Mastek launch a trailing shoe that works for all farms

If necessity is the mother of the invention, then shortcomings in government policy must be a close relation. Mastek found this out when the limitations of the new TAMS tranche, created the right scenario for them to come up with their latest innovation, the FlexiShoe.

According to Paul Quinn, Mastek’s managing director, the FlexiShoe was developed in response to the feedback received from farmers and to have as a simpler option to earlier Mastek products such as the Micro and Echo Trailing Shoe.

“Farmers are concerned because the new TAMS 3 scheme has not included dribble bars, which means that they have to purchase trailing shoes. However, traditional trailing shoes are not suitable for all farms, particularly those with hilly or uneven fields and stoney fields and for farmers with small horsepower tractors.

“To address these concerns, Mastek’s engineers set out to create a new type of trailing shoe that will satisfy all the requirements of farmers while also reducing emissions and meeting the TAMS 3 specifications which states that the equipment must ‘split the grass and place the slurry directly onto the soil.’

The result is the FlexiShoe, a lightweight applicator that can be door or chassis mounted and weighs less than 500 kg. It is equipped with a heavy lay flat hose, a rubber booth and coulter that will split the grass and place the slurry directly onto the soil. It also has a boom breakaway for safety.

The FlexiShoe also features Mastek’s SuperCut Macerator which has been proven to be a major success here in Ireland and all over Europe. The FlexiShoe will be eligible for a 60% grant as a retrofit or with a new tanker, to a maximum costing of € 40,000. All farmers with less than 170 Units of Nitrogen will be eligible for the funding.

Like the FlexiShoe will be available in 7.5m / 10.2m and later in the year Mastek will introduce the FlexiShoe concept to wider applicators and Umbilical range.

Paul says he believes the new innovation has the potential to have a big impact on the agricultural sector, particularly in areas such

“This innovative product is another game-changer for the industry just like our door mounted PUDB when launched in 2012. It will provide farmers with a cost-sensitive, reliable, efficient, and low-emission solution that is suitable for a wide range of farming applications,” he said. “We believe that the FlexiShoe will help farmers to achieve their sustainability goals while also enhancing their productivity and profitability.”