Kerry Mechanical Engineering was founded to meet the growing market demand for the provision for high-end steel fabrication and engineering service and the jewel in the company’s crown is the KME Pan-Breaker. Managing Director Fergus O’Keeffe explains why no farmer should be without one.
The KME Pan-Breaker is ideal tool to fight soil compaction, one of the leading causes of yield reduction, it is designed to provide maximum soil fracturing with minimal surface damage.
This compaction layer or Pan is created between 8 – 12 inches below the surface; it restricts the natural flow of water and impedes the effect of land drains.
The positive effects of using the KME Pan-Breaker include important agronomic factors, better soil tilth, enhanced root penetration and increased utilization of nutrients, which in turn reduces the need for fertilizers.
KME Managing Director Fergus O’Keeffe designed the Pan-Breaker five years ago and the demand for the product has lived up to his own expectations.
“I’m a farmers son myself and I looked at the market,” explained Fergus to Irish Tractor & Agri. “What was coming on to our land was giving very poor quality of work with very poor after effects.
“I noticed an opening for a proper machine and went away and designed the KME Pan-Breaker. It took a year or so to get it right.
“It’s a purely mechanical machine. There are no hydraulics as we deliberately cut out anything that gives a farmer or contractor trouble like hydraulic rams, hydraulic hoses, accumlators and so on and our machine works at any time of year.
“Any farmer or contractor that knows anything about machinery picks our Pan-Breaker, a machine that can’t give trouble.”
The KME pan breaker is available in three models, two leg, three leg and four leg.
The leg system utilises a straight-leg shank design, with a narrow, 3/4 inch, high tensile steel lower shank profile. This combination results in a very narrow opening profile in the sub-soil cross section.
Soil “flows” around the shank in a smooth controlled lifting action (laminar). The laminar flow design minimizes soil heaving and creation of large clods, resulting in minimal topsoil and seedbed disturbance.
Maximum cross-row fracturing is achieved with the replaceable eight inch, chromium carbide shattering wing attachment.
The upper portion of the shank is one and a 1/4 inch thick for added strength. Working depths up to 18 inches is achievable.
The unique design of the KME Pan-Breakers discs allows for maximum deflection over obstacles, practically eliminating disc blade and shaft damage.
‘Jack Hammer’ vibration fractures soil well below operating depth.
The exclusive use of spring steel shank arms is designed to handle contact with obstacles without damaging or bending.
The shank point load is over one tone with a generous 20-inch trip height to clear field obstacles.
Centrally located near Listowel, Co. Kerry, and close to key ports such as Foynes and Fenit, Kerry Mechanical Engineering service all of Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connacht.
Established 15 years ago by Fergus, such was the popularity of the Pan-Breaker product, the growth in business resulted in employment jumping from eight to 28 at its peak.
The O’Keeffe-led operation currently has 28 on its payroll and their are plans to increase that number in the not too distant future. Last year, meanwhile, they doubled the size of their fabrication facilities.
KME specialises in large quantities and high volume steal fabrication and their extensive storage facilities and yard space ensures the safekeeping of their clients’ products.
The company’s new fabrication and assembly hall measures over 900 square meters and comes equipped with 2 over head 5 tonne cranes.
The new fabrication hall is equipped with a Kearns Ritchards horizontal boring machine along with milling machines, cnc lathes, 2 press brakes, a 6m x 3m cnc high definition plasma alone with a range of other equipment.
Several large scale projects like Firies bridge and the Great Southern Trail bridge were constructed and assembled in-house.
No matter the scale or quantity, all their products leave the production facility in perfect condition, carefully packed to eliminate any damage during transport, while their state-of-the-art purpose built painting unit means that bulk painting of large quantities is readily achievable.
“Business is going very well for us but the biggest challenge facing the sector is the lack of finance, and support from state bodys “
Kerry Mechanical Engineering
Kilmeaney
Kilmorna
Listowel
Co. Kerry
Phone: (068) 45005
Fax: (068) 45863
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 2, June/July 2014
