In the market for a dribble bar? What options are there?

As slurry spreading with traditional splash plates comes under more pressure, farmers are having to make the move to dribble bar and trailing shoe spreading systems. The growing move is being driven by requirements through schemes such as GLAS and obligations in derogation since 15 June last, whereby low-emission spreading equipment must be used.

Support from grant-aided schemes such as the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and Low-Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) Equipment Scheme has been put in place to help farmers switch to dribble bar and trailing shoe solutions.

Work carried out by Teagasc has shown that low-emission spreading methods have advantages including reduced nutrient losses to the atmosphere. Teagasc claims such systems see reductions in ammonia emissions of up to 28% when compared with traditional splash plate systems one week after application. Other advantages of dribble bar and trailing shoe systems are the increased levels of N value applied to the soil and the ability to spread slurry on heavier grass covers without contaminating grass.

The end of splash plate era is in sight so farmers need to be considering dribble bar and trailing shoe options. Grants can be lifted on these systems with or without a new slurry tanker.

Here we outline a number of low-emission solutions from some of the manufacturers across the country. Each system has its own unique and individual features.

Slurrykat has two ranges of dribble bars. Its Duo line is linkage-mounted for tanker and umbilical use. The second range is its Farmline series, which is a tanker-mounted solution to accommodate farmers wanting a dribble bar solution on a budget. Two sizes are available, 7.5m and 9m working widths, both of which are mounted to the back door of the slurry tanker.

Features of the Farmline range include a break back feature preventing boom damage, hydraulic vertical folding, stone trap and the inclusion of a Vogelsang macerator distributor system.

The 7.5m unit weighs 382kg and is priced at €11,500 excluding VAT while the 9m unit weighs 494kg and is priced at €12,500 excluding VAT.

Mastek has two farmer-based ranges of dribble bar solutions. The first is the more basic machine, which is called the Universal Dribble Bar (UDB), and the second is the Professional Universal Dribble Bar (PUDB). Both are available in three sizes (6.5m, 7.5m and 8m), with the major difference being that the UDB has no break-back protection feature. Both ranges are back door-mounted and are fitted with Mastek’s own SuperCut macerator. The 6.5m units have 24 outlets, while the two other larger sizes have 28 outlets.

Features of the PUDB include spring-loaded hinged arms, an easily accessible stone trap and electric hydraulic changeover. Both 6.5m models weigh 400kg, with the larger 7.5m models weighing and extra 25kg. Optional extras include a flow control cone to restrict slurry flow within the macerator, LED lights and an anti-drip system. The 6.5m and 7.5m units have transport heights of 3m and 3.5m respectively.

The basic 6.5m UDB unit is priced at €8,945 excluding VAT, while the bestselling 7.5m PUDB is priced at €10,975 excluding VAT.

Slurryquip offers farmer specification dribble bars from 7.2m to 14m. These are mounted to the tanker’s chassis so require the fitment of brackets. The major benefit to the chassis-mounted design is its compactness and reduced tail swing. All units are fitted with Slurryquip’s own macerator, with 50mm distribution pipes running to each outlet. Break backs are also fitted for protection, along with three stone traps. Other features include accessibility to the tanker’s rear door and the hidden location of its hydraulic rams which are out of the way of damage or dirt. The 7.2m system is priced at €10,700 excluding VAT fitted.

Major equipment also offers farmer-focused dribble bar and trailing shoe solutions. The 7.5m dribble bar has 30 outlets spaced 260mm apart. This retro-fit solution is backdoor-mounted, with brackets for setting up the unit according to the tanker’s height. Like the others, the existing splash plate can remain in place. The 7.5m unit has a transport width of 2.2m and a transport height of 2.4m. The dribble bar is equipped with a Vogelsang macerator distribution system and comes fitted with LED lighting as standard.

This 7.5m Major solution has a starting price of €10,160 excluding VAT.

Conor engineering has its Farmpro dribble bar range to accommodate farmers wanting to make the move to a retrofit dribble bar system. The Farmpro range is available in two sizes, 6.4m and 7m. Both are mounted to the rear door of any tanker make or size. Both models are fitted with a Vogelsang Exacut macerator distribution system. Break-back protection is fitted to both model sizes to protect booms in the event of colliding with an obstacle. Just two spools are required for use as the rear valve and booms work in sequence. The rear splash plate like the other offerings can still be used with Farmpro models by simply switching spool valves.

The 6.4m Farmpro dribble bar is priced at €9,500 excluding VAT, while the larger 7m unit is priced at €10,500 excluding VAT.

Abbey Machinery is offering a 7.5m retrofit dribble unit. Unlike some of the other offerings, the Abbey system is chassis-mounted for added strength. This means some additional fabrication may have to be done to the tanker. The vertical folding unit is fitted with a Vogelsang Exacut macerator distributor which feeds each of the 40mm outlet pipes. The unit is fitted with boom break-back protection and leaves farmers with the option of using a splash plate if necessary. Rear lights are fitted as standard along with rear fill points. There is an option to add manual change over and an auto reverse feature to the Vogelsang macerator system. The 7.5m offering from Abbey is priced at €10,780 excluding VAT.