Celebrating 40 years in business, PJ Dore & Co Ltd are pumps and irrigation systems specialists. The Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick-based company designs, supplies and installs a wide range of pumping and irrigation systems for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial and sporting applications all over Ireland.
From a farming background, PJ began his working life as an electrician and was involved in wiring many of the new milking parlours that were built in the Mid-West region during that time. He then began installing washdown and deep well pumps, which led to him setting up his own pumping and irrigation systems company.
PJ’s wife Betty is also a director in the family-run business, which their son Shane is also involved in.
It was on a trip to the Royal Show in England with the Limerick and Clare branch of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association 28 years ago that PJ secured the prestigious Briggs Irrigation agency.
He recalls: “John O’Meara, who was the manager of Irish Cement at the time, was on the tour with us and suggested to me that I should bring the brand to Ireland. Briggs was only a new company at the time and we held a number of demonstrations around the country before I sold my first system to Teagasc in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. And I’m delighted to be able to say it is still working perfectly to this day.
“Shortly after that, I sold further irrigation systems to Clongowes Wood College, Rockwell College and to Teagasc’s Grange and Moorepark research centres. I’ve since sold hundreds of Briggs systems to farmers and other customers all over Ireland.”
PJ is proud to represent Briggs Irrigation, which was founded in 1985 and has developed an extensive range of successful irrigation and dirty water dispersal systems over the years. Ingeniously simple, Briggs’ award-winning Roto Rainers provide an efficient, low-cost and environmentally-friendly method of disposing thin slurry and dirty water. Application rates of 5mm or less can be achieved with all models to fit in with dirty water disposal guidelines.
As fluid moves into the boom it starts to revolve, tripping the automatic start mechanism. The revolving boom drives a toothed drum on which a wire rope is wound. By anchoring the rope at the end of the run, the machine is pulled towards the anchor and travels along until an automatic stop mechanism puts it out of gear. The boom’s low height keeps drift and smell to a minimum, while the unit has a low energy and low pressure requirement.
There are three models available – Model 2, 5 and 10 – giving runs from 150 to 300 metres and widths between runs of 18 to 24 metres.
A choice of slurry pump sets is available for the full range of Roto Rainers, ensuring the slurry pump can be sized correctly for each site. Model 2 and 5 pumps are available in three-phase of single phase version and can pump from 2-6m 3/hr or 7.5kW motors which can pump up to 16m 3/hr. All Roto Rainer slurry pump sets are based around the well-proven British-built Mono progressive cavity pump and the unit is designed to give reliable service with a minimum of maintenance. For example, a mechanical seal is used in place of traditional ‘packed’ seals, this avoiding the need for routine seal maintenance.
Standard features includes a thermostatically controlled heater for frost protection, a float switch to start and stop the pump automatically, a stainless steel pressure switch gauge which shows the running pressure and stops the pump (if there is a burst pipe, blockage or if the Roto Rainer has finished the run), a non-return valve and a digital display showing pump status.
PJ is also an appointed Irish agent for Grundfos pumps and energy-efficient solutions, Bauer irrigation and slurry pumps, Mono pumps and Storth machinery, who manufacturer slurry handing equipment, including slurry storage tanks, mixers, pumps and automatic scrapers.
PJ Dore & Co Ltd provides a huge range of products and services, including sprinklers, irrigation, slurry mixing and pumping solutions, water pumps, water pressure pumps, dirty water and slurry PTO pumps, pressure pipes, drip irrigation systems, pump parts, water booster pumps, water pipes, Hdpe pipe laying, water well pumps, dry bedding separators and submersible pumps as well as repairs, service and maintenance.
While most of PJ’s customers are from the farming sector, his services are being increasingly sought by sporting organisations. In 2008, he installed a Briggs racecourse irrigation system in Galway Racecourse. Two Briggs racecourse irrigators with a boom width of 30 metres can water the course in six hours with a fully automatic diesel-powered pump capable of pumping over 100m 3/hr.
He has since installed similar irrigation systems at The Curragh, Leopardstown and Ballinrobe Racecourses and sportsfield irrigation systems at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, Semple Stadium in Thurles, Pearse Stadium in Salthill, Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney and at the Dr Crokes and Rathmore GAA club grounds in Co. Kerry.
For the past 25 years, PJ’s company has been responsible for providing the water supply for the entire National Ploughing Championships site. A month before the event every year, the Pallaskenry man arrives at the site to begin the arduous task of connecting the supply that will see up to 90,000 gallons of water being circulated daily.
“The first time we worked at the Ploughing Championships was back in the early 1990s when they were held in Crecora, Co. Limerick, and we have been working at them ever since,” he explained.
As farming techniques advance, the demand for PJ’s dirty water systems are on the increase, and he is now installing systems in farms on a weekly basis. Whatever your requirement, he has the knowledge and expertise to recommend the best solution for any pumping application.
PJ Dore & Co Ltd offers a top-class service to all customers and ensures every job is completed to the highest standard. Why not give them a call?
PJ Dore & Co Ltd
Ballyshonick,
Pallaskenry,
Co. Limerick.
Telephone: 061 393240
Mobile: 087 2554794
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pjdore.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 2, February 2016
