KoneJaket Oy provides agricultural contracting services in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, including grain crushing and preservation for use as animal feed on farms. The company’s machinery fleet includes both a Murska disc mill and a Murska Hammer mill. The Hammer has complemented the company’s existing crushing equipment and expanded the range of solutions available for customers with different feed production needs.
Customer needs guided the investment
At KoneJaket, the investment in the Murska Hammer was driven by clear customer demand. The hammer mill complements the company’s other crushing equipment, allowing them to respond even better to changing customer needs.
Cattle farms have strict requirements for feed quality, and customers have a clear need for finer-ground grain. To meet this demand, grain crushing contractor KoneJaket decided to acquire the Murska Hammer mill.
“The main reason we chose the Murska Hammer was to respond to customer needs. There was demand for this type of machine, and we wanted to expand our service offering,” says Mika Laakko, owner of KoneJaket Oy.
According to Laakko, the acquisition of the Murska Hammer has provided the company with more options for various contracting situations.
“The Murska Hammer complements solutions suitable for different moisture levels, and it performs exceptionally well in conditions where other types of mills cannot achieve the desired result,” Laakko explains.
Flexibility for different grains and conditions
The Murska Hammer is used on livestock farms to crush and preserve grain for feed use. The grain is fed into the hopper, from where it passes through the rotor and screens to be crushed. After crushing, a preservative is added, and the feed is stored in airtight conditions for later use.
According to Laakko, varying conditions during the harvest season affect the types of solutions needed on farms. The hammer mill is particularly well-suited for processing dry grain, producing higher-quality feed compared to other solutions. However, the Hammer is also suitable for processing fresher grain, which is a major advantage when grain moisture naturally fluctuates throughout the harvest season.
“We have processed grain with a moisture content of 35–38 percent, and the results have been extremely positive,” Laakko says.
The experiences have been encouraging, especially since there can be preconceptions regarding the suitability of hammer mills for handling wetter grain.
“Processing wet grain has succeeded better than we originally expected, and no major issues have arisen,” Laakko says.
Efficient operation for contracting work
In contracting work, reliability, efficiency, and smooth usability are essential qualities. At KoneJaket, the key strengths of the Murska Hammer are seen in its performance and ease of use.
“The Murska Hammer is an efficient machine that produces a high-quality end product,” Laakko praises.
The machine’s automation and low maintenance requirements also support smooth day-to-day operation. Once the appropriate screens have been selected for the intended application, the machine is straightforward to operate, and the work can proceed efficiently.
“Once the right screens have been selected, the operator mainly needs to monitor that everything is running as it should,” Laakko explains.
Long-standing experience with Murska products has also reinforced KoneJaket Oy’s confidence in the manufacturer’s support. The availability of spare parts, maintenance, and technical advice are crucial factors for contractors when making machinery investments.
“Murska has extensive experience in the field, and spare parts availability, maintenance, and technical support are major benefits for us,” Laakko concludes.
