil in Irish conditions.

Dermot said that his preference would be subsoil in the autumn for a number of reasons. He believes that ground conditions with a dry subsoil more suited to subsoiling, are more likely in autumn. He also believes that if there is any small amount of root damage following subsoiling, this will not be prone to drought in the autumn following subsoiling.

He said that machinery compaction is usually deeper in the soil than grazing compaction. But you need to identify where and what the problem is, first of all, and there is no better way that using a shovel to see for yourself. This will allow you to identify the problem and come up with the most cost effective solution, which may not always be deep subsoiling.